String Question for Lakland 55-02 Owners

[pan1k]

So I recently became the owner of my first Lakland. New to 5 string, new to Lakland. LOVE IT! I bought some new D'Addario strings. I Snapped the E string (TWICE), and the B string isn't sitting right. It feels like there is too much tention. How do I resolve this? Also suggested strings?

 

[Gougedeye]

2 broken strings? I'd check the saddles. Might be a burr or something. Maybe bad strings? That seems unlikely. I've had a 55-94 for 18 years and never broken a string. I use DR Sun Beams .45-.130.

 

[pan1k]

Yeah, totally weird at second glace I feel like I need to check the strings to make sure theyre Extra Long. IDK. My first instinct is user error not bass error lol.

 

[mikezimmerman]

I usually used Lakland steels on my 55-01s and 55-02. Are you stringing through the bridge, or through the body? What string guages are you using, and how are you tuning the bass?

I never had a problem with the Lakland strings, which are tapered, but through-body stringing may be giving you too big of a break angle over the saddle for the D'Addarios you're using, or you may not be tuning the bass correctly if the string feels too tight and you're new to 5-strings.

 

[zachbass02]

I like the Lakland nickles on mine. Definitely double check your E string saddle for a burr. Odd that you've snapped the same string twice. Not sure what you mean about the B string. Any pics of it not sitting properly?

 

[mmbongo]

DR's fit the 55-02 through body perfectly. I loved the Dragon Skins and Sunbeams on mine.

 

[pan1k]

I'm stringing through the body. standard BEADG tuning. When I get home I will add pictures. Might try some DR Sttings. I'm in a pinch because I have a gig tomorrow and wanted to use this beast.

 

[pan1k]

I like the Lakland nickles on mine. Definitely double check your E string saddle for a burr. Odd that you've snapped the same string twice. Not sure what you mean about the B string. Any pics of it not sitting properly?

could burr(ing) be an issue on a brand new bass?

 

[MattyH]

It could have that issue, or possibly even on the string thru hole. Is it breaking or unwinding at the saddle or lower towards the body? Either way don't let it disappoint you. Laklands are my absolute favorite, and the customer service is top notch.

I second the Lakland Nickels. Holy hell I love these strings. Took about 3 days to get to me here on Long Island from Chicago. In your case, maybe grab a set of DRs so you can take it out on your gig. They're a little expensive but 1 - they'll deffinitly fit, and 2 - they'll sound great.

When youre re stringing, maybe try going top instead of through the body. Rule out the bridge/body problem and see if it's just the DAddarios. Thru body on the Laklands is just bliss, but try it thru the bridge and see if you get the breaking problem again.

Now the tension on the B. is this your first 5? If so you may just need to get used to it. If it's not, the 35 scale might be throwing you off. The B is a lot tighter, but trust me, it's for the best. The Lakland B is second to none. Tight, clean, smooth, focused. Or maybe you cut it a tad short and it's stretching more than it should. All things to consider. But good luck, keep us informed, and post pics!

 

[pan1k]

The strings are breaking at the Tuners, not the saddles.

It could have that issue, or possibly even on the string thru hole. Is it breaking or unwinding at the saddle or lower towards the body? Either way don't let it disappoint you. Laklands are my absolute favorite, and the customer service is top notch.

I second the Lakland Nickels. Holy hell I love these strings. Took about 3 days to get to me here on Long Island from Chicago. In your case, maybe grab a set of DRs so you can take it out on your gig. They're a little expensive but 1 - they'll deffinitly fit, and 2 - they'll sound great

The strings break at the tunners not at the saddle.

 

[MattyH]

The strings are breaking at the Tuners, not the saddles.

Oh wow ok I never had that happen.

 

[pan1k]

Oh wow ok I never had that happen.

yeah totally bizarre

 

[zachbass02]

How many winds are you putting on tuning peg?

 

[pan1k]

How many winds are you putting on tuning peg?

two maybe three winds

 

[1954bassman]

When I played Laklands I always used DR strings. or Lakeland strings.

Strings breaking at the the tuners is most likely operator error

 

[pan1k]

When I played Laklands I always used DR strings. or Lakeland strings.

Strings breaking at the the tuners is most likely operator error

I'm starting to agree with ya! it looks like I'll have to try some DR Strings

 

[zachbass02]

With the tapered tuners that Lakland uses, you don't need that many winds. If you're used to playing Fenders that don't have tapered tuning pegs, Fenders require you to wrap several times. This provides the proper down force on the tuner to create the proper break angle over the nut. With the Laklands, you only need about 1 1/2 winds max. The tuner provides the proper down force across the nut.

By adding more wraps, you're not really gaining anything and are running the risk of creating a twist in the string. This would be my guess as to why they're breaking at the point that they are. If you hand wrap the string around the peg (before you start tuning it), there might be a slight twist in the string. Also, you might look for a burr on the tuning peg. It's unlikely on a new bass, but it is possible.

If you can't figure it out, drop Leo Lopez a line at Lakland. He's awesome and should be able to help get it straightened out.

 

[pan1k]

With the tapered tuners that Lakland uses, you don't need that many winds. If you're used to playing Fenders that don't have tapered tuning pegs, Fenders require you to wrap several times. This provides the proper down force on the tuner to create the proper break angle over the nut. With the Laklands, you only need about 1 1/2 winds max. The tuner provides the proper down force across the nut.

By adding more wraps, you're not really gaining anything and are running the risk of creating a twist in the string. This would be my guess as to why they're breaking at the point that they are. If you hand wrap the string around the peg (before you start tuning it), there might be a slight twist in the string. Also, you might look for a burr on the tuning peg. It's unlikely on a new bass, but it is possible.

If you can't figure it out, drop Leo Lopez a line at Lakland. He's awesome and should be able to help get it straightened out.

Thank you so much. My first guess is that I have too many wraps. If that doesnt work I'll try stringing through the bridge

 

[socialleper]

Going through the bridge won't do anything for what is happening at the tuner/nut.
Which scale length are you using? D'Addario's come in a few different lengths. My understanding is that the 55-02 is a 35" scale, so may may need to use the Super Long scale to get the fat part of the string past the nut.
Are you using the hole in the tuning peg to place the end or letting it stick out of the slot?
Are you putting a right angel into the string before trimming it and then trimming just after bend?
What do you mean the B doesn't sit right?
I have only ever broken a bass string twice. One was a the G on a set of light gauge EB Super Slinky strings that I was doing some slap on and it snapped at the ball when I plucked the G. The other was a set of Circle K strings where the core of the B sheared off after I took them off an put them back on again.
You would either need to be pinching them at a very hard angel or tuning them too tight for the gauge.

 

[ldryder]

Most of the new Laklands that I've ever seen, including my own, came from the factory with 2 to 2 1/2 windings. I can't imagine that having an extra 1/2 to full winding could have anything to do with a string breaking.