Duotone breaking strings - any suggestions?

[Jamie K]

Hey All -

Semi-newbie/lurker here. Just a quick question on a problem I am having - breaking strings on my USA Duotone Custom. I have broken about 5 or 6 (wound) G strings, as well as a D string, in the past few months. Prior to this, there was no problem with this guitar. They always break right at the bend over the bridge saddle. At first I thought it was just a problem with the strings (DR Zebra 11's), but I put on a set of GHS Rollerwound 11's last week and the same thing happened - another busted G string. It always occurs during moderately hard strumming, but I don't think I'm overworking the strings in these situations.

The Duotone has the acoustic type bridge, so there is no metal contact down there to cause me to think a nick or burr is cutting the string. I'm at a loss. The saddle does have some minor indentations (as you would expect) from the strings...should I sand those out to fix the problem? Maybe some graphite? A lighter pick? At this rate I'm going to be added to Canseco's list of steroid users!

Thanks for any thoughts/suggestions.

-Jamie

[LarryC]

Hey Jamie, I had the same problem with my '84 Ovation...only I'd break strings in different locations. I busted a few "A" (!) strings at the nut, "G" stings at the bridge, as well as "D" strings at either location. It always took place during moderate strumming (ok, well maybe I was overly moderate). I was using KAMAN Adamas strings at that time. What I wound up doing was to go with a lighter string set and backing off a bit on my "moderate" strumming. Before long I was back to just occasionally popping the number 1 "E" string during tuning...hehe...I do a lot of DADGBD tuning so popping the #1 E going back up to standard pitch happens sometimes...

[Guest galejt]

I do a lot of DADGBD tuning so popping the #1 E going back up to standard pitch happens sometimes...

+1 for DADGBD (Kottke baby!)

[LarryC]

I do a lot of DADGBD tuning so popping the #1 E going back up to standard pitch happens sometimes...

+1 for DADGBD (Kottke baby!)

You read my mail

[Jeroen]

I am a LeadGuitarist so I don't break strings hehehehe

Your attack/strumming on the strings is I guess to much. our Rhythm guitarist is breaking A, D and G strings too, we are using the same strings!!(D'Addario EXL110) If I break strings it'll be the E or B, but that is maybe 2 or 3 times in a year.

Maybe playing with thinner picks will help too!!

Jeroen

[rmahurin]

Stop doing Townsend windmills!

[Jamie K]

Hey everyone-

Thanks for the info...I guess the consensus is that there is nothing wrong with the guitar itself. I think I will switch to a lighter/thinner pick, and maybe run a bit of very fine grit sandpaper over the top of the saddle to just smooth it a bit.

Funny thing...I just got a call from a rep at DR. I had complained in an email to the web seller about all the string breaks, and they forwarded the info to DR. The DR rep called me and we talked a bit about the situation. She never once suggested I had a problem with the guitar (a possibility) or with my technique (a near-certainty). So, she is sending a replacement G for each of the sets I most recently purchased (all of which broke) AND they are sending me a couple of complete sets as compensation for my "inconvenience." So, they get my vote for customer service excellence.

Jamie