Re: Strings breaking... (jaguar)

FireAarro · Post by **FireAarro** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 11:53 pm

Okay, I've had 2 high E strings (D'Addario .011) break right at the ball in the last month or so. One when I was playing and one when I was tuning up after a truss rod adjustment (I was just about to reach the right pitch, I think I was going a bit too fast though). Is it just my doing or is there a problem with the guitar? Perhaps a burr in the thing the strings are attached to on the vibrato system? Has anyone had anything like this happen before?

burker · Post by **burker** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 9:47 am

My Jazzmaster does the same thing.
What I do to fix it is get some wire, strip the plastic off it, then slip the plastic sleeve around the high E string when I'm re-stringing. You push it down to where the ball end is, this prevents the part with the string wrapped around itself from unwinding ( I think the screws for the trem wear on it causing this....)

flatfiver · Post by **flatfiver** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 12:55 pm

D'Addarios are horrible on JM/Jag trems. My solution was to stop using D'Addarios.

I've heard of burker's idea working, also doing something similar with old ball ends. I've had success reinforcing the wraps with a little dab of solder - actually you can get D'Addarios with this pre-done, can't remember the exact name they have for it, Ernie Ball calls them RPS.

flatfiver · Post by **flatfiver** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 12:58 pm

D'Addario KXLs have the twist soldered on the plain strings. I don't think I've ever seen them in a shop though.

http://www.daddario.com/DADProdDetail.a ... Class=AABA

Pumpkin · Post by **Pumpkin** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 7:33 pm

Try DR strings,'ve found them to be the best for a jag trem as they wont even break.
But keep in mind i never tune higher than D so this contributes to string strength also.

Maggieo · Post by **Maggieo** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 7:37 pm

I had the very same problem with my Jazzmaster and since I switched to Fender strings it's vanished. Haven't broken a string in six months and I wail on the trem.

aen · Post by **aen** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 8:24 pm

Do you have to special order them, or do they sell strings thicker than the guided angel hairs available in my town.

(grumble grumble... freaking strat whackers... just because you can use 9s doesnt mean you should...)

Maggieo · Post by **Maggieo** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 8:27 pm

aen wrote:

Do you have to special order them, or do they sell strings thicker than the guided angel hairs available in my town.

(grumble grumble... freaking strat whackers... just because you can use 9s doesnt mean you should...)

I gots tens on mine. Crazy thin for a JM, but so far, so good.

FireAarro · Post by **FireAarro** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 8:29 pm

Thanks guys, what strings do you use on your Jags/Jazzmasters? I like the D'Addarios, but I'm not attached to them, if I can find something else nice that doesn't break that would be good

Ooh, also, what sorta sound would I get from flats on my Jag? I don't really like the new string sound much, on bass or guitar, I prefer strings to be broken in a bit. My Jag came with a pack of Fender flats in the case.

Val66c · Post by **Val66c** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 8:57 pm

I use DR 11 gauge strings on my mij jm. Haven't had any problems yet and I've never broken one.
I filed the pivot down on my trem so the e string doesn't rub on the screw then put a new set of D'addarios on. The e STILL broke in the first hour the new strings were on. Thats when I changed to DR and they're all good.

donnyII · Post by **donnyII** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 1:14 am

generally ive found the daddario strings are super clangy sounding. I too like the dull-ness factor of old strings. Ernie ball ROCK AND ROLL strings are pure nickel strings that tend to not sound too clangy.

Pumpkin · Post by **Pumpkin** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 11:23 pm

I feel strings are strings and don't make a deal out of 'em but D'addario's are so shit it's not funny.
DR's seem to work well on a jag on either a standard bridge and a tom,the result is the same:a warm full sounding string that i am yet to break.
i been usin' 10-52's but i wana try some 11 or 12''s as the high e string feels like a piece of cotton on my fingers i can hardly feel it.

Infliktor · Post by **Infliktor** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 4:14 pm

FireAarro

Do you still have the package of the Fender Flats that came in your case?

Mad-Mike · Post by **Mad-Mike** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 4:52 am

Fenders on my Jaguar here too (009-042), no problems with ball end separation either here. That thing has had the same strings since july, and its still going strong, even with all the diving and squealing bends I do.

chrisjedijane · Post by **chrisjedijane** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 6:23 am

I use D'addario 11's, and I change my strings every week or so (I need to change them for every gig). I haven't had any problems with them. in fact, I don't think I've EVER broken a string on my jazzmaster since I got it in may.