62 RI HELP String Breakage Problem (vintage 3 saddle bridge)

Suitor_Stu · May 20th, 2005, 05:40 PM

Okay, first of all, id like to say i did a search through the forum to try and find an answe to this problem, but there was nothing SPECIFICALLY on this type of 3-saddle bridge, so im sorry if any of you think this is tedious!

Okay, so i recently (well about 2 months ago) i changed the strings on my MIJ '62 to GHS 11s after having bought the guitar set up for 10s (i thought they were too spaghetti like for my style) and ive been having problems with string breakage.

When it was set up with 10s, there was no problem - infact, i played it hard for roughly 1-2hrs a day for the first 2 months or so with no problems. But in the time ive changed to 11s, i break a string every week and its usually the 4th (D - 26), and im tearing my hair out singe i broke, changed and broke in under one day today!!!

Its breaking at point number 3.

My question is, what is causing this?! Ive been used tune-o-matic style bridges and the one on the MIM Standard tele previous to this guitar, so i dont know where exactly does it need to be strung - that is through the guide 1 or guide 2? Does this make a difference? Any other suggestions?

Any will be greatly appreciated!!

Cheers, Stu

Suitor_Stu · May 20th, 2005, 05:52 PM

sorry bout the tiny pic - myspace only lets you host teeny ones - im working on getting a high rez one up soon...

Thanks, Stu

Poppatwang · May 20th, 2005, 05:55 PM

same problem. Took a little wire wheel on a Dremel
tool & buffed the saddle to remove any too sharp
edge. Presto! Cured.

moonshiner · May 20th, 2005, 06:16 PM

To see if there are any burrs, use a cotton swab and run it across the saddle.. If cotton sticks there is a burr.. then you can take a file or a dremel to get it off...

Hope it helps...

Suitor_Stu · May 20th, 2005, 10:02 PM

cool, thanks. Ill give that a try.

I was just curious since its only happened since i changed strings - cos before that it didnt break.

So it doesnt really matter which groove the string lies in? As in, does it matter that the string is comin out the hole and there is an angle in the string between the hole and the saddle?(if you understand that...)

Thanks, Stu

Geo · May 23rd, 2005, 11:51 AM

Quote:

So it doesnt really matter which groove the string
lies in? As in, does it matter that the string is comin out the
hole and there is an angle in the string between the hole
and the saddle?(if you understand that...)

I think you would want the string straight aligned all
the way string ball end to tuner post or at least very
close. Try to do it. It may be side loading on the string.

At least it will eliminate a variable if it doesn't correct
the problem. The other comments on a burr are worth
checking though also.

Joe-Bob · May 23rd, 2005, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suitor_Stu

So it doesnt really matter which groove the string lies in? As in, does it matter that the string is comin out the hole and there is an angle in the string between the hole and the saddle?(if you understand that...)

Thanks, Stu

Well, Yes, it does matter. That picture looks very strange with the angles from the string holes to the saddles. Obviously something is not right there. On my tele, the string from the holes to the saddle contact points and the rest of the string make straight lines.

yegbert · May 23rd, 2005, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe-Bob

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suitor_Stu

So it doesnt really matter which groove the string lies in? As in, does it matter that the string is comin out the hole and there is an angle in the string between the hole and the saddle?(if you understand that...)

Thanks, Stu

Well, Yes, it does matter. That picture looks very strange with the angles from the string holes to the saddles. Obviously something is not right there. On my tele, the string from the holes to the saddle contact points and the rest of the string make straight lines.

On my Tele with AllParts threaded saddles, when I put the strings (10s) in a straight line some of them were barely touching the sides of the saddle height screws. My compromise for now is to put those strings inboard from the screw by one thread of the saddle. The strings aren't perfectly straight this way, but at least they aren't vibrating against the screw side.

I'm eventually going to shorten my saddle height screws and then see if I can get the strings straight.

I'm not having a problem with mine breaking, but maybe that's partly because of my playing style not being as hard as some.

Suitor_Stu · May 23rd, 2005, 06:44 PM

haha Joe-Bob, thats a little thing called perspective! I can assure you that my strings arent at THAT much of an angle (my camera was just very close to the bridge, so it sort of had a fish-eye lens affect)!

There is maybe a 1mm difference from where the string exits the body and hits the saddle.

I checked it out with the cotton swab trick and found a little burr almost exactly where arrow 2 is pointing (on the crest of the turn rather than in the pit), so im gonna try to find a file or something to get rid of it. This explains why ive only had a problem with the thicker strings (because the thinner ones just fell into the pit).

Thanks everyone!

Stu

May 20th, 2005, 05:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
Suitor_Stu Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dundee, Scotland Posts: 113	62 RI HELP String Breakage Problem (vintage 3 saddle bridge) Okay, first of all, id like to say i did a search through the forum to try and find an answe to this problem, but there was nothing SPECIFICALLY on this type of 3-saddle bridge, so im sorry if any of you think this is tedious! Okay, so i recently (well about 2 months ago) i changed the strings on my MIJ '62 to GHS 11s after having bought the guitar set up for 10s (i thought they were too spaghetti like for my style) and ive been having problems with string breakage. When it was set up with 10s, there was no problem - infact, i played it hard for roughly 1-2hrs a day for the first 2 months or so with no problems. But in the time ive changed to 11s, i break a string every week and its usually the 4th (D - 26), and im tearing my hair out singe i broke, changed and broke in under one day today!!! Its breaking at point number 3. My question is, what is causing this?! Ive been used tune-o-matic style bridges and the one on the MIM Standard tele previous to this guitar, so i dont know where exactly does it need to be strung - that is through the guide 1 or guide 2? Does this make a difference? Any other suggestions? Any will be greatly appreciated!! Cheers, Stu

May 20th, 2005, 05:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
Poppatwang Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 1,892 13 Photos	Same bridge... same problem. Took a little wire wheel on a Dremel tool & buffed the saddle to remove any too sharp edge. Presto! Cured. __________________ The Dieselfitters http://www.dieselfitters.com Roy Hubbs http://www.royhubbs.com

May 20th, 2005, 06:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
moonshiner Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Milyucky, Whiskonsin Posts: 2,171	To see if there are any burrs, use a cotton swab and run it across the saddle.. If cotton sticks there is a burr.. then you can take a file or a dremel to get it off... Hope it helps... __________________ "Everyone's got to be something... Me? I'm stupid... It's all I ever wanted to be... Shock me again!"

May 20th, 2005, 05:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
Suitor_Stu Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dundee, Scotland Posts: 113	sorry bout the tiny pic - myspace only lets you host teeny ones - im working on getting a high rez one up soon... Thanks, Stu

May 20th, 2005, 10:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
Suitor_Stu Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dundee, Scotland Posts: 113	cool, thanks. Ill give that a try. I was just curious since its only happened since i changed strings - cos before that it didnt break. So it doesnt really matter which groove the string lies in? As in, does it matter that the string is comin out the hole and there is an angle in the string between the hole and the saddle?(if you understand that...) Thanks, Stu

May 23rd, 2005, 06:44 PM	#9 (permalink)
Suitor_Stu Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dundee, Scotland Posts: 113	haha Joe-Bob, thats a little thing called perspective! I can assure you that my strings arent at THAT much of an angle (my camera was just very close to the bridge, so it sort of had a fish-eye lens affect)! There is maybe a 1mm difference from where the string exits the body and hits the saddle. I checked it out with the cotton swab trick and found a little burr almost exactly where arrow 2 is pointing (on the crest of the turn rather than in the pit), so im gonna try to find a file or something to get rid of it. This explains why ive only had a problem with the thicker strings (because the thinner ones just fell into the pit). Thanks everyone! Stu