Topic: Keeping a Strat in tune when a string breaks? (Read 3189 times)

jivejong · « **on:** August 08, 2009, 12:19:14 AM »

I love my Strat, but I usually play a Tele at church because I am afraid if a string breaks the whole guitar will go out of tune and I won't be able to finish the song.

I know I can block the tremolo, but if I did that then I kinda lose part of the reason why I want to use my Strat.

Does anyone know a trick for keeping a Strat in tune when a string breaks?

melrhyne · « **Reply #1 on:** August 08, 2009, 03:08:01 AM »

When the string breaks, it's a bit harder to control tuning, but before hand, you can take some preventative measures.

1. Try the shavings from a pencil. The graphite of the point ( not lead) is great for rubbing into the nut slots and keeping to hold the string in tune.

2. Stretching the strings, from the bridge to the nut will help settle the string in the nut/cradle a bit better. Do all the strings 1by1.
3. When the string finally does break, and you are on stage, then try bending the neck forward, ever so slightly.
Now I'll probably get a lot of flack for that, as guys like Jay, Dave, and JLynn are more "luthierly" inclined, but I learned this from a
Bill Frisell masterclass. He's known for using teles, and when a string breaks, or they go out of tune, he pushes the neck-almost like Adrian Belew, and it works-for him

!

funkStrat_97 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 08, 2009, 06:20:17 AM »

Quote from: jivejong on August 08, 2009, 12:19:14 AM

I love my Strat, but I usually play a Tele at church because I am afraid if a string breaks the whole guitar will go out of tune and I won't be able to finish the song.

I know I can block the tremolo, but if I did that then I kinda lose part of the reason why I want to use my Strat.

Does anyone know a trick for keeping a Strat in tune when a string breaks?

You can either set up your Strat so that the trem doesn't float or get this. Do you break strings that often?

melrhyne · « **Reply #3 on:** August 08, 2009, 07:35:03 AM »

Funkstrat-that thing looks coooool!!! Where'd you find this?

funkStrat_97 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 08, 2009, 07:52:36 AM »

Quote from: melrhyne on August 08, 2009, 07:35:03 AM

Funkstrat-that thing looks coooool!!! Where'd you find this?

Saw an ad for it in Guitar Player a while ago.

jivejong · « **Reply #5 on:** August 08, 2009, 12:45:55 PM »

Quote from: funkStrat_97 on August 08, 2009, 06:20:17 AM

You can either set up your Strat so that the trem doesn't float or get this.  Do you break strings that often?

Thanks! That is exactly what I am looking for.

I break strings about every 4th or 5th gig. I also play all-niters now and then, so the strings take a little more toll on those weeks. I do alot to try to prevent this from happening, like putting graphite in the saddles and what not, but I still manage to break them on what-ever guitar I play.

I once had a string break less than 30 seconds into a song on a brand new set of strings, but it could have been a bad string.

dantroop · « **Reply #6 on:** August 08, 2009, 01:10:35 PM »

try a heavier gage i love my 11s

funkStrat_97 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 09, 2009, 02:18:38 PM »

Quote from: dantroop on August 08, 2009, 01:10:35 PM

try a heavier gage i love my 11s

String gauge doesn't matter; once you break a string on any guitar with a floaing trem, you will be hopelessly out of tune due the the pull of the springs exceeding the tension of the remaining strings.

funkStrat_97 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 09, 2009, 08:05:45 PM »

Quote from: dantroop on August 08, 2009, 01:10:35 PM

try a heavier gage i love my 11s

Quote from: funkStrat_97 on August 09, 2009, 02:18:38 PM

String gauge doesn't matter; once you break a string on any guitar with a floaing trem, you will be hopelessly out of tune due the the pull of the springs exceeding the tension of the remaining strings.

Let's try that again. Using heavier strings will probably reduce the instances of string breakage, but some people prefer the feel and playability of lighter gauges. I mayself also use 11's. Another thing that you may want to consider doing is something that the late great SRV did: use heat-shrinking rubber tubing around the base of the string up to the saddle. Now bear in mind that he used 13's and had a wicked attack.

SanctifiedGuitar · « **Reply #9 on:** August 09, 2009, 11:21:15 PM »

Man, you are having "String Break" moments in the summer

I believe you may be picking the string to hard...

When I first started playing the guitar, I broke strings often. I rarely break a string now. Thanks be to God, yeah

...or try a different pick, or check your headnut.

jlynnb1 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 10, 2009, 12:12:38 AM »

i rarely break a string and i play pretty hard....might have your guitar checked to make sure there isn't anything up with your nut/saddles.

jivejong · « **Reply #11 on:** August 10, 2009, 03:59:28 PM »

Nothing is wrong with the nut or saddles, I checked that. I rotate between 4 different guitars and the break doesn't usually happen at the nut or saddle.

Maybe it's the pick I use?

BTW, I use .10s, and on my acoustic that uses .12s, I rarely break a string. I love the sound of .11s, but bending is easier for me on .10s.

jlynnb1 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 10, 2009, 04:37:17 PM »

if it's not your nut or saddles then you mus be picking insanely hard. and don't buy the string gauge = tone thing...it's patently untrue. the only way gauge would affect your tone is if you use really heavy strings so you can really play hard.

jivejong · « **Reply #13 on:** August 10, 2009, 05:00:58 PM »

Quote from: jlynnb1 on August 10, 2009, 04:37:17 PM

if it's not your nut or saddles then you mus be picking insanely hard. and don't buy the string gauge = tone thing...it's patently untrue. the only way gauge would affect your tone is if you use really heavy strings so you can really play hard.

I don't think I pick really hard, but when I get the juices flowing and excited, I do tend to play harder. In my Blues gig, I do some crazy Albert King style bending and maybe that's the cause. Sometimes, I do pull the strings away from the fretboard ala Albert Colins, and I'm sure that might wear on it as well.

Next time I break a string, I'll have to see what I was doing.

Thanks for your input.

funkStrat_97 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 10, 2009, 05:57:51 PM »

Quote from: jivejong on August 10, 2009, 03:59:28 PM

Nothing is wrong with the nut or saddles, I checked that. I rotate between 4 different guitars and the break doesn't usually happen at the nut or saddle.

Maybe it's the pick I use?

BTW, I use .10s, and on my acoustic that uses .12s, I rarely break a string. I love the sound of .11s, but bending is easier for me on .10s.

That aint no pick...it's a dagger!

jlynnb1 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 10, 2009, 06:31:11 PM »

i do big bends as well....sometimes as much as a major 3rd or a 4th...and since i rarely break strings, i have to imagine there is another culprit.

jivejong · « **Reply #16 on:** August 10, 2009, 06:34:56 PM »

Quote from: jlynnb1 on August 10, 2009, 06:31:11 PM

i do big bends as well....sometimes as much as a major 3rd or a 4th...and since i rarely break strings, i have to imagine there is another culprit.

Out of curiosity, what kind of strings do you use?

jlynnb1 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 10, 2009, 06:59:06 PM »

Quote from: jivejong on August 10, 2009, 06:34:56 PM

Out of curiosity, what kind of strings do you use?

D'Addario XL's

jivejong · « **Reply #18 on:** August 11, 2009, 03:48:32 PM »

Quote from: jlynnb1 on August 10, 2009, 06:59:06 PM

D'Addario XL's

hmm...may have to give those a try. Not sure if I'm ready to give up my DRs, though.

jlynnb1 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 11, 2009, 06:26:12 PM »

Quote from: jivejong on August 11, 2009, 03:48:32 PM

hmm...may have to give those a try. Not sure if I'm ready to give up my DRs, though.

i used DR's for about 2 string changes...tried to like em...they just always sounded dull to me.

Author Topic: Keeping a Strat in tune when a string breaks? (Read 3189 times)