Why do strings break when tuning down

Some bridges can be relentless on strings near the ball end because the saddles are just too sharp. So if your string keeps breaking down by the ball end, take care of those unforgiving edges with a file or a bit of sandpaper to allow the string to slide in the saddle properly.

Sometimes, frets can develop burrs that will damage the strings when fretting. Heavy picks wear on strings with repeated use, especially strings with a thinner gauge. A simple remedy is just switching to a lighter pick. Skip to main content. Tech Talk. Why Do Guitar Strings Break? By Mike Duffy. It just takes a little vigilance and maintenance once you figure out the issue.

It's metal fatigue, pure and simple, and it can manifest itself at would seem to be the least likely times, like when you're lowering the tension on the string. If you take a wire coat hanger and bend it back and forth, sooner or later the wire will break. The last time you bend it doesn't have to be especially forceful if it's ready to go. Hope that makes sense. Wade Hampton Miller. Find all posts by Howard Emerson. Originally Posted by Howard Emerson. Hi Wade, Okay champ, then riddle me this: Why do the strings that go up and down a whole step, constantly, on a pedal steel guitar, not break from getting tuned up and down?

Chances are that the nut slot is ever-so-slightly too tight for the string. And as you raise and lower it, it's not moving freely. My experience has shown that a slight widening of the slot will fix this problem. Just because you've argued someone into silence doesn't mean you have convinced them. I vote for metal fatigue, especially if as with my guitars it breaks right at the tuning peg. Someone assured me that it's less likely to happen with "warmed up" strings. Who knows The obvious solution for string breakage from alternate tunings is to buy a guitar for every tuning.

Howard Klepper. If the string is only making contact at the fingerboard side of the slot it kinks there. Good question, Howard, never thought of that one. My educated guess is that there are probably two contributing factors: 1. Strings on standard fretted instruments like guitars and banjos constantly get slammed against these little metal bars we call frets.

This would contribute to the strings weakening, by a considerable bit, I'd imagine. Since pedal steel guitars lack frets entirely, those repeated stresses in the same spots over and over wouldn't occur, since there's nothing there but thin air for the string to hit up against; and 2. Pedal steels are generally played with a heavy metal bar in one hand and fingerpicks on the other. Any skin-to-string contact is minimal, and so there's much less chance of corrosive skin chemistry taking its toll on the strings.

Find all posts by little rowboat. Since pedal steel guitars lack frets entirely, those repeated stresses in the same spots over and over wouldn't occur, since there's nothing there but thin air for the string to hit up against;. Find all posts by rick-slo.

Breaking a string in the middle of an epic solo is a bummer. This will weaken the string and make it prone to breaking. Once you place the string in the post be sure to leave about an inch-and-a-half to two inches to wind around the post. Too many turns around the tuning post creates tuning problems and look messy. These will cause breaks and should be filed down with a fine-detail mini-file.

Also, dirt and grit can accumulate within those holes over time. Cleaning the holes with a cotton swab or a wound guitar string and maintaining tuning posts in general will eliminate this breaking point.