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Author Topic:  3rd string issues
Jeff Waller

 

From:
marshall Illinois, USA
Post  Posted 2 May 2017 5:03 pm    
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Hey all. I have a 77 msa classic I am using a 11 gauge string on the 3rd string g# any hints on keeping it from snapping every other day.? I am entirely open to hints. Thanks.
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David Nugent

 

From:
Gum Spring, Va.
Post  Posted 2 May 2017 5:23 pm    
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The third is very likely the most commonly broken string on a steel guitar. You will need to know at what point the string is breaking. If at the key head, you may have a burr in or around the hole in the tuning key; nearer to the ball end may indicate a rough spot on the changer finger. In either case, carefully polishing the problem spot with automotive polishing compound may resolve the issue...FYI: I find that using the fine grit side of an emery board works well for smoothing the changer finger however, you will need to proceed slowly and use a light touch to avoid causing a groove or flat spot on the finger which may result in a buzzing string.
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Greg Lambert

 

From:
Illinois, USA
Post  Posted 2 May 2017 5:51 pm    
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I had that problem and was winding the new string on top of each winding. When I started winding them without overlapping the breakage stopped.
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 2 May 2017 7:27 pm    
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David is right. Where it breaks will change the assessment of what's happening.
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Carl Kilmer


From:
East Central, Illinois
Post  Posted 3 May 2017 3:41 pm    
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Jeff, I sent you an email. Give me a call........Lucky
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Jeff Waller

 

From:
marshall Illinois, USA
Post  Posted 3 May 2017 4:07 pm    
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Hey guys. After breaking 2 more strings this evening, it is breaking at the tuning key. Any ideas?
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Carl Kilmer


From:
East Central, Illinois
Post  Posted 3 May 2017 4:28 pm    
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Hey Jeff, looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.
I think we'll solve the problem for you....Lucky
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Mike Archer

 

From:
church hill tn
Post  Posted 3 May 2017 4:37 pm     3 string
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insert the string through the hole wind the string
on key head side one turn then cross over to the other side and wind it up being careful not to overlap
the string on itself tune to pitch let it sit

a while step on pedal a few times see what happens
KEEP YOUR HANDS AND FACE AWAY FROM NECK!!
make sure before you put new string on to lub the roller make sure it rolls free AND NO BURRS

mike
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Dick Wood


From:
Springtown Texas, USA
Post  Posted 3 May 2017 5:03 pm    
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Be SURE the string is winding at least 3 times around the post. If it's barely making it around once then it will break very often.
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 3 May 2017 5:46 pm    
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For the third string, I give it enough wraps so that it has coiled off beyond the hole in the post. There are often burrs or a sharp edge on the hole; get out to smooth barrel.
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Doug Palmer


From:
Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
Post  Posted 3 May 2017 6:01 pm     string breaking
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After checking for burr's etc. use a GHS .011PG string. Make sure it is the PG string. I get 15 gigs out of mine. Bob sells them here on the forum, if you can't find them there I can provide them.
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Bobby D. Jones

 

From:
West Virginia, USA
Post  Posted 3 May 2017 8:22 pm     3rd String issues
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I have a 74 MSA S10. Been where you are. You must put enough wraps on the Tuner to wrap off the cross hole through the key shaft and the string is riding on the smooth solid shaft. I cut the 3rd string the distance between 3 key shafts. Be Careful a string breaking at the key head is dangerous. Good Luck and Happy Steelin.
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ajm

 

From:
Los Angeles
Post  Posted 4 May 2017 10:31 am    
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This was a related topic in the not too distant past.

It could be a bad batch of strings.

You could also try an .010 gauge (but in reality you probably shouldn't need to).
You'd need to readjust/tune any changes on that string due to the different gauge.
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ajm

 

From:
Los Angeles
Post  Posted 4 May 2017 10:39 am    
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This was a related topic in the not too distant past.

It could be a bad batch of strings.

You could also try an .010 gauge (but in reality you probably shouldn't need to).
You'd need to readjust/tune any changes on that string due to the different gauge.
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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 4 May 2017 12:33 pm    
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I went the other way, I use a .012 for the 3rd.
I can't remember the last time I broke a string and I also get great tone on that string using Live Steel Strings. Very Happy
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Tony Prior


From:
Charlotte NC
Post  Posted 4 May 2017 1:56 pm    
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A few thoughts...

What strings are you using ?

Are you certain you are tuning to proper pitch ?

Try strings from another source, meaning not the same LOT

It is not unheard of to have a pack of strings that are just not right.
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Chris Schlotzhauer


From:
Colleyville, Tx. USA
Post  Posted 4 May 2017 2:20 pm    
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Erv Niehaus wrote:
I went the other way, I use a .012 for the 3rd.
I can't remember the last time I broke a string and I also get great tone on that string using Live Steel Strings. Very Happy


same here....
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Tony Glassman


From:
The Great Northwest
Post  Posted 4 May 2017 4:56 pm    
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Chris Schlotzhauer wrote:
Erv Niehaus wrote:
I went the other way, I use a .012 for the 3rd.
I can't remember the last time I broke a string and I also get great tone on that string using Live Steel Strings. Very Happy


same here....

Ditto
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Paddy Long


From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
Post  Posted 4 May 2017 5:50 pm    
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[/quote]I use a .012 for the 3rd.

And Ditto -- except I use Jagwires
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Tony Prior


From:
Charlotte NC
Post  Posted 5 May 2017 1:06 am    
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years back I had a pack of 11's from a famous brand, very famous brand. On a gig, the rare thing happened, I popped the 11. I changed it with the "new pack" brand. 3 in a row broke at the ball end, I went back to a previous brand that I still carried , no issue.

I generally wrap 5 turns on the thin strings, the process is the same and has been for 40 years plus my root tuning was 442 at the time.

Sometimes it's just the string or the LOT.

Not saying it is, but it's worth the thought as well as checking root pitch.
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CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website
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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 5 May 2017 7:28 am    
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My wife and I were living in Littleton, Colorado and I was asked to play at the dedication of a new Baptist church in town.
At the time, I was playing a Sho~Bud fingertip model. In the process of trying to get the guitar up to pitch, I broke the 3rd string time after time. I was getting desperate, I had depleted my stock of that gauge string.
I scouted all over Denver and finally came up with a string. The high 5th string for a banjo! It got me through the gig. Very Happy
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