string gauge

[sleepykitty]

i'm currently using .009s set
they snap and break very easily when i do crazy bends on them (i have stretched the strings btw )
i'm thinking of changing to .010s or .011s but have three worries in mind

1. increased gauge will cause the string tension to increase right? more difficult to play (i've heard it takes getting used to?)
2. and because of the increased gauge, would bending be harder?
3. would doing insane bends on these higher gauge strings cause more string breakage?

please enlighten my shallow mind :lol:

 

[strats]

Mmmm doing full bends have never been an issue for me though I use 9s. Where do they snap/break? All the strings snap or are there only certain strings?

(waits for SC to give a better answer)

 

[Newbie]

You will definitely feel an immense pain when you play heavier gauge, but it is like going back to square 1 ya know? When you first started guitar. And yes, it takes time to get used to it, like how you got use to .9s

String tension will definitely increase. There maybe a need to add additional springs to your guitar in case your bridge is floyd or floating. I have 5 springs at the back of my guitar, 2 high tension and 3 normal springs, just to hold the bridge down(Countering the tension). Well thats for .13s, maybe .11s can still use 3 I'm not sure. Springs are cheap, can get from Davis

And for your info, strings will not snap(brand new ones) if you keep doing crazy bends, UNLESS your bridge and nut have some problems. You should check where your string snaps, at saddle or nut and try to solve the problem from there. And also, the string maybe old hence the easy breakage. Hope I'm of some help.

Regards

 

[sleepykitty]

my strings snap at the bridge
bridge is similar to les paul's bridge (stop tail i'm guessing?)
wat do u guys recommend i do?

 

[strats]

What axe are you using? It's possible there are burrs on the saddles. Any particular string that snaps all the time?

 

[sleepykitty]

i'm using a cort m200
the g, b and high e snaps. but mostly it's the high e
wat are burrs?

 

[Newbie]

You can sand your bridge saddles, but if you don't want, you can insert a tiny tube thingy maybe made of rubber or something and slot it into the strings.

This way, when your strings is resting on the saddle, it wont rest on the saddle directly but on the tube. Hence, giving it "extra protection" heh heh, had to be cheeky on this one.

Anyway, can always check with local guitar techs as it has to be seen to be diagnosed. :lol:

 

[Newbie]

Btw, how often does it snap? 1-2 months snap 1 time isn't a lot. Unless you say after 1-2 days and it snaps. Excessive playing after 1 week can also snap, and I'm talking about a 'healthy' bridge.

 

[sleepykitty]

sexual innuendo on that "extra protection" huh.. :lol: :lol:
planning to d.i.y. on that rubber tube thingy idea.. any suggestions?
my latest recent breakage was this afternoon, after having them them in for 6 days
yea but i admit to be playing pretty intensely for that period

 

[Newbie]

Then should be ok what, I'm not sure if cleaning with proper 'equipments' like String Cleaners etc can enhance the lifespan of strings, though you can try.

Erm for the rubber tube thing, you can try those rubber pipes material? For your tap etc. You can cut it and maybe just use a small part of it. I'm not sure if it affects the intonation/tuning(consistency) or anything but basically I've seen people doing that, and it works for them. Shldn't be a problem lah, just try lor no harm.

Try something like these, hardware shops should sell.

 

[Taylorboy87]

I think, one of your worries should include whether could your neck take such high tension. As switching from a 0.09 to 0.11 would make a very big difference. Do adjust the trussrod when you do so, best bring it to a guitar tech.
Btw, what guitar are you using?

 

[sleepykitty]

Btw, what guitar are you using?

using a CORT M200

 

[Newbie]

Yeah I second that, about bringing to guitar tech. You need to file your nut, adjust your intonation and neck relieve. But you can try the tube thingy first.

 

[Taylorboy87]

hmm...i'm not too sure how strong their necks are but it would be best to bring it to a guitar tech to do a full setup, intonation, truss rod adjustment etc.

 

[ShredCow]

Bring it to a tech, and have him check the guitar for you and give you a diagnosis.

None of us here can really know whats going on with your guitar without looking at it in person.

Remember, bring it to a tech and ask him to check and give you his recommendation.

Then think about it for a while, in case its some absurd suggestion like, you have to purchase a new bridge set, or you have to change your nut (when your breakage is mainly @ the bridge), kind of thing. Then you know you should walk away.

FYI, I play really hard on my 0.09s set, a fellow SOFTie (Kank_39) commented so (and he plays Lamb of God) and I don't break strings at all. At least for the part .. well... year? Never broken.

 

[tany]

wont break lah! haha

but i have one guitar using .10s apart from my regular .9s. not very used to it but i use it for thicker tone. a strat.

 

[penta-tonic]

its not about changing gauge for him. when a string breaks at saddle point it really says that there is a need for change of saddles to graphtech graphite saddles. im one who bends alot and thus all my guitars have had that problem so ive either changed to graphite saddles or stainless steel saddles. both of which are good. go to maestro if u need graphtechs. for stainless steel im kinda clueless unless u want the ferra glides which maestro also stocks. hope this helps.

 

[sleepykitty]

my bridge is stop tail.. they sell graphite ones for my type of bridge too?

 

[penta-tonic]

yeah stop tails, tune-o-matics, vintage trem, even floyd rose saddles. but u gotta check what they have in stock or best to go online and search for graphtech and see which model would fit ur guitar.

 

[Gr3y]

Get a Graph Tech string saver saddle!
http://www.graphtech.com/prodssaver.htm

They are using a technology called teflon if i'm not wrong and it seriously increase the sustain n reduces the string breakage problem!The way it work is that this taflon thing spreads the string tension all over the saddle unlike normal steel saddle.The material also allows the sustain to increase by a great 25%!! Now you can do your slash sustain or gary morre solo better than before! :wink:

Available at Maestro Guitars combo shop! :twisted:

Btw,juz by changing a string tension anyhow will cause your neck to warp!This is dangerous!If you went over the limit of what that particular guitar is constructed for,you might even crack or break the neck! A big NO NO! Bring down to a guitar techy to do a proper set up to allow ur neck to play at a higher gauge~ that way you'll enjoy the thickness of a heavy gauge w/o having a pain in the neck!