Point of string breakage and diagnosis

jaymenon

If my first string broke at this location - and I had taken 2 or 3 winds around the post (even though it is a locking tuner), i’m guessing that would negate a sharp edge on my tuning post, causing the breakage? 

Especially since I can see about half an inch worth of string proximal to the point where it enters the hole of the tuner post (second picture).

https://i.imgur.com/GXt2f52.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/oaJmA3s.jpeg

merlin

Like the B string, your top E string appears to run over the tuning post for a bit before straightening out. So no it doesn't negate a sharp, or rough part of the post. Have a feel. 

Was the string wound going over a part of itself?

normula1

I only ever get this if I've slackened off and re-tightened several times. Typically happens when I'm messing under the pickguard and need to take the neck off. It's normally a case of when, not if it'll break

ICBM

String crossed over itself? The B is…

I would always put the absolute minimum possible wind on a locking tuner, unless - often with the G - you really need to increase the break angle at the nut. I pull the string through the tuner until it’s tight before locking.

jaymenon

Thanks guys - I find with locking tuners if I put the 'absolute minimum possible wind' (like what ICBM stated), then pretty much invariably it will break when I slacken the string for whatever.

That never happens with conventional/vintage tuners.

So I put a couple of winds on, since the locking mechanism is irrelevant to me...

jaymenon

'Strings crossed over themselves' -  that's a good point, I shall be careful

Svartmetall

I always go with 2 winds around before tightening for low E & A strings, and 3 for the rest; it's worked for me for many years now.

SteveRobinson

jaymenon said:

Thanks guys - I find with locking tuners if I put the 'absolute minimum possible wind' (like what ICBM stated), then pretty much invariably it will break when I slacken the string for whatever.

Elixir strings? 

jaymenon

No Steve - I find that with D'Addario EXL110s...

If I for example, slacken the strings, take the neck off to get at the pickguard etc, then re-attach neck and tune up again: 

With vintage tuners I can do this multiple times without any problems.

With locking tuners, the strings tend to break - very often. 
That tendency is less if I have a couple of winds around the post.

FelineGuitars

Locking tuners do not like you to slacken off and refit strings . 

We speak of Sperzel woes in regard to this in the past 

Whilst it could be a burr or a sharp edge on the tuner barrel (which could be smoothed with some abrasive cord (see Mitchells abrasive cord) it could often be where the retaining pin puts a dent in the string  and it becomes a weak point

guitars4you

FelineGuitars said:

Whilst it could be a burr or a sharp edge on the tuner barrel (which could be smoothed with some abrasive cord (see Mitchells abrasive cord) it could often be where the retaining pin puts a dent in the string  and it becomes a weak point

Both are my gut feeling - Even a sharp edge on the 'exit/entry' of the string post hole or in the hole itself - A quick clean with a small needle file, through the hole and the edge of the hole and a quick clean around the post itself with wet n dry 

Funkfingers

jaymenon said:

the locking mechanism is irrelevant to me

In which case, why have them?

•

Regardless of the locking mechanism type, each string is gripped by the application of pressure via a hardened steel surface. This invariably compresses and fatigues the string. (The old PRS "wing collar" machineheads leave two kinks approximately 4mm apart.)

In attempting to re-tightened old strings, the temptation is to realign the compression/fatigue spot with the locking mechanism. Unfortunately, this invites new compression and fatigue at a slightly different angle to the original locking point, weakening the string exponentially. It is doomed to break.

merlin

I only have locking tuners on my Gretsch. And I use Thomastiks which have never broken in a gig situation. When I restring I don't use the locking tuners and just string as usual.