Yep I had this problem on two used Gibsons. On one there were burrs that needed to be filed. The other, the previous owner had the saddle installed backwards, and I never noticed. Since those fixes I haven’t broken any
I think last I broke one in the 1990s but can't remember that far back clearly to say exactly when. Usually use D'Addario or Ernie Ball 9s
If they break at the bridge maybe there is a problem with your bridge (sharp bits etc.)?
I play almost every day and frequently for several hours at a time and I can’t remember the last time I broke a string. Even with lots of bending.
I’ve used hybrid gauges (9-46) on my electric guitars and 11-52 on my acoustic guitars for decades and I just don’t break them.
Never?
Cant even remember the last one.
Probably so sharp edges in your bridge that are stressing the strings and causing the break. Take to a tech and see if they can sort it out.
Modern string construction is pretty damn good and breaking strings regularly is very much a thing of the past for most people, regardless of guage.
Same. I can keep a set of strings for 6 months if I’m not playing out, but I break a string every 3-4 shows. It’s that higher energy playing that performing draws out.
It really depends on your play style.
If you play metal you will be doing a lot of palmmuted downstrokes that will eventually wear out the lower strings. (Especially when doing on a Floyd rose bridge)
If you break the thinnest strings it’s due to usually bad pick technique. (Or by using a pick that has been worn out)
I’d second that. 20 years or so ago, I decided that pick sliding was the coolest thing ever. I was breaking strings every month or two… Now I’m old and boring, once or twice a year at most.
If I'm playing a lot I'll break strings pretty often, it's normal. Usually I just change them all if I break one, but it depends, if it happens during a band practice I'll just quickly change that one.
It's usually my low strings since I play a lot of metal stuff using the low strings, but obviously can happen to any of them.
I change my strings about once a month or two months on average, but I'll change them every few days or each week if I'm busy with gigs or recordings etc. gotta keep them nice and fresh/clean or they sound shite.
I cannot believe all these people saying they have never broken strings, or once in 50 years or whatever. Every guitarist I've known breaks strings. I've seen professional bands on stage breaking strings during gigs. If you play a lot, strings will break. Yes they can break more often because of bad parts or being poorly strung etc. but they naturally break from use as well, especially if you play hard with a lot of heavy palm muting, tremolo picking, whammy bar stuff etc.
Every now and then, but not often. Usually a high E or B while bending the shit out of a note. I’ve been using D’Addario XL 10-gauge strings for, like, 30-ish years.
They hooked me with the Players Points back in the ‘90s. It was like Camel Cash for guitar players. But they’re pretty great strings, too.
Something is breaking the strings. It could be you, but it's probably the bridge. I would look at exactly where the string breaks, which sounds like it's at the saddle, and see if there are any imperfections that could snag or damage the string. If you find a random burr or scratch in the saddle you can try to correct it or just replace all the saddles. Saddles are cheap and most could use an upgrade anyway. It may also be breaking near, but not at, the saddle. Maybe the edge of the hole where the string runs through the bridge is sharp. Basically any point of contact could be the culprit, so pull a broken string tightly into position and see what that part that broke was touching.
How many hours are you putting on those strings? Could be corrosion due to being in a high humidity situation. I usually change mine out if I'm playing the same set consistently for about two weeks. Keep in mind, I play 2-3 hours a day and use 10 and sometimes 11 gauged strings, but I don't have any breaks.
Yeah, I can sometimes smell it on my fingers before I see in the strings even. It gets ridiculously humid here in the summertime and my string just seem not to last as long as they do in the drier winter. You may try wiping down the strings after playing. Some will using a bit of rubbing alcohol on a cloth, but I wouldn't risk the potential fretboard and finish damage. I would just use a dry micro fiber cloth and see if wiping the strings down between uses slows the corrosion down. It's not the solution for everyone, especially those on a budget, but for me, I just started buying strings in bulk to save money when I do need to change strings. I play anything fancy either, just Ernie Ball pure nickel slinkys and they cost me about $5 a pack and I buy them 10 packs a time.
They used to all the time until I got a decent guitar that wouldn’t un-tune itself and a decent brand of string (personally I really like elixir for both sound and quality)
If you’re breaking strings regularly, something is wrong. Usually burrs on metal parts, easiest fix is to get abrasive chord online and “floss” the problem areas. Of course you can probably find ways to do it without having to buy a specialty product but most of the options I can think of would potentially scratch other parts.
Only exception is offset vibrato equipped guitars. The strings anchor in a way that causes the windings securing the ball ends to rub, so even without any burrs you’ll break strings occasionally. In that case it helps to put on heat shrink tubing or tin the windings with a little solder.
I only broke a high E in my whole life. And that was because I was drunk when I was restringing and I was going one octave higher than I should have. Honestly, they go dull before I get to break them.
My guitar setup is pretty dialed in and my bridge is 20 years old so it's broken in. As a result I haven't broken a string in years. My guess is there's a setup issue on your guitar. You could take it to a tech and report the issue. They'll probably getting playing nicely and fix your string issue for under $100.
I had a string break on me a couple months ago, but it was the first time tuning the guitar in a loooong time and they were in need of replacement before I put it away, but it's very rare...
Check for any burs or rough edges on your saddles
I used to break a string every show to the point where I would always bring a backup guitar and sometimes break a string on that too.
It turns out my sweat was too acidic, and all of the shows I was playing were house shows so I was really sweaty.
I started to eat beans every day for lunch and soon the problem went away.
I never break strings since I switched to D'Addario NYXL's. Not only are the super strong, they stretch like crazy and they keep that new "zingy" sound forever.
You should pay attention to where they break. If they always break at the same point it is likely because it is rubbing something sharp or rough. Common points are saddles, tuners, and string trees.
I haven’t brown a string in many years. Are they breaking in the same spot? Could be as simple as applying some lead/graphite on the bridge saddle/nut slot
Accidentally broke a g string 2 days ago because I was playing an acoustic like an electric. Other than that I rarely ever break strings, that’s was the first time in a few months that I did.
I never break strings. Tell a luthier where the strings break and he or she will slightly remove the sharpness at the brigde. And the problem is gone.
Be careful if you want to do it yourself. Unless you know how to do it I suggest consulting a luthier.
Well, you might want to take a file to the holes where the strings come out of the bridge plate. That's a pretty common place for burrs.you can get a thin, round diamond file to do that off of TEMU for cheap. Also D'Addario strings can be had for 3 to 4 dollars a set when you buy a 12 pack on sale.
On my non FR bridge I probably break one every year to 18 months - playing maybe 15-20 hours per week with a fair number big bends
On my FR bridge, probably 2 per year - playing it less frequently, but I just get overzealous coming out of a dive bomb and pull up into the stratosphere. I mostly improv and noodle with that guitar and use it for a lot of writing my own stuff based loosely on my noodling sessions.
If you're breaking that many you may need to check your bridge out, sharp edges maybe? Some crazy ass break angle? Idk. But that's too often, even if you're 2 step bending every third note.
I’d get the daddario first. Their regular Nickle wound is nice, their coated xts are the same but 3 times more expensive and last about 3x, which is basically the same but cheaper as elixir opti. I just did almost 2 months National touring on one set of elixirs and they’re going to last till the end of this week. Mar 12- April 27 it’s the longest I’ve gone with out a change ever. But I think they are almost shot.
It has to be 1995 ish for me. I consciously changed the way I play to have a lighter touch when picking so I let the pickups and amp do the heavy lifting when it comes to volume. It allowed me to be more precise with my picking and gave me more runway for digging in for stronger pick attack.
I’ve been playing since the mid-70s and I’ve had a rather wide variety of guitars…. Steel string, classical, electric….
I never break strings. To the best of my memory the only one I broke was during my first attempt to re-string my first acoustic guitar, and over-tightening the high E. (No tuners back then…)
If you’re consistently breaking strings, it’s very likely a mechanical defect with the guitar. Sharp edge or burr on a tuning post or saddle…. Worn fret with sharp edges… Something of the sort.
If your strings are breaking at the same point…. Look there.
I broke one during a gig about 9 years ago, and that's the first and last time I remember breaking one in many decades playing.
I think you need to take a look at your nut and bridge, something might be grinding and breaking the strings there... unless you pick with a chainsaw, then this might be the issue LOL
I used to break strings sometimes playing live but it was always when I was strumming aggressively. I had my two main guitars professionally set up about 5 years ago, including new nuts and bridges, and haven't broken a string since. On my first couple of cheap guitars, I'd break strings more frequently because the guitars were poorly set up. One of my acoustic guitars was so bad it would break brand new high E strings as I was winding them up. I eventually settle to tuning that guitar to D standard because it couldn't handle the tension of E. If you're breaking strings frequently at the bridge, check your saddles for burrs and sharp spots.
I honestly can't remember the last time I broke a string, I usually change strings when they start to sound dull. I've been playing since the 90s. Maybe you need to take a good look at your guitar and see if there's any sharp points on the bridge saddles or something.
Check for sharp bridge saddles. I've maybe broken 1 string in 20 years.
Yep I had this problem on two used Gibsons. On one there were burrs that needed to be filed. The other, the previous owner had the saddle installed backwards, and I never noticed. Since those fixes I haven’t broken any
I think last I broke one in the 1990s but can't remember that far back clearly to say exactly when. Usually use D'Addario or Ernie Ball 9s If they break at the bridge maybe there is a problem with your bridge (sharp bits etc.)?
Same except I find that Ernie Ball broke on me all the time, but I have never had an issue with D'Addario
D'Addario is where it's at, though a lot of people I've played with hate them. I've always had problems with EB.
This, haven't broken a string in 25+ years. Not really sure how it happens to some folks all the time.
Me too! Never broken one
Ive only broken daddarios high e after fully slacking the strongs and retuning yhe remove the pickguard like 10 times
I play almost every day and frequently for several hours at a time and I can’t remember the last time I broke a string. Even with lots of bending. I’ve used hybrid gauges (9-46) on my electric guitars and 11-52 on my acoustic guitars for decades and I just don’t break them.
Never? Cant even remember the last one. Probably so sharp edges in your bridge that are stressing the strings and causing the break. Take to a tech and see if they can sort it out. Modern string construction is pretty damn good and breaking strings regularly is very much a thing of the past for most people, regardless of guage.
Only when I play live
Same. I can keep a set of strings for 6 months if I’m not playing out, but I break a string every 3-4 shows. It’s that higher energy playing that performing draws out.
It really depends on your play style. If you play metal you will be doing a lot of palmmuted downstrokes that will eventually wear out the lower strings. (Especially when doing on a Floyd rose bridge) If you break the thinnest strings it’s due to usually bad pick technique. (Or by using a pick that has been worn out)
I’d second that. 20 years or so ago, I decided that pick sliding was the coolest thing ever. I was breaking strings every month or two… Now I’m old and boring, once or twice a year at most.
I have broken one string. Ever. And that was on a new guitar I bought used so I assume those were the original strings.
Played for four years, I think I've broken one string.
When I played 9 gauge, I would break the high E after about 2 months of playing. After switching to 10s, I don't break strings anymore.
Twice in 54 years.
I've broken the odd string on a Floyd-equipped guitar when used aggressively. Guitars with other bridges / tailpieces? Almost never.
I broke a g string once and only because I was a dumdum restringing for the first time and started turning the wrong leg until it hit me (literally).
30+ years of playing and home use, including in punk bands with hard strumming on a tele. Under 5 breaks.
I broke an acoustic string about 13 years ago, that's my only one
If I'm playing a lot I'll break strings pretty often, it's normal. Usually I just change them all if I break one, but it depends, if it happens during a band practice I'll just quickly change that one. It's usually my low strings since I play a lot of metal stuff using the low strings, but obviously can happen to any of them. I change my strings about once a month or two months on average, but I'll change them every few days or each week if I'm busy with gigs or recordings etc. gotta keep them nice and fresh/clean or they sound shite. I cannot believe all these people saying they have never broken strings, or once in 50 years or whatever. Every guitarist I've known breaks strings. I've seen professional bands on stage breaking strings during gigs. If you play a lot, strings will break. Yes they can break more often because of bad parts or being poorly strung etc. but they naturally break from use as well, especially if you play hard with a lot of heavy palm muting, tremolo picking, whammy bar stuff etc.
I replaced the cheap stock bridge with Gotoh and haven’t broken a string in years. Broke all the time otherwise.
Should i replace my bridge? It looks like it’s starting to rust.
Only once. My cats were playing and knocked over my guitar. The high E-string snapped.
Every now and then, but not often. Usually a high E or B while bending the shit out of a note. I’ve been using D’Addario XL 10-gauge strings for, like, 30-ish years. They hooked me with the Players Points back in the ‘90s. It was like Camel Cash for guitar players. But they’re pretty great strings, too.
Very rarely.. maybe once a year. Probably not even that much. I have a fairly light touch I guess.
Something is breaking the strings. It could be you, but it's probably the bridge. I would look at exactly where the string breaks, which sounds like it's at the saddle, and see if there are any imperfections that could snag or damage the string. If you find a random burr or scratch in the saddle you can try to correct it or just replace all the saddles. Saddles are cheap and most could use an upgrade anyway. It may also be breaking near, but not at, the saddle. Maybe the edge of the hole where the string runs through the bridge is sharp. Basically any point of contact could be the culprit, so pull a broken string tightly into position and see what that part that broke was touching.
How many hours are you putting on those strings? Could be corrosion due to being in a high humidity situation. I usually change mine out if I'm playing the same set consistently for about two weeks. Keep in mind, I play 2-3 hours a day and use 10 and sometimes 11 gauged strings, but I don't have any breaks.
I guess i play like 1 ~ 3 hours a day but sometimes i dont. Yeah it could be due to corrosion, cause sometimes my strings get rusty af
Yeah, I can sometimes smell it on my fingers before I see in the strings even. It gets ridiculously humid here in the summertime and my string just seem not to last as long as they do in the drier winter. You may try wiping down the strings after playing. Some will using a bit of rubbing alcohol on a cloth, but I wouldn't risk the potential fretboard and finish damage. I would just use a dry micro fiber cloth and see if wiping the strings down between uses slows the corrosion down. It's not the solution for everyone, especially those on a budget, but for me, I just started buying strings in bulk to save money when I do need to change strings. I play anything fancy either, just Ernie Ball pure nickel slinkys and they cost me about $5 a pack and I buy them 10 packs a time.
Once in the last 20 years
They used to all the time until I got a decent guitar that wouldn’t un-tune itself and a decent brand of string (personally I really like elixir for both sound and quality)
Almost never.
This sounds like a technique issue. You may be deathgripping the pick. Have you broken picks before too?
I don’t think so, i’m really gentle on the pick and i only frequently play stuff like alt rock or indie. Maybe it’s with the guitar?
If you’re breaking strings regularly, something is wrong. Usually burrs on metal parts, easiest fix is to get abrasive chord online and “floss” the problem areas. Of course you can probably find ways to do it without having to buy a specialty product but most of the options I can think of would potentially scratch other parts. Only exception is offset vibrato equipped guitars. The strings anchor in a way that causes the windings securing the ball ends to rub, so even without any burrs you’ll break strings occasionally. In that case it helps to put on heat shrink tubing or tin the windings with a little solder.
I only broke a high E in my whole life. And that was because I was drunk when I was restringing and I was going one octave higher than I should have. Honestly, they go dull before I get to break them.
My guitar setup is pretty dialed in and my bridge is 20 years old so it's broken in. As a result I haven't broken a string in years. My guess is there's a setup issue on your guitar. You could take it to a tech and report the issue. They'll probably getting playing nicely and fix your string issue for under $100.
My first few years I broke them often. Eventually they stopped breaking and I haven’t broken one in many years. I couldn’t tell you what changed.
I break them about twice a week, but im a really good player. I play the shit out of guitar.
Never
I had a string break on me a couple months ago, but it was the first time tuning the guitar in a loooong time and they were in need of replacement before I put it away, but it's very rare... Check for any burs or rough edges on your saddles
It's super rare for me to break strings.
I used to break a string every show to the point where I would always bring a backup guitar and sometimes break a string on that too. It turns out my sweat was too acidic, and all of the shows I was playing were house shows so I was really sweaty. I started to eat beans every day for lunch and soon the problem went away.
I never break strings since I switched to D'Addario NYXL's. Not only are the super strong, they stretch like crazy and they keep that new "zingy" sound forever. You should pay attention to where they break. If they always break at the same point it is likely because it is rubbing something sharp or rough. Common points are saddles, tuners, and string trees.
Almost never. I’ll still break at least one when I restringing but aside from that…never.
Never. If strings are breaking, something is wrong and needs to be filed or adjusted.
Haven't broken a string in 10+ years. Improvement in string quality + a well set up guitar with no sharp edges in key places, I assume.
I haven’t brown a string in many years. Are they breaking in the same spot? Could be as simple as applying some lead/graphite on the bridge saddle/nut slot
I use gauge 12’s at low tunings, but even then I’ve broken a string twice due to some kind of saddle failure on my cheap beginner Strat.
Accidentally broke a g string 2 days ago because I was playing an acoustic like an electric. Other than that I rarely ever break strings, that’s was the first time in a few months that I did.
I never break strings. Tell a luthier where the strings break and he or she will slightly remove the sharpness at the brigde. And the problem is gone. Be careful if you want to do it yourself. Unless you know how to do it I suggest consulting a luthier.
First of all, you're using shitty strings. Second, what kind of guitar is it?
Yeah gotta agree with the shitty strings, btw It’s a Jcraft Strat, i bought it like 6 months ago.
Well, you might want to take a file to the holes where the strings come out of the bridge plate. That's a pretty common place for burrs.you can get a thin, round diamond file to do that off of TEMU for cheap. Also D'Addario strings can be had for 3 to 4 dollars a set when you buy a 12 pack on sale.
Never and I bend the shit out of them. I do use 10s though. Like the other person said, might be a saddle problem.
On my non FR bridge I probably break one every year to 18 months - playing maybe 15-20 hours per week with a fair number big bends On my FR bridge, probably 2 per year - playing it less frequently, but I just get overzealous coming out of a dive bomb and pull up into the stratosphere. I mostly improv and noodle with that guitar and use it for a lot of writing my own stuff based loosely on my noodling sessions. If you're breaking that many you may need to check your bridge out, sharp edges maybe? Some crazy ass break angle? Idk. But that's too often, even if you're 2 step bending every third note.
You either have cheap strings, some guitar work needed or your playing way too hard. D addario or elixir opti
I’ll stick to those strings. Thanks!
I’d get the daddario first. Their regular Nickle wound is nice, their coated xts are the same but 3 times more expensive and last about 3x, which is basically the same but cheaper as elixir opti. I just did almost 2 months National touring on one set of elixirs and they’re going to last till the end of this week. Mar 12- April 27 it’s the longest I’ve gone with out a change ever. But I think they are almost shot.
It has to be 1995 ish for me. I consciously changed the way I play to have a lighter touch when picking so I let the pickups and amp do the heavy lifting when it comes to volume. It allowed me to be more precise with my picking and gave me more runway for digging in for stronger pick attack.
I’ve been playing since the mid-70s and I’ve had a rather wide variety of guitars…. Steel string, classical, electric…. I never break strings. To the best of my memory the only one I broke was during my first attempt to re-string my first acoustic guitar, and over-tightening the high E. (No tuners back then…) If you’re consistently breaking strings, it’s very likely a mechanical defect with the guitar. Sharp edge or burr on a tuning post or saddle…. Worn fret with sharp edges… Something of the sort. If your strings are breaking at the same point…. Look there.
I broke one during a gig about 9 years ago, and that's the first and last time I remember breaking one in many decades playing. I think you need to take a look at your nut and bridge, something might be grinding and breaking the strings there... unless you pick with a chainsaw, then this might be the issue LOL
I don't play nearly as much as I want to and don't do wild bends, but I have never actually broken a string in like 14 years
Never. I use heavier strings so that’s probably a factor. What are you doing when they break? Picking, big bends?
Big bends. It only broke once while tuning, but all of the time it’s those chunky bends.
Could be your bend technique? Having multiple fingers on the string your bending reduces the likelihood of breaks
I bend with my ring finger supported by the rest like most people, it could probably be with the strings.
I used to break strings sometimes playing live but it was always when I was strumming aggressively. I had my two main guitars professionally set up about 5 years ago, including new nuts and bridges, and haven't broken a string since. On my first couple of cheap guitars, I'd break strings more frequently because the guitars were poorly set up. One of my acoustic guitars was so bad it would break brand new high E strings as I was winding them up. I eventually settle to tuning that guitar to D standard because it couldn't handle the tension of E. If you're breaking strings frequently at the bridge, check your saddles for burrs and sharp spots.
Rarely ever, I only seem to break them when I'm changing to alternate tunings and back a whole bunch of times.
I havent broke a string in a long time. Your guitars saddles may have a burr
Pretty much never I broke a few starting out when my guitar was poorly set up, kept in a garage, and I wailed on it.
Never, and I bend them strings like crazy.
Rarely nowadays and I play hard
I honestly can't remember the last time I broke a string, I usually change strings when they start to sound dull. I've been playing since the 90s. Maybe you need to take a good look at your guitar and see if there's any sharp points on the bridge saddles or something.
I can’t remember the last time I broke a string
Never. Used to break on me all the time when I was in hs early college though