Help I'm having trouble with strings!

[Pabdala]

Hey everybody,
I'm only 17 and I just got my first guitar with a locking trem. Its an RG 2570 and it rocks. I tried going with the stock super slinky strings (9 - 42) but I was breaking a string every other day. Now I'm using regular slinky (10-46) and I have it down so that I'm only a breaking a one or two strings every two weeks. I watch Vai play all the time because he is amazing, and I noticed that he's always going crazy with the trem and he never breaks any strings. I want to be able to do that. Am I doing something wrong? Is something wrong with my guitar? or does steve just get his strings changed everytime he finishes a song? Help!

[brothersnowgone]

Steve probably doesn't play on a set of strings for more than one show. He has the money to do so, and the people to set up his guitars and fully stretch the strings for him. Kind of a hassle for the average guitarist, but I usually change my strings about every two weeks unless I get lazy or a string breaks. You could put some lubricant (chapstick works wonders) right underneath the strings on the saddles and that should help some. Just enough to lubricate a little without it getting on your palm every time you play. You have to remember though guitars with locking trems are pretty hard are strings compared to a fixed bridge, just comes with the territory.

Also I know it sounds kind of counter-intuitive, but make sure you fully stretch your strings by hand before you go crazy on the trem like Vai. I found when I first started with locking trems, if you go off having fun with the trem without stretching your strings first they are more likey to snap.

Exactly where are your strings breaking?

I've seen a lot of Vai vids, and he has broken a string or two before. It is very uncommon for him though, again probably because he only uses them for about a day.

[Lefty Robb]

I would bet you anything he hasn't paid for a pack of strings in 20+ years..the perk of being the 5th guitarist listed on the back of e'Balls.

I'm sure he gets monthly shipments of cases from them...

[brothersnowgone]

Originally Posted by Lefty Robb

I would bet you anything he hasn't paid for a pack of strings in 20+ years..the perk of being the 5th guitarist listed on the back of e'Balls.

I'm sure he gets monthly shipments of cases from them...

I didn't put that much thought behind it and your definately right about him not paying for strings. Again though he has the money to pay for someone to change his strings and all that jazz, which would probably be the first thing I would do if I won the lottery. In case Vai is reading this thread, I would love to change strings/stretch them for you at no cost!

[Silver Sable]

Try using d'addario instead. Or you can just check your setup. When you are changing, try to keep your trem as flat with the body as you can. If you have the trem sticking up in the air, you are putting a bit more stress on the strings, and the trem posts than you really need.

When I'm changing strings, I secure them all at the trem, then pull them all through the locks and up to the tuners... but while I'm cranking them on, I put as much resistance as I can on the strings. Then, once they are all pretty much on though not tuned at all, I just go up and down each string and stretch them as much as I can without putting any kinks in them. Give them several good pulls as well, THEN I remove the block from under the trem and put real tension on the strings. After that I have the pleasure of giving them to Chris to start tuning and noodling on them. He runs through tons of scales and bends while he's tuning to keep those strings stretching until they feel right. Then do your final tuning and lock em down.

That and rubbing the neck down with Dr. Duck's Axe Wax keeps the strings excellent for weeks. If you get through all of that and STILL have problems, your trem may have too many springs or your springs may just need breaking in or something. If you find you are breaking the same one string at the same place all the time you may have a problem with a fret or you are tightening the blocks too much, or something like that... or you just got a really bad batch of strings.

Anyway, good luck to you!

[Pabdala]

All my string breaks have been right at the saddle. Every time.

[jemaholic]

Guys -
Setup is EVERYTHING. Saddles must be free of tiny 'nibs' that can break strings, the strings need to seat right in the middle of the saddle and not tightened too tight. Correct bridge angle helps stop string breakage.
Also, when you're done playing, wipe off the strings - your sweat immediately starts oxidizing the steel and continues long after you put down the guitar.

I've been fiddling with Ibanez and Floyd Rose locking trems for years and have it down to a science -I almost NEVER break any strings now - and I'm very aggressive with dive bombs and stuff.

Go to IBANEZ RULES and see all the great stuff Rich Harris has put together on this topic - he's the Grand Master (in case you don't know) and has forgotten more than most of us ever learned about this stuff.

Stay cool, learn it at your own speed and you'll be fine.

-jemaholic

[Silver Sable]

Yeah if it is in the same place every time it is probably a really sharp bit left on there. Look into filing it down just a smidge... you don't want to take a ton off, but smooth it out a bit and it will stop breaking your strings.

And yes... learning at your own pace is important. I'm still a beginner for the most part, but I'm one of those freak OCD people who has to research and learn everything I can all at once. I'm learning everything I can about the problems I'm having right now... but secretly I'm wishing I had other people bringing me guitars so I can learn more and fix their problems. Perhaps I should just dump this whole lawyer gig and go apprentice with our local luthier and string repair god... he's getting on in years and someday he may not be around to help us all...

But I digress.