Busting Ernie Ball D strings

[surfdog777]

A lot.
9-42 supers.
Lately, within the last few months....them bastards have been breaking hell.

I've done it all, filed the blocks, changed the blocks around, swapped the D and low E blocks....I've done it all. Examined all the entire saddle area under lit magnification

When you're playing live and bust a string on a floating trem, you know what a pain in the ass that is, even if you've got a spare guitar (which I do) right there on the stage, it's an incredible pain in the ass.

On a whim, I sub'd a set of D'addario before a gig we had 2 weeks ago and had no problems at all. None. They felt a little stiffer, but they weren't breaking. I can deal with that.

This past Saturday I gave Ernie one more chance....because the EB strings do play better. Put on a brand new set the afternoon before the show. Last song in the 1st set. Busted D. Changed it during the break, by cutting off the broken end, pulling a few turns off the post and re-clamping it. 3rd set 2nd song, busted again.

I've had it with EB. I've used those strings since the 80's and swore absolute loyalty to the brand. The few sets I had left have gone in the trash.

End of rant.

[Racerx2k]

That's odd, cause since I switched to Super Slinkys about 4 years ago, I have yet to break a string, still. Used to play Boomers, and broke strings off and on, but the Supers are, well.........super.

[C.Thep]

Originally Posted by surfdog777

The few sets I had left have gone in the trash.

You could have given them to me.

[Smitty]

I feel your pain!
Every EB pack Ive ever gotten, Ive broken a string within a week.
D'Dardiodoodles (or however you spell them ) are much much better. True, a bit stiffer, but thats ok. Much better tone and feel.
smittay!

[Holy Katana]

I switched to D'Addarios for the same reason. Ernie Balls keep breaking. They're great strings, I love how they sound and feel, but they don't last. Currently, I've got a set of DR Tite Fits on my Epiphone, and I think they're just about the best strings I've ever used. They sound like D'addarios, but better, and they feel very nice. I think I'm going to switch to these for a while.

[Smitty]

Hmm, I always thought DRs feel really weird.
smitty

[Andy43]

Yeah, if you have problems with breaking strings, switch to DR. You could go a full year without breaking a string (maybe). I don't use floating trems, so I use D'addario because I like the way they sound.

[shogun]

never broke a string with EB.. i use the hybrids

[southpaw_lefty]

+1 me too. I had the same problem w/ EB, switched to D'addario, problem solved.

[jb4674]

Originally Posted by surfdog777

A lot.
9-42 supers.
Lately, within the last few months....them bastards have been breaking hell.

I've done it all, filed the blocks, changed the blocks around, swapped the D and low E blocks....I've done it all. Examined all the entire saddle area under lit magnification

When you're playing live and bust a string on a floating trem, you know what a pain in the ass that is, even if you've got a spare guitar (which I do) right there on the stage, it's an incredible pain in the ass.

On a whim, I sub'd a set of D'addario before a gig we had 2 weeks ago and had no problems at all. None. They felt a little stiffer, but they weren't breaking. I can deal with that.

This past Saturday I gave Ernie one more chance....because the EB strings do play better. Put on a brand new set the afternoon before the show. Last song in the 1st set. Busted D. Changed it during the break, by cutting off the broken end, pulling a few turns off the post and re-clamping it. 3rd set 2nd song, busted again.

I've had it with EB. I've used those strings since the 80's and swore absolute loyalty to the brand. The few sets I had left have gone in the trash.

End of rant.

If you think D'Addarios are a bit too stiff for you, then try blue steels and see how you do.

Jimmy

[-Rhaab]

I use GHs boomers, sometimes i switch to D'Addarios a set. no strings have broken so far
I USED to use slinky's and I find they lose their tone faster than Ghs, AND I too have had problems with strings breaking often and sometimes in the first week, so I no* longer buy them.

[TheMusicBucket]

Do you empty a clip from a machine gun into the guitar to pick the strings?

That's the only thing I can think of as to why you're breaking strings so often.(jking of course .)

It has to be something with your guitar. But if the change of brands works, maybe just stick with that for awhile and see if you can adjust.

[satchboogeyman]

Thats odd I have been using EB slinkys since the late 80's and have not had any problems with them.

[slashrox]

No problem with Ernie Ball Strings here.

I use Regular slinky's (10-46). No string breakages (I had the same set on there for a couple of months at one stage), tone lasts for ages.

I'm using GHS Boomers 10-46's at the moment (as my uncle gave me a set of them) and I don't like them...Haven't had a breakage yet, but they are wearing out faster, when with the EB's they wear out after 2 months or so.

[taracatac]

I have also been using super sinkys since the 80s with no issues. I hope this isn't an indication of declining quality.