InBlack. Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 Never thought I was going to have problems with this otherwise very reliable bridge. I really, really need some help setting this up! I recently bought a new Gibson Les Paul Studio, and the action seemed a bit low for me, so I increased it by about 1 mm. (Sorry about the metric system but Im from Europe After that all my troubles started. For some reason it seems that after about 1.5-2 hours of intense playing I ALWAYS get a string break. And I mean 100% of the time. And its always the same 3 strings either the G, D, or A. (3rd, 4th or 5th string). Help?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thundergod Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 that's very strange man... are you installing the strings propperly? are there any row edges on the bridge? when you put new strings, do they touch the bridge in more than one place? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InBlack. Posted October 28, 2008 Author Share Posted October 28, 2008 Im installing the strings proprerly, there is no doubt about that. What do you mean with "row" edges exactly? The only string that touches the bridge in more than one place is the 1st string, and Im not having problems with that string. The others touch the bridge just on the saddle. (Is that the right term saddle?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InBlack. Posted October 28, 2008 Author Share Posted October 28, 2008 Comon people help me out here, no ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeRom Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 Breaking one of those strings is usully quite a feat. First thing that come to mind are burs. Have you check the saddle notches for sharp edges? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rybass Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 You raise your bridge therefore steepening the angle on the strings at the point of contact on the saddles. If your saddles are the least bit sharp, sounds like they are, then you are putting more "cutting" power into the strings. If you are digging in you are just adding friction to the equation as the strings move back and forth over the sharp saddle. Eventually it's going to break due to stress and friction. Take it to a luthier and get it set up. Tell him specifically what it is doing and he'll know what to do. Or if you don't have the time or money just top wrap your tailpiece to relieve some of the angle on the strings and bridge- this will prob eventually still break but not as quick. Get a set up! $65 and you'll love your guitar again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InBlack. Posted October 28, 2008 Author Share Posted October 28, 2008 Yeah the saddles seem to be a bit serrated, but I thought that was natural for this kind of bridge. Also Im using 0.10 strings, and I guess the factory guitar ships setup is designed for 0.09. Hmmm, what should I do, should I try filing down the problematic bridge saddles myself? Or should I simply take my guitar to a Luthier and forget about it? Im kind of scared of Luthiers, in the few times Ive had to deal with them Ive always had a really bad experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AXE® Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 Fingernail Files---- The soft spongy kind with two sides, will de burr the saddles just fine. Just go easy and do not rush it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InBlack. Posted October 28, 2008 Author Share Posted October 28, 2008 Top Wrap? Excuse me but Im kind of a newb when it comes to Tune-O-Matic bridges. Ive been playing Floyd-Rose most of my life, and have turned to fixed bridge guitars only recently. Would this entail fitting the string through the tailpiece and then slipping it under and over the tailpiece, and then onto the bridge saddles, sort of giving the tailpiece wrap-arround? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stymye Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 this is easy... lower it back to normal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rybass Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 Top Wrap? Excuse me but Im kind of a newb when it comes to Tune-O-Matic bridges. Ive been playing Floyd-Rose most of my life' date=' and have turned to fixed bridge guitars only recently. Would this entail fitting the string through the tailpiece and then slipping it under and over the tailpiece, and then onto the bridge saddles, sort of giving the tailpiece wrap-arround?[/quote'] Lower the stop tail all the way down then insert the strings through the bridge side and wrap over the top, over the bridge and through the nut. Sorry I didn't think to explain. That will create a shallower angle on the strings causing less stress at the contact point on the saddles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InBlack. Posted October 28, 2008 Author Share Posted October 28, 2008 Ok thanks to everyone for all the help, I will try to use some of the softer fingernail files, to get rid of the serrations and Ill try the Top Wrap, might even improve my sustain :D If that doesnt help, Ill just have to go to a Luthier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikko18 Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 You don't really need to go to a luthier, just file the saddles down and if the strings are still breaking try just getting another bridge. they are like 10 dollars on eBay. Then reset the action to how you like, after this you'll have to intonate. It's not that hard you just need a screw driver and a tuner that has a arrow that goes back and forth (sorry don't know what that's actually called). tune your guitar up and then put your finger down on the first string on the 12th fret, it should be in tune but an octave higher now (it probably wont be though). To get it in tune just adjust the screw on the bridge re tune the guitar and check if it's in tune on the 12th fret. do this until it is in tune open and on the 12th fret, then repeat for each of the other strings. good luck: Nikko Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midnight sun Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 I've had the same problem before. I am assuming that the strings breaks are by the bridge and not near the nut or middle of the board. The most common fault is a sharp cut for the notches. It became more pronounce once you raised the bridge. A fingernail file or a very fine sand paper usually would smooth out the edges and solve the problem. I also found out that applying a small amount of Vaselin lip gel with a toothpick seem to help prevent breaks on the bridge and nut. It is water free so it won't rust. Cheap and abundant to get and does not dry up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Witmer Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 I had the same problem, without having raised the bridge. I had the saddles replaced with graphite ones, and haven't broken a string in four years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flight959 Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 Seriously....Dont undertake work on your guitar if your in the slightest doubt. It is easy if you know what your doing... For the fact your asking I suggest you dont. (I dont mean that with lack of respect) Like another member here said take it to a luthier.... Regards Flight959 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRV-Zeppelin Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 I agree with Flight959... if you're not 150% sure what you're doing, I would strongly recommend shelling out $50 or so and getting your axe set up by either a luthier or a professional guitar tech. After that you should be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InBlack. Posted October 29, 2008 Author Share Posted October 29, 2008 I assume the graphite saddles are quite expensive? Would I need to replace the entire bridge or are they sold separately? BTW I decided to take my problem to a Luthier today, over the phone he seemed to know what I was talking about and he said its a simple fix so Ill check him out later today. Again thanks for all the help, hopefully I wont be needing it anymore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InBlack. Posted October 30, 2008 Author Share Posted October 30, 2008 Ok I took my guitar to a Luthier and he fixed my problem in 15 minutes, he even detected another problem I was unaware of, the nut action was a bit high on a few strings so he fixed that at no extra charge. I tried the Top Wrap and I have to say although the sustain seems a bit better the guitar feels a lot looser and I dont really like it that much, so on my next string change I will probably going back to the normal bridge setup. Again thanks for all the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AXE® Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 When you say "luthier" was it an actual luthier? The term gets tossed around more than the prom queen. or was it a tech at a music store? There is a huge difference. Most luthiers worth their meddle wouldn't dare set up shop in a music store unless they owned it. Not trying to sound like a d*ck but I hear. "take it to a luthier" so much and wonder how many people actually know the difference between the two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeRom Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 Ok I took my guitar to a Luthier and he fixed my problem in 15 minutes' date=' he even detected another problem I was unaware of, the nut action was a bit high on a few strings so he fixed that at no extra charge. I tried the Top Wrap and I have to say although the sustain seems a bit better the guitar feels a lot looser and I dont really like it that much, so on my next string change I will probably going back to the normal bridge setup. Again thanks for all the help. [/quote'] So what was the problem with the saddles? Were we right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InBlack. Posted October 31, 2008 Author Share Posted October 31, 2008 Yes you were all right, there were burrs on the saddles. Axe, he is a real Luthier, it wasnt clear from my post but he has his own workshop where he actually builds his own guitars from scratch. He only does setups and quick fixes to get by because lets face it, how many people can afford a custom built guitar to their specifications, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeRom Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 WooHoo! That's one for us! Go us! Go us! Go us! OK, i'll stop now ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InBlack. Posted November 3, 2008 Author Share Posted November 3, 2008 Guess what people? A string broke during band rehearsal yesterday. And yes it broke on the bridge saddle. Man am I angry! Anyone know where I can order graphite saddles for a tune-o-matic bridge? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnstrom Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I had the same problem' date=' without having raised the bridge. I had the saddles replaced with graphite ones, and haven't broken a string in four years. [/quote'] Great idea. Ive done this as well and It is worth it!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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