For the last year or so I keep breaking my strings (nearly always the wound strings) at the bridge, they all seem to break where the string feeds through the hole. I've replaced two bridges recently on my Strats and the problem still persists, there are NO burrs/sharp edges at all on either bridge and the same goes for the saddles.
I'm putting it down to my playing style, I'm a fairly heavy hitter and frequently use my whammy bar as well which I think maybe is causing the bridge plate to cut into the strings and weakening them. Trust me when I say I've exhausted all options:
-had the burrs/sharp parts sorted out (breaks still happening at the bridge)
- replaced the bridge on both strats (still keeps happening)
- changed brand of strings/gauge (i use .10s)
- nut sauce
- flush bridge/bridge 1/4" off body
etc etc. I really have tried everything I can think of
However I've come across a few pages on the internet that speak about Stevie Ray Vaughan's guitar tech using wire insulation at the ball end of each string to cushion it, and according to him it stopped Stevie breaking strings at the bridge. Has anyone else tried this? I want to give it a go but I'm worried it'll change the tone of the guitar or have other negatives.
Here's a photo example I found (Not SRVs):
if anyone does do it can you recommend any particular wire insulation?
And here's a photo of the string breakage, I've pulled the string through the bridge, the break would have been lower:
Comments
1980 Tokai LS-80
Literally just reading about them, they look like they'll cost a few bob but if it stops breakages...(March 1st release date in case anyone was wondering).
https://soundcloud.com/underwingband
What guitar are you using? Just wondering what bridge you have, I've not had this problem on any other guitar only Strats and Fender style bridges
https://soundcloud.com/underwingband
https://soundcloud.com/underwingband
Picking some up today, I think 2mm internal diameter should be fine. Funnily enough you can actually buy some for use with the guitar, big bends guitar sleeve I think it's called.
https://soundcloud.com/underwingband
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Perhaps that point should be a curve instead of a defined angle.
I do what @rsvmark has done: offcuts of electrical cable insulation, strip out the conductive core. I used to make a heap of pieces of insulation, each about 10mm long, and keep them in my Pingu tin. You can see the yellow and green earth sleeving around the B string in this old photo: https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/15/88146432_eeeed71123_o.jpg Pingu tin also visible! I still do this on any instrument with a similar break angle over the bridgeplate, but I moved to double-locking vibrato systems when I decided I wanted to try using the wang bar, so I can't tell you if using insulation like this affects vibrato stability on Fender Strat-style bridges; I've always ended up blocking mine with wood.
Does it have to be an old biro or will a new one work? Kidding!
I've seen that too, tried doing a quick search but couldn't find it. I read in his interview that he tried the Dremmel before using this trick. And I think a curve makes a lot more sense, although it doesn't seem to be such a common issue (breakage at the bridge) for Fender to do a redesign.
https://soundcloud.com/underwingband
Having the insulation sleeve atop the saddle is going to kill your sustain, never mind tone and tuning stability!
Also:
Is a "Dremmel" the Phil Demmel signature model Dremel?
http://www.metal-archives.com/images/2/2/5/6/22562_artist.jpg?160
Yes, I've also read about the edge of the string hole being smoothed out.
For conventional Fender wang bar tuning tips, see Scott Henderson's forum:
http://online-discussion.dhenderson.com/ScottHenderson/viewforum.php?f=3&sid=21ae1e3cca8a0e2456821afeb62c43a9
The old "Scott answers your questions" archives, and the new Ask Scott section.
Over the years he's covered absolutely everything you could possibly want to know on this topic.
I used to change strings at least weekly when I was gigging and never had a problem with a vintage Strat.
I'd check for sharp edges on the saddles - I doubt anything more elaborate is necessary.