Strumming/picking too close to bridge.

agent0064life · #1 April 2nd, 2007

Sometimes I like to strum, but more times it's picking, near or real close to the bridge area on the guitar. It just allows for faster picking since there's no extra give in the strings. I wonder if that could possibly snap the strings because two strings on my electric and one on my acoustic have snapped. I don't remember if I was strumming or picking near the bridge then, but would like to know if it made a difference.

OldG · #2 April 3rd, 2007

I use the area around the bridge to strum freely too, I hit those strings pretty hard when I get 'loose' with it. So, I reckon its some thing else breaking the strings....

some questions to consider here:

Do they break at the bridge end of the guitar?
How old are the strings?
Are you absolutely sure of your tuning being correct and in concert pitch?
Do you use a metal plectrum?
Do you use quality branded strings?

The answer to your problem is probably in the answers to those questions...

HTH
Mick

cshude · #3 April 3rd, 2007

All good questions- In 15 years I have never had a string break on me while playing. I was lucky enough to learn how to properly string a guitar very early.

Also, you may want to look at moving to heavier strings that can take more abuse.

Ben_Sir_Amos · #4 April 3rd, 2007

If you are picking near the bridge, there is a good chance you are resting your hand on the strings/bridge too. I don't know if it is still on their site, but Fender used to claim that the most frequent cause of string breakage was corrosion caused by sweat.

Now go and wash your hands.

agent0064life · #5 April 4th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben_Sir_Amos

If you are picking near the bridge, there is a good chance you are resting your hand on the strings/bridge too. I don't know if it is still on their site, but Fender used to claim that the most frequent cause of string breakage was corrosion caused by sweat.

Now go and wash your hands.

Haha, that's probably it. Also add it to the fact that my guitar isn't always in perfect tune. I use a korg chromatic tuner but it's difficult to get the needle right in the center, so I play horseshoes -- once I get to almost that's good enough for me. The first time my strings broke, not sure how old they were since I bought the guitar from a pawn shop. Then it wasn't long and I had my BGS strings break on me, they were .09s though. I think another problem is I'm a deep picker sometimes, not striking with the exact edge of the pick. Finally my Martin strings that came with my rogue acoustic broke, and those were about 4 or 5 months old.

Oh also have another question while I'm at it. What strings get good rock tone for acoustics?

agent0064life · #6 April 4th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by cshude

All good questions- In 15 years I have never had a string break on me while playing. I was lucky enough to learn how to properly string a guitar very early.

Also, you may want to look at moving to heavier strings that can take more abuse.

Actually the only guitar I HAVE stringed is fine, no string breakage. The first one at that. Either I'm lucky or I actually did it right.

cshude · #7 April 4th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by agent0064life

Finally my Martin strings that came with my rogue acoustic broke, and those were about 4 or 5 months old.

Whooeee- them strings is ancient!!!! I think we've located part of the problem right there. If you play on a regular basis, you'll probably want to changing strings about every 6-8 weeks or less depending on the brand, how much you play, how your body chemistry is, etc. Over time, the strings will "die" and will be more prone to breakage, not wanting to stay in tune (or even get in tune), and just not sound very good.

agent0064life · #8 April 4th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by cshude

Whooeee- them strings is ancient!!!! I think we've located part of the problem right there. If you play on a regular basis, you'll probably want to changing strings about every 6-8 weeks or less depending on the brand, how much you play, how your body chemistry is, etc. Over time, the strings will "die" and will be more prone to breakage, not wanting to stay in tune (or even get in tune), and just not sound very good.

I think I'll go with the approach of using the strings till they break, since I like having my sound deaden out and then get a new set of strings... then they sound like god, you know? Just that feeling of going to that meh sound to some brand new strings is real great.

As long as having the old strings on my guitar doesnt' affect the guitar itself, then I'm fine with the tune going dead a little. It's not like I'm playing in front of people or gigging yet, so I should be fine. My ears aren't that picky

Dewy · #9 April 6th, 2007

Thats the reason your having the difficulty getting the exact tuning, and probably for the breakage. Ok, the corrosion is probably the breakage... but thats from old strings, so same problem.

Nothing wrong with "making strings last" I do that on my acoustics as well. You should use something like the "FastFret" product to keep your strings clean (wiping does almost as good for lots less) to keep your strings in shape. But keep an eye (ear) out for the dead string syndrome, where they just won't seem to tune properly... and at least feel informed, if not compelled to purchase a backup set at that time.

But when you get to the live performance level... treat your fans to new or week old strings at the least.