[biohazard404]

I bought some Martin Marquis Light(s) (.012 - .054) for my Alvarez Regent today. I started stringing the top E string (standard tuning, of course) when I discovered that I wasn't able to tune it any higher than say C or C sharp before I could feel that the string was fixing to break. I've put new strings on this guitar approx. three to five times before and it has never happened. Does anyone know what could be going on?

This post has been edited by biohazard404: 25 July 2006 - 04:41 PM

[PingerFicker]

Let's See. In the past did you use 12's when you restrung the guitar? Did the e string actually break, or did it just feel like it was? I've never had this happen. i don't know what to think.

[biohazard404]

I have used 12's before when I have restrung it. The E string didn't break, but I could feel that it was, plus it was very tight.

[MakoMako]

All I can really tell you is to start slowly winding it up even when you get that feeling. Wind it up really slowly, but keep going. I still get nervous everytime I string up the High E. I've never had it snap on me while re-stringing, but I still get nervous.

[PingerFicker]

The only two ways for a string to break that I am aware of is that is either surpases it's maximum yield and breaks, or it has a flaw in it or becomes old and the maximum yield is lessened and breaks due to it's common stress. Unless you somehow increased the length between the nut and the saddle, I don't see how a new set of strings could break if it is being tuned to the correct pitch.

Now strings do stretch when you are first putting them on. Perhaps you tightened them too fast and didn't allow for them to stretch properly. I usually pull the strings up to get them to stretch a little bit, so I don't have to spend as long tweaking the strings to get it in tune. I guess try that. Try to just pull the string a little to stretch it, and then try to tune it up to the e. I am kinda baffled on this one.

[dadfad]

And make sure the ball-end of the string is right up next to the underside of the top next to the peg. Sometimes the winding can "catch" underneath the peg (leaving the ball-end a half-inch or more dangling inside the guitar) which in effect is like shortening up your string. When I change my strings, I usually run them all up to a step or so below pitch, give 'em a few gentle pulls up to stretch them a little, and then tune them up slowly one at a time back and forth the rest of the way to pitch over the space of a minute or so. Making sure you have at least several turns around the tuner-peg gives them a little bit of "cushion" too.

Also, is it possible that the tuning-machine itself has gotten stuck or has become hard to turn and so it just feels like the string is really tight?

Were you using Martin strings before (they've always felt a little stiff to me and I don't really care for them)?

Just throwing out a couple of ideas.

[ninjato]

Are the string packaged in pairs? Make sure you read the packet and have the right string chosen.

I've also seen strings that were mis-labeled backwards.

[biohazard404]

I figured it out.

Pickerfinger was right, I just needed to let the strings stretch a tad bit before I tuned it all the way.

I also suppose I was just getting way too nervous while tuning. I'm not really all for sudden surprises (strings breaking, balloon popping, fireworks, etc.).