The Steel Guitar Forum
Pedal Steel Archive
A bent string, is a spent string. (Page 4)
UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone!
profile | join | preferences | help | search
Steel Guitar Strings Strings & instruction for lap steel, Hawaiian & pedal steel guitars http://SteelGuitarShopper.com |
Ray Price Shuffles Classic country shuffle styles for Band-in-a-Box, by BIAB guru Jim Baron. http://steelguitarmusic.com |
This Forum is CLOSED. |
|
|
The Steel Guitar Forum
Pedal Steel Archive
A bent string, is a spent string. (Page 4)
profile | join | preferences | help | search
|
| This topic is 7 pages long: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 This topic was originally posted in this forum: Pedal Steel |
| Author | Topic: A bent string, is a spent string. |
|
Bobby Lee Sysop Posts: 14849 |
posted 18 December 2001 10:40 AM
quote:I use Jagwire .011 or .0115 for my third string G#. String breakage is minimal on my Sierra keyless, and I have yet to break a string on my year-old Williams. I don't consider it to be a serious problem in my own playing, but sales of .011 singles from the Forum Catalog tell me that many players still have guitars that break strings frequently. Often a player will order a new E9th set and half a dozen spare .011's. ------------------ |
|
Pete Burak Member Posts: 2750 |
posted 18 December 2001 11:08 AM
New Cure for 3rd string breakage! Remember when folks switched from "G on top" to "D on top" on C6, and nobody ever missed the G?... Well lets just take the high G# off of our steels and just keep on pickin' like nothing ever happened! Ya can't break it if'n it aint thar! C'mon! Everybodys done it right? All those licks can be done somwhere else on the neck. Why not just lose it all together?! S9 E9th! S11U! |
|
Johan Jansen Member Posts: 2207 |
posted 18 December 2001 11:24 AM
OK Pete, let's replace it for a high B, with change lower to A , and take a 0.009 for it, OK  merry Xmas, JJ ------------------ [This message was edited by Johan Jansen on 18 December 2001 at 11:26 AM.] |
|
Pete Burak Member Posts: 2750 |
posted 18 December 2001 02:22 PM
I tried the high B string idea with an .008 when I had an S14U. It didn't work. But that brings up another idea I had. Instead of one G# that keeps breaking... Or no G#... How about two G#'s! In case you break one, you just keep playing on the other one! S11 E9th! [This message was edited by Pete Burak on 18 December 2001 at 02:55 PM.] |
|
Brett Gordon Member Posts: 23 |
posted 18 December 2001 03:42 PM
I've heard other steel players say...the guitar itself can contribute to string breakage. Some players I talk to with upper model guitars don't even worry about breaking the 3rd G#. Yes, the 3rd "will" pop but, not prematurely. Good guitars + good strings changed carefully and fairly often will last a reasonable amount of time I'm told. My guitar is not an upper model but I can get 3-4 hours out of a carefully strung 3rd. I carry plenty of extra 3rds anyway
|
|
Bill Hankey Member Posts: 1680 |
posted 19 December 2001 01:51 AM
Bobby L. Thank you for the message. Every word you had written, reflects your professional, and mannerly conduct. It adds much credence to this thread, by stating that a problem does exist in varying degrees,and in retrospect, due to the influences of dissimilar equipment. Bill H. [This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 19 December 2001 at 02:03 PM.] |
|
Bill Hankey Member Posts: 1680 |
posted 23 December 2001 08:00 AM
I have an aversion to a shove into oblivion, before an acceptable resolve has been attained in regard to the 3rd string breakage problem. I wanted to touch on the concept of a tapered string, whereby the .011, 3rd string, of the E9th chromatic neck would be enlarged at the area where it attaches to the shrink pin and over the changer finger. This change of design would allow for the strengthening of the breakage area, and prolong the life of the string. If properly designed, it should not affect bridge to bridge harmonics, or corresponding fret measurements. Some of the added benefits might very well be more sustain, and better tone produced by the flimsy .011, as well as the extended string life. Bill H. |
|
Jim Smith Member Posts: 6399 |
posted 23 December 2001 08:31 AM
There is a string company that makes a reinforced .011 much as you describe, but I can't recall the company name. As neither my Dekley or Fessy break third strings before they need to be changed, I don't have any need to try them. If one does break, I get a (sometimes not very gentle) slap on the wrist, telling me that I'm a bad boy for leaving the string on too long. ------------------ |
|
Bill Hankey Member Posts: 1680 |
posted 23 December 2001 11:11 AM
Jim S. Thanks for the post. Could you give Bill H. [This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 23 December 2001 at 12:33 PM.] |
|
Paul Graupp Member Posts: 3199 |
posted 23 December 2001 02:33 PM
Bill; I use an Ernie Ball 11R, the R being for reenforced I suppose. My Carter D-12 came with it installed and I have used them for the past three years. Once or maybe twice, one has randomly broke but if I change every two months or so, they don't break. I'm sorry but I don't know how or in what manner the string is reenforced. I guessed at one time that it may have been thicker in the non playing areas but I can't say that for sure. Best Regards, Paul |
|
Doug Beaumier Member Posts: 2346 |
posted 23 December 2001 04:27 PM
GHS makes a "Tremolo End" set of guitar strings that are reinforced at the twist end. Below is the description of the set from the GHS web site: ------------------ |
|
Reggie Duncan Member Posts: 1862 |
posted 23 December 2001 08:39 PM
Sounds like an ingenious device, this Lucky 7. Guess that's why we have the pedal steel. I just change my 3rd, 4th, and 5th strings every 2 weeks. The only time I ever break one anymore is putting it on, which is rare. Changing them 1 at a time as they break seems to me to compromise tone. I love the way they sound all together when they are new! I change the 6th about once every 2 months. My 1 cent! |
|
Bill Hankey Member Posts: 1680 |
posted 24 December 2001 10:16 PM
Reggie, Have you ever considered using lighter gauge strings on a trial bases? Shoot for .001 lighter on Bill H. |
|
Harold Dye Member Posts: 133 |
posted 25 December 2001 03:30 AM
WHEW...you guys have given me way too much information. Just think, all this time I have never give a second thought to the horror I created by the breaking of an .011. Now with armed with this insite, I know my playing enjoyment will reach new heights, and I can now give a detailed explaination to the patrons of the local pub as to the nature of my discomfort upon breaking of the G# string. Heck, I never considered the scientific or social ramifications created by this event. I now feel the reverberations created by the simultaneous breaking of the aforementioned wire (by all steel players) may cause a shift in the earths trajectory thereby placing us all in a new orbit. I must admit I have been greeted by thunderous applause when this incident occurred in the middle of what I thought was an exceptionally brilliant ride, and was forced to retreat to a much safer position in order to re-string. Now I understand all the jerky and shifting sensations I feel, usually on weekends ( from 8-1pm), is caused by this phenom, and all along I thought it was the shocks on my old chevy. Guys, what we need are better strings.... |
|
Gene Jones Member Posts: 5796 |
posted 25 December 2001 05:38 AM
...not to mention the glee of the person operating the spot light who delights in keeping it in your face while you are trying to "thread" the end of the new string through that "little bitty hole". |
|
Michael Garnett Member Posts: 893 |
posted 25 December 2001 06:53 PM
Well, actually, I don't think that the breakage of a string of that gauge would have much to do with shifting the Earth on its orbit, or axis. Comparatively, the mass of the string is pretty miniscule in comparison to the Earth-String-Steeler system, and unless there's some wacky physics going on there, the force of the string whipping over both of your hands is just about enough to drop the bar, and that's about it. It mostly stops there.... I still think that if we just tuned everything down a full step, then fretting up one full step would solve a lot of problems. I don't think I'm good enough yet to try that though. Usually I know just enough about something to screw it up bad and not know how to fix it.
Garnett ------------------ |
|
Earnest Bovine Member Posts: 4687 |
posted 26 December 2001 08:22 AM
My 3rd string is bent at the end! Is this OK? It is .0115 inches diameter. |
|
Bill Hankey Member Posts: 1680 |
posted 26 December 2001 02:39 PM
Earnest B. The "Bent String" thread has been Bill H. |
|
Earnest Bovine Member Posts: 4687 |
posted 26 December 2001 02:56 PM
quote: Yes. |
|
Harold Dye Member Posts: 133 |
posted 26 December 2001 06:38 PM
This thread has convienced me beyond a doubt that the .011 and the .0115 string will, on occasion and under certain conditons, break. I will now concede that point, however, a more pressing problem is looming and that is the "jump theory". In an earlier post I submitted the phenomenom of breakage in concert with others may have catastrophic consequences. What if all steel players (in the world) experience this incident simultaneously, on the same day, time, etc. and then all in concert experienced a "collective jump". Since the vast majority of them are located regionally, ( in the USA) as compared to the rest of the planet, a lopsided effect would be created. Would this sudden and unexpected shift be sufficient to cause trajectory problems? Such a shift in trajectory might be a cause of gobal warming, changes in weather patterns or even in some small way affect the ozone. Is this possible....can someone else weigh in on this? I realize we are dealing with relative mass, but what about collective mass...or collective jumping mass. Another question..in the event this happened, would the music stop or when the shift came, would the band think it was a modulation and go to Bb. 300 is just around the corner |
|
Bill Moore Member Posts: 512 |
posted 26 December 2001 07:22 PM
Bill, I was thinking of saving this for reply #299, but it looks like "Lucky 7" is already spoken for, take a look: http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/30U-8994.htm |
|
Doug Beaumier Member Posts: 2346 |
posted 26 December 2001 10:27 PM
 ------------------ |
|
Michael Garnett Member Posts: 893 |
posted 27 December 2001 12:02 AM
Harold- I see what you're talking about now... This hearkens back to the "If everybody peed into the ocean at once, would it rise more than a foot?" argument. I think perhaps in this case it would be the collective sound of "the shot that made stainless steel bars go clunking around on the floor, heard round the world." That lucky seven sure is an interesting piece of machinery. I don't think my tuning head is big enough to cram this "lucky seven" device in there, and if I tried, I think it'd end up breaking more strings than it would save. Garnett |
|
Bill Hankey Member Posts: 1680 |
posted 27 December 2001 12:49 AM
Harold D. Your fantastic analogies of a collective jumping mass, and the trajectory disruption theory, reflects a taunting, for the sake of humor, and amusement. Natural phenomenom, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, spousal disagreements, erosion, etc. have Bill H.
|
|
Steve Frost Member Posts: 262 |
posted 27 December 2001 01:45 PM
Harold - from what I am able to discern, I would venture that the inherent properties of the GoLo would be sufficient to preclude any discernible disruption of the time-space continuum. Rest easy!  |
|
Harold Dye Member Posts: 133 |
posted 27 December 2001 04:27 PM
Micheal G, Bill H, and Steve F. I would like to thank each of you for your analysis and replies to the "collective Jump" theory. It was not my intention to unduly alarm or create unnecessary anxiety in the PSG community. The fact that the GoLo and the Lucky 7 exists or will exist is comfort enough for me, and I am sure will be welcomed by many as they teeter on the edge of the string breakage abyss. The news must go forward. |
|
Steve Frost Member Posts: 262 |
posted 27 December 2001 06:01 PM
|
|
Bill Hankey Member Posts: 1680 |
posted 29 December 2001 04:24 AM
I can't imagine a guitar named "Lucky 7" is available to the public. How unusual, how remotely removed from a standardized name. Pray tell, what the guitar, and its chosen name have in common. It is as much of a curiosity, as steel guitarists who adjust to premature .011 3rd string breakage problems? Bill H. [This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 29 December 2001 at 04:29 AM.] |
|
Bobby Lee Sysop Posts: 14849 |
posted 29 December 2001 08:02 AM
Define "premature", Bill. In most cases, the .011 will not break until it is worn out. To my way of thinking, that breakage is not "premature". A steel guitarist should change strings frequently to get pure harmonics and good tone. See Paul Franklin's article on the subject. If you let your strings go dead and then one of them breaks, it's your own fault. The breakage was not premature - it was probably overdue! Some pedal steels have changer or keyhead problems that cause string breakage, but most modern instuments don't have such defects. ------------------ |
|
Bill Hankey Member Posts: 1680 |
posted 29 December 2001 11:26 AM
Bobby L. Premature's definition is one that includes several ways to use the [This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 30 December 2001 at 01:02 AM.] |
|
Chris Schlotzhauer Member Posts: 1217 |
posted 29 December 2001 11:56 AM
bOb, your point is dead on. Why would anyone want to keep strings on past their sonic life? I change my 3rd string regularly because I don't want it to break in a performance, but I change all of them long before they would break to get the bright sound you get with new strings, and it allows me to do the other maintenance like cleaning, lube, tuning keys adjust, etc. Not to mention when older strings, that have not broken, loose their elasticity therefore tuning is an issue. I still havn't seen a picture of this "Lucky 7" contraption, but it sounds like something not very attractive. If I had a camera focussed on my steel playing a ride, I would rather have peace of mind that 3rd string won't pop on camera than this thing on my guitar. |
|
Bill Hankey Member Posts: 1680 |
posted 29 December 2001 01:11 PM
Chris S. The "Lucky 7" is a fascinating Bill H. |
|
John Paul Jones Member Posts: 305 |
posted 29 December 2001 01:55 PM
Why does the "Lucky 7" guitar only have 6 strings? huuumm....!!! ------------------ GFI U-12 |
|
Chris Schlotzhauer Member Posts: 1217 |
posted 29 December 2001 03:01 PM
OK, can we see your application? |
|
Steve Feldman Member Posts: 2983 |
posted 29 December 2001 03:11 PM
I feel that we have transcended into a milieu of mildew. |
|
Bill Hankey Member Posts: 1680 |
posted 29 December 2001 04:14 PM
Steve F. You wield a mighty sword in a literal sense, and your witticism |
|
HowardR Member Posts: 5735 |
posted 29 December 2001 04:14 PM
"A drawn out thread, is a worn out thread" |
|
Earnest Bovine Member Posts: 4687 |
posted 29 December 2001 04:27 PM
Bill, How can I get the bend out of my string? |
|
Bill Hankey Member Posts: 1680 |
posted 29 December 2001 05:07 PM
Hi Earnest, From what you say, I've ascertained Bill H. |
|
Jeff Lampert Member Posts: 2636 |
posted 29 December 2001 10:13 PM
I gotta get a donut. I really need one bad. |
| This topic is 7 pages long: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 All times are Pacific (US) | This is an ARCHIVED topic. You may not reply to it! |
Note: Messages not explicitly copyrighted are in the Public Domain.
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46
Our mailing address is:
The Steel Guitar Forum
148 South Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA
Support the Forum
Bobby Lee - email: 
