How do I help prevent breaking my guitar strings while tuning?
MezmerizedLaLa asked:
I need to get drop c on my electric but EVERYTIME I try to follow directions, and get like, 4th string to sound like 5th fret of 5th string etc. I always break them! I want perfect sound but I have expensive good strings, But I do have a crappy guitar, could this be it?
I need to get drop c on my electric but EVERYTIME I try to follow directions, and get like, 4th string to sound like 5th fret of 5th string etc. I always break them! I want perfect sound but I have expensive good strings, But I do have a crappy guitar, could this be it?
Drop C is all down tuning so you shouldn’t be able to break them like that, you should be loosening them.
gentle sweetheart, gentle.
I have honestly never heard of someon breaking strings while down tuning. Are you tuning them up instead of down? That would explain you breaking the strings, and if you have tried it a few times there is a chance you slightly warped your neck and may need to adjust the truss rod. If you are breaking them while going from drop C back to standard then you are going to fast. Just go slow and steady and that should help if thats the issue.
Like others have said, you shouldn’t be breaking strings while down tuning, just double check which ones go up and which ones go down (depending on if you’re tuning to open C or drop C). Should be able to find that info online.
If thats not the problem, you may want to consider a thicker gauge of string. They can be tougher on the hands, but tend to take more abuse.
If its always the same string, consider taking your guitar into your local shop and see if it needs a simple adjustment. Sometimes, the bridge action can affect that (a sign of that would be of the string breaking at or near the ball).
If its breaking at the other end, try leaving more (or all) of the string untrimmed.
Good luck.
If it is the same string or strings breaking you may want to have the guitar checked out. There could be a rough spot on the nut or something. They could smooth those out and maybe add some graphite.