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From the last set of 35's I fitted the top E and D have broke - the E when first brought up to tension and the D when playing a few weeks later. Has anyone else had this? Are they having quality control issues?
Posts: 15725
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: Luthier strings breaking? (in reply to Kubase)
With all brands, those two are the ones that pop most frequently cuz they are thinnest. Check your bridge, nut, and frets depending where the break happens a lot. There could be a something very small causing the string to break.
With luthier, that top E is perhaps a little TOO common. I just did a show with Roberto Castellon yesterday, he uses Luthier, and his top E popped backstage before going, but he was tuning it up and tugging it.
RE: Luthier strings breaking? (in reply to Ricardo)
Hey Ricardo, I know this is off topic but is Roberto Castellon living in the Baltimore area? I remember he used to play frequently at the Alegrias Tapas bar in the village in nyc when it was there a few years ago. He is cuban I think if we are talking about the same guy. I don't know if he still lives in New Jersey.
RE: Luthier strings breaking? (in reply to Kubase)
Hmmmm, it's annoying because I have loads on order and just had to pay custom duty on them. I may have to go back to D'addarios, at least I can get them easily in this country and they stay in one piece...
RE: Luthier strings breaking? (in reply to Kubase)
You should send a mail to stringsbymail telling about your problems with Luthier strings. I did so, they promissed me an answer, a promise they didn´t keep.
I will buy again next month and remind them of my question and lets see what happens.
RE: Luthier strings breaking? (in reply to Kubase)
I had a brand new Luthier just break on my guitar right over the soundhole with the guitar in the case, second night after changing. From stringsbymail as well.
RE: Luthier strings breaking? (in reply to Kubase)
Thats a special one. I´ve never seen a string break over the soundhole.
All the first strings of mine, (12) broke where they pass over itself in a 12 hole tieblock, so it cant be the guitars. I tried on various guitars and same thing happened. Some never reached pitch and some lasted a day.
Posts: 1025
Joined: Oct. 14 2009
From: New York City
RE: Luthier strings breaking? (in reply to Kubase)
I don't have that problem with Luthier strings. I tried them twice, and both times found the basses to be utterly dead, really dreadful. So I don't have to worry about them breaking. On the other hand I had a Savarez 520 Pink Card first string that for some reason would not come up to pitch no matter what - couldn't get it above B or C, and one more turn I was sure it would break.
I have had nothing but really good experience with Strings By Mail for years. Good prices, fast shipping, great customer service, and they really know strings, as opposed to several other places that merely sell strings but don't seem to know anything about the subject.
Why do you guys keep buying them when they are so unreliable?
Especially if you have to play in a concert/recital situation....surely the stress is bad enough without worrying about a string snapping.
(Seems to me a bit like buying 4 JM CDs and not liking any of them, then ordering 4 others to see if they are any better... )
cheers,
Ron
Well that's why it's so annoying - I've done two orders and had no problems with the strings until after the second order had been placed. Ah well, I'll see how the new batch goes (if RM ever actually deliver them) and if it's a snapathon I'll stop using Luthier.
RE: Luthier strings breaking? (in reply to Kubase)
Yes, I´ll stop using them as well. Of course. I like the trebles though (when they dont break) I like the way the basses sound when used for a while. They keep sounding for a long time. As new, I agree that they are a bit dull. But Savarez pink card. They sound wonderfull for a day or two, and then they are dead.
Its not stringsbymails fault that Luthier strings break, but I dont like that they tell you that they´ll look into the case and come back to you and then they dont come back to you. Besides, Stringsbymail are the ones that should contact Luthier corporation. I´m sure they sell a lot of Luthier strings and so they are the ones that Luthier corporation will listen to.
You're right about Savarez – they sound fantastic when they're new, but that doesn't last long. You're also right about SBM – they are the ones who should be speaking to Luthier.
RE: Luthier strings breaking? (in reply to Kubase)
Nealf, L20 are low-mid tension. L30, L35 and L40 are med-high tension. This is my opinion and based on comparing with other strings.
I choose strings mainly because of how they feel and how they sound when used, and not so much on how they sound right out of the packet. I like L30 and L35. The feel in my fingers, especially the trebles, but if they are a poorer quality than other strings, I will change to another brand
All the first strings of mine, (12) broke where they pass over itself in a 12 hole tieblock, so it cant be the guitars. I tried on various guitars and same thing happened.
This is the problem I have had with several but not every Luthier first string. I thought maybe there's something wrong with my guitar but your similar experience tells me it's the string. I just broke yet another as soon as I tuned it up to pitch. I retied it using the standard 6 hole method and it seems fine so I guess 12 hole tying places more stress on the string? With a 12 hole tie the Luthier 30's top E cuts itself in half at that point it passes under itself at the back of the tie block.
Anders did you stop using Luthier, what did you change to? I'm tired of them breaking so am going to try Savarez new cristal trebles, I think normal tension should be about the same as Luthier 30.
(Interestingly the 1st string break angle is now about 15 degrees compared to the other stings being about 35. I don't notice any loss of volume or tone problem.)
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I may have to go back to D'addarios, at least I can get them easily in this country and they stay in one piece...
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