Hi everyone. I'm quite new in this forum and I having some problem with strat recently. I got my strat last December of 2008, I was using fender nickel bullets stings and it was ok back then for a few months. Until recently, when I tried the fender stainless bullets 4 months ago, I noticed that my strings dont last for a month due to string breakage in the 2nd and specially 4th string (B and D strings). Anybody having problems like this? Is it a problem in my saddle or the type of strings? Can anyone help me for some tips on this one? Good day and thanks in advance.

I was using Fender bullets for a while, and the #2 and #3 strings were breaking all the time. In fact, when playing with people, maybe two times in one session. I tried everything. Light oil on the bridge, fine grit paper to smooth out the top of the saddles, but nothing worked. Then finally......I changed brands of my strings and never a problem again.

Now something I've heard.......if you use stainless strings.....it will cause your frets to wear a lot faster, because it's a harder metal than the nickel frets. Perhaps someone else can confirm that.

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"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."-John Wayne

Yes it is true, stainless steels are going to wear out the frets much quicker.

Now regarding the string breakage, the stainless steels may be wearing out the saddles as well.. What you can try is either graphite saddles or using this, http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Sandi ... _Cord.html
The will allow you to smoothen out the saddles where the string contacts it.

Maybe before you try that, try going back to bullets and see if the breakage still occurs. If it's the saddles then the bullets should break too.


~Edvin

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No matter how much you pay for an instrument, in the wrong hands it will always sound "cheap."

Gear:
2007 MIM Stratocaster (Lace Sensor Golds)
Peavey Valveking 112
Behringer TU300, CS100, NR100
Dunlop Crybaby Classic
Marshall BB-2
Ibanez TS-9

I change strings for eveery performance for a list of reasons. If you're getting a month out of a set of strings it's time to change and let them RIP.

NBG

Pull out the saddle and spray it lightly with a gloss lacquer, first cover the saddle with tape as best you can, let it dry hard it should last at least 3- 4 months longer than whats happening now, the tiny bit of hardened lacquer spray will act as a buffer but you need to let it dry at least 3 days before using it. A trick from Vinny Pop and pleased to meet you.

Awful lot of work for zero return in my opinion, plus you'll have to re-set the intonation on that string. Go back to your old strings.
Loose the SS strings. At least try some other strings.

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For setup help you could go here - http://www.fender.com/support
For a guitars build date, try here - http://www.guitardaterproject.org/

You should re-intonate when you change string type anyhow. Its not a difficult job.

Myself i'd look at the saddles of those 2 strings and maybe give them a light file or rub some 1500grit wet and dry over where the string passes. Check there are no burr's where the string comes up from the tremplate.

Vin that is a longwinded way of tackling a rough saddle mate.

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No no and no

Hi everyone, sorry it took some time to reply back. Thanks for all you tips. Anyway, one thing more, I'm a bit hesitant to switch to a different strings other than fender bullets because I feel that the bullets are better fit than ball end-strings in terms of tuning stability (On a Fender Strat of course), specially if you use the tremolo arm a lot. Is it ok if i use a ball end strings, will it deform the string block and when I switch back to fender bullets i might have problem with the tuning stability. Please share your thoughts on this. Thanks in advance.