It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 8:32 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 2 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: USA Telecaster, HH model, saddle / string break problems
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 9:45 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Apr 09, 2009 9:31 pm
Posts: 1
Hello to everyone,
I recently bought a USA Fender Telecaster HH model (I think it was originally purchased new in Birmingham, England in 2005) serial number: Z5028547. It has the small American Series Hardtail bridge with 6 saddle pieces. The saddle screws go into the top part of the saddle block pieces on this model, presumably so as not to block the passage of the string through the centre of the saddle block. The problem is that strings break far too easily. I wondered if many people on this forum might have experienced the same problem? The problem is not a mild one – sadly, although this guitar looks and sounds beautiful to play, I can no longer play it without feeling that a string might break at any moment. It always breaks at the bridge, over the saddle blocks (so far in the last few weeks, 2 D-strings, 2 G-strings, 1 B-string and about 5 thin E-strings). It is always with brand new strings (10-13-17-26-36-46) I know it’s not because of the strings (see below). I have traditionally used Fender strings but have also tried various makes including, currently D’Addario. It always has been the case that I wasn’t even hitting the strings hard, just strumming and playing normally. I have broken strings at home, in rehearsals at gigs, at the sound-check, you name it! If it lasts for part of a rehearsal and half a gig without breaking a string then it’s unusual – the rest of the band constantly joke about it now. I presume that it is because of the angle of the strings as they cross the saddle blocks. I have looked very closely at all the saddles to try to see if any sharp edges could clearly be noticed but they all looked and felt ok - to my untrained eye and touch, I could not sense anything sharp there. I will try filing the saddles to see if it makes any difference.

I have been playing guitars for over 20 years and look after them all very carefully. Before this, I hardly ever broke a string – other guitars I currently play include a USA Fender Strat Plus Deluxe (1995) and an Epiphone Casino. I have recently played a friend’s Mexican Standard Tele, at home, in rehearsals and in gigs. In over three months on this guitar, I haven’t yet broken a string. The angle of the string over these saddle pieces is noticeably shallower. The only time it realistically happens to me is if, for some reason I play a guitar with really old strings that need changing anyway.

I looked at buying replacement roller saddles to solve this problem but having looked closer at my saddles and the bridge plate I realised that unless I could get replacement pieces where the screw also went into the top part, leaving the space in the middle for the string, then it would not work as the string holes and saddles are lined up in this way rather than centrally, on my guitar. Apparently, I would need to change the bridge to the 'B3 type...??
Can someone please advise on what I should do?
Any help is much appreciated and then I can get this instrument back in the gig spotlight again!

Many thanks…
Pete

Image

Image

Image


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:43 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sun May 18, 2008 1:35 pm
Posts: 2303
Location: DC
I would file the exact point where the string is being attacked..... so it is a more smooth and little rounded finish , I did this to one bridge long ago , I filed it a little bit rounded it a little bit and the string never broke again in that point :)


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 2 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: