I broke a string!

[Chughes423]

The one thing I hate the most is breaking a string right after a good cleaning. I was tuning up my Eastman, setting the bridge and it popped. A .011 D Addario J74. The problem is I don't want to buy a whole new set so does anyone know a place online to get a single string or does anyone want to just donate to my carelessness. I'm so sad...

[Willie Poole]

Just google"Mandolin strings and you will get a lot of sites to click on...

[Dan Co1e]

I have had this happen so many times that I buy single strings sets of 5 D'Addario strings in whatever gauge needed.

They are usually ball end but you can remove the ball and you have a perfect replacement.

Search for D'Addario PL011-5 Plain Steel Guitar Single String, .011 5-pack.

Guitar Center should have a pack for $2.99 plus tax.

[Roger Moss]

Amazon sells single string packs for several brands including D'Adario.

[DataNick]

Along these lines I have a question: Does any string manufactuer make mandolin family strings in these configurations: 0.118, 0.028, 0.042?

I would like to experiment with a custom configuration as follows:
E: 0.012
A: 0.018
D: 0.028
G: 0.042

Why? Max volume, maybe increase in richness of tone. I've Googled but can't seem to find any like the ones I need.

[Isaac Revard]

If you bought a pack...then you would have extras...if it ever happened again...

[MediumMando5722]

Along these lines I have a question: Does any string manufactuer make mandolin family strings in these configurations: 0.118, 0.028, 0.042?

I would like to experiment with a custom configuration as follows:
E: 0.116
A: 0.118
D: 0.028
G: 0.042

Why? Max volume, maybe increase in richness of tone. I've Googled but can't seem to find any like the ones I need.

I've spent years making custom sets on guitar, but I can't figure why you'd want the E and A strings nearly the same gauge. That A will be floppy as heck. Stock A strings are already lighter than they should be relative to the others.

[DataNick]

I've spent years making custom sets on guitar, but I can't figure why you'd want the E and A strings nearly the same gauge. That A will be floppy as heck. Stock A strings are already lighter than they should be relative to the others.

My bad...I meant E: 0.012
A:0.018

[jaycat]

Never throw away the old set after changing. They'll do in a pinch.

[MediumMando5722]

My bad...I meant E: 0.012
A:0.018

Ok, that makes a little more sense

I just switched up to .0115, and love the tone difference. I agree a 12 would be worth trying.

[pops1]

Along these lines I have a question: Does any string manufactuer make mandolin family strings in these configurations: 0.118, 0.028, 0.042?

I would like to experiment with a custom configuration as follows:
E: 0.012
A: 0.018
D: 0.028
G: 0.042

Why? Max volume, maybe increase in richness of tone. I've Googled but can't seem to find any like the ones I need.

Nick, I use guitar singles and make up my sets all the time. It's a pain taking the ball ends off, but I get what I want. I was using a .042 also in GHS white bronze. Sounds great. I didn't have as heavy on the other strings tho.

[Ray(T)]

I can't remember when I last broke a string; certainly not since 2002. If you are prone to breaking Es or As, the next time you change a full set, don't change the unwound ones. The difference in sound between new and old unwound strings is negligible and you'll end up with a couple of spares of each to use should you break one.

[DataNick]

Nick, I use guitar singles and make up my sets all the time. It's a pain taking the ball ends off, but I get what I want. I was using a .042 also in GHS white bronze. Sounds great. I didn't have as heavy on the other strings tho.

Cool!

How do you loop the ends on the hooks on the tailpiece?

[sideman]

I have a few extra of those I'd be happy to give you. Pm me your address and I'll send em' out...

[Dan Co1e]

You remove the ball end from the loop. Looks just like a mandolin string once the ball is out.

[Barry Wilson]

I just did 2 guitar string singles for a set of mandola strings I got that was missing 2 strings (came in the case in a trade). My music store has a string purchase card. after so many sets you get a set free. I often take a bunch of singles instead. it's almost always the e or a that breaks

[Chughes423]

Great responses!

[Emmett Marshall]

I know that a lot of people already know this, but after breaking MANY new .011 "e" strings while tuning, it finally occurred to me that I should try initially tuning them much more slowly. I haven't snapped one since. Then once they are up and running, they don't snap unless I do something a bit careless - like accidentally turn the wrong tuning peg or something.

[Bertram Henze]

Strings are consumables like toothpaste or floss. Breakages happen, and it's a good idea not to be miserly and have a certain stock of replacements ready at any time.

[UsuallyPickin]

I have to say I don't understand players that don't have at least one full set of instrument strings in their case. I generally keep two or more replacement sets around the house as well because strings are wear items. They break, they go dead they get wear spots from fretting, they get old and no longer intonate properly........ It's not like they are ridiculously expensive. Five dollars for a low end set and twenty-five for the very high end. What I play with cost about eight dollars and last three or four months with good tone and playability. R/

[Randi Gormley]

I ordered some spare E strings (.09 and .10 iirc) from Just Strings a while back and got them in a long, thin plastic envelope of 10 or something; the only problem is storing them without getting them accidentally kinked -- they tend to tangle when you have a bunch in a single long string. But it has saved me from various problems just to have them hanging around. I've only once broken some other string than an E and that was because I was tuning the wrong peg and snapped a thomastik A string (!). I know that there are other suppliers who will sell you single strings -- you should be able to search their website for the option if it exists.

[pops1]

It's a procedure that gets easier the more you do it. I use a needle nose pliers and a pointed awl and take the ball off so I have a loop, then it's business as uaual. You will break one occasionally especially until you have it down.

[Barry Wilson]

I keep a spare set of strings in each case at all times, plus a box at home with mixed; full sets, partial sets and such.... other than the ukulele. those strings last forever and don't break (watch I will break one this weekend LOL)

my string card fills up really fast. I have one full now and another will be full next purchase

I always tune the higher note strings slower... must look like I am disarming a bomb. I had a string break once tuning and it made my finger bleed lol

[Jeff Mando]

I played in a band with a guy for seven years and to my knowledge he never bought a set of strings. As they broke, he would ask me if I had an "extra" E, A, whatever........that's been 30 years ago, I'm sure he's still adding to and subtracting from that same "set" of strings. He had a great ear for melody and was a quick learner.

[Bertram Henze]

I have a full set in my instrument case. When it's time for string change, I use those and replace them afterwards with a set from the backup chest. When the backup chest is down to one set, I order 4 new sets. And I suppose the chain goes on all the way to D'Addario...