Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Strange that this is happening with so many strings, so often, and on two guitars with completely different bridges. Gotta ask: do you have a particularly aggressive playing style? Are the bridges original? Is this happening with just as many strings and just as often on the 650D as on the 360?

I can't remember which guitar of mine that this happened to (one string only, though), but I used some fine sandpaper on the saddle to make sure I got rid of any 'cutting edges' (which to me sounds like the problem - it's like having the string on the jaw of a pair of side-cutting pliers).

It's been suggested my style is too aggressive but I don't break strings on teles, sgs, lps or any of my other guitars, so I don't reckon that is it.

With my 650d I am convinced it us because the strings are at an angle that rub on the side of the saddle. After a loooooong investigation, many, many strings of different brands and ultimately cash, if I fine tune the roller saddle so it doesn't rub, I break way less strings. The 650 is now my back up to the 360.

I will go over the saddles again with a fine file and wet and dry paper. I live and play my guitar in Brisbane, Australia. We live in a tropical climate which is perhaps more likely to corrode the bridge and saddles after me sweating all over it at shows!!

Try running some of this over your string slots in the bridge saddles:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Nuts,_saddl ... _Cord.html

The .030 200 grit is the stuff I use. Killer burr-remover...

That stuff looks neat! I'll give what I have at home a try and if I have no joy, I'll order some of this...

OK, took her all apart tonight, cleaned the bridge (I mean, cclllleeeeaaaannneeeddd, the bridge!!), gently filed and sanded each saddle and ran cotton thread through to check for any burrs. Put it all back together and set the intonation...

...now the waiting game! Let's see how long it take me to break a string! I'll keep you posted.

Cheers for the replies so far

Let's hope this solves the problem - Good luck!

Ahh! Spring Break!

Never mind, I thought your title was a typo!

I started partying when I first read the title and hadn't even realized it wasn't "Spring" until just now...


Of course, it doesn't look much like Spring...

It doesn't feel much like Spring, either!

Last weekend here, it felt like summer ... this weekend, it'll be back to feeling like winter again.

BTW, I am hoping that the 'no news is good news' rule applies here, and that the strings have not broken.

On one or two 650s, I've noticed some burrs at the very back of the slot in the bridge saddle assemblies, where the string first enters. Might be a good idea to check these.

Good observation, Dennis ... it's those little, easily missed details that can foul things up!

<... crickets chirping ...>

(whispered: I hope all is well with his strings now ...)