B and High E strings Twang on 12 String

[spirittoo]

My new electric 12 string second B and high E strings are twanging. I can't see why.

I have been having problems when I string my 12 strings both electric and acoustic breaking the high strings when tuning or restringing. I even broke the high A string ... I couldn't believe it.

I take it slow when tuning up, but sometime it doesn't help. I was tuning the high G and I was almost there when it broke.

I was tuning the electric 12 string and the second high E broke, I replaced it with a different brand string and now it is twanging.

I can't see what the problem is. I have pictures but I haven't been able to figure out how to post them.

[Merak]

Where do the strings break? Nut, tuning machine, bridge or elswhere?

[spirittoo]

They pretty much break in the same place between the nut and the tuner.

[Tuch]

Check that the strings at the tuner wrap neatly! around tuner post..=do not overlap. If they do can sever the string like a saw when string is thus tuned to pitch.
Over tightening the string when tuning string to pitch etc can cause sudden breakage at the nut area.

[John Arnold]

The string may be binding in the nut slot.

[spirittoo]

I will try and figure out how to post a picture ... I don't see anything pinching at the nut.

Maybe you can see something I don't.

Also I have locking tuners on the electric 12 string. I'm not overlapping that much.

[Dave Abrahamson]

On mine I try not to overlap at all.
Couldn't hurt to fold a fine piece of sandpaper and touch the slot real quick. Then run a sharp pencil in the nut slot to get some graphite lube in there before you string up again.
Just my .02
Good luck!

[spirittoo]

I have got some fine files I can use to do the nut. I just hate the thought of having to re-tune ... I grit my teeth every time I tune the high strings. I bought extra high G, B, and E ... maybe extra D too.


Oh my!!! You have quite a collection of the expensive guitars. I'm sure you enjoy them tremendously.

You'd probably laugh at most of my cheap guitar collection.

[Dave Abrahamson]

Files are even better...but go slow. You can go too far real quick.
Thank you about the collection,( took 50years),but I would never laugh at another stash of guitars. I have cheap Fender, a Marlboro miles guitar from the 90's, Alverez classical... Those just didn't make it into my signature😉😁

[Tuch]

String bind can be the main reason for string breakage at/near the nut area.-Widening the string slot by a few thou'' will resolve this, but avoid deepening the slot!!

The hole where the string EXITS may have a ''burr''. Round over the hole perimeter with a needle file. The burr is left at manufacture etc..it acts as a saw edge! upon the string...as the string tightens to attain its pitch, the tension increases etc...severing the string near to the Exit point on the tuner.

[spirittoo]

I'm going to try and upload some photo's of my guitar from dropbox so you can see what I am talking about.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mtbmqz4lwl...50074.JPG?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2jugwbjcgi...50076.JPG?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/wbq4qxp0vx...50078.JPG?dl=0

[spirittoo]

Still having problems with the b and e strings twanging ... I checked the nut and bridge with a magnify glass and I can't seem to find anything that would cause it.

Any ideas on this?