strings keep breaking

Having problems with strings breaking after tuning back up 1/2 step to the standard tuning. Use a standard six hole trem w/brass string trees. The problem was not an abnormal factor before I tuned back up that .5 step. Could it be the strings (super slinkies)? Help EJ!

[El_jalepeno]

How old are the strings, and does it happen only on certain strings all the time? If you keep the guitar tuned down for a long time of playing (probably at least a couple of weeks), then tune back up, the tension of the strings changes, but so does its strength. They are used to having a little more give in them when tuned down, and then tuning up makes them more brittle with your pick attack. Can you give more details if this happens alot, which strings specifically, and how old the strings are?

The strings that had been on the guitar before I tuned back up have all broken in turn, however the D, G, and B strings that I put on fresh only lasted two days. I have been playing a little more forcefully, but what I'm really wondering about is whether the brand of string makes a big difference in strength much less sound? I use Ernie Ball at the moment.
Thanks

[El_jalepeno]

Let me think about this, and anyone else that has ideas please chime in, but I have used Ernie Ball strings for over 10 years without problems.

Look to see if you have any edges on the saddles t all coming in contact with the strings, even grooves made by the strings themselves in the saddles.

Do the strings appear to break above the saddle, or below the bridge in the block? Can you get us a couple of pictures maybe?

[rockonthis21]

I had a burr on one of my tuning pegs, on the inside of the hole the string goes thru- actually right on the edge- and no locking nut. If the string was wound on the peg just right it would hang on that burr and break- a little tlc from a dremel fixed it...

Thanks guys, I'm going to take a closer look at the string trees. Something els I just thought of is the fact that I just put a washer under the bridge plate so when I am not using the bar, it has something more solid to rest on than the paint of the guitar body. Wow, that might be it. For now I will see how long this next set of strings last, so when they break I will look very closely at the point where they do break to see if there is something I can correct (with a file that is). Thanks EJ and rockonthis21. [img]images/smilies/icon_thumb.gif[/img]