Strings snapping on excalibur

tatumboy · 03 Dec 2007 16:55

Hi guys, I wonder if you can help me. The g, b and high e strings have just started snapping on my excalibur guitar after only having a couple hours of playing time, and always snap at the point of contact with the bridge saddles. I've tried swapping the whole set of strings over, and its strange because its only started to happening in the past month or so, not since I purchased the guitar. Is there anything I can do?ThanksAndrew

Ben · 03 Dec 2007 21:39

I have this problem when I use certain brands of strings, usually on the 'D' or 'A' strings though. You may have some sharp fragments on the saddles, you can try running a very fine needle file over them and see if that helps?

tatumboy · 11 Dec 2007 15:34

Hi Ben, I tried that, and sure enough after a few hours of playing the high e string snapped first this time in the exact same place. Its really puzzling, and quite annoying really, as Im going through quite a lot of strings. Why would the bridge saddle be made from a metal which can be worn away by guitar strings...so that it becomes rough/sharp enough to cut through the strings themselves? I'd take it to a local guitar tech, but I really don't trust anyone doing work on my Vigier haha

Ben · 11 Dec 2007 15:41

All metals when they rub can become sharp, and yes, I can understand it becoming annoying! You could try replacing the worn saddles with new ones (you can contact a dealer to get a new set from Vigier), or have a look here - www.graphtech.com/string_saver_info.php - I have been told they are good.

13 Dec 2007 17:32

The gap where the strings are is small, when the strings are not straight and you use a lot the tremolo (push down a lot) this can happen... what brand do you use?

tatumboy · 13 Dec 2007 19:37

Hi Patrice, I use d-addario strings, 9 gauge. I do tend to use the tremolo quite a bit, is there anything I can do to help this, or smooth the gap which the strings sit in? Thank you, Andrewp.s. I forgot to add that my guitar was made in 2003 i believe, but I bought it new about a year ago.

18 Dec 2007 16:58

Try the Ernie Ball

tatumboy · 18 Dec 2007 22:16

I appreciate the response, but I have owned quite a few guitars....mostly second hand, I bought the Vigier brand new only a year ago and I certainly don't use it a great deal. I don't think it has anything to do with the brand of strings as I have always used d'addario and have never had a problem with them, furthermore I have tried different strings and the snapping still occurs. It is most likely to do with wearing on the saddle, but still this shouldn't happen on a 1 year old ?1400 guitar after minimal use should it?It is the best guitar I have ever played/owned, but its getting increasingly difficult to play with the strings snapping.

Ben · 19 Dec 2007 14:36

This is most strange indeed. All our guitars are covered by a two year warrenty on any manufacturing defects, it may be a good idea to contact your dealer and arrange to have the guitar looked at?

20 Dec 2007 09:11

May I have photos of your bridge, to see how it is set.

tatumboy · 21 Dec 2007 11:21

Hi there, I can't really take it back to the dealer as I bought it from Italy, a shop called "Shred Factory" and I am based in the UK unfortunately.I've sent some photos in a private message to you Patrice, thank you.Andrew

Godhell · 06 Feb 2008 20:16

Hi!
I would like to tell you about my experience (not on Vigier yet, unfortunately, just planning the order).
I'm not sure if it's a matter of low quality or intense playing hehe, but ALL D'Addario string packages I had (made in USA, both acoustic and electric types) ended up being broken right where they "snap" in your case. And it was always the D-string to blame.
For now I came to Elixir strings, though I had also very good experience with Ernie Ball and Everly. I don't think the problem is with the instrument based on this.
My best regards!

Ben · 08 Feb 2008 21:43

The new Elixir anti-rust strings are the best I have ever used - I did not like the old Elixir strings, they felt coated and unnatural, but the new ones are really good - no string snapping troubles for me with these strings, though I have had problems with D'Addario and Ernie Ball strings in the past.