Breaking the "D" string on my L-03R frequently.

[Frank_S]

Can anyone explain why I would break just the "D" string at the bridge on my L-03R? Is the "D" string weak in construction or is there something I can do at the bridge end of the guitar to prevent this? This usually occurrs about 4 weeks after restringing and its happened with different brand strings, no brand in particular has failed. They all have failed.

[acoustic6]

Be sure to inspect the saddle to make sure it's not too terribly grooved at the D string.  Really shouldn't be much of a groove at all but over time it seems that the TUSQ saddles especially can begin forming grooves from wear.  If they get too deep this could cause binding as you tune and cause it to break.  If your saddle has too much of a peak to it this could also be a problem.

If you spend a lot of time going from one tuning to the next it dramatically shortens the life of your strings.  I probably tune down to DADGAD at least once or twice per set of strings along with drop D, maybe one or two other tunings I guess besides standard  but rarely break strings on any of my guitars.

Last time I had an issue with strings breaking it was consistently the G string and it would break at the nut.  Some filing to the slot by my luthier fixed the problem.  I'd have a tech look at it.  Hopefully, an easy fix.  Good luck!

[Frank_S]

Be sure to inspect the saddle to make sure it's not too terribly grooved at the D string.  Really shouldn't be much of a groove at all but over time it seems that the TUSQ saddles especially can begin forming grooves from wear.  If they get too deep this could cause binding as you tune and cause it to break.  If your saddle has too much of a peak to it this could also be a problem.

If you spend a lot of time going from one tuning to the next it dramatically shortens the life of your strings.  I probably tune down to DADGAD at least once or twice per set of strings along with drop D, maybe one or two other tunings I guess besides standard  but rarely break strings on any of my guitars.

Last time I had an issue with strings breaking it was consistently the G string and it would break at the nut.  Some filing to the slot by my luthier fixed the problem.  I'd have a tech look at it.  Hopefully, an easy fix.  Good luck!

Thank you for the response. I should have mentioned that the guitar was purchased new in May 2009. I think I will take in to have it looked at to make sure the saddle is'nt causing it. It's just that the shop is 35 miles away and I don't have much time to drive up there.

[richy3]

Electric guitars of course have metal bridges and saddles so there's more of a chance that there could be a "nick" or a "bur" causing frequent string breakage.  With acoustics, I'm afraid it tends to have more to do with the particular player's style of "attack".  If you hit it hard with a plectrum over a 4 week period, it's not abnormal to break a string.  However, I don't like when people suggest you change your playing style to accomodate your gear.  You're the boss.   Just buy lots of D strings!!

[Frank_S]

Electric guitars of course have metal bridges and saddles so there's more of a chance that there could be a "nick" or a "bur" causing frequent string breakage.  With acoustics, I'm afraid it tends to have more to do with the particular player's style of "attack".  If you hit it hard with a plectrum over a 4 week period, it's not abnormal to break a string.  However, I don't like when people suggest you change your playing style to accomodate your gear.  You're the boss.   Just buy lots of D strings!!

Very good points. I don't think I'm too heavy handed with the plectrum (play 50/50 fingerstyle) and it just may be that 4 weeks use is pretty good with the occassional broken string. I thought maybe the "D" string winding may have been weaker than the other strings and wanted to get some expert opinion on that point.

[Big E]

hmm, I have yet to break the D string and I have ben known to strum "er loud". I just changed my strings last week and noticed a bit of "grooving" on the saddle 
I'll keep an eye on it and maybe change saddles in the New Year. 

[Queequeg]

Saddle is the likely culprit. You didnt say whether you use alt tunings. Even if you do, the D 4th string tends not to get changed as much as the rest.
You also didn't say what gauge strings you are using, but again, the 4th string shouldn't be the first to go on light or XL strings.

[carruth]

Unusual that you are breaking a d string.Where on the string is it breaking?The answer to this question should indicate what needs fixing.

[Frank_S]

Saddle is the likely culprit. You didnt say whether you use alt tunings. Even if you do, the D 4th string tends not to get changed as much as the rest.
You also didn't say what gauge strings you are using, but again, the 4th string shouldn't be the first to go on light or XL strings.

I've been using .012-0.054 Martin SP 80/20 more recently, just ordered DR Sunbeams to try them out. IT appears that it is breaking at the saddle but nothing looks suspicious to me as to why. I do sometimes use open G tuning but rarely since I use my dread for that tuning typically.