The Steel Guitar Forum

I've never had a string break at the hog ring. I doubt that would influence string breakage as the string is only bent once when brought up to pitch. That's a great, simple idea Gary came up with! I use LPS 1 greaseless lubricant on my nut and bridge. I put on a set of strings shortly before the San Jose Jam 1 1/2 years ago and I haven't broken a string since. I don't advocate old strings, but I'd like to dispute the common belief that E9 w/G# can't be used on old Fender Cable Guitars. The lubricant works very much the same as Gary's slippers by providing a surface "barrier" between the guitar and the strings. Just as Piston rings need oil to prevent scoring cylinder walls, keep just enough lubricant applied to do the job.
I'm off to Healdsburg for trail ride gig. The dust may spell death to my theory.
Patrick

I use Gary's gadget AND Triflow teflon lube...and have never broken one with it tuned to E9 either (with hog rings installed...never had one without).

I don't think string breakage is an inherent problem with the long-scale Fenders. Properly set up, lubed and maintained, I think they work just fine.