The Steel Guitar Forum

I use Ernie Ball strings, go 40 night or so on an .011 on my PP. I do back off the set screw on the that finger so that the radius is more like this(\) vs (|).

I once got 27 months on a Sierra playing 2 nights a week. Finally had to take it off, it would not break.

Larry Behm

Larry,
I also use Ernie Ball strings. I've got a 12 on my 3rd string. Can't remember the last time I broke it.

I thought I would try Jagwire Stainless (usually use nickel).
I put them on Friday the third string broke Saturday during a show.
Go figure?

I used Ernie Balls for years when I was playing 5-7 nights a week and never had a breakage issue to speak of. About a year ago I bought a bulk order from Just Strings (mystery brand - they wont tell you the manufacturer)with enough for 12 sets for my 12 string for less than $60.00. I am on set number 8 and while I don't like them as much as Jagwires or Cobra Coils they are at least good enough and I have had zero break so far.

Probably nothing to do with the brand of string. You just have one of those super hercules tough strings.

I've had 'em go a long time too. Once had a Mullen keep a 12 on the 3rd string for more than 1 year. Finally gave up and took it off,

I've got a 13 ga. SIT for the 3rd string of my Zumsteel. Been on there since back in the early spring. Played countless shows, rehearsals, home practices, etc. I'm leaving it on just for meanness to see how long it lasts.

Jerry,
How do you like a 13 for the 3rd string?
I've been meaning to try it. Anything to "fatten" up the tone.

Just fine Erv....on the Zum, that is. Don't know if it would hold up on my Mullen as it breaks 12's often enough. If your guitar will stand it, you'll probably like it fine.

Jerry,
The guitar I'm presently playing is a Zum hybrid.

No experience with the Hybrid. I should add that in my case, the Zum compatibility with the 13, it's probably less about guitar brand and more about the characteristics of the individual guitar same as with the long lived strings most likely. I consider both the marathon runs I quoted as unusual although I have seen several others last a long long time.

Larry, might have read your post too hurriedly. If you're saying you get 40 nights out of a 3rd consistently, then that is indeed outstanding. Perhaps there is something about those Ernie's to consider.

FWIW, my original Emmons I had way back when broke fewer thirds than any guitar I ever had except for my Williams.

I used to change the 3rd string every other job to avoid breaking on the gig. Now, I just let it go. They just go on and on. It's my experience that .011 strings are just better across the board than they used to be. I'm using D'Addarios mostly, but sometimes Ernie Ball.

I use Ernie Ball's, too, when I can get them. The reason that they last so long is that there are extra windings at the ball end. Ernie played steel, ya know. btw, there's nothing worse than having a 3rd sring go when you're hunched over the guitar playing with all your ability. Makes me gald I wear glasses. - Jack

I get 3rd strings for $3.00 a doz. and it never occurs to me to see how long I can go with out breaking a string on stage.
My friends Williams steel seems to have a better system on the changer as far as string life goes... but still 25 cents a string..

To each his own Ken. Some of us like to get our money's worth or just gamble on a string once in a while.

It only takes a couple mins to change a broken string on the gig....gives the band and audience a short lived respite too.

I use D'addarios on a Fender 400, mostly because they're the only brand my local music shop carries. For some reason, the 3rd string always breaks when I'm tuning it up. However, after I replace it with a single .011, it will last for months. I've gotten to the point of just throwing away the .011 D'addario as soon as it comes out of the pack.

I use D'addarios on a Fender 400, mostly because they're the only brand my local music shop carries. For some reason, the 3rd string always breaks when I'm tuning it up. However, after I replace it with a single .011, it will last for months. I've gotten to the point of just throwing away the .011 D'addario as soon as it comes out of the pack.

When I lived in Vegas, Paul Franklin played there quite a bit, He told me to try the #12 and it worked fine. I did get a more 'body' sound. They do last. Another friend gave me the double wrap string and that did last quite a while longer. You can hear it on U-Tube 'Cold, cold heart' under my name. Ted

My friends Williams steel seems to have a better system on the changer as far as string life goes... but still 25 cents a string..<<

Key, You are right about the Williams changer...I have my Williams series 600 for 4 years and I never had a 3rd string break..in that period of time I had one 10th string break...the 4th string E to F# also never broke so one does not need to be afraid to use the C pedal

Back when I was playing 5 to 7 nights a week, plus studio calls, I changed the complete set every 4 weeks, 5 if I was lazy. Changed 3rd and 4th strings a couple times during that 4 week period. They wouldn't break, but if I had to touch up the tuning on those strings more than twice a night, I knew they were heading South. I don't like the sound of old strings. Kline U-12

Larry, I think you put a hex on me. After reading your post I was musing that I hadn't broken a string on my Pro I since I got it a couple of years ago. I don't change them very often, but put a new set on before taking off on this current road trip Sept 2. So last night we have 2 solo openers and the second one asked me to play some steel on his set and bingo 3rd song bust the 3rd string. Probably good I played with the opener or it would have broken on our set. I might have to get rid of that thing if it breaks a string every 2 years.

I still have a complete set of 'original BIGSBY strings' on my C#min tuning.........dating back to 1956.

Surprisingly, they sound real good. They now have 'character' not that brand new string, 'twangy' sound that is thin and metallic.

Ray,
Respectfully now,,,, Very cool strings! If I had a set of those on a lap steel, I'd pray they'd last forever. But,,, the muted, dead, dull sound works very well in some genres of music, like Hawaiian, where they sound very sweet. But for E9th Country,,, well,,,, no. When I was begging my friend Mike Zaite, Dr. Z, to make a steel amp, I told him I wanted my Kline Uni to have a sound like a brand new grande piano. No mud. A grande piano is not thin and metallic. I have an aggressive right hand, and when my wound strings get muddy, lose their treble sound, they're gone. I want clarity, not thinness or metallic,,, but clear. No mud.

Some people like new strings, some like the ones that have been on there for awhile. Different strokes. To each his own.

I think string breakage has a lot to do with your steel and the condition of of your bridge finger (whether it's kept smooth or burred &/or grooved, as well as the mechanics of changer mechanism and how smoothly it's working.

Not to try and outdo Ray, but I have a late 40's Eharp with the original strings..... and it does have a certain vibe....