Breaking 3rd strings

Subject: Breaking 3rd strings
From: GUEST,Martin T
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 10:35 AM

Am I just too heavy handed? Does anyone have any advice on these fragile beasties? Are any makes of strings noted for their longevity? I have an old string which I use in emergencies, big gaps in the winding, absolutely knackered but refuses to break! I wish I knew which make it was.

Subject: RE: Breaking 3rd strings
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 10:58 AM

I have effectively tuned my guitar down a whole tone to accomodate a variety of alternate tunings and since then I have hardly broken a string. So, why not try a lower gauge string which would not be at such a high tension? Alternatively, identify where the string tends to break - nut, bridge, tuning post because some remdial action to one (or more) of these by a luthier might fix the problem. Do you play in a standard tuning or do you change it about? If the latter, then the continual tightening and loosening of the string will weaken it (it doesn't affect me too badly though because of the lower tension).