Schaller locking tuners on American deluxe fat.........HELP!

[JR]

Hello all, I have been lurking...I recently purchased my first "real" Strat.
I saved up for months and got my baby. I have a problem though...can anyone
please explain in terms a locking tuners idiot, (me) can understand how to
tune and string this puppy WITHOUT breaking strings? I have busted 2 already
and the frustration is building!!

please reply to me here or qualittelecom@hotmail.com Thanks in advance for
your help!


JR

[PCollen]

"JR" <JR@nospam.ptd.net> wrote in message news:<8tg0b.256$6e5.55140@nnrp1.ptd.net>...
> Hello all, I have been lurking...I recently purchased my first "real" Strat.
> I saved up for months and got my baby. I have a problem though...can anyone
> please explain in terms a locking tuners idiot, (me) can understand how to
> tune and string this puppy WITHOUT breaking strings? I have busted 2 already
> and the frustration is building!!
>
> please reply to me here or qualittelecom@hotmail.com Thanks in advance for
> your help!
>
>
> JR

Which string is breaking, is it the same string each time, and where
is the break-point on the string ? You may be over tightening the knob
on the back of the tuner if you are breaking the high E string. Or
possibly somone has inserted the little post inside the tuner that
presses against and grips the string, incorrectly. Perhaps a
manufacturing defect, or someone has taken the tuner apart and
re-assembled it incorrectly. I've used these tuners on one of my
Strat's for over a decade and have never had a problem with string
breakage unless the string itself has been nicked.

[Rick N. Backer]

On Tue, 19 Aug 2003 03:04:36 GMT, "JR" <JR@nospam.ptd.net> spewed
forth:

>Hello all, I have been lurking...I recently purchased my first "real" Strat.
>I saved up for months and got my baby. I have a problem though...can anyone
>please explain in terms a locking tuners idiot, (me) can understand how to
>tune and string this puppy WITHOUT breaking strings? I have busted 2 already
>and the frustration is building!!
>
>please reply to me here or qualittelecom@hotmail.com Thanks in advance for
>your help!
>
>
>JR
>

Exactly where are they breaking, at the nut, the tuner, the bridge
saddle?

Ken Wilson

Amer. Dlx. Tele, Gary Moore LP,
Jeff Beck Strat, Morgan OM Acoustic,
Rick 360/12, Standard Strat (MIM),
Mesa 100 Nomad, Mesa F-30

"Just because people don't understand
you doesn't mean you are an artist"

[JR]

I am most certain it is my ignorance...they are breaking at the nut....I do
beleive I may be overtightening them..whats the procedure for stringing? Do
I insert then lock and tune or tune the string THEN lock?? Thanks again
guys!

JR


"Rick N. Backer" <ken.wilson@NsOhSaPw.cAaM> wrote in message
news:64g3kv4p9cr6jrhrqfsjeqsgnbba0e77qg@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 19 Aug 2003 03:04:36 GMT, "JR" <JR@nospam.ptd.net> spewed
> forth:
>
> >Hello all, I have been lurking...I recently purchased my first "real"
Strat.
> >I saved up for months and got my baby. I have a problem though...can
anyone
> >please explain in terms a locking tuners idiot, (me) can understand how
to
> >tune and string this puppy WITHOUT breaking strings? I have busted 2
already
> >and the frustration is building!!
> >
> >please reply to me here or qualittelecom@hotmail.com Thanks in advance
for
> >your help!
> >
> >
> >JR
> >
>
> Exactly where are they breaking, at the nut, the tuner, the bridge
> saddle?
>
> Ken Wilson
>
> Amer. Dlx. Tele, Gary Moore LP,
> Jeff Beck Strat, Morgan OM Acoustic,
> Rick 360/12, Standard Strat (MIM),
> Mesa 100 Nomad, Mesa F-30
>
> "Just because people don't understand
> you doesn't mean you are an artist"

[Rick N. Backer]

On Tue, 19 Aug 2003 11:02:49 GMT, "JR" <JR@nospam.ptd.net> spewed
forth:

>I am most certain it is my ignorance...they are breaking at the nut....I do
>beleive I may be overtightening them..whats the procedure for stringing? Do
>I insert then lock and tune or tune the string THEN lock?? Thanks again
>guys!
>
>JR
>
>
>"Rick N. Backer" <ken.wilson@NsOhSaPw.cAaM> wrote in message
>news:64g3kv4p9cr6jrhrqfsjeqsgnbba0e77qg@4ax.com...
>> On Tue, 19 Aug 2003 03:04:36 GMT, "JR" <JR@nospam.ptd.net> spewed
>> forth:
>>
>> >Hello all, I have been lurking...I recently purchased my first "real"
>Strat.
>> >I saved up for months and got my baby. I have a problem though...can
>anyone
>> >please explain in terms a locking tuners idiot, (me) can understand how
>to
>> >tune and string this puppy WITHOUT breaking strings? I have busted 2
>already
>> >and the frustration is building!!
>> >
>> >please reply to me here or qualittelecom@hotmail.com Thanks in advance
>for
>> >your help!
>> >
>> >
>> >JR
>> >
>>
>> Exactly where are they breaking, at the nut, the tuner, the bridge
>> saddle?
>>
>> Ken Wilson
>>
>> Amer. Dlx. Tele, Gary Moore LP,
>> Jeff Beck Strat, Morgan OM Acoustic,
>> Rick 360/12, Standard Strat (MIM),
>> Mesa 100 Nomad, Mesa F-30
>>
>> "Just because people don't understand
>> you doesn't mean you are an artist"
>

Insert the string as far as you can through the locking tuner pulling
it tight before tightening down the lock. Don't over tighten just get
it snug enough the string doesn't slip. Tune to desired note.

Fender has a link to Mr. Gearhead where I think they give slightly
more detailed instructions on how to string using the locking tuners.
I don't have the link handy so you'll have to search their sight. I
don't know if it makes as much difference as they might imply but they
recommend lining the holes in the tuner as follows before stringing
the tuner;

string 1 @ 1 o'clock
string 2 @ 2 o'clock
string 3 & 4 @ 3 o'clock
string 5 @ 4 o'clock
string 6 @ 5 o'clock

Somehow though I suspect there may be other elements. I am not sure
the tuners or how you're using them is the cause for breakage at the
nut. Is it the same string all the time? You may need to have a
qualified tech look at the nut to see if there isn't a binding or
pinch problem of some sort. That, or quit trying those 4 full-tone
bends, hehehe ...

Ken Wilson

Amer. Dlx. Tele, Gary Moore LP,
Jeff Beck Strat, Morgan OM Acoustic,
Rick 360/12, Standard Strat (MIM),
Mesa 100 Nomad, Mesa F-30

"Just because people don't understand
you doesn't mean you are an artist"

[JR]

Thanks so much for the info!! It seems my guitar tech set me straight...I
was crankin' em too tight! Thanks for all your help!!

Rick, those bends are cool though!!!


JR

"Rick N. Backer" <ken.wilson@NsOhSaPw.cAaM> wrote in message
news:vpe4kvo54vjhul4q2knhmji9t26kjm9q1r@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 19 Aug 2003 11:02:49 GMT, "JR" <JR@nospam.ptd.net> spewed
> forth:
>
> >I am most certain it is my ignorance...they are breaking at the nut....I
do
> >beleive I may be overtightening them..whats the procedure for stringing?
Do
> >I insert then lock and tune or tune the string THEN lock?? Thanks again
> >guys!
> >
> >JR
> >
> >
> >"Rick N. Backer" <ken.wilson@NsOhSaPw.cAaM> wrote in message
> >news:64g3kv4p9cr6jrhrqfsjeqsgnbba0e77qg@4ax.com...
> >> On Tue, 19 Aug 2003 03:04:36 GMT, "JR" <JR@nospam.ptd.net> spewed
> >> forth:
> >>
> >> >Hello all, I have been lurking...I recently purchased my first "real"
> >Strat.
> >> >I saved up for months and got my baby. I have a problem though...can
> >anyone
> >> >please explain in terms a locking tuners idiot, (me) can understand
how
> >to
> >> >tune and string this puppy WITHOUT breaking strings? I have busted 2
> >already
> >> >and the frustration is building!!
> >> >
> >> >please reply to me here or qualittelecom@hotmail.com Thanks in advance
> >for
> >> >your help!
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >JR
> >> >
> >>
> >> Exactly where are they breaking, at the nut, the tuner, the bridge
> >> saddle?
> >>
> >> Ken Wilson
> >>
> >> Amer. Dlx. Tele, Gary Moore LP,
> >> Jeff Beck Strat, Morgan OM Acoustic,
> >> Rick 360/12, Standard Strat (MIM),
> >> Mesa 100 Nomad, Mesa F-30
> >>
> >> "Just because people don't understand
> >> you doesn't mean you are an artist"
> >
>
> Insert the string as far as you can through the locking tuner pulling
> it tight before tightening down the lock. Don't over tighten just get
> it snug enough the string doesn't slip. Tune to desired note.
>
> Fender has a link to Mr. Gearhead where I think they give slightly
> more detailed instructions on how to string using the locking tuners.
> I don't have the link handy so you'll have to search their sight. I
> don't know if it makes as much difference as they might imply but they
> recommend lining the holes in the tuner as follows before stringing
> the tuner;
>
> string 1 @ 1 o'clock
> string 2 @ 2 o'clock
> string 3 & 4 @ 3 o'clock
> string 5 @ 4 o'clock
> string 6 @ 5 o'clock
>
> Somehow though I suspect there may be other elements. I am not sure
> the tuners or how you're using them is the cause for breakage at the
> nut. Is it the same string all the time? You may need to have a
> qualified tech look at the nut to see if there isn't a binding or
> pinch problem of some sort. That, or quit trying those 4 full-tone
> bends, hehehe ...
>
> Ken Wilson
>
> Amer. Dlx. Tele, Gary Moore LP,
> Jeff Beck Strat, Morgan OM Acoustic,
> Rick 360/12, Standard Strat (MIM),
> Mesa 100 Nomad, Mesa F-30
>
> "Just because people don't understand
> you doesn't mean you are an artist"

[Ed]

"JR" <JR@nospam.ptd.net> wrote in message
news:ttn0b.272$6e5.57660@nnrp1.ptd.net...
> I am most certain it is my ignorance...they are breaking at the nut....I
do
> beleive I may be overtightening them..whats the procedure for stringing?
Do
> I insert then lock and tune or tune the string THEN lock?? Thanks again
> guys!

Then the nut is the problem. Not the tuners.

Here's a simple guide to understanding why strings break.

If it breaks at the nut, then the nut is the problem.
If it breaks at the bridge, then the bridge saddle is the problem.
If it breaks at the tuner, then the tuner is the problem.
If it breaks on a particular fret, then the fret where it breaks is the
problem.
If it breaks in random areas, then it's a problem of guitar strings being
guitar strings and guitar strings will break.

Fortunately, a properly set up guitar will not break any strings until the
strings are so old that you should have changed them long ago.

As for locking tuners, you thread the string through the hole until it is
straight. Tighten slightly then lightly pull on the string. If it slips,
tighten slightly more (probably not necessary). Tune the string to key and
then clip excess.