banjoak - Posted - 11/09/2009:  11:00:25

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I seem to get string breaks at where the loop connects to the twist. I'm not over cranking it (happens sometimes tuning down), the strings aren't that old and light gauge, different strings. I never get breaks on my other banjo, with medium strings often cranked up to A tuning, but it has a different tailpiece. I can't see anything on the tailpiece, I think it's the simple no-knot tail piece. Is it the design of the tailpiece? Bad batch of strings?

Since it is at the loop end, how hard is it to retie, make a new knot?

george craciun - Posted - 11/09/2009:  11:15:16

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The only strings that ever did that for me were 2 out of the same set of Black Diamond strings. These were new strings being installed. I brought our my long nose plier and made another loop for each string, and they worked perfectly for the several months they were on my banjo. I have not purchassed that brand of strings since then, so I do not know if that is a common problem with that particular brand or just a fluke batch of strings. Probably the same scenario for you. Happy pickin'.

Back Porch Picker

1four5 - Posted - 11/09/2009:  11:25:00

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quote:

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Bad batch of strings?

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Could be. I bought 3 packs of Gibson mediums (@2006) and the loops on all the 3rd strings broke. It's never happend before or since. All is not lost, like George I just used needle nose pliers, twisted up another loop in the string, put it on and it worked fine for the life of that set of strings.

Dean

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Edited by - 1four5 on 11/09/2009 11:25:56

banjoak - Posted - 11/09/2009:  11:48:15

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Just twisting works? Maybe I just didn't twist tight enough? I recall someone talking about tying a knot, but what kind of knot will work with wire in a small space?

Axeman79 - Posted - 11/09/2009:  11:54:23

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Look up a "Flemish Eye" knot. I learned to use it for thin wire or fishing line for snares and such. This type of setup would actually double the wire loop and prevent it from breaking. You may find a reference to it on the Internet.

Axeman

If the minimum wasn't good enough...it wouldn't be the minimum.

banjoak - Posted - 11/09/2009:  11:54:53

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I also have an old banjo book that described using a similar tail piece, it's actually a screw where you attach the string, and the book never indicated anything with a loop, perhaps strings didn't come with loops back then. So it described wrapping the string around the screw, but I don't have the book at hand, have no idea where it is. does anyone know if there is something special one needs to do with just winding to prevent it from slipping, or should it hold by itself?

beegee - Posted - 11/09/2009:  14:04:49

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I only have that problem with Martin Vega strings.

__________________________
"It is better, of course, to know useless things than to know nothing." -Seneca

Nosferatu - Posted - 11/09/2009:  14:19:22

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I bought some V-700s and they were too short. I sent the package to them and they sent me back a doz. lts. and a doz. meds.

Thank you,
"Count" Hugh


"I bent over him, and tried to find any sign of life, but in vain." -- Jonathan Harker, Dracula

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Edited by - Nosferatu on 11/09/2009 14:21:23

Kevin B - Posted - 11/09/2009:  14:20:03

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quote:

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Originally posted by george craciun

The only strings that ever did that for me were 2 out of the same set of Black Diamond strings. These were new strings being installed. I brought our my long nose plier and made another loop for each string, and they worked perfectly for the several months they were on my banjo. I have not purchassed that brand of strings since then, so I do not know if that is a common problem with that particular brand or just a fluke batch of strings. Probably the same scenario for you. Happy pickin'.

Back Porch Picker

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Funny, that happened to me also on the only time I ever tried strings from the revived Black Diamond brand. It was a few years ago when they first reintroduced them. I tuned to pitch and walked away to answer the door when "pop" a brand new Black Diamond string broke at the loop.

Kevin ( )=='=~

'Possum, It's what's for dinner . . ."