Kurokumo Super Excellent Low E string popping

[c4103]

Hello,

As stated in the title, I have a Kurokumo Mosrite "Super Excellent 65" and I am having an issue with the low E string habitually being broken. The break always happens right at the bridge roller. The bridge should be fairly accurate to vintage... it says "Vibramute" on it and not "Moseley." Is this a common issue with the Kurokumos or just Mosrites in general? I like medium gauge strings (11s) and I've tried Elixirs, DR's and a couple value brand strings and after a couple of months the low E always seems to pop eventually... especially when friends of mine who aren't very good at the guitar are playing it. Any advice on adjustments I could make would be appreciated.

- Carey

[jtr654]

Probably a bur or imperfection on that roller that why the string is breaking.

[Veenture]

Forum member Rob_J posted a similar issue on Nov. 28 in the Hallmark Owner's Corner.
You may want to read that first: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=1863&start=220

[c4103]

Thanks for the help guys. I'm going to inspect the roller with a microscope to see if I can find any sharp edges on it, and I'll try a lighter set of strings and see if that helps. That seems to be what they were suggesting in that other thread you posted.

[olrocknroller]

Many guitars, and bridges were built with light gauge strings in mind, is my estimation...mine included. I build my guitars for ten's, and groove the nuts and saddles accordingly. The only thing I can think is that the gauge of string you are using doesn't "sit" in the groove of the saddle well, increasing wear at the pressure points.

[MOSDAN]

The majority of Mosrite users use 10 ga. strings(meaning the high E is a 10). In electric strings these are referred to as light gauge. I would bet your roller is probably OK but your low E is rubbing against the side of the roller support and is wearing the string. Changing to light gauge from the mediums will hopefully correct this by allowing the string to ride lower on the roller and not contact the roller support. Hope this helps!!

[c4103]

So I switched to 10's the last time I changed my strings and since then have not had issues with the low E snapping. Thanks for the advice guys!

[mark1]

I have a Kurokumo and a Mosrite. I have flatwound 11's on both with no problems at all. I remember when strings were sold in sets of light , medium , or heavy. If I remember right the lights were 12's . I agree with JTR654. The problem is most likely a burr on the roller. Is the string breaking at the bridge or at the tailpiece? If it breaks at the tailpiece it could be the windings that hold the ball end on. If it's at the windings just add a bit of solder to them before putting the string on.

[oipunkguy]

i find that i break strings the least on my mosrites, however I do use light gauges. just my two cents...

[c4103]

Hey guys,

Sorry to revive a dead thread like this, but I've had a couple problems since my last post. I've been using 10 gauge strings on my super excellent since my last post and wasn't having any problems for a while. The string breaking started happening again though, and most recently it wasn't the low E but the D string. It is breaking right on the roller, which would indicate that there might be some imperfections there. I don't believe the problem is the strings themselves. I use DR 10's, and recently they've been breaking after less than a couple weeks of playing. Has anyone had any luck machining the rollers to make them smoother, or is there a place I can buy a new set that are guaranteed to be imperfection free? Thanks.