string damage at frets

AndrewUlle

Hi -
I have noticed that the winding of the G string on my guitar is getting damaged at each fret, #s 1 - 8. At the seventh fret, the winding is totally broken, just the core showing for about 1/8". Is this from too aggressive bending on that string? It is the only string showing unusual wear - all the others are perfect. The frets do not appear to have sharp edges or any issues. These are Argentine 11's by the way.

Ideas?

jonpowl

It's common with Gypsy G strings. I found it happening with my Gallis, too. I think Michael sells packs of 10 single strings. I did happen to notice that the set of D'Addario 10s I tried a while back were longer lasting with the G. Do a search on the forum for G string wear, lots of posts.

AndrewUlle

wow - never thought it would be so common to research it! Thanks, I'll do that.

bopster

I'm a D'Addario believer as well. I had issues with Galli and Argies in the past, switched to D'Addario's and have had no issues.

Bones

Yep, normal for Argies and other GJ style strings. You can buy single G strings if you don't want to change the whole set too often.

rgrice

I was having serious trouble with that a couple of years ago with my Gitane 250M. Polished frets helped and new guitar did too! I've played four gigs in one week with 11 ArgiesArgies on my Dupont and hours of practice in between and just showing wear on G. I'd never get more than one gig on Gitane. As you'll see on older posts, there are good and bad lots of strings too. And Argies have been known to wear outbG strings.
I tried D'Addario 11s which were worse. I have a couple of packs of 10s, since like @jonpowl suggests they have gotten better press. Haven't tried them since new guitar has solved issue. I had an awful time awhile back with D'Addario 11s.

Good luck!

AndrewUlle

I thought maybe I was a little over zealous with my string bending. I will have our local guitar guru check out the frets. In the meantime, I am getting another set of strings and won't bend the G!

Al Watsky

Howdy Andrew, Just curious , how long did it take you to wear the string in this way ? :question:

Jazzaferri

I wonder if pressing on the strings harder than necessary increases string wear?

AndrewUlle

I just put these new strings on maybe 2-3 weeks ago; I only get to play maybe 3 hrs per week. But the song I was working on (I'll see you in my dreams) has a deep bend on the G, so that could be part of it. I can get a similar sound bending the same note from a fret higher on the G, so I've been doing that since I noticed the wear issue. But now the winding has totally separated into a 3/16" gap at the 6th fret or so, and smaller gaps at lower frets.

I've played guitar for 30 years and never saw this happen on my Gibson J45, same gauge strings 11's.

jonpowl

Here is a nice technical description from @MichaelHorowitz about Galli string which might give a bit of insight in the difference between Gypsy Jazz strings and other acoustic guitar strings.