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I have a Yamaha F335 acoustic guitar, and, about two weeks ago, I restrung it using Ernie Ball Silk & Steel Regular strings. However, about a week ago, the G-string snapped around the 3rd fret, and I had no idea why. Assuming it was a one time thing, I went a bought a new string today and put it in, only to have the same thing occur near the fourth fret after only a couple hours of playing.

The gauge of the string is .026, and I don't think that I strum too violently, especially since I spend most of my time fingerpicking (although, both times that the string snapped, I was picking). The guitar is only about 9 months old, and the other strings that I replaced are fine (not snapping). Does anyone know what's wrong here?

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What is likely going on is that your picking strumming technique might be digging in to the G string more aggressively than needed causing it to break. If that is true you are probably digging in to all the strings a little more than necessary - but there is a very good reason the G string is the one breaking.

The reason the G string is the only one breaking is that it is actually the easiest string to break out of all the strings on an acoustic set with a wound G string. That is because the steel core of a wound G string (which is where all the tensile strength comes from) is thinner than any of the other strings on the guitar.

So even though the overall gauge of the string is .026 - the core is actually much thinner than your high e string. The winding around the core does absolutely nothing to add tensile strength to the string which is what determines how much tension the string can withstand before breaking.

Core and windings

I see many guitarist who dig in too deep with their pick when strumming or picking which causes greater deflection of the string thereby creating more tension. In fact I used to do that as well and I often broke the G string. You only need to insert the pick just below the string to make it play. Only the tip of the pick should be below the string in most cases. Of course there are times when the music calls for more aggressive strumming, but strumming too hard will break the G string.

Another thing to check is the gauge of the core of the strings you switched to. Some types of strings have a thinner core than others with the same overall diameter. The string types with thinner core under the windings might include silk and steel strings where enough room must be allowed outside the core to accommodate the metal winding as well as the nylon fibers between the winding and the core.

Some manufactures will list the diameter of the core. If not, you might take some of the winding off one of the broken strings and one of your old strings from the set you were using before you switched, and compare the diameter and rigidity of the core to see if perhaps the new strings you are trying do in fact have a thinner core than the ones you used to use.

If your string was breaking at the saddle, I would suspect a sharp string slot there. If at the nut - a sharp string slot at the nut. But since your strings are breaking between the nut and saddle and not in the same place every time, my conclusion is that there is nothing wrong with your guitar.

Try a lighter touch with your picking hand when strumming or picking with your pick. Or try a different type string with a larger diameter core on the G string. Or use the same brand and type strings but use a G string from the next heavier gauge offered.

One other thing that could help would be to tune your guitar a half step flat to reduce the overall tension on the G string (as well as all the others). With reduced tension it can withstand more deflection than it could tuned to regular pitch. You can use a capo on the first fret if you want your guitar to play as if tuned standard.

Good luck!

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  • Agree with most, except using a thinner gauge wound G may be a better bet., Think oaks and willows. Thinner strings have more propensity to bend rather than break, especially when it won't be under as much tension, as it's a lighter string. Suggest something like .022.
    – Tim
    Sep 22, 2016 at 8:56
  • Thank you for the information. Perhaps I was picking too strongly; I'm going to look into getting a different gauge string (I'm not sure whether to listen to you or @Tim though) Sep 22, 2016 at 20:18
  • @ChrisLoonam - try both options - although replacing with an even thicker string will put more strain on the neck and your fingers...
    – Tim
    Sep 23, 2016 at 7:16
  • @ChrisLoonam Thinner will always break easier than thicker regardless of the lower tension. If you want to prove this try using an .009 gauge high e string from a super light electric set and see how long it lasts before it breaks. Yes it's very low tension, but that sucker will snap so easy you won't believe it (I know from experience). Keep in mind I am talking about the gauge of the steel core of a wound string not the overall gauge of string. If the strings you were using before switching have a thicker core, try going to a G string with same diameter core as the old strings. Sep 23, 2016 at 17:22
  • @Tim I understand your logic about bend but don't break but it doesn't hold up with guitar strings in real life in my personal experience. I have tried super light gauges in the past only to learn that I have to really lighten my touch to keep the thinner strings from breaking. Also, I just read the reviews for the Ernie Ball Silk and Steel strings OP mentioned and most say it's a very low tension string which may explain the greater propensity for breakage. Also 3 reviews talked about strings breaking. The cores are probably thinner (or not even steel) which makes them low tension. Sep 23, 2016 at 17:45

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