What should I do

[Otto]

I really love when guys like Satriani and Vai do crazy whammy bar screams. The problem is that whenever I go for it I break a string. I've got some of their tab books and it shows them pulling on the bar so that they raise the pitch by like 3 whole steps.

What is it that prevents their strings from breaking? What things (eg lighter gauge strings, certain brand strings, raising the action) will allow me to bend the bar further without breaking strings?

[bdemon]

Plenty of opinions on this one, I'm sure. Those guys probably break strings with some regularity when they're on tremolo marathons (I remember Vai talking about breaking whammy bars trying to record part of a Whitesnake song). Heavier gauge strings might help, though I thought Satch uses .009 gauge, which is average. They also use the mighty Floyd Rose tremolo, which floats pretty high off the guitar and usually has a cavity behind it to allow those monster whammy pulls.

Graphite bridge saddles help reduce string friction and in the case of my Strat, breakage.

[oRg]

I'd recommend getting thicker strings if your gonna do some crazy whammy bar stuff.

[forgottenking2]

I use .08 strings in my S-470 and I have my trem system set up so I can pull it up a perfect 5th and I have never broken a string while doing whammy bar stunts... I also have a cheap fender squire and the trem on that one won't go above a tritone... but still have never broken a string... you may wanna check for sharp uneven surfaces on the edge of the trem... that can cause the strings to snap sometimes...or if you depress the bar and then pull it up as far as you can (and do it too fast) that can break a string...

I hope this helps.

Regards,

[Stranger]

as far as I know floyd rose gives 2.5 steps not 3, but may be mistaken :p

[metalprep6969]

I have a floyd, and it normally my strings last two weeks at the most. The ones that normally go are the high E and the D. I think it's generally a thing you'll have to deal with because you are putting a lot of stress on the strings. Check the saddles on your trem though, if there's dirt in there, there might be a metal shaving or two, which can put weak spots on your string making them break. Also, take care of your strings. Wipe them down about every half hour while you are playing and right before you put your guitar down when you are done, this greatly lengthens string live, both tonaly and durably. Vai, Satch, and most other players of their style and skill play 9s, as do I, but if you don't mind sacrificing a bit of playability, you could go for 10s. They will last longer, but they just aren't as fast. Keep in mind, many times that Vai and Satch do multistep bends, it's often while doing an artificial harmonic. When doing one of those, it's MUCH easier to bend many steps. Both players are also avid whammy pedal users, so they might not be using the tremolo at all.

\m/

[GuitarLausing]

I but if you don't mind sacrificing a bit of playability, you could go for 10s. They will last longer, but they just aren't as fast.

Huh? When playing 9's , i find that my strings are uncontrollable and everywhere while playing... Especially when bending, and i get more tone out of my 10's

I don't know if this is a brand thing, but i think the ernie ball super slinky are "weak"

the mighty Floyd Rose tremolo
LOL :D

[Otto]

Thanks for all the help; I think I'm gonna experiment with some different gauge strings.

[szulc]

I use .08 strings in my S-470 and I have my trem system set up so I can pull it up a perfect 5th and I have never broken a string while doing whammy bar stunts... I also have a cheap fender squire and the trem on that one won't go above a tritone... but still have never broken a string... you may wanna check for sharp uneven surfaces on the edge of the trem... that can cause the strings to snap sometimes...or if you depress the bar and then pull it up as far as you can (and do it too fast) that can break a string...

I hope this helps.

Regards,
On what strings can you raise the tone a P5?