Telecaster String Breakage

[General Specific]

I have a new Telecaster.

I has jumbo frets. Rosewod fretboard. 9 gauge strings.

It's a double humbucker, set neck, which Guitar Center called an Esquire, but the Fender website calls a Custom Telecaster

Model Name Custom Telecaster FMT HH
Body Mahogany, with Carved Flame Maple Top
Neck Mahogany, Set Neck, Modern "C" Shape,
(Polyurethane Finish)
Fingerboard Rosewood, 15.75" Radius (400mm)
No. of Frets 22 Jumbo Frets
Pickups 1 Seymour Duncan® SHPGP-1B Pearly Gates Plus Humbucker
(Bridge),
1 Seymour Duncan® SH-1N RP '59 Reverse Polarity Humbucker (Neck )
Controls Master Volume, Master Tone with Push/Pull Coil Select Feature
Bridge 6-Saddle Strings-Through-Body Hardtail Bridge
Unique Features Cream Colored Top Body Binding,
Oversized Abalone Dot Position Inlays,
Graphite Nut


I love this guitar, but I keep breaking high E strings. The breakage occurs at the 12th fret. There are no burrs or unfinished frets that I can feel.

Tonight I'm switching from D'Addario to GHS to see if it makes a difference.

What else can it be? Am I too ham handed for the jumbo frets?

[fezz parka]

Weird...

dez was having a similar problem with his Danny Gatton Sig model Tele. Search out his thread...

[Marcondo]

Try this see if it helps.

Get a Q tip and rub it across the 12th fret and also across the bridge saddles where the strings make contact. If there is a burr small threads of the cotton from the Q tip will be stuck there.

You might try going from the 9 to a 9.5 string if the small e is the only one your breaking it might be too light of a gauge for your playing style.