I break strings at an alarming rate. It's really really starting to piss me off. I broke my A string after about 4 band practices.. Are there certain strings that are more "durable" than others that still maintain a good tonal quality? I'm using Extra Slinkys right now.. And they don't last me too long. I really like the strings though.. I'm sure this isn't a common problem.. "Playing lighter" isn't an option ;) that will never happen in a live situation. Any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks

might be the bridge cutting the strings ! or somewhere in the bass thats doing that . better get that checked

Im guessing its the EB strings.

Ive noticed that those are bassically the only strings that Ive ever busted.

Peace
Nick

Originally posted by yarnboy
I break strings at an alarming rate. It's really really starting to piss me off. I broke my A string after about 4 band practices.. Are there certain strings that are more "durable" than others that still maintain a good tonal quality? I'm using Extra Slinkys right now.. And they don't last me too long. I really like the strings though.. I'm sure this isn't a common problem.. "Playing lighter" isn't an option ;) that will never happen in a live situation. Any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks


Do you play with a Pick?

If so, it can get a sharp edge and cut the string at the bridge.



http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/spezial/Fool/bee.gif
Treena

if the break angle over the bridge is too sharp, the thicker strings can't handle it and the core wire snaps. i lost 2 B and 1 E string before i figured this one out.

how in the world do you break an A string?

Originally posted by Bayou_Brawler
how in the world do you break an A string? Its possible, you can break E's too.

I've broken many and A and E strings! I don't play with a pick.. And I don't have a B string. The strings always break at the bridge too.. Seems pretty smooth down there.. The break angle doesn't look too bad but I've never really adjusted it.. But like I said, I'm using Extra slinkys, tuned down a full step. Thanks for all the help though!

The slightly lower tension due to down tuning with light strings and hard playing I could see why. I would say get heavier strings or stock up on the ones you got.

Well. I don't think it's a guage thing really.. I break D's and A's as much as the G.. So there are no "tougher" strings than others? I know this is a lame question, but this is costing me a damned fortune.

Instead of constantly breaking strings and wasting money , play softer and get a new amp so you can turn up. No reason to play hard to sound louder if it costs money...

Umm.. I appreciate the reply, but you just told me to get a louder amp to stop breaking my strings. I play through an SVT-4 Pro/Megoliath. That's basically the loudest combo on the planet. I don't play hard to make it louder though.. It's just the style of playing.. The kind of music.. Thanks none the less though.

Originally posted by yarnboy
Well. I don't think it's a guage thing really.. I break D's and A's as much as the G.. So there are no "tougher" strings than others? I know this is a lame question, but this is costing me a damned fortune.

you're still tuning the strings lower than than they're technically designed to be tuned, thus the tension is lower, which i think is the point RicPlaya was making.

Well, I understand that, but I've broken power slinkys too.. It doesn't seem to make that big of a difference between the guages. I like extras the best anyway. I just need to get a full product endorsement from EB and everything will be ok! :)

It sounds like Slinky's just aren't going to cut it.

If I were you I'd start experimenting with heavier gauges of strings as others have suggested. DR's and Daddario Prisms do ok for me.

Another option is heavy gauge Rotosound flats like the Steve Harris set. Surprisingly bright for flats, and I imagine you should be able to tweak a decent tone with your head. I seriously doubt you'd be able to break those.

Seriously though, if you are breaking strings that frequently there is something wrong with either your bass or your technique.

i have broke alot of strings....mainy d and g but sometimes a and e....i found that the indent the strings leave on the bridge has a big impact....i was breakings strings weekly for a long time...i started putting small pieces of plastic sheet between the string and the bridge....this has worked extremely well...now i rarely break strings...this little slice o plastic has saved me hundreds maybe thousands o dollars.. give it a try!!:bassist:

That's the kind of advice I'm looking for bassman! Do you mean like milk jug or something? What kind of plastic? It's ALWAYS at the bridge.. Did it color your tone at all? Thanks man!

Originally posted by bassman25
i have broke alot of strings....mainy d and g but sometimes a and e....i found that the indent the strings leave on the bridge has a big impact....i was breakings strings weekly for a long time...i started putting small pieces of plastic sheet between the string and the bridge....this has worked extremely well...now i rarely break strings...this little slice o plastic has saved me hundreds maybe thousands o dollars.. give it a try!!:bassist:

Bassman25,

how do you do that?

any thin piece of plastic sheet, like from a plastic envelope....simply place the sheet between the bridge and string (while restringing), cut 2 size......i've found sandingthe bidge doesn't do **** cause the indent comes straight back......if the string isn't resting on the indent it won't break as easily.......

I'd just try different strings if I were you. I like EB Hybrids alot, but I always break em, usually the D or G strings and usually while slap/poppin. A set of these never lasts a week while other strings I have tried seem to last (I do break one once in a while, but not consistantly like I do the Hybrids.)

I used to break strings frequently - especially lighter gage nickel strings. I still break strings but it is partly due to aggressive playing. I don't think using rubber mallets and picks on a drill helps either.

I have found that heavier gage strings last longer than lighter gage strings. Steel strings last much longer than nickel strings.

About 15 year ago I started looking into ways to prevent strings from breaking.
Sometimes when a string breaks it will create a burr wherever it breaks - be it the bridge or the nut. The burr may be very small - requiring a magnifying glass to view - but this is enough to cause friction against a string. A burr will eventually cause a string to break.
You may want to file down the area where strings are breaking with sandpaper - to make it as smooth as possible.

Now that should increase the amount of time before you break strings but chances are you still will break some.
You could try covering the portion of the string that breaks with something.
I cover the ends of my B and E strings with rubber shrinkwrap - the rubber tubing kind that shrinks with heat (such as a hairblower).

If you are breaking strings at the bridge you could try covering it with something as well to prevent a burr from forming.
I cover all of my saddles with a thin layer of sewing thread - this helps prevent burrs when strings break.

Personally, I'd switch strings to D'Addario possibly. I use EB Hybrids on my 4-st and Standards on my 5-st.....I break strings quite often, but I like the sound the EB's give me, and I have the money to put up with it. My advice though, if it's costing you too much money, try a heavier gauge or brand.

Get some DR's 45-105's at the least. Problem solved and you will retain a great tone.

I have the same problem, I break stings right near the bridge, they uncoil, I was going thru Ernie Balls like crazy so I jsut switched to Dean Markely Bluee Steel, the D string broke withing a couple of weeks, would the nut being too low have any effect one htis? I got a new one cut but the store cut it so slow that the damn strings rattle, I htink i have psnet about 200 dollars on strings iwhtin this lasst year and I can't really afford this anymore. I'll try to put plastic on the bridge and what not to see if that helps

Yea, I'm going to take cellophane from a cigarette box and put it on the bridge and see if that helps.. I know how you feel about the spending way too much money on the strings..

Check for sharp edges and file them away. Easy.

if your cheap like me and it snapped near the bridge, you can probably tie of the end and restring it. Just remember to tie it off past all weakened spots. Sounds identicle to before.

I used to break E and A strings all the time, mostly Rotosounds and D'Addarios. As a matter of fact I got so used to breaking them that one night at the end of a particularly bad gig with a blues pickup band, I broke my E and was so pissed at the horrible sub drummer we had that night, I decided to just break the rest of them. It's not that hard, just grab 'em one at a time and yank. Bad gig over. :D

One thing I discovered over the years is that if you re-wind strings, they break. Guaranteed. That's why I never re-use old strings, or take them off to clean them. When you put a new string on, wind it right the first time with no overlapping coils on the tuning peg.

Of course a better string will make a big difference too. I switched to DR LoRiders 6 years ago and haven't broke a single one yet.

I think it is probably the strings. I probably have as light of a touch as any player on this board, and I have had slinkies break before.

As long as you are taking recommendations, try a set of Dean Markley SR2000s. They last forever as far as staying toney and staying in pitch. They are also taper wrapped, so the wrap won't wear through and unravel at the bridge.

I had a problem with Ernie Ball strings breaking, but ditched them more due to their tone than the breaking. I switched to LaBella Hard Rockin' Steels and haven't had a problem since. In two years, I've broken maybe three strings overall from three basses. I play hard with a pick (trust me, I use 1.00mm Tortex triangles and I have to change picks after every two songs because I wear them down so much, even need refrets every two-three years)

Only thing I can recommend is try new strings. Check out the Hartke's they're giving away in late issues of Bass Player!

i used to break a lot of strings too...but i boiled them and thats why...do you boil your strings...

Based on my own experience with EBs and the trend in replies to this thread, I would definitely recommend switching away from the EBs. I use to use exactly the same strings (EB extra slinky) and they use to break like crazy. As soon as I switched away there was no longer any problem. It probably won't even matter what brand you switch to, they'll be better than the ernies.