Initiation

[Slaine01]

I broke my first string last night (E string) - I guess that makes me a man (or a woman if my name was Slainette.)
How common is it to break strings?
What is the best brand to buy?
The brand I broke came with the original Bass so I don't think they would have been a premier brand.
I think they were Helicores.

[Joe Taylor]

Real uncommon in 40 + years of bass playing I have never broken a string and only seen one string break on a section mates bass when a an A gut string went in 1968. It did not snap it just kind of relaxed all at once.
you did not tune it an octive high did you?
Joe

[Don Higdon]

You're in a class by yourself - I've never had a steel string break (also 40+ years). If the string was a Helicore, it's one of the top names.
How did this happen? Were you playing arco or pizz? We need to know more to help you.

[Sam Sherry]

Where did it break? For instance, if it broke on the tuner, there may be a sharp edge to your peg that needs to be filed to prevent future breakage.

I've never seen anybody break a DB string. As General MacThomastik said, "Old Spirocores never die, they just fade away . . . . "

[Slaine01]

It broke up on the Tuner end and I just checked my Korg Tuner and it appears to be faulty by a 1/2 to a full tone. gRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
It looks like I won Dickhead of the month......again!
Rule of thumb - DON'T BE LAZY - TUNE BY EAR.
(Now I just have to find a store that sells single strings........)

[Joe Taylor]

I tuned strings up more than a full tone before with out a failure there is most likely some other cause such as a burr, as suggested above or perhaps the sting was kinked when it was installed or pinched.
Also, look at the groove on the nut it the top side has a sharp edged and the angle is acute enough strings can be injured.

Joe

[anonymous0726]

I had a Thomastik G go one time. I wasn't around for the event. It was just that way when I opened the bag.

[Marc Neihof]

I've lost two corelli medium D strings, both at the bridge. Probably had more to do with banging the axe around or to much of a edge on the bridge than being a thrasher. Ever since having to finish out a gig with no D string I've kept an old set of strings in the car.

[englehart blues]

Examine the cross section of the broken string where it broke in two. See if there are any markings on the cross section that might indicate anything unusual. Perhaps you may have that one-in-a-million string that had a small defect in it. The defect would be the cause then. This is what a metallurgist (me?) does to examine a fracture.

[Don Higdon]

Do you remember how far the string was pulled through the hole in the tuning peg? That makes a sharp bend when you tighten the string. You want the string to make a few complete wraps around the peg before applying alot of tension.

[Slaine01]

Any other tips on whinding?
As a relative newbie to having to put new strings on a DB I used the old electric bass method of about 2cm through the tuning hole and then whind like a mother .....#$@**.
I take it this is wrong?

[oldsaw]

Way wrong but I don't have time to give an explaination today. I'm sure someone will help here.

[Slaine01]

To all Electric Bass converts to Double Bass - I think we need to get some info on changing strings - is there a thread in this forum on "correct" technique as I don't want to spend another $260AUS on a set of Thomastiks.

[Joe Taylor]

Buy your strings on line way cheaper than what you paid. even if you pay shipping from the USA to AUSTRALIA.

Joe

[davegr8house]

I buy all my strings at www.juststrings.com
They have good prices and ship fairly fast. Thats a long haul to your neck of the woods though... Great prices on electric. The only place I can find the Elixer Extra Long Strings.


If the world didn`t suck we would all fall off.....

[Klimbim]

actually i think quinnviolins has cheaper double bass strings.

www.quinnviolins.com