Any other string breakers out there?

[Mooch]

I'm sure after I post someone will tell me I don't know what I'm doing but its how I play and it works great for me.

Anyway I do a lot of slap and pulling/plucking on my bass. Usually I am doing it on my D and G strings. I also do a lot of slap on my E string.

But here is my issue. I am going through strings about 1 a month. Its more my D string than anything but I lose my E string the next most often.

I got some DR strings and they were tapered and I string through, well those lasted a week(literally) and they were great and offered an untapered 5 string set.

This set did actually very well for me last 2 months and 2 shows. We play metal and practice 2 times a week for a few hours a crack.

Anyone else like me, playing a lot and heavier styled playing?

Just looking for any ideas for guys using something that sounds good and lasts that doesn't cost a ton of money, or would I be better looking for single strings that are thicker or is that just me thinking that's a better idea when it really makes no difference on the thickness?

[wshines1892]

I feel your pain brotha. Sometimes I get excited and get into it and really start whailing on the string getting into it and eventually it'll break. usually it's my E string, or D because I tune to D standard for the band I'm in.

[gumtownbassman]

if the strings break at the bridge, check the bridge don't have sharp edges or angles.
Some people have acid sweat too, which eats into the strings.

[dmusic148]

Pics of the bridge?

[elgecko]

You might mean "Any other people out there with sharp burrs/edge that repeatedly break strings in the same spot?"

[Unrepresented]

Originally Posted by gumtownbassman

if the strings break at the bridge, check the bridge don't have sharp edges or angles.
Some people have acid sweat too, which eats into the strings.

+1

Originally Posted by dmusic148

Pics of the bridge?

+2

Originally Posted by elgecko

You might mean "Any other people out there with sharp burrs/edge that repeatedly break strings in the same spot?"

+3

Had the same problem. Was going through strings on a regular basis, which was both expensive and annoying.

Had the bridge filed down by a trusted luthier to remove sharp edges and burrs and after that I think I've lost only two strings to breakage in the four or five years it's been since then.

[dmusic148]

Originally Posted by Unrepresented

Had the same problem. Was going through strings on a regular basis, which was both expensive and annoying.

Had the bridge filed down by a trusted luthier to remove sharp edges and burrs and after that I think I've lost only two strings to breakage in the four or five years it's been since then.

So you were breaking the wrap wires? Very unusual.

[lokikallas]

Yes, you may have burrs on the bridge, or you may incorrectly wind the strings at the post. But as hard as it is for some of these non metal bassists to believe, playing the bass like an insane dude, wailing the hell out of the strings will break them. I would take it in to get checked out as far as the bridge, and possibly try lighter strings. In my experience lighter strings tend to be more flexible, and less likely to snap. It may be counter intuitive, but worth trying.

[jordy_on_bass]

I can relate mate, was going through a set a month as well once, just because the strings were copping so much of a hammering and become dull quickly. Facts of life mate, but I would do as everyone else has suggested as well and get the bass checked out to make sure there is nothing funny going on...

Cheers,
Jordan

[FunkMetalBass]

I broke a few strings back in the day, but I haven't broken one in about 6 years now. I do play a bit lighter and more controlled (sound guys love a bassist who can control his volume levels with some consistent attack, even when moving around like a deranged person). I'd get your bridge checked, dudesy.

[bassix67]

I also slap and all that so I file my saddles lightly when i change my string with a small file.
Don't remember the last time i broke a string.

[Unrepresented]

Originally Posted by dmusic148

So you were breaking the wrap wires? Very unusual.

String would snap, leaving typically only a small amount of the outer wrap holding the two pieces together. There may've been smaller damage preceding that, but I wouldn't be aware of it until catastrophic string damage would eventually occur.

This was with my Fender jazz, which when new, was going through roughly a string per week (most frequently the E). After deburring of the saddle it's only happened once or twice in the years since then.

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by Mooch

I'm sure after I post someone will tell me I don't know what I'm doing but its how I play and it works great for me.

IME, anytime you put pressure on your muscles/bones for a long period of time, they break down. For health purposes, I suggest you try learning to play with a lighter touch and use more of you amp volume along with a compressor.

I know when you're young, this is a bunch of blah blah blah, unfortunately, IME, over time, you may cut your playing days short.

[Mooch]

Well my strings usually break before the bridge, I don't have the ability to post pics ATM but I play a Traben Array. It has pretty much the standard bridge setup that I see on most basses.

But it is a chromed bridge and from what you guys are saying my best bet is taking a looking at filing down any sharp edges on the saddles.

[Mooch]

Another thing we tune down to Bb,E,Bb,F(I think lol) kinda brain dead today. Anyway my point is, are these Drop Tuning strings worth it? Do they really help with drop tunings, or is it just some gimick to get people to spend extra money?

I want to try the drop tune strings but I don't know if they really work or sound better.

[Munjibunga]

I broke a string once. I got rambunctious and tuned it an octave too high.

[baron665]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

I broke a string once. I got rambunctious and tuned it an octave too high.

I think that's what happened with me. I had gotten a new bass, well new to me. And I bought a new set of strings for it. When I went to tune it, my E string snapped. Brand new set, E string. I must have had it an octave high as well, because my tuner said it needed to go higher. Wasn't paying attention too sound, just wanted to get it done with.

[bigfatbass]

You say you don't want people to tell you that you don't know what you are doing, but you don't even know what notes your strings are tuned to. Regardless, you are playing too hard. I was in a straight up string POUNDING gig for years playing nothing but Chili Peppers/Fishbone/Living Colour kinda stuff, and at first I broke a string every other gig. Once I learned what the hell I was doing, it was only when I let a set rot under my finger mung for a month+ that they started popping on me. 2 gigs a month is not playing a lot. 3 gigs a WEEK is playing a lot.

To maintain the tone for the style you are talking about, fresh strings are pretty much a MUST, regardless of how often you might break one. In the Fishclone band, I wished I had the money to stretch a fresh set on before every show. You are compensating for dead strings by hitting them harder. That is a lose/lose situation when it comes to sustainability, both for good tone, and for your hands.

Michael Manring's tone on his CD "Thonk" with Herb and Alex Skolnik, is a virtuoso MASTERPIECE of arse ripping, heavy effin metal TONE, and he plays with the touch of a feather.

[ehque]

Originally Posted by Mooch

Another thing we tune down to Bb,E,Bb,F(I think lol)

If you're tuning to that with standard strings, your strings will be crazy floppy especially with your heavy attack. That will certainly destroy strings.

[asberrys]

I have a theory that breakage at the bridge is caused by the string at the witness angle heating up,very slightly of course,and hence over time, damaging the crystalline structure of the string which eventually breaks. Sort of like how one breaks a hanger by working it back and forth between one's hands at a severe angle causing it to heat up.
Could reducing the severity of the witness angle reduce breakage here? Has anyone ever tried this.