Does anyone else have this problem?

assboglin · #1 12-12-2007, 02:35 PM

So through my years of gigging I've broken a lot of strings, everything from a B to a G, and I noticed that if I play higher gauge strings I break a lot more strings? Even with mediums, I break them constantly. This is not due to a bur on a saddle or anything like that, it's because I play very hard (and please don't suggest I play lighter, I have no inention of doing so).

I believe that the reason I break higher gauge strings more often is because of their higher tension combined with my playing is more than the string core can handle, and when I break strings I always snap the string core at the bridge. I switched to 45-100 D'Addario's and after rarely broke strings, again leading me to think that string tension and therefore gauge was part of the problem.

I recently switched to flats, D'Addario Chromes 40-95 because I like playing lighter gauge strings and so far I really like the sound of the flats, also I have never broken a flatwound string, but my question is this: has anyone else out there had a problem breaking higher gauge strings? Thoughts? Comments?

whoapower · #2 12-12-2007, 02:53 PM

which bridge are you using?

assboglin · #3 12-12-2007, 03:00 PM

Right now I'm just using the stock Fender Bridge, but I've used all kinds of different bridges and had the same problem, including a Bad Ass II. But now that you mention it, I never paid much attention to whether I seemed to break more strings on different bridges, but I don't remember any bridge being significantly worse than any other.

santucci218 · #4 12-12-2007, 03:05 PM

well, with millions of bass players out there who play all the same basses as you and dont have this problem, it must be you.

MonetBass · #5 12-12-2007, 03:17 PM

Never broken a string.

EVER.

Pilgrim · #6 12-12-2007, 03:46 PM

Never broken one, either. You already know what the cause is and you seem to have found strings that don't break under the assault you inflict on them. Seems like your problem is solved. If you change strings and don't reduce your attack, you'll simply have to keep spare sets on hand.

Or as a friend of mine said (although he was referring to a hangover on the morning after): "When you play, you gotta pay."

DavePlaysBass · #7 12-13-2007, 01:22 AM

I do not break them all that often but it happens. Typically when I am all practiced up and the right hand strength and stamina are up, I can do what you just said. I recently have been slapping and poppin' a P bass like crazy with Fender 7250s 45-100 without any breakage. I was just waiting for one to break but they hung in there.

Basshole · #8 12-13-2007, 01:41 AM

So, telling you to play softer is not an option, huh?

Well, it's the only logical answer.

It's no different than drummers who routinely break sticks. It's a nervous habit, of striking things harder than is required to make a note, and it only results in breakage.

Why is that something you feel the need to defend?

You can hit a drum only so hard, at which point hitting it harder won't change the amount of sound you get from it, it just increase breakage of sticks and heads.

I suggest your playing is the same.

Perhaps you enjoy the breakage as some badge of honor..."look what a brute I am?"

Because, otherwise, I'd suggest you play softer...your instrument will still produce as much output as it always has, but you will break less strings, and thus save money...again, unless your money currently buys you some perceived honor for breaking strings.

basssalad · #9 12-13-2007, 01:55 AM

Playing harder than necessary leads to hand problems and actually kills your tone. How long have you been playing this way? Say hello to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Valerus · #10 12-13-2007, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonetBass

Never broken a string.

EVER.

Amen.

DavePlaysBass · #11 12-13-2007, 02:15 AM

Jamerson had some really bad tone. Must have been his hand strength.

73jbass · #12 12-13-2007, 03:04 AM

Could someone explain to me how hard you have to play to break a bass string? In the 27 years I have played the bass,I have never broken a string. That includes lots of prog,old school metal,and such that uses a fairly agressive attack. But I've never broken a string. Try this,take any one string on your bass,and pull it slowly and look how far it streches until it breaks.Are you saying that your strings move that much when you play? It seems that there is a point where all that extra aggressive attack doesn't yield any extra results. Sorry folks,I just don't get it. If you are breaking string,you're doing something terribly wrong.

assboglin · #13 12-13-2007, 08:16 AM

Well, I'm not breaking the strings I'm currently using but the strings would break because of the repeated stress I'd put on them from playing so hard. Sometimes the string actually breaks on a lightly played note because of the stress of all the previous aggressive notes. It's a matter of wearing them down.

I don't mind breaking strings as I change them often anyway to keep my tone alive, so I don't really see myself losing any money on this because I don't typically break strings when they are new, although I will not play elixirs because I will easily break the G string within the first set or two, Elixirs are one string that simply cannot take my abuse.

My sound is a very aggressive sound and to get it, I have to play hard. I'm very satisfied with it which is why I don't desire to change. If you're curious to hear it do a search for posts by me in the effects forum, and listen to the samples of any of the distortion/overdrive pedals I've done samples for, and you might get a feel for why I play the way I do.

Baird6869 · #14 12-13-2007, 09:50 AM

I haven't broken a single string in over a year and I play pretty hard. Lots of heavy rock and I slap/pull really hard when playing RHCP. I have a bunch of different basses but most have Fender or BAII bridges and stock or bone nuts. I also never use a pick.

Basshole · #15 12-13-2007, 10:06 AM

Reality check:

All you've done is log onto the world's largest bass forum, and admit to people here (some of whom, like myself, are lifelong professionals) that you have NO technique, cannot strike a string properly, and are constantly breaking them as a result.

You're not impressing anyone here, to be sure, and your defense of your "technique" [sic] is not exactly the hallmark of someone who was looking for a "solution"...it just sounds like you're defending your inability to play your bass without breaking its strings, as if that were something to aspire to.

Color me unimpressed.

Basshole · #16 12-13-2007, 10:31 AM

Just so you don't think I'm only here to bust you...

BTW, Jeremy...I visited your myspace page. Listened briefly to your music (nice, BTW).

As far as string breakage being integral to getting your tone: Nope. I could get your tone on an instrument set up with a zero relief neck adjustment, light SS strings, and a medium pick...and give myself the relaxation of not having to beat my bass to death.

Jazz Ad · #17 12-13-2007, 11:04 AM

I attack like a pig (really) and I don't think I've broken more than 10 strings in over 15 years of playing.
I think you bass has a problem.

assboglin · #18 12-13-2007, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basshole

Reality check:

All you've done is log onto the world's largest bass forum, and admit to people here (some of whom, like myself, are lifelong professionals) that you have NO technique, cannot strike a string properly, and are constantly breaking them as a result.

You're not impressing anyone here, to be sure, and your defense of your "technique" [sic] is not exactly the hallmark of someone who was looking for a "solution"...it just sounds like you're defending your inability to play your bass without breaking its strings, as if that were something to aspire to.

Color me unimpressed.

Color me indifferent. I'm not here to impress anyone. I'm sorry if you got that impression. And there is no one correct technique, everything about music is completely subjective. You can dislike the way I play all you want and think it sucks, but I love it, so I'm going to keep doing it because it's what sounds good to me. I think I play my bass quite well, and so do the people who come and see me play. If coming here and condescending people who don't play the way you think they should is what you have to do to feel good about your bass playing, go ahead, but I'm not looking for a solution here, I merely wanted to start a friendly discussion about string breakage and I would prefer if we could keep it on a friendly level. If you want to get a better feel for what my playing sounds like and why I play so hard search for threads posted by me in the effects forum, I've done a lot of sound samples for various overdrives and such that should paint the picture pretty well.

And for those who seem to miss this, I no longer have a problem with string breakage since I switched to lighter gauge strings. There is no problem with my guitars, thanks.

Blueszilla · #19 12-13-2007, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by assboglin

...but my question is this: has anyone else out there had a problem breaking higher gauge strings? Thoughts? Comments?

I've broken maybe 3 strings while playing. I'm 50, started when I was 14. If I recall correctly, they were all G's, broken when trying to 'pop', and all before I was 20. I'd say the 'problem' is your heavy attack, combined with lighter gauges. This isn't really a string problem, in the sense that a certain brand or type (although someone might) will not break. Your explanation tells me you play very aggessively and break strings. You say it's not the bridge, so the one constant is your attack. If you like your tone and can deal with the cost, I suppose that is the price you pay to play the way you do. Not wrong (some might argue this), just your way.

I say buy bulk and blast away.

assboglin · #20 12-13-2007, 12:47 PM

Actually, my point was that I break higher gauge strings more often, which is the point I found interesting. I think it's because they have higher tension, and while the strings are bigger, how much bigger is the string core on em? That's the part that breaks. Again, I don't have a problem with string breakage since I switched down from mediums, but, you see my point yeah?

Does anyone have the opposite and break lighter gauge strings more often?