First time ever... broke a string while playing!

[patrickj]

E string (on a fiver)! The core split down at the saddle.

I've broken strings before (G, C F especially) when tuning, but never in the middle of a set and never while playing. Had my backup with me (always be prepared) so the show went on.

No real point for this other than to share.. been playing bass for 15+ years so the 'firsts' are pretty rare.

[62bass]

Originally Posted by patrickj

E string (on a fiver)! The core split down at the saddle.

I've broken strings before (G, C F especially) when tuning, but never in the middle of a set and never while playing. Had my backup with me (always be prepared) so the show went on.

No real point for this other than to share.. been playing bass for 15+ years so the 'firsts' are pretty rare.

I think I've only broken one string in about 45 years. The E string on my original 62 P and it was the same flats that came with the bass. It was a terrible shock replacing them and putting up with the new string sound for a while. I first put on a set of Rotosound nylon tapewounds that I borrowed in a rush from an English bassist whose group we were sharing the bill with. Hated them and quickly put on a set of Fender flats that I kept on the bass until I traded it years later. I never was much into the new string sound.

Yes, it can be a surprise when it happens. Guitar players are used to it.

[Koki]

I broke 3 strings while playing so far. (2 G and 1 E)

[saxnbass]

I've broken strings on a guitar (cause I'm into the heavy bending up like 2 pitches cause I play a lot of blues), but can't say I've broken a bass string while playing (just while tunning).

[tplyons]

I've lost an E string once and a D string once. That was back in my days of extremely heavy picking.

I've since opted for a lighter playing style.

[Sean S]

I used to hit the &U%* out of my strings...then I got an amp...

I think I broke 4 e-strings before I raised me bass and adopted a lighter slap...

s

[clanner]

i've broken a B, 2 E's and lord know how many G's. but that was all when I started and was really digging in to keepup, mainly because my amp sucked.

ATM i've had these TI jazz flats on for about 5 months now and have had no problem. maybe because of sufficient amplification, but i still tend to dig in when playing songs that really get me into it.

try some flats, i haven't broken any yet but have gone through tons of round wounds.

[saxnbass]

yeah. a lot of guys break G-strings.

[Fuzzbass]

Originally Posted by patrickj

Had my backup with me (always be prepared) so the show went on.

Perfect example of how "stuff happens" to even the best-prepared and best-equipped musicians... and it's exactly why I always bring a backup! I've only had a few failures (various types) in 3 decades of gigging, but the show has never been brought to a halt on my account. Guitarist and drummer bandmates.... different story!