Flats breaking more easily?

Spas · #1 10-13-2010, 05:53 AM

I've had two flatwound G-strings breaking during this month (on different basses), and both of these sets haven't been on my basses more than three months.

On the other hand I've been using the same set of roundwounds more than a year now. Has anyone else had this kind of experience?

The flats were Thomastik and Labella, the rounds are Elixir.

sevenyearsdown · #2 10-13-2010, 05:59 AM

I've never broken a flat. I only ever broken one round in over 15 years.

Nashrakh · #3 10-13-2010, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sevenyearsdown

I've never broken a flat. I only ever broken one round in over 15 years.

+1

So far, I only broke a grand total of ONE string because I was taking that set on and off multiple times, tuning way up etc. (metal fatigue took its toll)

Maybe one of your bridge saddles or the nut need a fine sanding?

Where do they break? is the first thing you might ask yourself. In my experience, it's no coincidence if it's always the same string that breaks, you dig.

Spas · #4 10-13-2010, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nashrakh

Maybe one of your bridge saddles or the nut need a fine sanding?

Where do they break? is the first thing you might ask yourself. In my experience, it's no coincidence if it's always the same string that breaks, you dig.

I can see your point. Both times they did brake near the bridge, but it was the core string (if that is the correct term) that broke. I can't see how the bridge could wear the core down, but do correct me if I'm mistaken. And they were on different basses, so if it the bridge, then the problem is on both of them.

On the other hand they HAVE been put on and taken off couple of times, but so have the rounds too. And the rounds were originally on the bass that broke the Thomastik G, for more than 9 months. And now the couple of weeks old Thomastik snapped on it.

Don't get me wrong though. I'm not trying to find excuses or anything. I'm just a bit puzzled with this.

Nashrakh · #5 10-13-2010, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spas

Don't get me wrong though. I'm not trying to find excuses or anything. I'm just a bit puzzled with this.

Now, if it occurs on two basses, it is indeed puzzling. Would be rather uncommon for both of them to have slights edges on the bridge saddles.

How's your playing style? Are you digging in? I know some people that break strings a lot, but they literally punch their strings into oblivion.

sevenyearsdown · #6 10-13-2010, 06:42 AM

Well I would also make sure that you have the correct length strings as well. I guess it's possible that you could be buying strings that are a tad short with respect to scale length and they are getting over tensioned.

I have three sets of DR flats that have been coming off and going back on basses for probably 4 years now. I don't do anything to them other than string 'em back up, tune and play. Never have any of them given way.

There is no reason I can think of that would make flats more likely to have issues than rounds, especially if it's the core that is breaking.

JZQuantum · #7 10-13-2010, 06:54 AM

Are they 35" scale basses by chance?

Spas · #8 10-13-2010, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nashrakh

How's your playing style? Are you digging in? I know some people that break strings a lot, but they literally punch their strings into oblivion.

I may be a bit rough to the strings, when slapping I like the string really snap on the fretboard, so that might be it. The G is probably the string that one pops most often. But still, both lasted on me only a couple of weeks, and I've done the same to the round set.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sevenyearsdown

Well I would also make sure that you have the correct length strings as well. I guess it's possible that you could be buying strings that are a tad short with respect to scale length and they are getting over tensioned.

Both basses are 34" scale, and so were the strings too.

sevenyearsdown · #9 10-13-2010, 07:07 AM

No offense, but this is starting to sound like one of those "I don't like flats" kind of things.

Spas · #10 10-13-2010, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sevenyearsdown

No offense, but this is starting to sound like one of those "I don't like flats" kind of things.

None taken, but you are mistaken. I've really nothing against flats, in fact the LaBella Deep Talkers were fantastic strings in my opinion. They had a nice feel to them, perfect tension and the tone was amazing! If I would have to use one word to describe them, it would be "singing". Perfect flats for my fretless.

The Thomastiks had a bit of a sloppy feel to them, yes, and I wasn't perfectly happy with them.. but that really hasn't anything to do with the topic here.

uncle Bob · #11 10-13-2010, 02:40 PM

Flatwounds by their mature of manufacture, are constructed of more layers of windings than roundwounds.
Imagine your arm in a cast and someone asking you to bend your arm.
Either the arm or the cast or both will certainly break.

Many years ago before modern technology, wire used in housing electric, was called BX. Anyone familier with that product will recall that you could coil it only to a point, at which it wold snap open and expose the wires inside.....Same as a set of Flatwounds.
To lessen the chance of breaking any string try not to cut it on the windings. This is less important on roundwounds, as tere is usually a step after the nut, which actually eliminates one winding and makes the string more flexible.
When in doubt always seek out a legit bench trained repair person.
They will help you to learn how to carefully install any strings, they do it all day long.
I see players installing strings incorrectly for over 30 years...Never be closed to asking help or learning....Bas strings are not inexpensive...