Help! G string breaking....

rito421 · #1 09-25-2009, 03:10 PM

D STRING BREAKING NOT G!!!

I am fairly new to bass. I bought I MIM Jazz bass last night (Second-hand) from 94-95.

Now, when I bought it the guy gave it to me with only two strings on (4th and 3rd) And it was probably like this for plenty of time. I went to the store and bought a 3 pack set of Hartke Light string HSB 445.

I changed the 4th and 3rd string because they were pretty old. Now I went on to the second string (D) and I start putting it on, It isn't even close to being in tune when the string pops on the right end (bridge) Oh well, start again and voi-la second string gone, so that's when I figure there must be something wrong. The string was pretty tight but not in tune yet, I did notice that on the bridge the hole is not completely round (see picture) causing the ball-end to go a bit out of place and not stand flat over the bridge. Of course I went on to put the third and last string of the pack and you already know what happened! Any info, advice, help is appreciated!

rito421 · #2 09-25-2009, 03:11 PM

Here is the picture....

MooseLumps · #3 09-25-2009, 03:12 PM

Sounds like a burr in the bridge. if you have a file, hog it out a little bit. if you don't (and the right way to do this) take it to a repair shop and tell em about the problem.

rito421 · #4 09-25-2009, 03:18 PM

The bridge is old and rusty...Would it be best if I just put a new bridge on it?

two fingers · #5 09-25-2009, 03:21 PM

I'm not sure I'm following you but....
You say you put on the "2nd string (G string)". The G string would not be the 2nd string. Maybe you're doing something in the wrong order. If you are trying to tune a D string up to G that may be your problem. Now what you may have been describing was the ORDER you put the string on NOT the order they are on the bass. However, just in case this is the problem, the order of the strings would be (from top to bottom - also from largest to smallest) E A D G. So the "big" string on the top is an E and so on. The only other thing I can come up with is that you passed right by the correct note while tuning and were haeding up an octave when you broke them. Other than that, a burr on the bridge could cause them to break. WHERE on the string did they break? (down by the bridge, in the middle, or up by the nut?)

rito421 · #6 09-25-2009, 03:34 PM

Sorry it is the D string....Every time it broke on the D string. I think I figured the problem, I was tuning it an octave higher and of course the E and A string managed not to break but the D one did (3 times) Way to start up my bass journey! Anyways thanks for the help. I will go get my string today and practice. Any advice on best value bridge for a Jazz bass?

Two fingers the string was breaking on the bridge..

MooseLumps · #7 09-25-2009, 04:02 PM

if you were tuning way high then the bridge is likely only part of the problem. Any standard bridge will do you, there are some pretty good ones on e-bay or from rondo music online www.rondomusic.com
your local shop might have one laying around.

If you are short on funds I have a working bridge I could send you. it's newer but it has some nasty gouges in it. PM me if you are interested.

rhapbus · #8 09-25-2009, 11:51 PM

I can't imagine the E and A not breaking when tuning up a whole octave. Thats tuning them to the E and A on a guitar. and as you can tell, they are a whole lot smaller. I don't think tuning could be your problem if you say your E and A are an octave up and didnt break, i don't understand how they could be. but then again i've never tuned it up that high

atheos · #9 09-26-2009, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rito421

I think I figured the problem, I was tuning it an octave higher and of course the E and A string managed not to break but the D one did (3 times)

*Facepalm*

Octave higher and you didn't even notice?

Well, if you're a beginner, it happens. Still quite hilarious problem

Try the correct tuning first and then see if it breaks or not, my guess is that it'll be OK.

Slax · #10 09-26-2009, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhapbus

I can't imagine the E and A not breaking when tuning up a whole octave. Thats tuning them to the E and A on a guitar. and as you can tell, they are a whole lot smaller. I don't think tuning could be your problem if you say your E and A are an octave up and didnt break, i don't understand how they could be. but then again i've never tuned it up that high

Could you image the strain on the neck with that tuning? I know I would not be comfortable with it...

dmusic148 · #11 09-26-2009, 12:46 AM

Makes a certain amount of sense, since the D has the most tension of the four at pitch.