Making strings snap intentionally?

[Bocete]

Hey,

My band were making plans for a video the other day and the producer has had an idea to make my string snap in a loud, earth-shaking, everybody-shouting part of the song. I should be playing at the moment the string snaps.

I have a set of semi-rusty strings I'm not going to use, so if possible, I could damage a string so that it snaps under a strong slap-pull. Is that even possible? OF course, I've got 5 strings to waste, so that's five shots, one of which would have to be right.

Also, is it possible to create a rig that would hold the string at the bridge and simply release it after a stronger pull?

Any other ideas?



It would be awesome if we pulled this off just right

[tk421]

hit an over-tight g string with a burning pick.

wear safety goggles.

[Jaguar]

Have a close up of your bass where you can`t see someone with wire cutters in the shot and snip....
or
have the whole band shown in video and have the guy with wire cutters digitally removed from video for about $1,000,000.00

[quigg]

You could use a pair of wire cutters to weaken the string where it sits on the bridge.

[Vincent P]

Originally Posted by quigg

You could use a pair of wire cutters to weaken the string where it sits on the bridge.

+1

Or file a knotch effectively creating the same outcome.

[Bocete]

Wire cutters seem good.

It's also possible to put a already cut string on a bass with some tape near the bridge, and just snap it off. It would have to be a short shot, but it possible that it would be a fury of quickly changing shots in that part of the song anyway. I'll talk more with the producer in time. Any other ideas?

[LarryO]

And the string is under tension????? UMM NO, when that thing breaks and pokes you in the eye.........it might be better for the string to actually be completely broken and not under tension, hold the two half together with clear tape or something similar.......But that's just my opinion

[FuzzBoxVoodoo]

What about just running it only half a loop on your tuner that way you could get it setup just right where you could try it a few times before the big shot,maybe start with one whole loop and keep cutting it back until you get what you want.
+1 to not tightening it all the way but it has to be straight also so it looks real.

[loend68]

Originally Posted by LarryO

And the string is under tension????? UMM NO, when that thing breaks and pokes you in the eye.........it might be better for the string to actually be completely broken and not under tension, hold the two half together with clear tape or something similar.......But that's just my opinion

+1 !!!

I was hanging out after hours at a bar where my friend's band was playing. I was noodling on his fiver and told him how retarded I feel with the extra string when he drags me up on stage. He reached over and yanked the B string and broke it. as it snapped one of the windings of the string went through my ring finger and out the other side....hurt like hell, and we ended up doing a little impromptu surgery....

[michael_atw]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0pU2WZJ6yA

I always thought that's how a bass string snaps..

[Bocete]

Originally Posted by michael_atw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0pU2WZJ6yA

I always thought that's how a bass string snaps..

It's happened to me as well, looked just like that. I guess when the core snaps the wrappings slow it down and keep the string together, and protect from slicing your fingers off.

There's potential for damage, but I haven't felt any.

In the video, I guess it should look like a snap, not like a getting-loose.

[ehque]

Originally Posted by Jaguar

Have a close up of your bass where you can`t see someone with wire cutters in the shot and snip....

+1 and quickly change scene to a slow mo of your reaction.