New Stingray Strings

[Speedo]

Hey, I need advice on new strings for my Stingray.

I got the standard Ernie Balls on it when i bought it over xmas, but the G-string broke only after 3 weeks of playing. Luckily I had some DR High-Beams (40-100) handy, so changed the whole set and fell in love.

Unfortunately, 3 months later (number 3 keeps coming up) my G has broke again, so I need a replacement. I am worried that I'll keep having to splash out £25 each time my G goes to buy a whole new set, so I want to either...

1) Find out what's wrong wiv my bridge saddle (where they both broke.)

2) Get some longer-lasting strings

3) Get some strings that are sold as single-strings (ie. Rotosound or D'addario XL Pro Steels).

If 2) or 3), then what should I buy that's near to the DR's.


I play in a band centred around rock, but playing many different styles mixed in. (ie. Inspirations from RHCP and GNR, plus other funk, punk and fusions)

Hence I want something wiv the bright but not tinny treble, smooth mids and growling bass of the DR's with the playability too, if they're 40-100 gauge.

Thanks for reading... Any Ideas?

[73jbass]

It always puzzles me how anybody can break a bass string. Either you're playing too hard,or there is a problem somewhere else. I'm guessing the first one. where exactly did the string break? At the bridge,nut or somewhere else? A little more info would help.

[Speedo]

With both the Ernie's and the DR's it was right on top of the bridge saddle, not half a centimetre forward or behind.

If there is a problem, has anyone had a similar problem wiv Stingray's? and how can i fix it if it is a defect?

[koentje_bassist]

D'addario EXL 170!!

Check your saddles, but strings can break. I broke one some day, a week after boiling it (GHS flea boomers, very old en ful of dirt).

[Speedo]

Pure Stainless Steel, Fool

[saxofunk]

Check your saddles, maybe touch them with an emory board or fine file to make sure there are no burrs or sharp edges.
Otherwise find a source for individual strings.

I have broken one string in over 5 years of playing... it was a string that had been played hard for months and boiled.

[BassoP]

Originally Posted by saxofunk

Check your saddles, maybe touch them with an emory board or fine file to make sure there are no burrs or sharp edges.

Yup. I've never had to file a bass bridge, but I have on a guitar bridge. I've only broken 3 strings in 17 years, and none were really from playing (the one today had been repeatedly detuned and retuned while tweaking a set up, one broke when I caught the bass by it, one broke on tuning up, who knows why). I've had guitars where there were rough spots on the bridge that were string snappers.

[fenderbassabuse]

Originally Posted by Speedo

Pure Stainless Steel, Fool

Why do they have to be stainless? If that's what you're getting at...