Ok, so I have broken 4 E strings in the last 2 months

[punkbassistfc]

hey guys,

I bought one of the new american standard p-basses and I really like d the stock strings it came with, so i decided to stick to them they are the 110 taper wound to 45 gauge. Now, i have brken 4 low E strings in the past 2 months and i was wondering if there is anything I can do? Can I buy any single 110 strings that are thick all the way through and dont go lighter near the bridge end like the fender strings?

cheers heaps

[ErebusBass]

You have a burr (little sharp thing that kills strings) on your bridge. Get a little file and fix it.

[XylemBassGuitar]

Bass strings shouldn't break that often (especially the E), unless you practice for an ungodly amount of time each day, or are tuning up more than a fifth.

ErebusBass is probably right about the burr, especially if your strings are breaking right at the bridge saddle.

If it's a big burr, kiss it off with a file first, then get some emery cloth (auto parts stores) and polish the groove in the saddle where the string sits so that it doesn't have any sharp edges.

Otherwise, you could check out some online string retailers like juststrings.com for availability of single 110 strings with no bridge taper.

[mokkat]

I broke three A-strings in two months on my HW1. When I went to buy new strings I had the shopkeeper look at the badass II bridge, and he lowered the action a bit (it was pretty high) and tried filing alittle on the pre-grooved saddle.

It worked

[Moe Monsarrat]

Do you play with a pick?

[TSanders]

You either have:

1) a burr on that saddle of the bridge
2) bad technique

fortunately with a little time, both are correctable.

[lbanks]

Plus on the burr. Had one on my Conklin. I used a thing (emery board?) my wife uses on her nails.(shhh!) Worked perfectly.

[tbird36go]

Here is the deal. Your playing the Fender 8250's taper wound strings am I right (strung thru the bridge). First off you need to set your bass up correctly. Neck, pickup height & intonation will all be a factor in this. Ok after all that is set to spec, you can melow out on playing so rough. You will be able to hear yourself better. The thing about those strings is that center core of the E string (B-on 5 string set) is the only thing running over your bridge saddle. Play to rough & that sucker is going to snap right at the taper. Go out & buy a set of "DR Long Necks" These are the best taper wound strings on the market & sound as good if not better than the fenders. Don't worry about the 110 gauge. Just get the med 45-105. DR puts an extra wrap over the core so the strings last forever. I've broke many of the fenders in my day but never any of the "DR Long Neck taper wounds".