for those who pick

ABH_bassist · #1 10-26-2006, 04:33 PM

i alternate between the 2. pick and fingerstyle.

ive been using the wedgie 1.14mm picks recently. i like the little indent in there, helps alot on keeping the pick from moving around...

back to the point

i have broken 4 e strings in the past 2 months.
this never happened before. perhaps im playing harder or something, who knows.

either way im playing ghs boomers usually the 45 scale.
can anyone recommend some strings that arent going to break so easy, but still not rape my fingertips when i go to that area.

anybody?

agreatheight · #2 10-26-2006, 04:47 PM

Where are your strings breaking? You may want to take a look at your bridge saddles; could be a mechanical issue casuing you to break strings. Look for any sharp edges and file them down, if they exist. Also, a bit of graphite might help too.

As for strings, I love DR Low Riders 45 - 105. Never broken one, and I play aggressive; 50:50 pick and fingers.

Good luck!

Ampeg SVT · #3 10-27-2006, 11:00 PM

I use DR Hi-Beams and Rotosounds currently (probably going to be ProSteels for drop D) ive only broken a coated G DR

j-bass-kreep · #4 10-27-2006, 11:09 PM

I use D'addarios haven't broke one in a year. Try picking lightly you'll notice an improvement in tone . Also don't pick too close to the bridge.

FaithNoMan · #5 10-27-2006, 11:30 PM

I've had DR Sunbeams on my 4003 for over a year, and play aggressively at times...never broke a string

Sounds like a saddle problem, or maybe you are just playing way too hard.

olaff421 · #6 10-28-2006, 12:54 AM

I use D'Addario XL mediums on my 5-string and I usually change them before they break. The last time I had one break on me they were quite old.

songwriter21 · #7 10-28-2006, 02:04 PM

Breaking strings definitely has something to do with either the bridge saddles' height, and/or your nut. The trussrod plays an important factor, as well. I've played aggressively my whole life, but with medium to low action, and I've never broken a string. I've had great luck with Elixirs (Polyweb coating), DR Lo-Riders, and La Bella Hard Rockin' Steels. The La Bellas definitely sound the best for both pick and fingers-especially live (they're MEAN), whereas DR's almost as good (a little birghter), but don't last nearly as long. Elixirs last forever, but the straightforward LOUD tone isn't as present. The only downside to La Bella, is that not every set sounds totally great-they're not as consistent as DR, and certainly not as consistent as Elixir.

bryan bailey · #8 10-28-2006, 02:44 PM

I play finger/pick/slap/hit my bass with stuff

Haven't broken a string in 4 years.

vashts80 · #9 10-29-2006, 04:02 PM

Don't play aggressively like the idiots in the hardcore scene etc do - let your amp do the work. Play as soft as you can with a pick. That, and filing the burrs off your bridge saddles, will prevent string breakages.

Parlous · #10 10-29-2006, 04:13 PM

vashts80, I'm pretty sure people on this forum arn't looking for biased opinions on play styles based on the music you enjoy. To say that only hardcore metal players play aggressivley is kind of idiotic too.

Anyways, this for sure sounds like a mechanical issue. I play mostly death metal wich is alot of aggressive picking and I'm using light and medium GHS boomers and I havn't broken a string in the couple of months I've decided to start using boomers.

vashts80 · #11 11-01-2006, 01:15 PM

I listen to hardcore and death metal etc - the problem is that a lot of bass players in the hardcore and/or metal scenes try to maintain the image and look tough by picking their strings like they're trying to cut them in half with the pick, and that's honestly not the way you should do it.

For the record, death metal doesn't HAVE to be aggressive - look at Sean Malone, Steve DiGiorgio, Tony Choy, Roger Patterson (RIP), Dominic LaPointe etc. These guys are the best of the best in the death metal scene for bass, and they rarely play THAT aggressively (and notice how they all aren't just root followers who play with a pick.)