When is the last time (if ever)...

[brane]

... you broke a string during a set?

I can honestly say I've only ever broken a string while playing once. During the break between sets 1 and 2, I cut my index finger while twisting open a beer bottle. Somehow the neck itself sheared right off and my fingertip slid along the now razor sharp edge. So I decided to use a pick for the rest of the night (had to borrow one from a guitar player, because I hadn't played with a pick in... honestly, I can't even quantify that.)

First song, heading into the chorus, I went to give a hefty thump onto the E, only to find out with the next stroke that the only thing holding the string to the bass was the now-unwound wound part of the string, and that the magnets of the pickup where happily hugging hit. The core had snapped *right* in front of the bridge saddle, probably the last place I would have expected it to happen.

I hadn't brought a backup bass with me (none of the songs required alternate tunings and, like I said, I hadn't broken a string in well over a decade, so I didn't think to). So I spent the rest of the song off to stage right replacing the string. :P At least I always keep a spare set in my gig bag.

So how about you? What's the worst time it's happened for you? Or, are you one of those lucky ones who's never had it happen at all? (I consider myself lucky because this is the only occurrence in almost two decades of live playing).

[Smokin' Toaster]

Never. And I dig in pretty hard at times.

[CapnSev]

Originally Posted by Smokin' Toaster

Never. And I dig in pretty hard at times.

+1

[No Malarky]

Playing live in 1982 on my 4001. The E string unwound at the nut. Damn peculiar. I still have the string. I keep everything for some odd reason.

[Konigstiger22]

I haven't broke one yet... but this weekend at a rooftop show we were playing I watched two other bassist snap an A string.

[FunkMetalBass]

Once. It was a brand new set of EB SS Hybrid Slinkies on a Stingray. Broke while I was tuning up to pitch. I suspect it was a string issue, though.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

I haven't broken a string for years. The only string I ever broke was the D string for some reason... It happened twice, about 12 years ago... during rehearsal though.

[DRafalske]

I've never broken one either.
I did have an E string unwind on me once at the tuner.

D

[MarkA]

Not that I can recall during a performance. At least once in a rehearsal. A couple of times while practicing. Not at all for at least a year, more likely several.

This thread reminds me, I need to make sure I have spare strings in my cases!

[Corey Y]

Never broken a string on a bass while playing a gig. I've had strings broken AT gigs, but not by me playing.

[brane]

Originally Posted by Corey Y

Never broken a string on a bass while playing a gig. I've had strings broken AT gigs, but not by me playing.

I'm going to assume it's happened when you let other people play your bass? Or is there a far more interesting explanation that I just can't think of?

[alembicguy]

never

[Marko5657]

I’ve only got maybe 300 gigs under my belt, but I’ve never had a problem with strings breaking. I don’t play with a pick, which might help.

In any case, I don’t bring spare strings, but I always bring a backup bass.

If I could just get my guitarist to do the same.

[Billnc]

In 20 years playing bass one string has ever broke on a gig, it sort of fell apart, the core broke after a few years of playing and the rest of the string unwound. I still always have two basses and extra strings.

[Fretless55]

Broke a D string early into a gig once. Stupidly didn't pack a spare but it was actually very interesting to adapt without it.

Also interesting was the sensation when it broke, not a snap but more of deflation with an odd sound to match,

[Corey Y]

Originally Posted by brane

I'm going to assume it's happened when you let other people play your bass? Or is there a far more interesting explanation that I just can't think of?

It was at a show in a very small hall about 10 years ago, with a punk band I used to be in, playing on the floor. There was a bit of a melee/dog pile at the end of the set that was instigated by the singer. The guitarist was quick enough to cradle his Gibson TV and run out the back door, which he was about 10 feet from, but my bass and the drum kit were thrown across the room. Luckily the only damage was the broken string and nothing like that has ever happened since. If it did someone would probably get my shoe in their face before prying my SB4000 out of my hands

[VitalSigns]

Never broken a bass string...


But I did break a guitar string while trying to be Pete Townsend in my moms basement..

[brane]

Originally Posted by Corey Y

It was at a show in a very small hall about 10 years ago, with a punk band I used to be in, playing on the floor. There was a bit of a melee/dog pile at the end of the set that was instigated by the singer. The guitarist was quick enough to cradle his Gibson TV and run out the back door, which he was about 10 feet from, but my bass and the drum kit were thrown across the room. Luckily the only damage was the broken string and nothing like that has ever happened since. If it did someone would probably get my shoe in their face before prying my SB4000 out of my hands

Yup, far more interesting. How'd the drum kit fare?

And Amen on trying to get guitarists to bring backups. Why they seem to think they'll never break those teensie tiny little things is beyond me.

And yeah, I know what you mean, Fretless... deflation is a good description. I'd always expected a busted bass string to go off somewhat like a suitcase nuke. I mean, my physics days are long gone, but I don't need to work out the math to know there is a lot of potential energy stored up in that tension. It's almost kinda... anti-climactic. You'd think if it's gonna happen, the audience should at least be able to say, "Wow, did you see that thing fly?" Though... perhaps safer this way.

[fingerbun]

Twice so far this year.

You other wimps don't play hard enough!!!!!


:-)

[darkstorm]

Used to occassionally break the D or G string as a kid playing fingerstyle aggressively. Havent broken a string since the late 70's though.