Where's the Normal Spot for Strings to Break?

[Livewire]

Just wondering if there's a normal spot for strings to break at? I put on a new pack of DR strings on my Squier Custom Modified J bass and the E string broke at the nut at practice. I was playing finger style, which struck me odd because the only time I've broken strings was with a pick and on my old GSR190. The only thing I could think of is the fact that the nut is really big, maybe it needs to be filed down if breaking strings there is unusual? Any info? Thanks!

[CapnSev]

They shouldn't break at all unless you're really beating the crap out of your bass.

I wouldn't think the nut has anything to do with it either, it sounds like a problem with the string to me. I also don't understand what you mean by "the nut is really big".

[stflbn]

I see no reason a nut would break strings.

Tuner with a very sharp edge... can happen.
Bridge with a sharp saddle edge... can happen.
Pick playing aggressively... can happen.

Beyond that I'm hard pressed to find reasons.

Personally i've never broken a bass string while playing... ever... and been playing for almost 30 years.

[T. Alan Smith]

Originally Posted by Livewire

Just wondering if there's a normal spot for strings to break at?

Right where I cut them for removal.

[BassBerg]

It only happened to me once, right at the ball end at the bridge. Most likely a defect. Changed the strings and life is good.

[Livewire]

Originally Posted by CapnSev

I also don't understand what you mean by "the nut is really big".

I replaced the nut, it's tall, like it makes the strings really high off the fretboard, the dude at the local shop said he cut it down a bit but I still have high action. Maybe it was a bad string...

[bassman0221]

Never had one break but they seem to unravel on me from time to time...

[Yerf Dog]

Right at the gig.

[joshmickelson]

I used to break strings a lot because I was playing way too hard. It was usually at the bridge though.

[Jefenator]

Busted a few at the bridge saddle. Not so much since I quit playing funk all the time.

At the nut seems unusual. I would suspect not so much the nut size so much as the way the slots were filed. A sharp edge can fray strings and cause them to break. (Guitar player buddy reports having to smooth out his bridge saddle slots from time to time to keep his string breakage to a relative minimum.)

[Govier966]

my break at the bridge quite a lot.

[Livewire]

I think the nut def needs work. I'm just not sure how to fix it. I'm thinking of smoothing out each slot and possibly cutting it to make it lower. Or I might just give it to the local shop but they always overcharge.

[stiles72]

I break strings all the time. Usually a month's worth of wear is all it takes. I always have a good idea when they are going to go because they sound the best right before they break. 99% of the time it's either the E or the A, and they always break at the bridge. Doesn't matter what brand or what gauge or what bass. And nope - my saddles don't have any burs or anything wrong with the bridge. Just play with a heavy hand I guess. The only strings I haven't broke (yet) are the Jamerson La Bellas on my P-bass.

[CapnSev]

Originally Posted by Livewire

I replaced the nut, it's tall, like it makes the strings really high off the fretboard, the dude at the local shop said he cut it down a bit but I still have high action. Maybe it was a bad string...

That could put some weird pressure on the strings when fretting the first couple of frets, but I don't know if it would be enough to bust the strings- maybe maybe not. Either way, it would be a good idea to get that nut set up properly.

[Livewire]

Originally Posted by Govier966

my break at the bridge quite a lot.

That always happened on my GSR190. There was something wrong with the bridge saddles and it kept cutting into my strings. You might want to check that out.

[bassteban]

Originally Posted by Govier966

my break at the bridge quite a lot.

I'd consider having a good tech or luthier look at your bridge- there may be a sharp edge causing this.

Years ago, when I couldn't afford decent gear & couldn't hear my crappy little rig over the drums, I would instinctively bang it harder- and break strings(maybe this is your issue, though breaking at the nut to me says *bad string* or *badly-cut nut*). I still do, on very rare occasion. I can't recall it breaking anywhere specifically more often.

[chris.gotfunk]

The nut could do it for sure. What is the nut material? If it is really sharp and your action is high with the string angling down, that could easily cut/break your string. You could try filing the edge of the nut where the string bends (break angle). Just a thought.

[kai_ski]

And remember, DR Strings are handmade. I have had more than a few oddball strings come out of the pack, but they still sound the best to me (along with TI's.) I guess that's the risk/reward of a hand made string. Go to juststrings.com and order yourself a new pack and a single E to match the one you broke.

[Chelona]

It has been a while since I broke a string, but when I did I think it broke towards the bridge, I was young and playing really hard

[MNAirHead]

should never break strings.