How Many Strings Do You Break?

Petary791 · #1 01-30-2006, 08:42 PM

How many strings do you guys break? I've broken an E, A, D, and G. I think it has a lot to with my technique (EXTREMELY aggressive, but hey I love the sound.) Normally people are like, "You're retarded if you break bass strings," so i'm seeing if i'm the only one.

I would imagine that guys like Geddy and John Myung and Timmy C go through lots of strings too, right?

PinkTelephone · #2 01-30-2006, 08:53 PM

I rarely ever break strings ever. but i was into my show and i have light strings tuned to low on my bass i dont use for low tuning (clearly) and snaped my e string clean off.

Kronos · #3 01-30-2006, 08:54 PM

I used to break them all the time when I played with a pick. I played so fast and right by the bridge, that the low B couldn't take the stress. Then I went back to fingerstyle, and playing closer to the neck and Voila. I haven't broken a string since (I guess I just jinxed myself for this saturday's show!)

FaithNoMan · #4 01-30-2006, 08:55 PM

You never gave an option for "Zero broken strings"

I used to break them when I was starting out, as I developed an aggressive style before anything else, but I haven't broken a string in over five years...and I beat the hell out of my poor Rick at times..

.... it gives a different sound when you are bludgeoning it...more so than my active bass does..but I really thrash the strings at times, and wonder how the heck people break them all the time??

agreatheight · #5 01-30-2006, 08:55 PM

I have NEVER broken a string. I've been playing 20 years - I have been playing medium gauge DR Low Riders for 15 years and D'Addarios / Blue Steels since I started and never had that problem.

And no I don't play like a girl.

What brand of strings do you use? That may be an issue...

AuG · #6 01-30-2006, 08:56 PM

I've never broken a string. Probably never will either, as I have a light touch and prefer to let the amp do it's job.

AuG

EBMatt · #7 01-30-2006, 08:57 PM

For some reason I break the A-string on my jazz bass about once a month. It always breaks down by the bridge, so I'm thinking of getting a new bridge.

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. · #8 01-30-2006, 08:58 PM

I don't think that breaking strings has anything to do with technique. Most of the times it's the result of a defective bridge because the saddles become sharp at the contact point with the string and then's when problems start. Maybe I don't play as hard as you, but I have a strong attack anyway. I used to have that problem with my Washburn Axxess (only happened once with my Carvin IIRC and hasn't happened with the Bongo yet). Even broke a B string! The solution: Put a small piece of plastic or rubber between the string and the saddle. I remember I used pieces of cable cover and it worked. I was afraid that it was going to affect the tone, but didn't notice any difference. So if you want "lifetime" strings, replace (or fix) your bridge or maybe try my approach.

Figjam · #9 01-30-2006, 09:06 PM

Tbirdbassist · #10 01-30-2006, 09:13 PM

I have to respectfully disagree with you there, Alvaro.

I think in some cases it DOES have to do with technique. I, like Petary, play aggressively and there have been times I've broken strings because of it. I've broken all strings from playing to hard (at different times ofcourse). I think I've only broken an E once or twice though. While I think A-G I've broken atleast 5-6 times in my 4 years of playing.

Jazzin' · #11 01-30-2006, 09:18 PM

1 in 6 years and it wasn't even completely my fault.

Platypus_Of_420 · #12 01-30-2006, 09:23 PM

no 0 broken strings option? to me its impossible to break a bass string, but i could imagine it hurts like hell. i dont even know how people could manage to break one

Passinwind · #13 01-30-2006, 09:28 PM

3...

...in 30 years.

Tbirdbassist · #14 01-30-2006, 09:29 PM

Bass strings usually just "unravel". if one were too break it would sure as hell hurt but it wouldn't be as severe as a Guitar strings damage would be...

Oysterman · #15 01-30-2006, 09:33 PM

A combination of aggressive playing style and a poorly designed bridge will break you quite a few strings. I broke a handful on my MIM Jazz (I was digging in quite hard back then), but haven't broken a single one on any other bass I've played. So that would be zero broken strings in the past 5 years.

kirin · #16 01-30-2006, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EBMatt

For some reason I break the A-string on my jazz bass about once a month. It always breaks down by the bridge, so I'm thinking of getting a new bridge.

I had the same issue with a bass I was using when I first started playing. A trusted local luthier filed the saddle down a bit then showed me how to set the intonation, and I never have broken a string since on any bass I've owned.

rowyco · #17 01-30-2006, 10:28 PM

On the same day a few weeks ago I broke two different strings on two different basses. And I don't really play all that hard.

temple_of_boom · #18 01-31-2006, 12:38 AM

never, and i pluck so hard people give me dirty looks.

Bruce Lindfield · #19 01-31-2006, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agreatheight

I have NEVER broken a string. I've been playing 20 years

I've been playing over 30 years and have never broken a bass string!

Howard K · #20 01-31-2006, 03:52 AM

I've broken a few when I started out about 15 years ago. Havent broken one now for years, longer than I can remember anyway.

I broke the string post while tuning my double bass recently tho, does that count?!