Ripping strings off bass

[schmig]

I sometimes find that if I really manhandle the instrument I can play with more feel, more cleanly. However, when I do this, I break strings (did a new d'addario medium guage roundwound the other day).

Normal? My hands are nothing to write home about.

[kr0n]

What, how? Slap & pop? And strings snapping totally from your bass creates a huge spike in force when tension releases and could do some damage do the neck but probably wont.

Amplifier is there to give you volume but mastering dynamics is essential as well.

[fu22ba55]

Originally Posted by kr0n

What, how? Slap & pop?

How indeed? Brute force? Pick? Fingers? Fists?

If it's the same string breaking consistently, check your bridge for a burr or something that could be breaking the string. Or if your bridge saddle is cranked waaay back for intonation's sake, and the string gets really crimped when you put it in there, that could make things worse too.

Where you strike the string makes a difference too. The closer your aggressive pyrotechnics are to the bridge, the more likely the string will break. Maybe do your kung fu up closer to the neck PU.

my .02

[schmig]

I play very close to the bridge and usually seem to do the D string in at that point, playing fingerstyle, on various basses which I own.

Not doing any showing off - just running over tunes at home and sometimes find that when I give it some feeling, the string is suddenly slack.

Perhaps I should try to meet a woman and see whether playing with feeling still involves violence thereafter

[schmig]

Thinking about that last post...I am not playing like that for volume at all...I'm simply handling it to put in some feel, as I'm normally just "playing the song" and pouring nothing emotional in.

Have we any shrinks on here?

[nysbob]

If you're going to play with a heavy hand, you're going to break strings. I learned that a long time ago. If you don't want to break strings, lighten up. Personally, I don't care if I break a string...and it's a good thing I don't because I've been breaking 4 or 5 a year for the past 35 years.

[kr0n]

Only time I've broken any strings on bass were when I was starting and tuned way too high. Snap.
I'd say you got some issues with the bass, some sharp edge or improper setup causing wear & tear. Especially when playing near the bridge the strings feel a lot tighter. Do you brush or lift the strings when you play there?