When a string Breaks

[corinpills]

Originally Posted by iamthebassman

Pyramid flats on the Hofner, Rotosound Flats on the Ric.

As the good Lord intended. Man, you must have a ball playing all those great bass lines. The bass line for "Something" alone must be a blast. Plus, i'm assuming you sing as well. Whata great gig. I subbd once with a Beatle stribute band (and these guys were totally hardcore), it was great.

Oops, I've hijacked the thread. Back to string breakage...I'm against it.

[Metal Chick]

From what I know about basses, your E string shouldn't be breaking unless you have neglected to care for your strings, have failed to replace them regularly, or there is something wrong with the bass itself, possibly the truss rod.

I play on the neck pickup and can be a little compulsive about instrument care, so even though I don't have what most would call a light touch, I have never broken a string. As such, I don't have much else to say on this topic.

[Nick man]

Originally Posted by CJK84

Whether using a pick or fingerstyle, if you play with a light or moderate touch, there's hardly a chance that you'll break a string.

If you really dig in or pop strings forcefully, however, that may be another story (btw, really digging in is considered less-than-best technique by most).

Good luck !!

Sometimes when playing certain music, very agressive playing style is better technique than soft touch.

I always try to bring a backup bass. If I cant or dont have one that night for whatever reason I play around the missing string either on another octave or different positions moving up and down the neck more.

[The Golden Boy]

I snapped a string a few months ago. I'm pretty vicious on my basses and guitars. I play with a pick, and I may snap a string (usually an A) every few months. However playing guitar, D strings (.26) have the life expectancy of a medic at D-Day (maybe 3-4 hours of playing time).

Check for burrs on your saddles.

As far as what I do, if I snap an E, I'm all right- just move up an octave. If it's an A- I'm pretty well in trouble.

[mlwarriner]

the one and only time i have ever broken a string during a gig, i was glad to be able to turn off, unplug, grab the backup, replug and turn back on in about 2 bars of the song. since then i do not do show - DO NOT - without a backup bass. i suppose that i could have played in a different position or octave, but i'm pretty certain i would have butchered it or something...so i guess i shouldn't be playing gigs, huh?

[Redhotbassist]

I havent broken a string during a gig, and i play hard fingerstyle, i cant really play light when its hard grunge, but whenever they do break (in my room practicing, mainly slapping and popping) its always at the bridge, they just unwind, its always right at the bridge? could this be technique or?

Redhot.

[iamthebassman]

Originally Posted by corinpills

Man, you must have a ball playing all those great bass lines. The bass line for "Something" alone must be a blast. Plus, i'm assuming you sing as well. Whata great gig.

Well we've been together almost 13 years, so yes, you could say it's a great gig. Great songs, great players, and great friends(plus a crew of 3 so we don't have to set up/tear down our gear, or tune guitars)makes it a lot of fun. But some of the vocals are kinda tuff .
"Something" IS one of my personal highlights of the show, it's a thrilling bass part. Others include "I Saw Her Standing There", "With a Little Help from My Friends", "Glass Onion", "Dear Prudence", and "Hey Bulldog". When we play the full show(which ends with a set of British Invasion tunes)our encore is "My Generation". Now THAT'S exciting!!

[bass element]

[quote=The Golden Boy]I'm pretty vicious on my basses and guitars. I play with a pick, and I may snap a string (usually an A) every few months.[quote]

maybe u should take a chill on playing your guitars. less strings broken is less money to spend. plus, theres really no need to play hard enough to brake your strings, no matter how hardcore or whatever anyone wants to seem.