Breaking Strings: How Often Does it Happen to You?

Sir Edward V · #1 07-05-2007, 10:00 PM

title says it all. I break mine too often, it kinda pisses me off. It's probably because of my aggressive playing style. I know its causing more broken strings, but I like the sound better. I broke one today, it was the D string. I broke my high C string a few weeks ago. I've broken 1 low B and 2 low E strings in my day as well.

Breaking those low ones is kinda funny. When you break the high ones, it kinda surprises you, and makes a nice little noise. When I broke the B there was just a little thud, and I was like, "that was weird... what happened? GOD DAMMIT!!!!"

Deathblade Eric · #2 07-05-2007, 10:22 PM

I get through 'em too... combination of aggressive playing, bending, & having a Kahler. D usually goes first, closely followed by A - always over the bridge rollers.

I used to overwind so that when they broke I could get another go out of them by cutting the broken portion off & soldering the ball end back on (note: this only works on nickels), until I found an EBay shop called MusicWonderland - 3 pack of Hartke 45-105 nickels for £18 ($36 o.n.o) delivered!

My soldering iron now gathers dust.

Pete.

Dragonlord · #3 07-05-2007, 10:23 PM

Never broken any in 9 years of playing.

Poop-Loops · #4 07-05-2007, 10:35 PM

Only about a year of playing both guitar and bass under my belt and only broke a guitar string once. Got a used Ibanez Artcore off of eBay. When it came, I tuned the strings it had on it up to pitch, started playing something, and *ping!* it went.

The_D · #5 07-05-2007, 10:38 PM

I broke my E string once. It was like you said, just kind of a dull thump then "wth was that" ... "oh damn"

I play fairly aggressive but have used a pencil on my brass nut so it is nice and smooth. Also my main goto bass is like 24/25 years old. Very worn in with no sharp edges to work the strings down.

anderbass · #6 07-05-2007, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragonlord

Never broken any in 9 years of playing.

Ditto.... (in 14 years).

Sir Edward V · #7 07-05-2007, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anderbass

Ditto.... (in 14 years).

wow, thats impressive

no slap i take it? what kind of strings do you guys use, I use d'adderios

bassbmx · #8 07-05-2007, 11:07 PM

I snap strings every now and then. I found that using old strings to kinda file down the slots in the nuts on my badass 2 has helped.

unclejam · #9 07-05-2007, 11:23 PM

Well g-strings need to be cheaper thats for sure.

gottawalk · #10 07-05-2007, 11:35 PM

"Ditto" on the 9 years, and 14 years, and I'd check your saddles, etc, if I were you. Either that or change your stings more often if you're playing them that hard. It gets expensive, but it's tax deductible!

For the size and thickness, there's no reason to be breaking bass strings unless your abusing them or you've got a bad set!

FrizzleFry · #11 07-05-2007, 11:54 PM

Never Broken anything lower than an A. I really hate breaking the middle strings the most.

Where you guy's live are Bass strings availiable indivialy? Where I am there' not and I'm just wondering if they even offer that.

AdlerAugen · #12 07-06-2007, 03:04 AM

never

Deacon_Blues · #13 07-06-2007, 03:36 AM

Never (about 6 years of playing), first with a more aggressive style than nowadays.

Or wait... Actually I broke the E string once when I sat down with the bass laying on my legs and I leaned with the elbow of my right arm on the strings, close to the bridge, and snap....... But I don't think that counts...

Koki · #14 07-06-2007, 03:48 AM

Every couple of months. Because of slapping. But since I've moved to d'addarios I didn't broke any in last 5 or six months. Tough strings..

Koki · #15 07-06-2007, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrizzleFry

Where you guy's live are Bass strings availiable indivialy? Where I am there' not and I'm just wondering if they even offer that.

Yes, I saw d'addarios selling as singles but I wouldn't do that because that new string will sound different from the others. When I break a string I just buy a new set

The BurgerMeister · #16 07-06-2007, 03:54 AM

i've broken a fair amount of Gs, a low B (in the middle of a show... had to rework my basslines on the spot, which was fun), and all the others a few times (except maybe the D... don't know why)... but the best was breaking the A on the upright i was playing during the finale of "Carousel" in high school. we just kept repeating the same Oom-pah line over and over and OVER again while the cast was taking bows, and my A just popped! i was kinda proud of myself, actually.

i don't break strings that often, though.

Sir Edward V · #17 07-06-2007, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gottawalk

"Ditto" on the 9 years, and 14 years, and I'd check your saddles, etc, if I were you. Either that or change your stings more often if you're playing them that hard. It gets expensive, but it's tax deductible!

For the size and thickness, there's no reason to be breaking bass strings unless your abusing them or you've got a bad set!

How often do you change yours? I'd say I play mine for 3-6 months before one breaks and I get pissed

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koki

Every couple of months. Because of slapping. But since I've moved to d'addarios I didn't broke any in last 5 or six months. Tough strings..

yeah, thats what I usually get out of them

on the singles part, I can only tell the difference between the new one and the old ones for about the first week, then it makes no difference IMO

BuffaloMO · #18 07-06-2007, 05:55 AM

Never!

MysticMichael · #19 07-06-2007, 07:20 AM

Never. I have never broken a string in more than 30 years of playing...

MM

pointbass · #20 07-06-2007, 07:37 AM

Been playing bass since 1963 and I have never broken an electric bass string (I have had some breakage with DB strings). You've either got some really cheap strings, or some rough pressure points somewhere, or you're pounding the snot out of the strings

I can't imagine what a player must be doing to break a B string