It could be where you have your hand placed. I've broken 5 strings in the past 5 years. the first one was a g string that was about 2 years old. the second was tuning the new g. and the other 3 were an A D and G because of playing to close to the bridge. Places alot more tension on the strings. I've moved my playing hand closer to the neck and not only do i get a warmer sound but I havnt broken a strings in a couple of years now.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Am i playing too hard?
- Thread starter bigmanb
- Start date
john turner
You don't want to do that. Trust me.
you could be breaking strings because of an extreme string-break angle over the bridge or else some kind of burr or rough spot over the bridge or nut.
i play _VERY_ hard, usually pluck within an inch of the bridge, and i haven't broken a string in 7 years.
i play _VERY_ hard, usually pluck within an inch of the bridge, and i haven't broken a string in 7 years.
Hey dude, you should check your bridge slots and your nut slots and make sure they are smooth. Also check your break angle at your bridge, it might be to sharp! good luck.
gotta be ever vigilant.
I break 10 strings (period: 2 years) and i don't play very hard.
I have a Bass Collection 5 strings (japanese made by Nanyo Boeki) and it showed a problem in the bridge.The place where the strings lay was not sufficiently polished, producing an extreme attrition, so causing the strings to break too often, always at same point.
I took the instrument to a "luthier" and he pollished the piece with a rasp, i don't know if this is the best solution.
I think the cause can be an extreme string-break angle over the bridge too.
I have a Bass Collection 5 strings (japanese made by Nanyo Boeki) and it showed a problem in the bridge.The place where the strings lay was not sufficiently polished, producing an extreme attrition, so causing the strings to break too often, always at same point.
I took the instrument to a "luthier" and he pollished the piece with a rasp, i don't know if this is the best solution.
I think the cause can be an extreme string-break angle over the bridge too.
Hi, if you are still breaking strings, try buying a cast bridge. Examine it yourself to make sure the edges of the holes are smooth. I sometimes have string breakage with bent tin bridges, much more rarely with cast bridges. If you buy certain Hipshot bridges, you have the choice of stringing through the body (Fender Tele Bass through-body string ferrules are available from Steve at www.angela.com ). Also certain Hipshot and Gotoh bridges allow quick stringing (the string does not pass through a hole, but is retained by flanges to either side of the ball). I have never broken a string on a bass where the strings are strung through the body, nor on a bass with quick stringing (including the old Gibson bridges).
