breaking a string live

[Bob_Ross]

Does it happen to some of you sometimes.

I have been gigging professionally for [checks calendar] 50 years, and in all that time I have never broken a string onstage or in the studio*. And, fwiw, the few times I felt it was prudent to bring a backup bass, I never needed to use it.


*Come to think of it, in those 50 years I have only ever broken a bass string once. And that was because I was trying to burn off some extra silk windings with a lit match.

 

[jeffb28451]

Anything can happen at any time. I’m a local hack and have never played more than 60 miles from home but for many years, I have carried drumsticks and guitar strings, 1/4” transformers, etc., just because there are some people (ahem) who just don’t seem to think about being prepared. Didn’t need that extra weight and inconvenience but it’s cheap insurance to be a den mother for “those other people “.

 

[Bob Coldwell]

Have you ever heard the expression "The house never burned down before"?

I have broken strings, also strap pins and tuning keys. And output jack failures. And bad cords.

I carry a backup of everything. Why not?

 

[jeff62]

You’re only worried about a string? Ever had an input jack go bad? Pickup go wonky? I’ve never done a gig without a backup bass. The first time I didn’t bring a backup amp, my primary decided to take a crapper. I guess it all depends on whether you’re comfortable with being labeled as the reason the show had a problem.

 

[pbass2]

Spare strings, good. String winder and cutters, a notch up.

Spare bass, better, but not 100% necessary (non believers, take a breath....)

My take exactly. Check out all the touring pros who travel with one bass much of the time. As long as you've done your due diligence (or had a tech go over it) with the bass' condition (set up, electronics) very little can go wrong (not counting theft or TSA damage).
But ALWAYS spare strings, cables, and anything else like that. Some basic tools too. All gig-bag-able stuff.

 

[TonyP-]

Spare strings, good. String winder and cutters, a notch up.

Spare bass, better, but not 100% necessary (non believers, take a breath....)

If the strings are fairly recent, you will probably be fine. String seem to break either immediately after they are installed, or waaaaaaay down the road after a LOT of playing and pounding. Months or even years.

Even an older set would be fine, just better than nothing.....

Geri nailed it…As usual…

 

[Geri O]

You’re only worried about a string? Ever had an input jack go bad? Pickup go wonky? I’ve never done a gig without a backup bass. The first time I didn’t bring a backup amp, my primary decided to take a crapper. I guess it all depends on whether you’re comfortable with being labeled as the reason the show had a problem.

Back in the 80s, 6-night-a-week, Old School days, and a lot slap style playing, I was breaking an insane number of strings. There were 3-4 years where I just ordered a dozen of each string size and changed, errrr, replaced them when they broke. I attribute all that to a Neanderthal touch and playing style. Nothing honorable about it. Did the tape thing on the thumb and everything.

I always had two basses back then.

Nowadays and for the last several years, I'm lax about the spare bass, but I'm gonna be more diligent about it. I have a Mono Dual Bass case, so no excuse. And it appears that I might be playing and traveling more. Two basses sounds smart for me.

 

[samtastic]

This all depends on your playing style, Do you have a heavy or hard attack?
Type of strings , Some brands in my experience are prone to break.
Is this gig a casual gig or a professional gig or opportunity. If this is an opportunity, Why leave it to chance? Bring extra strings used or new and a backup bass just in case. You may not needed them but if something happens and you are prepared you will look all the better

 

[retslock]

Hello all, tomorrow I have an interesting gig in a very well know venue in Paris (France).
Usually I **never** ask myself : do I need a second bass, do I need another pack of strings.
Never bring a second bass, never break a strings, I'm not touring, I only play from time to time live.

Does it happen to some of you sometimes.
I have Labella FS Flat 5 strings 125 -45

Is it supersitition, stress, control freak crisis, or just plain good sense ?

txs
pablo

I seem to remember maybe thirty or forty years ago I broke a string on stage. As rare as it is, once is too many times so I always carry a backup bass now.

 

[J Wilson]

Whether you're on a big money artist road date, or playing the little beer joint down the block, you ALWAYS take spare everything. Cables, strings, batteries, strap, or usually it's way faster to carry a second axe, tuned up in fighting shape and ready to go.

Remember, it's YOUR a*s you're covering.

 

[DB66]

No string breaking, well maybe in the beginning years. Now output jacks! I’ve had a few issues always with side mounted jacks, that’s why I prefer top mounted jacks like on Fender.

 

[HolmeBass]

I have had strings break live a few times over my almost 50 years of playing. I have also had worse problems, like input jacks failing and nuts cracking. I have also had amps die on me more than once.

I bring a spare bass, using a double gig bag, and a couple sets of strings. A spare power cable, many instrument cables, spare speakon cables, and strap locks. Also a spare amp.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

Strings, cutter, winder (maybe), spare bass. Spare strings won't fix a failed jack, pot, switch, or preamp.

BBB

 

[pabloramone]

Yep, spare strings a must. On the rare occasions I've forgotten to put a set back in the gig back, I get a little panic-y like, "This is the night I'll blow out a string, I just know it.". LOL

In almost 5 decades of playing, it's happened twice live. If you know your fretboard and only one string broke, it's very little issue to get thru the song or remainder of set.

Know thy fretboard LOL

Yeah it 's another thing to have un mind.

I know it well

 

[pabloramone]

My data point:
in almost 2 decades of gigs: never taken a backup, never broken a string

I never broke a string live ans maybe never with the bass as far as I remind since 1989

 

[pabloramone]

okie deal I'll only bring spare strings. As usual. Want to travel light. Sure spare jack. Ans a pick in case my fingers hurts (never happened). Double electric support for pedals.

Anxiety ? No but I'm asking this this time you make me wonder and I get it : I m the brand new member of the band, that is the explanation of my "stress" ah ah good to realize. Txs

 

[gtirard]

Hello all, tomorrow I have an interesting gig in a very well know venue in Paris (France).

Where do you play? Can I come to see you?
DM me if you want any advice from a Parisian bassist (or if you have the time to share a drink)

 

[pabloramone]

Where do you play? Can I come to see you?
DM me if you want any advice from a Parisian bassist (or if you have the time to share a drink)

Ah ah I play at the new morning

 

[ezstep]

50+ years of playing live, and I broke one string one time. It was back in the 90's when slapping and popping was a big deal. G string. I went to my local music shop and told them I broke a string, and the salesman asked if it were a G string. According to him, he has never seen any other bass string break.
(I changed strings during the break.)

 

[Ricky Rioli]

When I was a teenager, I played guitar. As I tuned my guitar before going on stage for my first ever performance, the bottom E string unravelled - the string's outer wrap slowly said goodbye to the core ‐ and I had to play the gig with 5 strings. Fate strikes rarely, but with astonishing accuracy.