• 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.

Broke my first bass string tonight

N

NotHereNow

Aug 20, 2024
165
466
#1
The title says it all. I've been playing bass for about 3 years now and this was the first time I've had one snap. Luckily, I have every set of strings I've ever changed so it wasn't a big deal and it wasn't like I was performing or anything. I think this set was about 9 months old and I was very happy with the sound of the strings. I was actually wondering if I would know when it was time to get a new set. Well, now I know. New set ordered.

I hear about these players that use the same set of strings for years and years. I was actually toying with the idea of just keeping a set of strings indefinitely and not changing them on at least one bass-just as an experiment. In the interest of having this thread actually go somewhere, I'll pose this question: would you just replace the broken string or get a full new set? Assume you are happy with the sound of the "broken in" strings at 9 months. Is this just the start of the sweet spot, or are these strings past their prime and ready to be replaced?

If it matters, the strings are EB cobalt rounds on a 6-string. Bonus points if you guess which string broke.
 
#2
NotHereNow said:
The title says it all. I've been playing bass for about 3 years now and this was the first time I've had one snap. Luckily, I have every set of strings I've ever changed so it wasn't a big deal and it wasn't like I was performing or anything. I think this set was about 9 months old and I was very happy with the sound of the strings. I was actually wondering if I would know when it was time to get a new set. Well, now I know. New set ordered.

I hear about these players that use the same set of strings for years and years. I was actually toying with the idea of just keeping a set of strings indefinitely and not changing them on at least one bass-just as an experiment. In the interest of having this thread actually go somewhere, I'll pose this question: would you just replace the broken string or get a full new set? Assume you are happy with the sound of the "broken in" strings at 9 months. Is this just the start of the sweet spot, or are these strings past their prime and ready to be replaced?

If it matters, the strings are EB cobalt rounds on a 6-string. Bonus points if you guess which string broke.
Click to expand...
If you are going to change just one string of a set of 'dead' strings then you need to replace it with an equally dead string or it will sound off - I've done it once and it wasn't good.

In my first few years of playing regularly in a cover band I broke strings regularly. I used old strings and played way to hard on amps that were either underpowered or just not turned up enough - I actually bought a heap of cheap old bass strings at one point just for spares for this situation.

I like the sound of old strings. Someone eventually gave me a second hand set of flat wounds which I put on a pbass and have been using since. I play with a pick due to wrist issues and it gives me plenty of extra zing which is one of the reason I don't like new strings.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mikewalker
#3
NotHereNow said:
The title says it all. I've been playing bass for about 3 years now and this was the first time I've had one snap. Luckily, I have every set of strings I've ever changed so it wasn't a big deal and it wasn't like I was performing or anything. I think this set was about 9 months old and I was very happy with the sound of the strings. I was actually wondering if I would know when it was time to get a new set. Well, now I know. New set ordered.

I hear about these players that use the same set of strings for years and years. I was actually toying with the idea of just keeping a set of strings indefinitely and not changing them on at least one bass-just as an experiment. In the interest of having this thread actually go somewhere, I'll pose this question: would you just replace the broken string or get a full new set? Assume you are happy with the sound of the "broken in" strings at 9 months. Is this just the start of the sweet spot, or are these strings past their prime and ready to be replaced?

If it matters, the strings are EB cobalt rounds on a 6-string. Bonus points if you guess which string broke.
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear that happened to you OP! I've heard mixed reviews about EB strings, especially their QC.

It really depends on the strings. Time only makes flats sound better, but it kills rounds and semi-flats. I used to change my rounds and semi-flats every year due to budgetary concerns. But I wanted a brighter tone, so I now change my rounds every quarter.

I'm guessing that you broke the high C string because it's the thinnest.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Lance Bunyon
#6
NotHereNow said:
The title says it all. I've been playing bass for about 3 years now and this was the first time I've had one snap. Luckily, I have every set of strings I've ever changed so it wasn't a big deal and it wasn't like I was performing or anything. I think this set was about 9 months old and I was very happy with the sound of the strings. I was actually wondering if I would know when it was time to get a new set. Well, now I know. New set ordered.

I hear about these players that use the same set of strings for years and years. I was actually toying with the idea of just keeping a set of strings indefinitely and not changing them on at least one bass-just as an experiment. In the interest of having this thread actually go somewhere, I'll pose this question: would you just replace the broken string or get a full new set? Assume you are happy with the sound of the "broken in" strings at 9 months. Is this just the start of the sweet spot, or are these strings past their prime and ready to be replaced?

If it matters, the strings are EB cobalt rounds on a 6-string. Bonus points if you guess which string broke.
Click to expand...

Ernie ball again....... :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:
 
  • Haha
Reactions: BigBoneRed
#9
NotHereNow said:
I've been playing bass for about 3 years now and this was the first time I've had one snap. Luckily, I have every set of strings I've ever changed so it wasn't a big deal and it wasn't like I was performing or anything. I think this set was about 9 months old and I was very happy with the sound of the strings. I was actually wondering if I would know when it was time to get a new set.
Click to expand...
Where did it break? At the bridge, at the tuner post, or somewhere in between? Were you playing the bass when it happened?

Cobalt Rounds are not exactly known for retaining their optimal tone for a long time. But if you like their "broken in" tone at 9 months, that's a bonus.
 
#10
michael_t said:
Where did it break? At the bridge, at the tuner post, or somewhere in between? Were you playing the bass when it happened?

Cobalt Rounds are not exactly known for retaining their optimal tone for a long time. But if you like their "broken in" tone at 9 months, that's a bonus.
Click to expand...
It broke at the tuner post. I was adjusting the intonation so tuning and detuning a lot right before.
 
#12
NotHereNow said:
The title says it all. I've been playing bass for about 3 years now and this was the first time I've had one snap. Luckily, I have every set of strings I've ever changed so it wasn't a big deal and it wasn't like I was performing or anything. I think this set was about 9 months old and I was very happy with the sound of the strings. I was actually wondering if I would know when it was time to get a new set. Well, now I know. New set ordered.

I hear about these players that use the same set of strings for years and years. I was actually toying with the idea of just keeping a set of strings indefinitely and not changing them on at least one bass-just as an experiment. In the interest of having this thread actually go somewhere, I'll pose this question: would you just replace the broken string or get a full new set? Assume you are happy with the sound of the "broken in" strings at 9 months. Is this just the start of the sweet spot, or are these strings past their prime and ready to be replaced?

If it matters, the strings are EB cobalt rounds on a 6-string. Bonus points if you guess which string broke.
Click to expand...
As for the length of time before change is needed, the first to consider is the mechanical interactions of making a string vibrate.. Like any other mechanical application the more friction created, the more wear occurs. Too much wear, pop.

So the million dollar question is when to swap them out. And the million dollar answer is it depends. Take this from a guy that when I plucked strings, it looked like I was drawing a bow. From the sounds of things, this is kind of a one off. For me, I absolutely hate dead strings and I swap out my DR Lo Riders at about 75 hours of play. Sooner if I'm gigging a lot. I haven't broken one of those is over 20 years. @ $25 a set ( a decent meal in a restaurant which I rarely frequent, I prefer my much more affordable cooking), it's not a major blow to the budget.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mikewalker
#13
NotHereNow said:
I've been playing bass for about 3 years now and this was the first time I've had one snap.
Click to expand...

If it's any consolation: I've been playing bass for 50 years now, and the only time I've ever had a string break was within the first ~2 or 3 years

...and it was my fault, I was trying to get rid of some additional silk winding that was starting to fray, so I tried burning it off with a lit match! *SNAP!* goes the string!

iow, what you experienced isn't too common an occurance. I'll bet you don't have any strings snap in the next 3 years.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NotHereNow
#17
I used to break the D string in 4 string sets of the rotosound RS66, std set.. They would break at the bridge saddle on my 4001, which has kind of a triangle shaped saddle, so the string would fatigue, and break right at the witness point when digging into it.. (probably not changed often enough..:rolleyes:
For me.. I would start fresh with a new set. Although- if using flats, the consensus would be that they only get better with age. YMMV
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Groove Doctor
#18
BigBoneRed said:
I used to break the D string in 4 string sets of the rotosound RS66, std set.. They would break at the bridge saddle on my 4001, which has kind of a triangle shaped saddle, so the string would fatigue, and break right at the witness point when digging into it.. (probably not changed often enough..:rolleyes:
For me.. I would start fresh with a new set. Although- if using flats, the consensus would be that they only get better with age. YMMV
Click to expand...
I bought TWO sets of Roto RS66 rounds 10 years ago. (Billy Sheehan custom gauges). Had a set on my P bass the whole time, the other set as a backup.

My brother (pro guitar tech) serviced it and used the spare set of strings & one broke when setting the action (hidden truss rod at heel of neck). The A string.

Another one broke recently, only a few months later. The D string. I guess 10 years is their limit while still in their cardboard packaging. Strangely, never an issue with the played strings other than super-dead-rounds tone.
 
  • Wow
Reactions: BigBoneRed

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back