Ever break a string?

[JPrinos]

I went to a local bar (The Silver Dollar) last Friday (Jan 3) here in Toronto and saw 3 bands.

The last one had this bass player using a Fender Jazz (MIM?). His playing was interesting to me. His band was playing originals and his parts were pretty cool and melodic. The only thing was he was playing with a pretty high intensity. He was using fingers and for some of his playing, he emulated a pick style with his fingers. In the middle of is set, he played so hard, he broke his D string.

Anyone else ever break a string playing? I can't imagine playing so hard to break what is best described as a steel cable.

 

[Purplefowler]

Yep. Back in the day I was in a Britpop/new wave band and had a g string go on stage. It was one of the scariest experiences! It went with a huge twang and whipped out just missing me. When bass strings go, they go with some force!

 

[Slowgypsy]

Doesn't happen as frequently as 6-string guitar, but it does happen.

 

[coughiefiend]

Yup... in the 23 years that I've been playing it's only happened twice, but it certainly can!

 

[Humbled]

Two g-strings on the same show in about 1982 or so. I suspect the sets I was carrying had been assembled out of a bad run of .045s.

 

[Levin Hannaford]

I used to break E strings regularly when I first started playing in bands. I used super heavy picks, and I'd go through about one or two E strings a month, all broken at the bridge. After getting a bass with a better bridge and easing up in the attack a little, I've not broken a string in probably 7-8 years.

 

[cnltb]

Ever break a string?

Yes.
On my ashbory.

 

[Scottkarch]

Few months ago.. broke my A string during Barracuda. Broke the core at the bridge.. windings held the string together enough that it got itself wrapped/tangled up in both the D and G string... Swapped to my backup bass in about 8 seconds and kept playing.

I think I've had it happen 3-4 times total. I play pretty aggressively, fingers and pick.

 

[GLEN18INCHSPICA]

Only once or twice maybe & not since the late 80's. It was probably due to bad strings or a bur on the bridge as I haven't had it happen since.

 

[mimaz]

Only once in 35 years of gigging. And yes, it left a mark. (on me)

 

[headband]

Yes, but not in 30 or so years. When younger I played aggressively with a pick. It happened 2 or 3 times.

 

[etoncrow]

I have run flats strung thru-body, playing finger style since 1982 and have never broken a string

 

[spade2you]

Seems that the only strings I've broken were simply dud strings.

 

[JPrinos]

Another question. When you broke a string, was it while picking or playing with fingers?

 

[ranman1990]

Broke an a string first time I ever played

 

[mimaz]

Another question. When you broke a string, was it while picking or playing with fingers?

Since I have never played with a pick....

 

[bass geetarist]

I'd guess I've broken 10 or less in about 20 years of aggressive fingerstyle playing. Probably about 30-40 6 string guitar strings, though I play guitar much less frequently.

 

[Thrust Meatnozl]

Back in my road days (early 80s) I would constantly break the A & occasionally the E. I was pretty much a straight up pick player back then & I figure it was just corrosion from my hand resting on the bridge 4 hours a night, 6 nights a week.
They always broke at the core so suddenly it would just go slack. I was playing a Ray & a 4001 at the time & it happened with 'em both.
Play finger style now & haven't broken a string in many, many years of pretty aggressive wailing. I suspect my technique may also have improved.

 

[nysbob]

I broke an E last night.

I play with my fingers. I break 3 or 4 a year and have done that every year since I started 40+ years ago.

Most commonly broken is E, but I get 'em all sooner or later.

 

[two fingers]

Sure. Several A strings over the years and a few E and B strings. I was actually partially endorsed by a string company (still am technically) and can't use their stuff because I pop their A strings like nothing.