Haven't broken a string in twelve years. Playing with fingers. I saw a guy break a string on an old highschool bass once though.
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Ever break a string?
- Thread starter JPrinos
- Start date
Yes, quite a few times, although less now than 15 or more years ago. Would break all different ones, on my Jazz usually the A or D. The last time was now a couple of years ago, broke an old G string on my SSD (Spector).
Yep. Using D'Addario XL-165 on a Fender Precision (VS '62) I broke the A string a couple of times. Always the gig after I said to myself "I should really change strings, but I can get one more gig out of 'em". Why the A? Because the core snapped at the saddle and the D has a pretty small core, but big enough to be stiff. I was also playing a LOT in those days- between gigging at least 65 times a year (and these are four to five-hour gigs), rehearsals with the bands, practice on my own, and teaching about 20 lessons a week I put a LOT of wear on those strings.
The only other time I've snapped a string was on a beautiful Hamer Cruise Bass with the 2-Tek bridge. I kept breaking G strings at the saddle on that one and never could figure out why. The problem eventually lead me to sell the bass, even though it's simply the BEST Jazz bass clone I've ever played (and I managed a Fender dealer for 11 years).
Note that if one is breaking strings at the bridge saddle, and it's the core that's breaking rather than the windings wearing out, it's probably NOT a burr on the saddle. That burr would have to cut through the windings to break the core. It's much more likely to be metal fatigue caused by a sharp angle at the bridge combined with an aggressive attack.
John
The only other time I've snapped a string was on a beautiful Hamer Cruise Bass with the 2-Tek bridge. I kept breaking G strings at the saddle on that one and never could figure out why. The problem eventually lead me to sell the bass, even though it's simply the BEST Jazz bass clone I've ever played (and I managed a Fender dealer for 11 years).
Note that if one is breaking strings at the bridge saddle, and it's the core that's breaking rather than the windings wearing out, it's probably NOT a burr on the saddle. That burr would have to cut through the windings to break the core. It's much more likely to be metal fatigue caused by a sharp angle at the bridge combined with an aggressive attack.
John
Broke a low B about 11 years ago onstage. About 8 years ago I broke the D onstage and then 2 songs later I broke my A. Not a good night.
once in a while. maybe once a year.
usually during a big ending or something where I am yanking on that thing too much.
I play aggressively sometimes, but who knows, sometimes I go a couple years with no strings breaking, then will break 2 in the space of a week, on different basses with decent strings.
usually during a big ending or something where I am yanking on that thing too much.
I play aggressively sometimes, but who knows, sometimes I go a couple years with no strings breaking, then will break 2 in the space of a week, on different basses with decent strings.
I never use a pick. I've broken one string in 40 years. Of course, it was during a gig, and it was the A string. Fortunately, I had a spare set in my case.
+1 the cores give out. Rounds, flats, doesn't matter, I'll break it after a certain point.
I play with a heavy hand, I'll admit it. I've become pretty adept at finishing out a tune with one gone, though.
Back in the 70's I played EB3's with Picato Nylon Tapewounds. Had one G string unwind on me but the spare EB3 carried me through.
Never carried spare strings in those days and rarely a spare bass.
Never carried spare strings in those days and rarely a spare bass.
Only bass string I can remember breaking was a DR black beauties d string on my mia p, where the core snapped at the bridge saddle. I play finger style only, but quite aggressively when I get excited, and the string set in question had been used for 8-9 shows and a lot of practice sessions over 6 months.
24 yrs ago my A string popped and hell yeah its scary. I was in college back then and used to boil my strings to bring em back to life cuz I was broke. Dont laugh, it works pretty good for about 2 boils and gives em new life for another few weeks to a month. About the 3rd boil they are shot and go dead again after a few hours of playing. So my strings would be on my bass far past their intended service life for rounds anyway. Havent broken one since but back then my technique was brawn thain brains...
About three weeks ago, first time in 17 years of playing. The A string. The strings were less than a year old.
I have never broken a string except for one time when I tuned the G-string on one of my basses way too high.
I used to do this too, seemed to brighten them up a little. I think I added a little vinegar for cleaning.
Make sure to take them out while they're al dente.
Broke a D-string once. The string literally just started unwinding. Probably broken about 7 guitar strings (when I play guitar, which isn't very often at all).
When I was playing four night gigs, I broke a string every week.
Thought it was a problem with the bridge but turns out I just play too hard.
Thought it was a problem with the bridge but turns out I just play too hard.
I broke two E strings in a week once, both at the nut. I thought I had a problem with the nut but I changed brands and it's not happened again.
I've also broken the odd D or G that's been cut too short and has been over-wound at the tuners
I've also broken the odd D or G that's been cut too short and has been over-wound at the tuners
