How delicate are strings, typically?

[BassOfDiamonds]

Are the strings delicate enough to worry about snapping them off if I accidentally pluck too hard? Or are they usually strong enough where I'd literally have to TRY to tear them off?

I just have a cheap rental Fender P Bass. Not brand new, but not antique or anything.

I know it might be a ridiculous question, but wanted to make sure, lol. It was kind of in the back of my mind during practice tonight.

Thanks!

 

[Ottsworth]

What gauge strings are you playing? I've only ever snapped strings whilst playing with a pick a little too hard, and even then it's only been C and G strings (on a 6er)... you should be fine!!!

FYI I play medium light I do believe, my E string is .105

 

[Marton]

I grabbed my bass by the E string when I was younger just to try it (bad idea I know) but the string didn't broke.

Unless you pluck hard (and I mean HARD) you don't have to worry.

I broke three strings in my life, one was a 3 years old G string, the other 2 were tapered E string, same brand/same gauge of sets bought the same day, so probably a factory problem.

 

[JimmyM]

Bass strings are pretty tough, and unless you're using metal picks playing as hard as you can, they'll usually take anything you throw at them for a good long while. But sure, they can break on you sometimes. Personally, I wouldn't give it a minute's thought. If you break a string, you break a string. You can always get another set.

 

[Jazz Ad]

Beginners tend to pull strings too hard and break them a lot.
Cheap basses are more prone to string breakage too because of sharp edges on nut or bridge.
I broke a lot of strings when younger. It hasn't happened for maybe 10 years.

 

[BluPhenix]

They can take a lot of roughness, you can see for yourself here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIHTMFFKB2c

Just ... don't do this at home, or wherever else. To stretch the strings a little is welcome, but what is shown in the video is overkill and IMO very stupid.

Never broke a string on bass in 15 years. But I broke a D string on an acoustic guitar the first time I grabbed one. Obviously guitars (especially acoustics) are not ment for me .

 

[Jordan S.]

^^^ awesome example, I cringe every time I see that vid.

 

[swooch]

i've snapped strings twice playing aggressively with my fingers, but those where old strings. If you change strings before they start sounding like flat wounds you should be fine.

 

[WokenDeer]

I have never broke a string in my 6 small years. Ive seen it done a couple of times though. A well known( to our community) and talented bassist in my area broke his b on a sound check. Blows my mind lol

 

[Diesel Kilgore]

Only once have I had a bass string break on me. But the circumstances were ripe for breakage. About a year old well played set, after sitting for a year in storage with rust spots and crudded dust on them. lol. Bass strings are tough, however I don't use picks, so i've only experienced them to start sounding like someone strung 10 gauge stranded speaker wire for strings.

 

[t77mackie]

Oh, dude... when I got a few beers in me I grab my bass by the strings and whip it around like a rag doll. Never broke anything other than a fingernail...

 

[lmfreeman9]

Beginners tend to pull strings too hard and break them a lot.
Cheap basses are more prone to string breakage too because of sharp edges on nut or bridge.
I broke a lot of strings when younger. It hasn't happened for maybe 10 years.

Never broke one, but one reason beginners may is a lack of head room. If your amp is underpowered you may pluck too hard.

 

[nickrs540]

As long as you don't pull the strings as hard as you can then I think you'll be fine. I've only broken one bass string in my life. A low B, but that was because the full wound was getting on to the tuning peg and causing it to bend in a wierd way.

 

[onda'bass]

only broke 3 strings in my life....all DR's ...never used them again, and never broke a string since .....10+ yrs

 

[Mystic Michael]

I've been playing since 1978. I've never broken a string. Not one time...

MM

 

[F-Clef-Jef]

I broke an A string in 1982. Turned out there was a rough spot on the bridge saddle of my Peavey T-40. Haven't broke any since then.

Although he is definitely going too far, String-Stretcher-Guy on that you-tube video does show just how strong an undamaged string can be.