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Double Bass How did I do this? Broke my Spirocore mittel E string!!

Les Fret

Les Fret

Sep 9, 2009
7,213
6,926
nextlevel-slapbass.com
#1
Yesterday I was tuning up. Nothing special and all off sudden there was this horrible noise. Thought my bass was splitting in two. Luckily it was only the E string breaking and nothing happened to my bass. Also happy that it was at home and not at a gig. Had this string on my bass for a year or so already. I have no idea how this happened. Can it be due to temperature changes or something? Did you ever break an E string? or any upright string?

I think it is a mittel E? Not sure anymore. I has the red wrapping not the purple one that weichs have...

IMG_2345.JPG
 
#5
ctrlzjones said:
Happend here too. If you are like me and cannot let go of dead Spiros (althought that one year is nothing), there are clamps that remarry broken wire for a long time after an initial split.
Click to expand...

haha..the string wasn't dead though, only one year old. Should at least last three years or so. But I am not sure if I bought it used or new I have to admit.

Didn't know that the inner or of the sting was that copper like metal? is it copper or something?
 
#6
Les Fret said:
Yesterday I was tuning up. Nothing special and all off sudden there was this horrible noise. Thought my bass was splitting in two. Luckily it was only the E string breaking and nothing happened to my bass. Also happy that it was at home and not at a gig. Had this string on my bass for a year or so already. I have no idea how this happened. Can it be due to temperature changes or something? Did you ever break an E string? or any upright string?

I think it is a mittel E? Not sure anymore. I has the red wrapping not the purple one that weichs have...

View attachment 3871846
Click to expand...
It looks like the slots in the nut are way too deep and may have caused the E string to bind in the (deep) slot.
I was taught that the nut slot should only be about 1/3 as deep as the diameter of the string - 2/3 of the string should be above (not "in") the slot.
I Am Not A Luthier. (Maybe cross-post this in "Set Up and Repair"?)
Thanks.
 
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#9
Those nut slots look fine, and that’s not the point where the string broke, so we’ll need to move on.

It appears to me that the core broke at its’ point of contact with the roller. That suggests either a defective string, or a sharp edge on the roller.

I would remove the A string, dismount that tuner plate for ease of access, and carefully check for sharp edges. If you find one, or more, remove it using a rattail file and reassemble.
 
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#10
Don Kasper said:
It looks like the slots in the nut are way too deep and may have caused the E string to bind in the (deep) slot.
I was taught that the nut slot should only be about 1/3 as deep as the diameter of the string - 2/3 of the string should be above (not "in") the slot.
I Am Not A Luthier. (Maybe cross-post this in "Set Up and Repair"?)
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Hi Don, the slots are fine. They are done by a luthier. I can not detect any sharp edges at the roller. I think it might be a defective string or so. Thanks for all the help.
 
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#12
Since it broke at the tuning post, it will take a little work, but you should be able to use a pair of pliers or vise grips and tie a knot to reconnect the two broken sections and continue to use the string. The knot will still be past the nut and not (no pun intended) affect the string. I've done this multiple times and consider it a valuable tool when on the gig with no spares. YES, it will work with mittels. While you are at it, take a small section of 220 grit sandpaper and smooth out the string hole on the post. You likely have a small burr that is causing the string to break.

I once broke a Spirocore stark the first time I tuned up a new string because of the exact problem. 'Sounded like a gunshot and everyone hit the deck!
 
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#13
Michael Glynn said:
Is it possible that the string was squeezed against the inside cheek of the pegbox? If so maybe part of the string was being held stationary there by friction and as you tuned up all the strain went into the tiny portion of the string behind that.
Click to expand...

you mean that the string touched the wood of the pegbox? I don't think that was the case since I always check that.
I that was case it would have snapped sooner already I guess?
 
#14
james condino said:
Since it broke at the tuning post, it will take a little work, but you should be able to use a pair of pliers or vise grips and tie a knot to reconnect the two broken sections and continue to use the string. The knot will still be past the nut and not (no pun intended) affect the string. I've done this multiple times and consider it a valuable tool when on the gig with no spares.

I once broke a Spirocore stark the first time I tuned up a new string because of the exact problem. 'Sounded like a gunshot and everyone hit the deck!
Click to expand...

I think the string is beyond repair. I will buy a new one. I am curious how you exactly reconnect the sections though. You never now when this might come handy...
I agree that it sounded like that gunshot. It scared the s**t out of me! :)
 
#20
The inner windings are alloys that contain copper (and brass, I think).
Also had an old Spiro Mittel E break, but probably because I got the EUB used and the string got clamped at the peg.

I used the knot James showed for gut strings or to be honest by knotting a braided Perlon line to elongated gut strings (G and D) which were too short for my 4/4 5- string.

Just one warning in general:
the high bending in the knot stresses the material a lot more and it can break at the knot.
An alternative could be to just use friction by knotting a soft material like the Perlon line with a double and one or more single knots and maybe finishing with a double one. Each knot needs to be fastened tightly with pliers (make sure not to harm the Perlon line).

I have a prototype high C that broke because of a too narrow slot in a new nut. It broke or slipped three or four times trying to make a knot in it. I tried a knot with more windings to enlarge the friction, but it was not possible to tighten it enough, so the string slipped. Making several smaller knots that could be tightened better individually did the trick. But I was lucky that this happened in the silk wound part where the string is not that even like on the playable part of the string where the windings might slip easily.
 

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