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How long has it been since you last broke a string?
- Thread starter rockdoc11
- Start date
I’ve gone thru a few g strings in my time 
but never broke a bass guitar string. Did break a g string on a double bass once a long time ago.
but never broke a bass guitar string. Did break a g string on a double bass once a long time ago.
Years ago before my technique became honed....I used to break E strings by bearing down on the string to hard with my thumb, which was anchored on the string while I was playing on the higher strings. Usually they would unwind more than a clean break, and I would stretch it out to arms length and put the floppy string behind my head so it didn’t interfere with the others strings, and keep playing until the end of the tune. I couldn’t afford a backup in those days, but I always had a spare set with me.
Only once in 30 years. I was filling in for few months in a cover band in China (Hard Rock Cafe tour) and found a set of bass strings with Chinese writing on them for $5. I thought they were a bargain. The second night I used them I broke the low E string and had to finish the set without it.
For those songs where I was lazy and only learned the notes as positions on the fret-board - rather than actual chordal notes - I was caught out, and lost at sea. It was both hilarious and horrifying. And it was at that moment I learned the meaning of: all that glitters is not gold.
For those songs where I was lazy and only learned the notes as positions on the fret-board - rather than actual chordal notes - I was caught out, and lost at sea. It was both hilarious and horrifying. And it was at that moment I learned the meaning of: all that glitters is not gold.
Back after I got my Carvin LB-70, I was breaking the G string when I was working on slap/pop stuff. It was breaking at the bridge. I took a metal file and smoothed it out, no more string breaking.
My string of choice are DR High Beams, 45-105. That thick e-string combined with the really tiny posts on the LB-70 with locking tuners was a REALLY tight bend for the core to make. I have about a 1-in-5 shot at being able to wrap the E around that tiny post without the dreaded "TINK" of the core breaking when trying to bring it up to tension. Happens all the time.
I should consider:
1) dumping the bass (bought it new in '93)
2) going to a lighter gauge string
3) drilling out the head stock and fitting tuners with fatter posts (if that can be done)
It is a rather silly design, in my opinion.
My string of choice are DR High Beams, 45-105. That thick e-string combined with the really tiny posts on the LB-70 with locking tuners was a REALLY tight bend for the core to make. I have about a 1-in-5 shot at being able to wrap the E around that tiny post without the dreaded "TINK" of the core breaking when trying to bring it up to tension. Happens all the time.
I should consider:
1) dumping the bass (bought it new in '93)
2) going to a lighter gauge string
3) drilling out the head stock and fitting tuners with fatter posts (if that can be done)
It is a rather silly design, in my opinion.
I have only broken one in the last 5 years. Before that, it would be fairly frequent.
It's astounding what lighter strings and a lighter touch can do for that.
It's astounding what lighter strings and a lighter touch can do for that.
25 years ago, playing some metal tune in rehearsal and using a pick, I broke an A string. It took three hits before it actually fully broke. I noticed it sounded "off" and kept sounding worse. The core broke up by the tuner and the windings kept it together for a while. It impressed the hell out of the rest of the band. LOL.
About 5 years ago, I didn't break the G string, but our singer and I got too close during a show (small stage) and the end of it snagged his shirt and yanked it off the tuner.
About 5 years ago, I didn't break the G string, but our singer and I got too close during a show (small stage) and the end of it snagged his shirt and yanked it off the tuner.
I broke an E once right before a gig on a friday night 30 years ago. Suzy Quatro and Rose Tattoo were playing on the Saturday night and Suzy walked up and said " here..play this bass and i will re string yours.
I still have that set on the same 76 Precision today.
I still have that set on the same 76 Precision today.
They are not that thick when you play with a 0.030 to 0.090 set and slap/pull hours on end with them and bending them like elastics. If I slap with piccolo strings I will break them in a few hours haha.
I not particularly superstitious, but I'm not going to answer this question. 
I have never broken a string, but have only been playing for 6 years. I have seen someone break 2 strings, on a 5 string bass, on the same song! Keith Macksound, of Belgian RIO band Present, at NEARfest 2005. Low B and E strings. I saw him the following week and joked about it.
Not since the late 70s when I was told to boil my Rotosounds to bring back some life to them. I had one or two break at the tuning peg, after several boilings.
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