How long has it been since you last broke a string?

[bbh]

You’ll get more lows if you play lightly at your gigs and practice.

 

[Nephilymbass]

In thinking about it today, I don't think I've broken a string in perhaps 15 years (playing out perhaps two to three times a month).

But decades ago, I remember breaking one or two strings every year.

Has my playing technique improved? Are strings sturdier? Are bass bridges better?

Just random musing . . .

Was in the 90s but I’ve broken a string before. That was back in the early days for me back when I’d go years between string changes. Since then I became a fan of fresh roundwound strings I started changing my strings often I’ve not broken one. I actually bring a backup to every gig because I’ve had other problems than strings breaking. For example playing high energy shows the cable gets bumped and jerked around in the output jack often so I’ve worn a bunch of output jacks out. That normally is the weak link in every bass for me, but I also had a preamp get destroyed because I accidentally touched the 9v to the battery clip backwards in the dark at a gig. If all I did was break a string at a gig I’d probably just go ahead and replace the string unless it was a time sensitive situation

 

[TheHardOne]

It's been a couple years ago now but never at a gig. Only at practice... Metal band, aggressive right hand, tapered low B tuned down to A. Broke it twice a couple months apart. After the 2nd time, i re-evaluated my technique. Not an issue since.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

Pre-tuner ubiquity days, trying to get in tune with a guitarist that was a little above standard tuning.

 

[jdshimkoski]

Broke my last couple of strings about 5 years ago. Broke two during a show.

I’m guessing it was just a bad batch of strings. It was kinda funny. I snapped the A string during one song, did a quick restring of that one then broke the E on the next song.

People must have though I was a beast. Haha.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

In thinking about it today, I don't think I've broken a string in perhaps 15 years (playing out perhaps two to three times a month).

But decades ago, I remember breaking one or two strings every year.

Has my playing technique improved? Are strings sturdier? Are bass bridges better?

Just random musing . . .

Today I change my strings often enough that this is not a problem. Back in the touring days on my EB3 days it was about 2-3 a month (no joke, Roth-sound swing bass) until I started changing them about every other gig. When I switched to a Ric 4001, it went to after every 4th gig. After touring, using mostly Fender Basses, I change them about every 50 -75 hours of use.

Two conclusions, I still can “pop” them pretty good, but don’t do that near as often as I used to. The second is that a set of strings is not a lifetime commitment. They are a fungible part of your gear.

 

[43ManSquamish]

Were they EBs?

Elixir Nickel Wound with the Nanoweb coating. I never chalked it up to Elixir being a bad string; mistakes in manufacturing are done all the time. The newest string, among the others, is still holding up.

I do wish that manufacturers would state the specific strings on a model. Makes it easier for those of us who get an extra pack in case the worst happens.

 

[Davebass77]

I've been playing since 1975 off and on, but seriously since 1982. Never broke one on a gig, a G did break on installation 20 years ago, and of course, having put that out there - we'll see what happens at my gig tonight. Spares, anyone?

 

[Tom Gallo]

I can't remember ever breaking a bass string.

 

[dangerdude]

Back in the 90s I broke three D strings. Took my bass guitar to the shop and the repaired the saddles, as they were obviously a bit sharp. After that I never had problems again.

 

[dalkowski]

Only once, in rehearsal, 25+ years ago, back in my indie-rock-with-a-pick days. Don't remember the string, but I was playing my ol' Ibby RB360.

 

[FerK]

Never.

 

[Hammerfield]

2 years ago. In 10 years of playing I broke 2 strings.

 

[gt96g]

Back when I was 13, 31 now.

 

[Turbo Sparky]

Since never.
IMO, it's like exercise; when installing new strings...proper technique and slow streching followed by warm-ups and some more gentle streching.
.45-.105, mediums, round wound, hex core, or .45-.95 medium-light, round wound, hex core. All are nickel Boomers.

 

[walking Bass]

Never. 55 years on Gibson EB-2 - my oldest strings in use. I don't even break 8s on my SG.

 

[Ric5]

In thinking about it today, I don't think I've broken a string in perhaps 15 years (playing out perhaps two to three times a month).

But decades ago, I remember breaking one or two strings every year.

Has my playing technique improved? Are strings sturdier? Are bass bridges better?

Just random musing . . .

I think the last time I broke a bass string was 1970

 

[locisbrelm]

Broke my E srting the last show I played. Before that, I can not remember when it was last but it was at least a decade. Was slapping like a madman in the first song. Realized my E was suddenly easier to slap and pop, looked down saw that I was pulling it like 3 inches further that I should have been able to. I've broken more tuning pegs than strings so I thought it was the peg giving out at first. Good thing I bring two basses with me!

 

[edencab]

not since I bought my 1st bass and tuned up the G string...newbie unknowingly going for the next octave I guess......"I'll get this string in tune if I have to turn it and turn it and ....oops ..."

 

[JimB52]

48 years and counting. Actually, Never.
I must play with a light touch.
Mostly Fender or Fender clones, a few different other brands. Strings ranged from EBMM, Fender, TI and Rotos, guage from 45-105 to 30 -90 Funkmasters