How many pros here never broke a string?

[Mastiff_5]

Playing in a metal band many moons ago, I broke my E string several times, during shows. I got to where I could rip off the bad string and replace it quickly, almost like a stage gag; almost like part of the show. It had to be a burr on my bridge that would cut into the string (that’s) always where it broke and wound-out. I should have just found and filed down the sharp edge/burr, and filed it a bit, but I sold the bass and got a MUCH higher quality axe. Haven’t broken a string in the 20 years since. I also quit punishing my bass like a complete idiot. Ahhh, the bad old days…

 

[Mastiff_5]

(Additionally, while the crowd would cheer like crazy, my guitar player HATED the phenomenon. Maybe why it took me a few shows to alleviate the problem

 

[2saddleslab]

You'd think that w/ all the wives tales about string thru & flat wounds broken strings would be my nemesis [NOT]! After 38 years & over 3K gigs I never ever broke a string on a 2 saddle bridge.

The only time I've broken a string was when I placed my [at the time] '71 Jazz bass on a stand during break. Someone playing pool nearby knocked a cue ball off the table, it hit my bass against about the 12 fret, and broke the string in two.

 

[Andy Marshman]

I was a weekend warrior playing bars and clubs so I'll call myself semi-pro. With all the practicing and the gigs, even in the 60s with the lesser quality strings, I never, ever broke a bass string. Today, playing in retirement communities and homes I still don't bring any spare strings.

 

[mcnach]

I been playing Professionally for 45 years and never broke a string. Anyone else?

Broken the G string live once in 15 years, playing a very energetic fast slap tune. I imagined if I played walking bass blues lines I might have lasted longer...

 

[Bunk McNulty]

I've been playing semi-professionally since...a long time ago. Broke an A once, but the most memorable was breaking the E and not only not having a backup, not having any spare strings. Our sound guy, a MacGyver type, fixed it:

 

[Geogio]

- I broke a flatwound on a bridge-through Fender Jazz fretless, I was stymied. I checked everything, checked for burrs on the roller all kinds of stuff and I could not figure out why it broke other than an anomaly of that particular string itself.
It broke around the roller, if memory serves it was the A, and it was a Fender flat made by d'addario to Fender specs, I do not know if Fender Flats made by d'addario are hex cord or round core.

As luck would have it there was a fretted Fender Jazz up on stage that belonged to somebody else and I grabbed it, plugged in, didn't miss much... needless to say I switched brands of flatwounds after that gig.

 

[BaltBass5]

Pro x25 years, No broken strings but I change strings about every 9 hours of playing time and use 3 different basses at any given gig (Tunings of E, Eb, D standard)

 

[etoncrow]

Been playing bass for 45 years; five years professionally. Never broke a string.

 

[Medicine Man]

Once on tour in Europe, whatever kind of strings came stock on cheap Yamaha's in the 90s.

 

[Thumpin6string]

I'm not a pro and have been playing 50 years without breaking a string.

 

[ZachM]

once when I was 18. that was during the "boil your strings" era

Same, in my first couple years of playing I would boil my strings and had a number of them break on me after that process. Once I discovered denatured alcohol I never had a problem with it again

 

[Acoop]

Just once and maybe 49-years ago. ... Rotosound brought out the piano style round wounds where the strings centre core lay over top the bridge for extra twang, I guess. ... Anyway I had them on my 66 P-bass with the original threaded bridge and I guess the bridge cut through the string, breaking it and, in the middle of a song, sent the string out into the dance floor.

 

[Hiroi Kikuri]

10 year player not a pro never broke one installing or playing

 

[Killing Floor]

The first day my dumb friend said “we’re starting a band and your the bass player because it has 4 strings like your violin”, I was 12 and got handed some nameless junker and I broke a string.
That’s the last time from playing. 1978
I’ve broken strings installing and I’ve cut them too short because there’s no “back” button for being a dummy. And broken a few guitar strings over the years but not that many.
Not sure if relevant but I mostly play tips and nails and knuckles on guitar so pick material isn’t an issue.
The one weird thing that’s consistent is if I wait too long to replace my main guitar’s strings the windings will break on the D or G. Never had that happen on a bass. Makes a cool effect!

 

[Bassdirty]

No broken strings. I only gig on weekends, there's a long ongoing debate about guys like me with dayjobs who are in paid professional bands.
I'm a paid Weekend Warrior.

Me too.
Not sure if considered pro/semi pro/hack/etc., but regardless, Never Broke a string. (i feel like I shld knock on wood now).


T$

 

[MrLenny1]

Broke one G string in 30 years.
I was young then.

 

[hasbeen]

I managed to break one string in 35 years of playing. An A string during a recording session in 2001. People used to call me a fool for bringing a spare bass (and strings) to sessions and gigs. "You're not a guitar player, are you? Nobody breaks a bass string, right?" Wrong! I still don't know why it broke as it was barely a day on the bass, but I was glad I came prepared. It may be rare, even if you don't replace your strings as often as @hasbeen does, but it happens.

A popular story is dat James Jamerson never replaced his strings unless they broke. I'm not sure how long it took him to replace an entire set or if he ever did, but I would never take that risk. Fresh strings on every show or recording session I'm at. Breaking a string can happen to us all. And yes, I still bring a spare bass and/or strings. Better safe than sorry. Am I a fool for still doing so? Then so be it.

I'm luck in that I don't have to pay for them

 

[Muaddibb]

Not sure I’m a pro but I have played out over 40 years. I’ve never broken a string, a bass, yes. Strings were fine.

 

[RGerhart]

I been playing Professionally for 45 years and never broke a string. Anyone else?

Yep!