How strong are bass strings

[GC34]

Just got a Fender bass. Let say a set of 100 to 45. I especially want to know how much it takes to break a 100 low E and 80 A string. I remember a user on here from years back did an experiment. He concluded that it took around 160 pounds to break. I think that's too high. Bass String Tension Chart Here is a tension chart I found. On average they around 40 pounds standard tuning. 160 would be about an octave higher. That's quadruple the tension

 

[Tosh]

I broke an E string on a 30" scale Squier bass when I mistakenly tuned it to A and slapped the crap out of it. Lucky it didn't hit me - it broke at the saddle. I doubt that it had 160 lbs of tension on it.

 

[GC34]

I broke an E string on a 30" scale Squier bass when I mistakenly tuned it to A and slapped the crap out of it. Lucky it didn't hit me - it broke at the saddle. I doubt that it had 160 lbs of tension on it.

That's too premature. You must of have done crazy bends on or the string was really or you might of had a sharp edge on the saddle. The bass I got is a 32 and I managed to get the low E to a B flat. Stringjoy Guitar String Tension Calculator A 105 low E would have near 60 pounds of tension on a 30.

 

[JKos]

That's too premature.

Strings have been known to break just tuning up to standard pitch. So, this could certainly happen.

 

[DrBnz]

Interesting .... but how is this useful? Why do we need to know this? What would I do with such information? Whatcha got in mind?

 

[Killing Floor]

Bass string made of metal.
Metal made of ore.
Ore made of rock and stone.
Strong like bull.

 

[fdeck]

You've shown an acoustic bass guitar. I got one recently too. The guitar itself has a tension limit. I contacted the maker (Breedlove) before re-stringing with higher tension strings, and they advised against it.

 

[Jeff Scott]

You've shown an acoustic bass guitar. I got one recently too. The guitar itself has a tension limit. I contacted the maker (Breedlove) before re-stringing with higher tension strings, and they advised against it.

But it could make for a fun and interesting experiment.

 

[GC34]

But it could make for a fun and interesting experiment.

So far got the 100 low E up to A and 80 A up to D. Stopped because the tuners were becoming hard to turn. to On that tension chart I linked a 75 is the heaviest for a D and 90 for A. https://www.talkbass.com/threads/over-tightened-e-string-by-accident.1155810/ A user accidently got a low E up an octave. Still skeptical.

 

[Topkat13]

Please…give me break.

 

[lark_z]

Surely someone has an Instron in their garage/shop?

https://www.instron.com/en/resources/glossary/tensile-strength

 

[HaphAsSard]

Just got a Fender bass. Let say a set of 100 to 45. I especially want to know how much it takes to break a 100 low E and 80 A string. I remember a user on here from years back did an experiment. He concluded that it took around 160 pounds to break. I think that's too high. Bass String Tension Chart Here is a tension chart I found. On average they around 40 pounds standard tuning. 160 would be about an octave higher. That's quadruple the tension

You've wondered the same question for over a decade. So I have got a question for you: what has prevented you from doing a thorough testing?

 

[BassBrass]

They will NOT hold the Hulk. But if you use them for a nest to attach yourself to the ceiling, they will be strong enough.

 

[Andy Marshman]

I've owned so many basses since the 60s (when some string brands were not so high quality). I've had long scale, short scale, acoustic-electric, acoustic and U-bass. I've played finger style and with a pick. I never, ever broke a bass string and I don't play soft and quiet. I can't be the only one to say this. And I don't carry spare string sets to gigs

 

[HardNHeavy]

i hope your friend wasn't 160lbs...

-I've only broke a few over many years, usually at rehearsal, but once was a live gig....ugh!

 

[ardgedee]

I don't think the answer is going to change since the previous half dozen times you've posted this and related questions.

 

[gln1955]

Please…give me break.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Bass strings are stronger than a Kit Kat.

 

[Hounddog409]

I've owned so many basses since the 60s (when some string brands were not so high quality). I've had long scale, short scale, acoustic-electric, acoustic and U-bass. I've played finger style and with a pick. I never, ever broke a bass string and I don't play soft and quiet. I can't be the only one to say this. And I don't carry spare string sets to gigs

Same. Never broke a string

 

[Dincrest]

The only time I broke a string was because of something at the bridge. Maybe it was a bad break angle or the string being improperly seated at the saddle plus the result of me digging too hard.

You know, the only bass I've ever broken a string on was this Warwick Corvette Standard I used to have. I've heard that the design of Warwick bridges is partially to blame. I've had cheaper basses where that was never an issue.

 

[JKaftertwoxans]

Just got a Fender bass. Let say a set of 100 to 45. I especially want to know how much it takes to break a 100 low E and 80 A string. I remember a user on here from years back did an experiment. He concluded that it took around 160 pounds to break. I think that's too high. Bass String Tension Chart Here is a tension chart I found. On average they around 40 pounds standard tuning. 160 would be about an octave higher. That's quadruple the tension

Im currently running 55-110 prosteels at standard tuning and at 57 pounds of tension at the D and G and I'd call around 60 pounds the physical limit to where you can take a string and SAFELY install it without risking damage to your truss rod and contact points like the nut and tuning keys which can end up damaged if not up to snuff due to the immense pressure involved. I lol reading some older threads where people think its possible to damage your strings by tuning them up a whole step from standard, your average medium light set of rounds does not come even close to being stretched to its physical limit at standard tuning.