Lots of broken DR Hi-Beams

As of the past few months, since February I think, I've gone through maybe 8-10 packs of bass strings. I've been using Hi-beams MR45 (.45-.105) on a Warwick Corvette Standard tuned C-G-C-F. Most of the bottom 'E' strings were lasting for as long as three weeks, but as of lately, some only lasted 2 weeks. I thought maybe the gauge was the problem, or at least part of it, but when I put on a Heavy set (.50-.110), the 'E' only lasted 6 DAYS! I do play mostly with a pick, but also some fingerstyle, with no slapping or popping.

The breaking occurs just beyond the end of the saddle closest to the pickups, but not really above the saddle itself.

This is mostly unusual because it was only after I switched to DRs that I had such a high occurency of string breaking. Before that, I only broke a few strings after maybe being in use for 5-6 months, or not at all. I played some Blue Steels Mediums (.50-.105) on this bass if I recall that right. That was the only set I needed, I changed to High Beams for recording and to try DRs out.

The labels say DRs are noted for their "Noticeably longer life" but this just isn't the case for me. Should I try a different type of DRs? The only other option would be to change brands, which isn't something I want to do, because I love the DR tone and feel. Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

Edward

 

Thanks for the quick advice, guys. I thought that about the bridge too from reading other posts, but I took the saddle from my fretless and changed it with the fretted (If you're familiar with Warwick's you'll know what I'm talking about), the fretted's the one that's been giving me the trouble. I've never broken a string with the fretless (yet. I hope I didn't just jinx that). Anyway, I still got broken strings after the switch.

But still, I'll probably take it to get it checked out, that's probably the best idea. And lightening up my picking is probably something I need to do.

Oh yeah...

Lookie here, Wiseguy. J/K. I know you're teasing, but what I meant was that was the first time I bought DRs, after that it was because I liked them. Buying new strings every three weeks wasn't so bad, but if I had to buy them every week...Eeeesh.

Edward

 

It's good to know that I wasn't the only one I guess. I had my bass looked at today and based on where the strings broke (all in the same place, I even brought one of the broken ones for him to see), the tech told me that it was my playing style and not the bridge or saddle.

My pick was a 1.00, but I've since gone to a .80 and become more aware of how hard I'm playing. I've also decided to alternate switching and fingerstyle depending on the song to help lighten up the abuse my strings take. But when I was in a metal band, I played Dropped B tuning 125-65 strings with a 1.52 and didn't break strings as much.

Dragonbass, do you have any recommendations for D'addario's that are especially bright? Right now I'm pretty much open to trying some bright, but longer lasting strings. The reason I've stayed with DR for this long is their bright tone.

Edwcdc, Thanks, I took that from The Caper, where Homestar calls The Cheat Batman. Like my title. Get it?

Sorry, I have no life.

 

45-100 is too lite for me, but thanks for the suggestion.