Slap Bass Strings

[_aflores_funk]

Hey guys, so recently I bought some elixir light gauge strings and they were doing great but I had the G string break twice after having the set for about two weeks. After the first time I emailed Elixir and they mailed me a new set very quickly(great service) but after putting on the new set, the G string broke AGAIN after having them on there for just a week! The snap occurred at the bride right on the saddle. I have a Fender American Deluxe Jazz V if that makes any difference.
Just wanted to know if I'm getting the wrong gauge strings or if its the wrong strings for the style of playing, which I doubt because they sounded GREAT for slap.

Any comments would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Baird6869]

There is likely a burr or something on your saddle.

I slap a lot and have a very heavy touch... But haven't broke a string in 5+ years. Also, I use light (.040-.120 on my 5ers) strings.

 

[_aflores_funk]

There is likely a burr or something on your saddle.

I slap a lot and have a very heavy touch... But haven't broke a string in 5+ years. Also, I use light (.040-.120 on my 5ers) strings.

Yeah, I'll have to check my saddle then, hadnt thought about that. I was really concerned because I never had that problem with my old strings even though they were like 15$ compared to elixirs 50$

 

[Ian_Flash]

Sounds like you have a burr on your saddle or an improper break angle over the saddle. Which bridge is on your Am Dlx J 5? Is it the OEM bridge from Fender? Does it string thru-body only or do you have the option of top-loading?

 

[_aflores_funk]

Sounds like you have a burr on your saddle or an improper break angle over the saddle. Which bridge is on your Am Dlx J 5? Is it the OEM bridge from Fender? Does it string thru-body only or do you have the option of top-loading?

I honestly have no idea which bridge it is, it's the stock one that came on my 08 fender jazz. And I string thru body

 

[_aflores_funk]

I'll take a picture of the saddle when I get home in a few minutes

 

[placedesjardins]

Weird, I've never broken a string and I've gone with extra-extra-light gauge so it starts at 0.030

 

[placedesjardins]

...Any comments would be appreciated! Thanks!

If you titled the thread 'I broke my G-string twice', it would get more traffic.

 

[Ian_Flash]

Cool. Some Fender USA's used a dual-option bridge that may provide a solution. A pic will be worth 1000 words so I'll look out for it when you get a chance.

 

[_aflores_funk]

If you titled the thread 'I broke my G-string twice', it would get more traffic.

I was kinda thinking along those lines when I posted lol

 

[_aflores_funk]

Cool. Some Fender USA's used a dual-option bridge that may provide a solution. A pic will be worth 1000 words so I'll look out for it when you get a chance.

 

[Ewo]

Maybe you're pulling the string too hard when you pop on the G string?

And maybe stringing through the body makes the break angle over the bridge saddle a bit too sharp?

 

[Duckwater]

This used to happen to me. Then I finally got some sandpaper and smoothed out my bridge saddles, haven't broken a string since.

 

[_aflores_funk]

Maybe you're pulling the string too hard when you pop on the G string?

And maybe stringing through the body makes the break angle over the bridge saddle a bit too sharp?

That's a good point, I'll try stringing over top and see how that goes

 

[_aflores_funk]

This used to happen to me. Then I finally got some sandpaper and smoothed out my bridge saddles, haven't broken a string since.

How often do you sand them? And what grit?

 

[crobasster]

Maybe you're pulling the string too hard when you pop on the G string?

And maybe stringing through the body makes the break angle over the bridge saddle a bit too sharp?

This for sure.

 

[Duckwater]

How often do you sand them? And what grit?

I only had to do it once, but I would recommend doing it a few times a year if you use rough strings. My main bass has a brass bridge and I used a few different kinds, from about 150 to 300 until the saddles were smooth.

 

[_aflores_funk]

I only had to do it once, but I would recommend doing it a few times a year if you use rough strings. My main bass has a brass bridge and I used a few different kinds, from about 150 to 300 until the saddles were smooth.

Ok, thanks for the help!

 

[GroovinOnFunk]

Turn up, lower your action, play softer. Sounds silly, but it really is something you can work on and practice. I've never once broken a string playing, to be honest, so I can't really relate.
Me, I turn up to the perfect volume for whatever the situation, then I turn up a good bit more and play that much softer. It works for me

 

[Ian_Flash]

Those Grooves in the saddles were an upgrade introduced in 2008, in addition to a higher mass bridge. The grooves were there to fine-tune the string spacing. The drawback is that the narrow groove "pinches" or "crimps" the string at its' most stressed point which is the break over the saddle. A lighter string/thinner core will be more likely to fail especially with aggressive playing styles. Sanding or filing the saddle is normally a good idea, but ONLY on a single-groove saddle. The best solution would be to replace the saddle with a good-quality retro-fit saddle with a SINGLE groove. Your are supposedly milled brass, so a brass replacement wold be closest to the sound. You can, however, replace ALL the saddles with Steel, Brass or Graph-tec. Go onto Stewart MacDonald and see what's available. Saddles are NOT expensive, so don't try to save money by going cheap. Get ones that are solid-milled (not cast). In the interim, you can use a lighter attack and turn up the gain a bit. If you have the option of stringing through the top, I would try that first. There is a lot less pressure stringing it that way. Also, if it does have this option, you can string just the G and D thru the top and the lower strings through the body. You may get a different response and you may prefer it!