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Double Bass Snapped
- Thread starter Michael Karn
- Start date
When putting on a new set, I always keep the old set in the gig bag as spares. So of course, I've never broken a string on the stand 
However, back when I was using Velvet Garbos in the 90s ($300 a set back then…three times what Spiros cost) I had two strings break tuning them up the first time after putting them on
The US distributor was nice enough to mail me replacements immediately but that led me to give up on Garbos.
However, back when I was using Velvet Garbos in the 90s ($300 a set back then…three times what Spiros cost) I had two strings break tuning them up the first time after putting them on
The US distributor was nice enough to mail me replacements immediately but that led me to give up on Garbos.
Years ago I had a steady club job and thought, with plenty of cash(ha,ha), I could afford a set of the Eudoxa steel-wrapped guts, which at the time were possibly the most expensive strings you could buy. Within a few months both the D and A snapped while the instrument stood in the corner at my house. The explosion was pretty impressive when it happened. I learned later that they were known for doing this. This was when I decided to go with SuperFlexibles, which I used for several decades, in part for their durability.
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'Badge of honor!
I've broken strings several times on gigs, broken a bridge twice, and once had a neck come flying off the body during the second set.
Yours was a the bridge contact- a critical, usually non recoverable area. If it happens in the pegbox, a quick double fisherman's knot will hold tension and let you finish the gig in style. You'll need a pair of pliers for spiros because the core is a bit stiff.
I've learned to turn it into a great cowboy trick: if it is early in the song, you should be able to grab a quick spare, load it, and string up to tension before the song ends...Something new to work on during practice sessions...(or a drum solo!)
I've broken strings several times on gigs, broken a bridge twice, and once had a neck come flying off the body during the second set.
Yours was a the bridge contact- a critical, usually non recoverable area. If it happens in the pegbox, a quick double fisherman's knot will hold tension and let you finish the gig in style. You'll need a pair of pliers for spiros because the core is a bit stiff.
I've learned to turn it into a great cowboy trick: if it is early in the song, you should be able to grab a quick spare, load it, and string up to tension before the song ends...Something new to work on during practice sessions...(or a drum solo!)
Violinists break strings all the time, almost always when they catch the metal ferrule on the frog on a string with an aggressive stroke. I was once at an all Bach string trio concert when this happened. The violinist said "I'll be right Bach" and went backstage to get a new one. I have never had a string completely snap, but I have had Velvet, Dominant, Gamut Red Diamond, and Oliv strings unravel on gigs. Expensive. I think you could haul a truck out of a ditch with a Spiro.
This only ever happened to me once and it was because my bridge slot wasn't cut properly. Playing a gig without a D string is a drag! Not saying that it's the case here, but it might be worth double checking your bridge, just in case...
I did, a couple of years ago, and I’ve used it a lot since that time so I guess all the tuning up and down and back up took that string out. In the case now is an extra set of strings and a pencil to keep the nut and bridge slots lubricated
D
I went to the Monday night session at Smoke a really long time ago, and Dwayne Burno (RIP) was playing with a missing D on his bass. He sounded fine, of course, but I decided maybe I'd sound better if I just listened....
