When's the last time you broke a string?

[Raulplaysbass]

Never, playing since about 1978.

However, when I change strings, I keep the old set in the case, just in case a string goes.

I’m right there with you! Always brought a backup Bass to gigs and needed/used it once due to a battery that was beginning to wear but could have finished the gig. And since I purchased a Genz Benz 10 +/-?? years ago, I bring a backup amp. And never needed it.




But nice to have “just in case”!!

Cheers

 

[Blankandson]

Got my first bass in 1965 and began playing just about every day. Still do that. Every day. Someday I may get better but for now I stay busy here in Nashville. Anyway, no broken strings ever. Ever. But I've always had a quality bass to play on. And just because I like to change strings and types of strings a lot, about a year ago I got a new set of Black Nylon flats. I though they were pretty lame so I removed and put them in the music closet. A fellow musician told me to give them about a year out of the pack and try them again. I did that last week on my 08 Warwick and oh man did they sound good! I played them at practice last night and got a lot of good comments. Sorry to derail this post but it never hurts to learn and be humbled.

 

[NYBassPlayer]

In the 80's I had a bass with a Kahler tremolo installed. Used to break them often. It was a real show-stopper!

 

[Wfrance3]

That would be never...

 

[Kevin Colt]

about 14 years ago.

 

[aus_bass]

Been playing since 1978, and have never broken a bass string.

 

[Fuzzbass]

I remember breaking strings the first four or five years I started playing bass, but I can't recall ever breaking a string in the past 10 years.

When's the last time you broke a string? How did it happen?

Late to the party, but what the heck. In 40 years I think I've broken a half-dozen strings tops. I'm probably overdue, but I always bring backup so no big deal if it happens on the gig... and it's happened on the gig a couple of times.

As for why: well, I tend to think it's from string defects. The most recent one that broke was taperwound and it broke at the saddle, so it might have been the saddle and not the string... I use taperwounds regularly and don't feel they are particularly vulnerable. I've had strings break at the headstock, other places. Bottom line: hardly ever happens to me, no big deal.

 

[bofus]

Oh...almost forgot. I almost ALWAYS break the E when putting on new strings. The dang posts on the Carvin LB-70 I have are SUPER small with string locks. Trying to wrap a .45 string around THAT tight of a diameter almost always breaks the core wire. I've no idea why or how to fix. I use DR High Beams, 45-105 (4-string) and like those, but the core is thick on the E and snaps when trying to bring the string up to tension.

Any idea how to alleviate that issue? I'm due for strings and dread the E string up.