When's the last time you broke a string?

[brianrost]

For BG, about 40 years ago. The A string snapped at the bridge, the saddle needed to be filed smooth.

For DB, about 20 years ago. The string broke where the silk met the string at the headstock. I had two strings go like that, so I started using different strings.

P.S. In the early 80s, I saw punk band the Circle Jerks play in Boston. The bass player broke so many strings he finally had to borrow a bass from one of the other bands on the bill. Why any of those bassists would loan this guy their bass shall remain a mystery

 

[walbassist]

I've been playing for 41 years and never broken a string.

 

[Pet Sounds]

Never.

 

[SixtyCycleHum]

got it! most of us aren't breaking strings frequently/regularly, and even if that was the case for a few = they wouldn't admit it without also admitting that their technique is questionable!

My technique is for the birds, straight up.

 

[theSea]

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

1990-something. It was right before I switched to DRs. Hasn’t happened since.

 

[LurkingDrue]

Once. In 1988. It was a D string, brand new, tuning it up for the first time when the core snapped about 1/4 inch in front of the bridge. I attributed it to a manufacturing issue.

 

[BishopHastur]

Tuning my Ashbory about a year ago. The old string I'm guessing was just dry rotted.

 

[ThudThudThud]

8-9 years ago. Charity gig (we loved these guys), and I hadn't taken a spare bass as I would normally to a gig. Lack of space, set was relatively short. Broke the E mid-song, worked around it. Spare (alcohol dipped old string) on in very quick order, but just pulled through the post until close to the right length, and tuned from there with minimal wraps. Looked ugly, but it worked, and was quick.
Before that......some time in the early 80s?

 

[Chrisk-K]

Never on my basses. Guitars? A few years sgo.

 

[ThudThudThud]

Tuning my Ashbory about a year ago. The old string I'm guessing was just dry rotted.

Don't Ashbory G strings self destruct if you don't detune before putting the bass away?

 

[jnewmark]

1972.

 

[StyleOverShow]

May 1974, Ivanhoe Nightclub on a Saturday night third set. Bought a new Precision bass in 1972 and was gigging 6-7 times a week on it.

The D string popped during For The Love of Money prolly under the pick attack. Had to refinger the remaining 2.5 sets, not that easy btw. Now the question is did I buy a new set of strings or just replace the D? Don’t remember tbh

 

[bolophonic]

Never broke a string in 35 years of playing.

 

[Frankie Fender]

I've been playing for 41 years and never broken a string.

Same here, 41 years and NEVER.

 

[Geddaric]

Now normally, there's a HUGE difference between Blues and Boomers.

It wouldn`t have mattered back then. I could`ve been playing cast iron and `ve found a way to break `em. Plus, I was dealing with "guitar wars" every night we played out.

 

[DrayMiles]

15+ years methinks…

 

[fourstringdrums]

I've broken about half a dozen while tuning up (usually the G) either to a faulty string, less agreeable scale length, or on a lot of MM basses, for some reason, due to the tuners.

 

[PhillipHolbrook]

Literally in 1985. I was 18 and playing in a jazz band. I had not yet learned how to use a light touch.

 

[SixtyCycleHum]

8-9 years ago. Charity gig (we loved these guys), and I hadn't taken a spare bass as I would normally to a gig. Lack of space, set was relatively short. Broke the E mid-song, worked around it. Spare (alcohol dipped old string) on in very quick order, but just pulled through the post until close to the right length, and tuned from there with minimal wraps. Looked ugly, but it worked, and was quick.
Before that......some time in the early 80s?

Ahh. The quick lazy wrap. Nothing will kill a string faster, but it will get you through. That's scary when that happens. Imo, good bassists don't apply enough force to break strings regularly. Good bassists also prove that they don't even need *4* strings if we're pressured!

 

[bikeplate]

Never. 40 years playing bass