Porkpie Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Is it me? Maybe its just how I play! We did 2 gigs last weekend, Friday night broke my E string, decided to use another bass on Saturday, and about 4 bars in, broke the E string. Then, towards the end of the second set, A string gone. We do call our style Folk Punk, and we are a bit full on, but it was a bit of a suprise to go through that many big strings in quick succesion. Mind you, by the end of the Saturday gig I was getting pretty slick at the fast change! Anyone else manage to get through strings like this? Any suggestions for a sturdier string for the more thuggish player!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I used to break loads until i switched to Elites, they seem really durable. Hartkes are pretty tough too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dubs Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I used to break a lot of E strings on one of my first basses until I got it properly set-up. After that I don't think I've broke a single string on it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Protium Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Where on the string are they breaking? If it's at the bridge check the saddle for rough/sharp edges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 [quote name='Protium' post='732043' date='Feb 1 2010, 06:42 PM']Where on the string are they breaking? If it's at the bridge check the saddle for rough/sharp edges.[/quote] Correctomundo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman69 Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I used to break lots when I used a plec.. since switching to fingerstyle and getting a good set-up done I havent broken any. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I used to break strings because I couldn't hear myself properly. Buy a bigger amp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huw Foster Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I agree with some of the comments made already - if you're breaking strings (especially if you're doing it often) then you probably need a set-up... Unless you're doing anything extreme, it really shouldn't happen much, if at all, shouldn't it? I've only had the misfortune of breaking a string on a gig once (touch wood!). No idea what the cause was, but I'm fairly sure it wasn't technique. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porkpie Posted February 1, 2010 Author Share Posted February 1, 2010 Cheers for the replies guys, Protium; yes they all went at the bridge, but on two different basses, I think one had old strings which could account for it, grabbed it at the last minute as my regular fretted bass has an electrical fault. The other is a 3 month old fretless Pedulla Rapture wiyh Pedulla strings, set up both by Mike and then at Mansons. I am assuming the strings may be a duff set, changed the lot now and no probs at the last two gigs with it. thisnameistaken; SWR 700 through newly acquired Barefaced T'Vintage, which IMHO is an awesome piece of kit, not only sounds fantastic whatever I play through it, but ultra light and V tough, and extremely loud! Huwberry; Perhaps its more to do with with everyday stresses spilling over into my gigging and getting a little over enthusiastic! Until last week its been years since breaking anything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Protium Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Whenever I change strings (not very often ) I always clean/file the saddles. Could just be unlucky/duff strings though, I guess shipping from the states doesn't help them much with temperature changes on the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah5string Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Been playing 9 years, haven't broken a string yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Protium Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 [quote name='Sarah5string' post='732374' date='Feb 1 2010, 11:01 PM']Been playing 9 years, haven't broken a string yet![/quote] The only (bass) string I've broken was a 130 B. That was at the tuner because it'd been put on and off too much though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah5string Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 [quote name='Protium' post='732380' date='Feb 1 2010, 11:05 PM']The only (bass) string I've broken was a 130 B. That was at the tuner because it'd been put on and off too much though.[/quote] I always wondered what it would take to break one of those beasts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Protium Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 [quote name='Sarah5string' post='732382' date='Feb 1 2010, 11:07 PM']I always wondered what it would take to break one of those beasts [/quote] I know, I was just tuning up and ping... I was expecting something spectacular Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 (edited) It's surprisingly easy to break bass strings at the bridge, even with no issues with the bridge itself (I broke strings on every bass I owned). If you dig in too hard and pick down by the rear pickup they go eventually. It was usually E and A strings that I broke, maybe because I was attacking them at a more perpendicular angle, or with more strength, or because thicker strings are less flexible I don't know. Rarely broke the thinner ones though. For the record I was mostly using Rotos 66, sometimes DR Lo-Riders, and I changed strings regularly because I liked a fairly bright tone. Edited February 2, 2010 by thisnameistaken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 I went through a phase a few years back where I broke quite a few strings-mostly E (including a heavy gauge flatwound) and A strings,with a couple of low B's for good measure. All of them broke during loud Rock gig's where I was plucking too hard. All snapped while I was playing fingerstyle too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman69 Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 I think when I was breaking them regularly Id simply been using 'em too long and the core had broken down. All that gunge that builds up (especially with palm muting), acids from sweat etc.. somethings gotta give! If I wasnt paying €25 and up a set Id have replaced em sooner. Its not an issue for me anymore thankfully but Im trying out some more affordable strings from webstrings.com now.. half price but Ive yet to string em up, been told theyre just fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malc62 Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 (edited) [quote name='Sarah5string' post='732374' date='Feb 1 2010, 11:01 PM']Been playing 9 years, haven't broken a string yet![/quote] I think I broke one about eighteen years ago! Thankfully never broke one on a gig. Since then I've changed them as soon as one goes dead - cost me a damn fortune over the years, though... Edited February 7, 2010 by Malc62 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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