String question

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 5:52 am

I used to break A strings at the bridge all the time (at least one a month). I played VERY aggressively & used rounds. I always had to file the saddle after every break. The string would leave a perfect impression of the windings in the saddle.
I don't play as hard any more, but broke another A string last week (XMas eve!). I had brass saddles made, still had the same breakage problem.

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 5:56 am

Also, brand of strings didn't make ANY difference. I've used everything round but Rotos & RIC.
I still have at least a dozen spare D & G strings. I usually changed the E at the same time as the A, but did keep a couple of spares. I have NO spare A strings at all!
It got so I started buying cheapo Darco strings (made in Mexico) since they were only $15 Can. & lasted almost as long as anything else.
My last 3 sets were Fender, & I have a set of RICs on the way.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 6:42 am

I hit my strings hard and I almost never break strings ... I go decades between breaks ...

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 8:33 am

Outer string diameter is not what determines tension, it is the inner solid wire the rest of it is wrapped around, for example .100 med gauge Fender SS flats are much higher in tension than most.105 sets round or flat. TI's have a .105 E I believe and they are among the softest strings I have ever used.
Whether I play hard or soft depends on the style of music I am playing, I play hard for rock, I force the sound out of the bass, they sound different when you play hard. Both soft and hard styles are valid and good for me. I can usually tell if a player plays hard or soft by listening to them. I think it does impact your dexterity though, it is much easier to play fast and fluid with light gauge strings, but that's not really my thing. Jazz players usually play very light, get that very clear dextrous sound, I like a little dirt in mine.

Hi Chris,
I've been busy with a new job and my computer was also on the fritz for the past few months, but I also needed a break.

scanman17 · Post by **scanman17** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 10:20 am

so would i be correct now in assuming that the lower the tension, the less likely they will break. or does that not matter.

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 12:59 pm

I think you might just be really unlucky. I play really hard all the time on strings that run the range of different tensions (though I tend to go for not-too-tight, not-to-loose), and the only string I ever broke was a ****** stock Squier E-string on a Squier Affinity P-bass (my first bass). I was slapping it, and the thing just unwound at the bridge. Other than that, I've never had a string break, not on any bass I've ever played, or with any kind of string. If my "playing hard" is close to what your "playing hard" is, then I think you might just have bad luck. Either that or it's a conspiracy.

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 1:29 pm

Actually, I even broke a few A strings on the 2 Fender's I've had as back ups. I've been off for about 4 years & just started up with this band last January, so I haven't broken any strings for about 4 years!

Last Thursday I broke the A on my 4001 at lunch time, broke the D on my LP copy after work & had 2(!!!!!) flat tires after work

I left the 4080 in her case until Friday, needless to say!

Maybe it is a conspiracy!

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 1:35 pm

When they do break, BTW, they don't pop off like guitar strings, the core wire breaks & the winds still hold, so the stupid thing dangles onto the D & G strings!

When they broke at gigs I had to finish the song while holding the string out of the way of the other strings & playing around the missing A string.
Of course, the guitar player/singer was so in the zone he didn't notice & I had to play one or even two more songs that way before I could get him to stop! That's why I needed a back up bass.

You learn to improvise pretty quick in those situations

scanman17 · Post by **scanman17** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 7:54 pm

I always bring a backup bass(needless to say)
I've been playing for 13 years and have been breaking the D string since day one, so I'm thinkin it's me. duh. i don't always play hard. just when the song is rockin and needs it.
I think a swift slap in the head with your bass stock might get the guitar player out of the zone. Damn guitar players.

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 1:25 am

Have you broke the D on more then one bass? It could just be that bridge (I think... that can cause it). Iv only broken two string. Both were when i was using a practice amp (like 50 watts or something) and trying to keep up with a drummer. So needless to say. I should of known those would break.

On the 4001's I know you have to worry about string tension. But what about the 4003s? I didnt think you really had to pay much attention to it. Half the reason I decided to get a 4003 over the 4001.

scanman17 · Post by **scanman17** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 3:50 am

I've broken the d string on probably close to 10 different basses throughout my life

hieronymous · Post by **hieronymous** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 4:16 am

That's really weird. When I played out somewhat regularly, I only broke a string once or twice in a five year period, and I think I played pretty hard. If it's on different basses, then I guess my theory's out the window! Unless they all have messed up D-string saddles, which seems unlikely...

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:44 am

Jeff Rath makes 4003's into 4003 4-2-5 (5 string), so there's no worry about string tension on a 4003. They're built like a tank compared to the early 4001's. The mid '70's & up 4001's seem pretty sturdy, but still not up to today's 4003 in strength.
Stronger neck design, stronger rods, etc.

scanman17 · Post by **scanman17** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 10:45 am

My current bass is a 4003 that's only about a year old. so i'm glad to hear about the durability. it's just weird that i always break that one. it's obviously gotta be me. but i like the way i play and i have a lot of fun playing the way i play, so i guess i should just shut up and deal with it.

rickfan63 · Post by **rickfan63** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 1:28 pm

I used to break strings on my old 4001 all the time. The rounds I used wore against the saddles and and they snapped. I eventually got very tired of having to smooth out the rough edges. So I put a thin, VERY small piece of duct tape over the saddles. I never broke a roundwound string after that. I do the same thing on my 4003, and have yet to break a string. I know some here may not like this method, but it's worked very well for me. It hasn't messed up my intonation either.