How often do you break strings?

Progrockabuse · Post by **Progrockabuse** » Wed Feb 26, 2014 10:10 am

Based a little off Bacchuspaul' thread.

I tend to go through spates of not breaking them, sometimes for a year or so and then within a 2-3 week spate break a couple. It's never been at a gig (touches bug piece of wood), as I restring before most gigs as precaution.

Recently I've broken the D on two of my guitars, never the higher strings. Not sure if the d gets more punishment than the others. I'm not that heavy handed a player either.

So what do you break and how often?

George · Post by **George** » Wed Feb 26, 2014 10:13 am

very rarely. i have a light touch though, and play with my fingers. i think most times where i've had a string break is from bad strings unwinding at the tailpiece on my brat (high e on ernie balls, now fixed with elixir strings), or poor intonation.

sounds like you may have a coincidental poor intonation on both guitars on the d string, or you bulk ordered a bad batch?

JordanD · Post by **JordanD** » Wed Feb 26, 2014 10:24 am

I used to break strings all the time when I was using power slinky strings. After becoming frustrated, I switched to D'Addario (still gauge 11) and have not broken a string since. That was about 6 years ago. My strings last until I feel the need to change now. My friend uses power slinky strings too and I was playing his 66 Mustang at the weekend and snapped the .011. Fuck Ernie ball.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Wed Feb 26, 2014 11:30 am

I can't remember the last time I broke a string, but i'm guessing it's been years. I use D'Addario 11's.

NickD · Post by **NickD** » Wed Feb 26, 2014 12:27 pm

I very rarely break a string, and I don't replace them often at all - months at best.

If its in standard tuning I use 10-52s.

ekwatts · Post by **ekwatts** » Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:16 pm

Never.

I use Rotosound Blues normally but also their "Dark Zone" 10-60 sets or GFS, the ones that were the Zakk Wylde signature set (10-60 again) before he went to Dunlop.

I also use custom sets that I assemble from single string purchases, or sets that I'll change a few strings out of for a minor cost. My Nu-Sonic was rocking a set of 10-65s, just using the bottom two and upper 4 strings of an 8-string set for a while.

dezb1 · Post by **dezb1** » Wed Feb 26, 2014 2:15 pm

Never... I once broke a string when I got distracted while tuning up, but that was over 20 years ago... still remember it, new strings were a luxury back then as me n the good lady were just starting out and were mega skint... still remember that 'fuck it' feeling.

Still enjoy the ritual of a new pack of strings...

Thom · Post by **Thom** » Wed Feb 26, 2014 2:24 pm

Very rarely, I don't actually remember the last time I broke a string. I use different strings/brands on different guitars as well.

Fakir Mustache · Post by **Fakir Mustache** » Wed Feb 26, 2014 2:48 pm

Only when tuning, once a year or two years, sometimes more often, sometimes less. Usually high E, but not only.

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Wed Feb 26, 2014 3:41 pm

NickD wrote:I very rarely break a string, and I don't replace them often at all - months at best.

If its in standard tuning I use 10-52s.

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Wed Feb 26, 2014 7:58 pm

Very rarely, which was what prompted the other thread. I play heavily and aggressively but rarely break strings even when I'm playing a guitar with a lighter set on.

brainfur · Post by **brainfur** » Wed Feb 26, 2014 8:15 pm

occasionally I still break an acoustic string when im playing REALLY HARD but not rly ever on electrics

Gabriel · Post by **Gabriel** » Thu Feb 27, 2014 3:55 pm

I broke a string a couple of weeks ago, but the main problem I have is that the strings get corroded and wear out within a couple of weeks because I play for so many hours.

Also I only seem to break strings at gigs... It's always pretty awkward.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Thu Feb 27, 2014 4:36 pm

Oddly enough I usually only break strings when they're new and I'm stretching them. I tend to be a little aggressive with this because I hate subtle tuning issues.

lorez · Post by **lorez** » Thu Feb 27, 2014 10:17 pm

Very rarely but then I'm not a heavy strummer or bend a lot of notes

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Thu Feb 27, 2014 11:54 pm

used to break em all the time when I was like 9 or 10. last time I broke a string was the one show I didnt bring a backup guitar. so I had to borrow a telecaster of a local band. didn't like how it played too much. weird neck, was some off brand Tele with buckers (which I'm not a fan of).

one time at a show a guitarist from a band I really liked called dewey marquee broke strings on his both of his guitars and used my Tele to finish the set. that was kinda awesome.

might of been the same show. kinda fuzzy for a lil while we played quite a few. sometimes the Tele stayed in the trunk b/c I figured i wouldn't need it.