Is this bad for my strings? - Music Banter Music Banter

Go Back   Music Banter > Artists Corner > Talk Instruments
Register Blogging Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Welcome to Music Banter Forum! Make sure to register - it's free and very quick! You have to register before you can post and participate in our discussions with over 70,000 other registered members. After you create your free account, you will be able to customize many options, you will have the full access to over 1,100,000 posts.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-09-2010, 10:56 AM   #1 (permalink)
I Am the Lizard Queen
 
Pillowmint's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 134
Default Is this bad for my strings?

I recently tried playing my electric guitar with a screwdriver, weaving it between the strings while plucking them. It made some really cool sounds, but a friend of mine (who plays bass) tells me this is really bad for the strings. Is this true?
Pillowmint is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2010, 01:50 PM   #2 (permalink)
D-D-D-D-D-DROP THE BASS!
 
GuitarBizarre's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,730
Default

Yes, but you should be changing them often enough that it wont matter.

Bassists have to worry more about string life because their string sets are much more expensive. If you snap a string on a bass its a lot more to replace it.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pedestrian View Post
As for me, my inbox is as of yet testicle-free, and hopefully remains that way. Don't the rest of you get any ideas.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trollheart View Post
I'll have you know, my ancestors were Kings of Wicklow! We're as Irish as losing a three-nil lead in a must-win fixture!
GuitarBizarre is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2010, 04:55 PM   #3 (permalink)
nothing
 
mr dave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: everywhere
Posts: 4,315
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pillowmint View Post
I recently tried playing my electric guitar with a screwdriver, weaving it between the strings while plucking them. It made some really cool sounds, but a friend of mine (who plays bass) tells me this is really bad for the strings. Is this true?
depends on your definition of 'bad for the strings'.

what you created is called a 3rd bridge - 3rd bridge - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

the worse that it will do to your strings is cause additional tension which would increase the likelihood of snapping. as GB said, far more concerning for a bass player who pays as much for a single string as the typical guitar player pays for a set of 6.

i'd be FAR more concerned with the frets and board than the strings though. you don't want to be accidentally gouging the wood or scratching the steel.
__________________
i am the universe

Quote:
Originally Posted by bandteacher1 View Post
I type whicked fast,
mr dave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2010, 01:21 PM   #4 (permalink)
Music Addict
 
Insane Guest's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: CA
Posts: 1,322
Default

I don't think it is, I mess with my string all the time to get a cool experimental sound, just like EVH taps and slides the strings with the screwdriver. Either way, it's your guitar, do what ever you feel like doing.
Insane Guest is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2010, 03:11 PM   #5 (permalink)
Le professeur de musique
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Mass.
Posts: 66
Default

It's not really "bad", I would say. I would check to make sure you're not making ruts on the fingerboard. That'd be my biggest concern, anyways. Bass players always try to get the most out of their strings because of the cost. The last time I bought bass guitar strings, it was around $60. But that may be because I get "nicer" strings. But hey, the string is going to break eventually. Why not get some cool sounds out of them in the process? But ulitmately, it comes down to how much you want to spend on strings.
__________________
Dr. Lea Moudlian
Director of Music
Clear View Regional High School
Home of the Firebird Marching Band
cvrhsmusic@yahoo.com

Quote:
Music is expression
bandteacher1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2010, 07:17 PM   #6 (permalink)
Account Disabled
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,773
Default

60 bones? That's ludacris, a set of Ernie Balls or D' Addarios will only set you back 15-25 bucks, and they aren't bad strings at all.
Farfisa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2010, 01:47 AM   #7 (permalink)
nothing
 
mr dave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: everywhere
Posts: 4,315
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by loose_lips_sink_ships View Post
60 bones? That's ludacris, a set of Ernie Balls or D' Addarios will only set you back 15-25 bucks, and they aren't bad strings at all.
i paid over $100 for my last pack of D'addarios for my fretless bass. mind you it was a 5 pack of flatwounds, 8 years later they're still on it and still sound fine to me.
__________________
i am the universe

Quote:
Originally Posted by bandteacher1 View Post
I type whicked fast,
mr dave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2010, 04:06 AM   #8 (permalink)
Account Disabled
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,773
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mr dave View Post
i paid over $100 for my last pack of D'addarios for my fretless bass. mind you it was a 5 pack of flatwounds, 8 years later they're still on it and still sound fine to me.
I'm not seeing any A'addario flatwounds for 5 stringed basses on musicians friend but, the most expensive single pack of strings is about $40 bucks.
I'm guessing they've found a cheaper way to make them now?
Farfisa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2010, 04:41 AM   #9 (permalink)
nothing
 
mr dave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: everywhere
Posts: 4,315
Default

definitely seems that way. but i made sure to save the package just for the price tag hahaha it's somewhere in my closet i swear. plus my price is canadian, and 8 years old hehe.

2nd edit... http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....ass?sku=514392

drool
__________________
i am the universe

Quote:
Originally Posted by bandteacher1 View Post
I type whicked fast,

Last edited by mr dave; 03-12-2010 at 04:59 AM.
mr dave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2010, 09:29 AM   #10 (permalink)
Groupie
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Easton, MD
Posts: 6
Default

Yes, it is definitely harmful to the strings but I guess you run that kind of risk when playing with a screw-driver haha.
ahaspositive is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Similar Threads



© 2003-2024 Advameg, Inc.