GMG Classical Music Forum

The Back Room => The Diner => Topic started by: маразм1 on August 24, 2007, 05:26:07 AM

Title: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: маразм1 on August 24, 2007, 05:26:07 AM
I think I had it yesterday.  here's what happened.  I changed the strings on my guitar 3 weeks ago.  I thought I would be fine.  2 days ago, one string pops, so I just change it, thinking its weird that it would pop so soon.

Yesterday, we start playing the first song, another string pops.  Now, my guitar is made so that if one string pops, the entire guitar is unplayable.  So we stop, I quickly change the string.  Start playing the same song, another string pops, so we just kinda went with it.  So I had to change one more string.

I tried playing as gently as possible after that, but man!  what a nightmare.  I never popped strings on stage before.  And before that time I changed the strings, I didnt change them for like 5 months.  I have no idea!!! 

so right now, I will start changing strings every time before the gig!

d.
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: Larry Rinkel on August 24, 2007, 05:34:35 AM
Quote from: marazm1 on August 24, 2007, 05:26:07 AM
I think I had it yesterday.  here's what happened.  I changed the strings on my guitar 3 weeks ago.  I thought I would be fine.  2 days ago, one string pops, so I just change it, thinking its weird that it would pop so soon.

Yesterday, we start playing the first song, another string pops.  Now, my guitar is made so that if one string pops, the entire guitar is unplayable.  So we stop, I quickly change the string.  Start playing the same song, another string pops, so we just kinda went with it.  So I had to change one more string.

I tried playing as gently as possible after that, but man!  what a nightmare.  I never popped strings on stage before.  And before that time I changed the strings, I didnt change them for like 5 months.  I have no idea!!! 

so right now, I will start changing strings every time before the gig!

d.

You're not alone. From a 1986 article in the NY Times:

QuoteDURING THE 1980'S, Midori virtually embodied the violin-playing prodigy. Her astonishing precocity and the stratospheric ascent of her career were the stuff of legends.

In 1986, for example, her photograph appeared on the front page of The New York Times, beneath the headline ''Girl, 14, Conquers Tanglewood With Three Violins.'' While playing Bernstein's ''Serenade'' under the direction of the composer, she broke the E string on her instrument. The violin she borrowed from the concertmaster of the Boston Symphony Orchestra suffered the same fate, so she finished the performance using the associate concertmaster's violin, all without losing her unflappable poise. You couldn't have bought better publicity.

Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: Szykneij on August 24, 2007, 05:47:00 AM
Legend says Paganini purposely broke his strings while playing for effect. If that's not your intention, though, I'd stick to Dean Markleys.
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: greg on August 24, 2007, 05:50:12 AM
Quote from: marazm1 on August 24, 2007, 05:26:07 AM
I think I had it yesterday.  here's what happened.  I changed the strings on my guitar 3 weeks ago.  I thought I would be fine.  2 days ago, one string pops, so I just change it, thinking its weird that it would pop so soon.

Yesterday, we start playing the first song, another string pops.  Now, my guitar is made so that if one string pops, the entire guitar is unplayable.  So we stop, I quickly change the string.  Start playing the same song, another string pops, so we just kinda went with it.  So I had to change one more string.

I tried playing as gently as possible after that, but man!  what a nightmare.  I never popped strings on stage before.  And before that time I changed the strings, I didnt change them for like 5 months.  I have no idea!!! 

so right now, I will start changing strings every time before the gig!

d.
what strings do you use? i normally use super slinkies since when i first started playing it seems like a string would break every month from bending, or from nothing at all.
i hate it, too! have you ever had a low E break? that's actually happened to me before!  :o
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: маразм1 on August 24, 2007, 06:05:12 AM
i changed the strings 3 weeks ago.  I bought zakk wylde ones, only to discover that the low 3 strings were 3 times as thick.  so i took them off and put super brites on the bottom. 
but i broke a, d, and b strings. so something's very weird.  maybe its the 6-hour recording session we did, maybe its the gig bag i bought that put a strain on the strings.  I never had that happen to me before. 
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: M forever on August 24, 2007, 06:10:11 AM
Quote from: marazm1 on August 24, 2007, 05:26:07 AM
I changed the strings on my guitar 3 weeks ago.

Guitars are for girls. Real men play the bass.
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: greg on August 24, 2007, 06:24:20 AM
Quote from: M forever on August 24, 2007, 06:10:11 AM
Guitars are for girls. Real men play the bass.
yeah, cuz real men are lazy and want something easier to play  ;)


Quote from: marazm1 on August 24, 2007, 06:05:12 AM
i changed the strings 3 weeks ago.  I bought zakk wylde ones, only to discover that the low 3 strings were 3 times as thick.  so i took them off and put super brites on the bottom. 
but i broke a, d, and b strings. so something's very weird.  maybe its the 6-hour recording session we did, maybe its the gig bag i bought that put a strain on the strings.  I never had that happen to me before. 
i've never even heard of those strings before. Super brites? That sounds like a toothpaste.
it might be the gig bag...... anyways, maybe you should just change all of your strings to Super Slinky or D'Addario and see if they keep on breaking
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: маразм1 on August 24, 2007, 06:45:15 AM
i returned that gig bag anyway.  the zipper was coming apart.  ugh.  its just because for last gig i had to carry the amp head as well, and i was dying (it seems its made of bricks), so i thought if i could find a gig bag where i could put all the guitar junk as well (pedals, cables), it would be easier.  The bag was beautiful, but the zipper was not.

i hope this ends my unlucky streak. 
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: aquablob on August 24, 2007, 08:29:09 AM
Quote from: marazm1 on August 24, 2007, 06:05:12 AM
i changed the strings 3 weeks ago.  I bought zakk wylde ones, only to discover that the low 3 strings were 3 times as thick.  so i took them off and put super brites on the bottom. 
but i broke a, d, and b strings. so something's very weird.  maybe its the 6-hour recording session we did, maybe its the gig bag i bought that put a strain on the strings.  I never had that happen to me before. 

Did you actually put the Zakk Wylde strings on your guitar and tune them up to standard pitch before taking them off? That's very bad for your neck -- way way way too much tension! Those bass strings shouldn't be tuned to E A D, and even if you don't tune them up that high, you should still seriously adjust your action (loosen truss rod significantly, possibly adjust bridge) before putting on strings that thick, especially if your previous strings were light to medium gauge. In fact, you should adjust your guitar any time you change gauges (although you can get away with changing between 9s and 10s most likely).

If you did have the Wylde strings on and tuned up to the standard E A D, for how long did you have them on? Depending on your guitar and bridge/trem, it is possible that these did some damage.
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: маразм1 on August 24, 2007, 08:42:57 AM
Quote from: aquariuswb on August 24, 2007, 08:29:09 AM
Did you actually put the Zakk Wylde strings on your guitar and tune them up to standard pitch before taking them off? That's very bad for your neck -- way way way too much tension! Those bass strings shouldn't be tuned to E A D, and even if you don't tune them up that high, you should still seriously adjust your action (loosen truss rod significantly, possibly adjust bridge) before putting on strings that thick, especially if your previous strings were light to medium gauge. In fact, you should adjust your guitar any time you change gauges (although you can get away with changing between 9s and 10s most likely).

If you did have the Wylde strings on and tuned up to the standard E A D, for how long did you have them on? Depending on your guitar and bridge/trem, it is possible that these did some damage.

I am aware of this.  the low 3 strings are unusable, they are very very thick, like those of a bass guitar.  the top 3 ones are regular.  i took them off asap.  Les paul is built solid, so no harm was done at all. 

I have no clue how you're supposed to play with those strings--they are just too damn thick.  forget about the tremolo (which I have).

d.
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: aquablob on August 24, 2007, 08:57:36 AM
Quote from: marazm1 on August 24, 2007, 08:42:57 AM

I have no clue how you're supposed to play with those strings--they are just too damn thick.  forget about the tremolo (which I have).

d.

They're meant for like drop-C tuning. They should really come with warning labels on them!

Regarding your guitar, it is unusual (obviously) for strings to break like that in rapid succession, especially given that they were different strings that broke. What kind of music do you play? Do you do lots of hard strumming? Did you notice where the strings broke? By the bridge? By the nut? Did it vary?
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: маразм1 on August 24, 2007, 10:46:29 AM
Quote from: aquariuswb on August 24, 2007, 08:57:36 AM
They're meant for like drop-C tuning. They should really come with warning labels on them!

Regarding your guitar, it is unusual (obviously) for strings to break like that in rapid succession, especially given that they were different strings that broke. What kind of music do you play? Do you do lots of hard strumming? Did you notice where the strings broke? By the bridge? By the nut? Did it vary?

it's a lot of palm-muting, and hard strumming, but I am certain now that it's the gig bag.  because we rehearsed a lot and my strings were fine for 5 months of the same abuse.  I had a gig bag and all the pedals in there as well, so that screwed up the guitar.  The strings tore right where the bridge is.

Ok, there's just a lession in all of this, so no gig bags for me!

d.
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: aquablob on August 24, 2007, 10:59:03 AM
Quote from: marazm1 on August 24, 2007, 10:46:29 AM
it's a lot of palm-muting, and hard strumming, but I am certain now that it's the gig bag.  because we rehearsed a lot and my strings were fine for 5 months of the same abuse.  I had a gig bag and all the pedals in there as well, so that screwed up the guitar.  The strings tore right where the bridge is.

Ok, there's just a lession in all of this, so no gig bags for me!

d.

For your guitar's sake, I hope that's all that is wrong!
Do give an update if the problem continues, I'm always interested in this kind of stuff.
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: Bonehelm on August 25, 2007, 12:07:30 AM
Quote from: Larry Rinkel on August 24, 2007, 05:34:35 AM
You're not alone. From a 1986 article in the NY Times:




That's actually freaking hilarious.
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: Saul on August 25, 2007, 07:14:49 PM
Quote from: marazm1 on August 24, 2007, 05:26:07 AM
I think I had it yesterday.  here's what happened.  I changed the strings on my guitar 3 weeks ago.  I thought I would be fine.  2 days ago, one string pops, so I just change it, thinking its weird that it would pop so soon.

Yesterday, we start playing the first song, another string pops.  Now, my guitar is made so that if one string pops, the entire guitar is unplayable.  So we stop, I quickly change the string.  Start playing the same song, another string pops, so we just kinda went with it.  So I had to change one more string.

I tried playing as gently as possible after that, but man!  what a nightmare.  I never popped strings on stage before.  And before that time I changed the strings, I didnt change them for like 5 months.  I have no idea!!! 

so right now, I will start changing strings every time before the gig!

d.

youre playing Pop , thats why your strings pop...
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: greg on August 25, 2007, 07:19:44 PM
Quote from: Saul on August 25, 2007, 07:14:49 PM
youre playing Pop , thats why your strings pop...
ya know, a lot of your jokes really aren't funny, but this one actually made me laugh.  ;D

(technically, he does more rock-like stuff rather than pop, but still funny anyways)
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: маразм1 on August 27, 2007, 08:54:01 AM
good one, Saul!  ha ha ha. 

Anybody wants to be my guitar tech for this next gig?  come out and support music for a good cause!

D.

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Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: маразм1 on September 09, 2007, 04:48:46 PM
I put regular slinkies.  the show was great, but today, the day after the show, I popped a d-string.  This is the first time I'm using the slinkies.  I think I'll stick to Gibson or gibson les paul strings.  those last a lot longer.

I'm starting to get a bit paranoid about my string popping incidents.  hmmm, it broke right where the bridge goes again. 

d.
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: aquablob on September 09, 2007, 08:37:01 PM
Quote from: marazm1 on September 09, 2007, 04:48:46 PM
I put regular slinkies.  the show was great, but today, the day after the show, I popped a d-string.  This is the first time I'm using the slinkies.  I think I'll stick to Gibson or gibson les paul strings.  those last a lot longer.

I'm starting to get a bit paranoid about my string popping incidents.  hmmm, it broke right where the bridge goes again. 

d.

What kind of guitar is it? What type of bridge?
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: Grazioso on September 10, 2007, 04:32:37 AM
If your string keeps breaking near the bridge, check for minute burrs on the saddles and have them filed down as needed, or perhaps try some of those graphite saddles.
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: m_gigena on September 10, 2007, 05:38:51 AM
Quote from: Bonehelm on August 25, 2007, 12:07:30 AM
That's actually freaking hilarious.

It also happened to Vengerov during the Dvorak concerto, he rapidly assaulted the concertmaster and everything went fine.


@marazm1,
with such a profile, you should never play the piano.
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: маразм1 on September 10, 2007, 08:34:31 AM
Quote from: aquariuswb on September 09, 2007, 08:37:01 PM
What kind of guitar is it? What type of bridge?

I have les paul, but the bridge is custom tremolo one (stetsbar.com)  It is the same as gibson's tune-o-matic.
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: маразм1 on September 10, 2007, 08:35:26 AM
Quote from: Manuel on September 10, 2007, 05:38:51 AM
It also happened to Vengerov during the Dvorak concerto, he rapidly assaulted the concertmaster and everything went fine.


@marazm1,
with such a profile, you should never play the piano.

Has anybody actually popped piano strings???  those last for 50 years! haha
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: aquablob on September 10, 2007, 09:40:54 AM
Quote from: marazm1 on September 10, 2007, 08:34:31 AM
I have les paul, but the bridge is custom tremolo one (stetsbar.com)  It is the same as gibson's tune-o-matic.

I was going to say basically the same thing that Grazioso said about filing down the saddles if necessary. Even on a nice bridge like yours these problems can develop... but since I can't see your guitar, all I can really suggest is taking it to a tech to get it looked at!
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: m_gigena on September 10, 2007, 02:09:17 PM
Quote from: marazm1 on September 10, 2007, 08:35:26 AM
Has anybody actually popped piano strings???  those last for 50 years! haha

November 24, 1968. Horowitz broke one string while playing the second movement of Rach's second sonata. A strong explosion-like noise is heard, followed by applause. An assistant quickly replaced the string and Horowitz kept on playing.
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: greg on September 11, 2007, 01:08:05 PM
Quote from: Manuel on September 10, 2007, 02:09:17 PM
November 24, 1968. Horowitz broke one string while playing the second movement of Rach's second sonata. A strong explosion-like noise is heard, followed by applause. An assistant quickly replaced the string and Horowitz kept on playing.
so that must mean his piano was finished being made November 24, 1918.
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: маразм1 on October 08, 2007, 08:19:33 AM
Update:
Ok, so 5 shows, 2 sets a night, no broken strings! 

My new strings of choice are gibson vintage reissue.  They look and feel like they're 10 and a half, even though they say they're 10.  They fell extremely comfortable, and look like they'll withstand anything.  No more slinkies, and other stuff. Using DiAdario felt like if i pushed a little harder, the high e-string would come off the fretboard. 

I feel it's worth paying 2 extra bucks, and being completely worry-free. 

d.
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: greg on October 08, 2007, 08:30:38 AM
if i were you, i'd get an Ibanez so i could use Super Slinkies  ;)
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: маразм1 on October 08, 2007, 08:45:18 AM
Quote from: greg on October 08, 2007, 08:30:38 AM
if i were you, i'd get an Ibanez so i could use Super Slinkies  ;)

I have an Ibanez as a back-up.  But i really hate them.  In my mind they either make "excellent shred guitars".  But I hate shredding.  And if you don't shred, the guitar sounds like ass (with no distortion).


OR

they make excellent jazz hollow-body guitars. 

Gibson LP is the real guitar. 
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: aquablob on October 09, 2007, 06:58:48 AM
Quote from: marazm1 on October 08, 2007, 08:45:18 AM
I have an Ibanez as a back-up.  But i really hate them.  In my mind they either make "excellent shred guitars".  But I hate shredding.  And if you don't shred, the guitar sounds like ass (with no distortion).


OR

they make excellent jazz hollow-body guitars. 

Gibson LP is the real guitar. 

I agree about Ibanez, but Gibson LP is too heavy (though it sounds and feels great!).

Schecter C-1 Classic will be my next purchase.
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: m_gigena on October 09, 2007, 08:07:58 AM
Quote from: aquariuswb on October 09, 2007, 06:58:48 AM
Schecter will be my next purchase.

She is resistent to extreme and unforeseen forces, sure.

(http://www.callutheran.edu/images/profile_photos/103.jpg) (http://www.callutheran.edu/schools/cas/faculty_profile.php?major_id=93&profile_id=103)
Title: Re: horrible personal concert performace experience
Post by: маразм1 on October 09, 2007, 08:11:04 AM
Quote from: aquariuswb on October 09, 2007, 06:58:48 AM
I agree about Ibanez, but Gibson LP is too heavy (though it sounds and feels great!).

Schecter C-1 Classic will be my next purchase.

Everybody keeps saying its too heavy.  I dont get it.  Carrying it--yes!  It's a bitch.  I get blisters on my hands not from working out but from carrying that thing!  But playing it, I don't notice the weight at all.  I can run around with it, or have long 3 -hr rehearsals with absolutely no problems. 

I even have a regular non-padded strap.  Chicks play that guitar, for goodness sake :) 

d.