Dealing with String Breakages Mid-Gig

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UKPete24
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Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2026 8:38 am

Dealing with String Breakages Mid-Gig

Post by UKPete24 »

Hey everyone! I’ve got a gig coming up this weekend and I'm starting to stress a bit about what to do if I break a string on stage. I’ve heard stories of bands freezing mid-song or having to awkwardly fumble with their guitars while the audience waits. I want to be prepared, so I was wondering what strategies you all use when this happens. Do you keep spare strings handy? Any tricks for changing them quickly? Or do you have a backup guitar ready to go? I’d love to hear your experiences and tips on how to keep the show rolling smoothly, even when things go wrong!
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Westbury
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Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2026 7:39 pm

Re: Dealing with String Breakages Mid-Gig

Post by Westbury »

It's a pretty rare ocourance so don’t overly stress about it. Not gigged in a long time (am old) but a spare guitar was my solution. Only ever happened once !
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AmpTech1984
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Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2026 8:40 am

Dealing with String Breakages Mid-Gig

Post by AmpTech1984 »

Hey Pete, string breakage is definitely a common concern. I’d recommend having a spare set of strings in your gig bag, ideally already wound up and ready to go. If you can, practice changing them quickly at home to get the hang of it. A good tip is to keep a small toolkit with a string winder and cutter, which can make the job a lot quicker. Just remember to check your guitar setup beforehand to minimise the chances of breakages!
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