| Author | Message | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 538 Registered: 8-2005 |
Hi Everyone. Anyone got a quick fix cure for sore fingers after a 4 hour gig! I use stainless steel strings, and the tips of my right hand.the plucking hand are real tender. We are going to be playing loads more gigs, but it's very painful to whack the bass as normal. Yeah, I know, practice practice practice, but these stainless jobs really do my fingers in albeit I love the punch and clarity. I'm sure we've all suffered in silence with this problem, but I'd just like to know how seasoned bassists get around this problem. I don't want to go back to Nickel strings...though they are so much easier on the fingers. All help appreciated. I've heard that Surgical spirit toughens them up real good........will wait for jlevinemd's comments though. Have a great day everyone George | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1508 Registered: 10-2003 |
I clip my nails a couple of days before a gig (Tuesday or Wednesday) so there's enough nail to support the meat of the fingertip by the time Friday comes. Otherwise the tips really fall apart quickly. Also, of late I've borrowed a bit of "Fingerease" from the guitarist (when I'm played the Lakland with medium gauge stainless roundwounds) and sprayed it on both the strings and my fingers at the beginning of each set. I've also had great results from using a nail file to smooth the callouses on my fingertips, which reduces the friction against the string considerably. Back in the day I lost a lot of blood through the fingertips, playing fresh Rotosounds every night, so I know what you're talking about, and it totally sucks! John (Message edited by 811952 on September 21, 2008) | ||
| white_cloud
Senior Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 493 Registered: 11-2007 |
Hi George, Sorry to hear about the fingers. Try my recipe - 10 bottles of your favourite beer followed by half a bottle of vodka mixed with red bull. I guarantee you wont feel the pain in your fingers until you regain consciousness tomorrow evening! John. | ||
| bassman68
Member Username: bassman68 Post Number: 54 Registered: 10-2007 |
I've always found 'russian roulette' with the good old super glue on the fingertips my favourite when the callouses start to wear a bit! (Please excuse the spelling, i've been gigging since thursday night,5 hours recording today & now 3 bottles into the cab sav to unwind!) Steve | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1510 Registered: 10-2003 |
Too funny! I've always used the superglue AFTER destroying them! Works wonders. | ||
| jet_powers
Advanced Member Username: jet_powers Post Number: 373 Registered: 2-2003 |
I used to follow John's recipe quite religiously. Then I would take the bottle caps and shred them with my fingertips by bending them back and forth until it broke in half. Then I would halve the half, etc. until I had a whole bunch of very little pieces of bottle caps. Musta worked and built some serious callous. I've never had an instrument bloody my fingertips and I'm a lifelong loyalist to Rotosound. Now the side of my index finger on the fretting hand on a Telecaster, that's drawn blood from me by going up or down the hi E string a little too fast apparently, but I figured perhap somehow the tele knew it was being groped by a bass player and it fought back... -JP | ||
| 2400wattman
Senior Member Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 594 Registered: 11-2005 |
Georgie, There is no cure except more playing/gigging. Your tips will callous up and possibly blister. If they do blister drain it/them as soon as you get home. They'll heal up to a degree and you'll be able to play the next night with none to minimal pain. If it's that bad use a pick. Where do you pluck? Bridge or neck pickup? If you pluck on the bridge p/up and you need to make it throught the night start plucking over the neck p/up. A different part of your finger strikes the strings depending on which p/up you're plucking over. Good luck! | ||
| kimberly
Advanced Member Username: kimberly Post Number: 277 Registered: 1-2007 |
Hi Guys.  Wow....this brings back memories. I remember more than a few occasions using a pin to puncture a blister on my index finger between sets so I could finish not only the next set but the night. And... the 'catch 22' was, since I favored the index finger and I only have my index and pinky to play with, I'd play the pinky finger more to make up for the 'loss' of the index. Inevitably I'd end up spraining my pinky and then have to use the index more and round and around I went. Vicious little cycle. Back on topic, the only long term answer is to play more and develop your callouses. Flats, rounds, it makes no never mind. The more you play, the better prepared you are all around. Best Wishes, Kimberly | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 540 Registered: 8-2005 |
Thanks everyone for the "tips" Alan.you are right, and I will try to vary the angle of attack. Problem is, I play all over the plucking area (I said PLUCKING!) John and Steve, The recipe works a treat!!...until the next morning. I'm going to keep practicing everyday till things toughen up. Another problem.I use 3 fingers of the right hand (left hand to you Kimberly) and they tend to play so many notes per bar,(very similar to JE) as I work in tandem with the lead guitarist, that I've probably played about 20 hours in a 4 hour set. Yeah overkill maybe, but it's great. When I pick up the bass now, any of the 4, it's still very tender, although the Surgical spirit seems to be doing the trick. Will keep going at it and see what happens. This never used to happen before, until I changed to Stainless strings..........obviously getting too old and too soft. Will sign off now, as I've just heard that my best friend (who has a Spoiler, and from whom I bought my 75 P bass is dying of Cancer and only has hours to live. He is in Birmingham (England) and we have been best friends for over 40 years. I'm absolutely gutted, as it's too far away for me to go and see him before the inevitble. The pain in my fingers seems so insignificent now compared to the pain in my heart. Just gount to try a White Cloud solution!!! Thanks George What does one do exactly with the Superglue????? | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1950 Registered: 6-2002 |
George, sorry to hear about your friend. When you feel up to it again, try out Joey's magic setup prescription - lowering the action should help, and there's more play on an Alembic than you may think. You can go beyond "low", into Entwistle's "below the fret" territory at the turn of a couple of nuts and bolts. Even I can do it ... Also lighten up your touch, for both hands. For more volume, turn up the amp. For volume consistency, add a compressor. And don't forget to ask the others to turn down their volume. | ||
| bassman68
Member Username: bassman68 Post Number: 55 Registered: 10-2007 |
George, My deepest sympathy to you & your friend, i lost a good friend to leukemia who was diagnosed too late, whilst i was away on holiday the other year, I feel for you mate. On a lighter note the superglue roullette requires you to dab some on the tip of your thumb & then to touch the other fingertips in turn building up a false callouse on each, just don't stick your fingers together! It's helped me out on numerous occasions over 26 years of playing although it's no substitute for regular playing to build the tips up but i still sometimes do it if i've been away from my bass whilst on holiday etc. I agree with Adriaan as well to lighten & lower. Hang in there... Steve | ||
| funkyjazzjunky
Advanced Member Username: funkyjazzjunky Post Number: 202 Registered: 5-2007 |
Have you tried Gorilla Snot? http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gorilla-Snot-Gorilla-Snot?sku=428010 | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1938 Registered: 2-2006 |
My fingers don't get the "use" they once did either George. So I imagine I would be in for some sore fingers should I play a long gig. I did do some long studio sessions lately but there is as much rest as playing time in those. When I play at church it's never for more than maybe 30 minutes or so. BUT when they ask me to play acoustic (guitar) those same 30 minutes KILL my fingers. I've tried the "New Skin" product that's out but it takes too long to dry and cost so much more than spuer glue. SOooooo, I side with the super glue folks. Always worked for me. OO | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 541 Registered: 8-2005 |
Well, My friend slipped away this evening at 19.30 hrs GMT Will be back sometime soon Thanks for your support George | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1511 Registered: 10-2003 |
Terribly sorry to hear that, George. Be well, John | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 1471 Registered: 12-2002 |
No pain no gain! | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Advanced Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 356 Registered: 10-2006 |
"John and Steve, The recipe works a treat!!...until the next morning. I'm going to keep practicing everyday till things toughen up." Um, is that practicing with the bass, or practicing with the recipe, George? Peter | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7077 Registered: 5-2002 |
George; so sorry to hear of your friend. | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1939 Registered: 2-2006 |
Very sorry to hear about the loss George. Our prayers got out to you. | ||
| white_cloud
Senior Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 494 Registered: 11-2007 |
Your not alone George..you have the entire Alembic club with you at this awful time! John. | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 584 Registered: 11-2004 |
Sorry for your bad news George..my sympathies and condolences to you and your friend's family. This decade of the new millenium has not been kind to me in that respect. | ||
| basstard
Advanced Member Username: basstard Post Number: 237 Registered: 3-2003 |
George - I'm so sorry to hear about your loss... Your friend will be forever alive in your memory. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3275 Registered: 7-2004 |
My condolences, George. Bill, tgo | ||
| gtrguy
Intermediate Member Username: gtrguy Post Number: 152 Registered: 9-2004 |
Oddly enough. after 40 years of playing I don't so much as have callouses as I just have normal lookng fingers with very little feeling left in the tips on my left hand. I wonder if others have the same thing after years of playing? No real tough/thick buildup or pad there, but I can gig for hours. Bye, Dave | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1514 Registered: 10-2003 |
My callouses aren't obvious anymore either. In fact, the more callous is built-up, the more it hurts after a gig. If I'm going to sweat a bunch, that's when I use the fingerease, since sweat flushes away the oils. I do still have feeling in my fingertips, though probably not nearly as much as I should, I'm guessing.. I think the real issue George has is directly related to new stainless steel roundwound bass strings. They are often significantly less-smooth than other roundwounds, and not unlike a cheese grater until they've been gigged with and have some oil/dirt contamination on 'em.. John | ||
| mike1762
Intermediate Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 114 Registered: 1-2008 |
I was just looking at my SC (it's my favorite "noodling" bass)... there is quite a bit of "finger dust" that has accumulated in the PU cavity. About a finger tips worth I'd say. I used to use Fingerease. I got addicted to the stuff and couldn't play without it. At first, I would just give a quick spay at the start of a set. Before long, I was coating the strings with heavier and heavier doses. Then I started applying it mid-set. It got completely out of hand. I showed up for a show one night and there were my band mates along with my parents and girlfriend. I knew I had a problem but it was hard for me to admit that my "substance abuse" affected so many other people. I spent a few hard weeks playing "dry" and finally kicked the habit. But sometimes when I walk by the guitar accessories counter and see that gleaming canister... I'm sure some of you guys understand those old cravings. (Message edited by mike1762 on September 23, 2008) | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1515 Registered: 10-2003 |
"I was just looking at my SC (it's my favorite "noodling" bass)... there is quite a bit of "finger dust" that has accumulated in the PU cavity. About a finger tips worth I'd say. I used to use Fingerease. I got addicted to the stuff and couldn't play without it. At first, I would just give a quick spay at the start of a set. Before long, I was coating the strings with heavier and heavier doses. Then I started applying it mid-set. It got completely out of hand. I showed up for a show one night and there were my band mates along with my parents and girlfriend. I knew I had a problem but it was hard for me to admit that my "substance abuse" affected so many other people. I spent a few hard weeks playing "dry" and finally kicked the habit. But sometimes when I walk by the guitar accessories counter and see that gleaming canister... I'm sure some of you guys understand those old cravings." Nice.. ;) For DECADES I thought using that stuff would make me less of a man! I don't take myself so seriously anymore though (or try not to at least), and realize that life is too short to suffer needlessly! That's why I don't drink cheap beer either, btw, or wear uncomfortable shoes.. ;) John | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 542 Registered: 8-2005 |
a BIG thankyou TO EVERYONE who helped me through this bad time. I had responses from USA,England,Scotland,Poland France,Germany and more. I'm so touched that a Club for basses and guitars should show me that people actually CARE about other people. I'd nearly given up on the Human Race. To the members from Texas and Helensburgh...........Thankyou SOOO much for your kind thoughts. You know who you are. THAnKYOU again to everyone! George Will be playing this Friday, and will let you all know the finger situation. | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 1930 Registered: 10-2002 |
Where will you be playing George? Graeme | ||
| white_cloud
Senior Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 500 Registered: 11-2007 |
Good to see you back on the forum George - your THE MAN John. | ||
| andbassforall
Junior Username: andbassforall Post Number: 21 Registered: 9-2008 |
Georgie, I'm curious what brand of steel strings you use. I use steel on about 70% of my gigs these days. The reason, D'Addario Pro Steels. Before I only put steel strings on my 4-string gigs because it was near impossible to find a good proper 5 or 6-string Rotosound set. I love and grew up on Rotosounds. I would for sure suggest the D'Addario Pro Steels because they feel at least 15% nicer on the fingers and the cost is a bit better. They do no sound exactly like Rotosounds but they do sound damn good. Good luck! | ||
| 2400wattman
Senior Member Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 596 Registered: 11-2005 |
I gave up on Roto's 'cause there was a dead string in almost every set I bought for too many years to mention. I've been a Dean Markley endorser for eight years now and started out using the Blue Steels but have gravitated to their standard stainless strings which are as good or better as the Roto's. However I have tried the vast majority of major stainless steel strings out there, and steel is steel. All of it will tear up your fingers so find a good company that makes a consistent string to your liking and stick with it. BTW I have been using the Dean Markley Alchemy ( endorsed by Randy Jackson,YEEEEEEhaaaaaaaww!!!!) sets on my Series II and as they certainly lack the prescence of the steels it's nothing that the filters on the bass can't fix! | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 544 Registered: 8-2005 |
Hi Everyone, There is a memorial service for my buddy here in my home town on Tuesday at 10.00 GMT. As I coudn't make the funeral in Birmingham, I'll obviously be there tomorrow. On a lighter note, I've been using D'Addario pro steels......a great string at a great price! I played out Friday night for 3 hours in the Pines bar....where the Scottish Alembic gathering took place. I'd been practicing all week to build up some callouses.....result..........no pain the next day!! Seems I've been slack on the practice! All my basses have LOW action, and I play loud (some say TOO loud). I used my Cort Curbow bass, as I am so wary about getting the big guy damaged. She was great! Fingers toughening up nicely now. Thanks to everyone for their input on this!! It will stand us all in good stead for the future. george |
