I wonder if anyone can help! I've been playing bass for about 4 years now, and obviously suffered the right-hand blisters that every finger-picker gets. However, in the last year I've developed 'contact dermatitis' on my hands. Aparrently I'm also allergic to various metals, so I changed to nylon strings thinking that would help. Unfortunately it hasn't, and as a result every time I play I end up ripping the skin of all my fingertips, right hand and left.

Someone told me that you can buy finger protectors that are plastic, but still allow you to feel the strings. So far, plasters topped with gaffer (duck) tape is about the only solution I can come up with. As you can imagine, I can't feel the strings at all, and it tends to cut the circulation off! Does anyone know of these finger protectors and if so where you can buy them? I can't find them anywhere!

Also, does anyone suffer from a similar problem themselves and know how to solve it? (By the way, I've already tried playing with cotton gloves - hands still bleed - and leather gloves - can't feel the strings!)

Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks x

maybe you should play guitar. you dont have to touch metal at all just a plastic pick

Well, theoretically you do touch metal even if playing a guitar, because the frets are metal...same with the bass. Maybe that's why the change of strings didn't help. Besides, the guys a bass player looking for advice. I'm not sure telling him to play another instrument is what he's looking for.

I can't help you with those finger protectors, but there's an African bass player by the name of Etienne M'Bappe that played with Joe Zawinuls band. He's a great player, and he wears these gloves that are a real light material. I was reading about them in a past Bass Player magazine where they talked to him about it, and can't for the life of me remember what exactly they were. But I know they were a real light material that allowed him to still feel the bass. Some web searches might shed some more light on this...or some others here may be more familiar.

Etienne said that he wore silk gloves. This was a result of him sweating too much.

Originally posted by tinabass
I wonder if anyone can help! I've been playing bass for about 4 years now, and obviously suffered the right-hand blisters that every finger-picker gets. However, in the last year I've developed 'contact dermatitis' on my hands. Aparrently I'm also allergic to various metals, so I changed to nylon strings thinking that would help. Unfortunately it hasn't, and as a result every time I play I end up ripping the skin of all my fingertips, right hand and left.

Someone told me that you can buy finger protectors that are plastic, but still allow you to feel the strings. So far, plasters topped with gaffer (duck) tape is about the only solution I can come up with. As you can imagine, I can't feel the strings at all, and it tends to cut the circulation off! Does anyone know of these finger protectors and if so where you can buy them? I can't find them anywhere!

Also, does anyone suffer from a similar problem themselves and know how to solve it? (By the way, I've already tried playing with cotton gloves - hands still bleed - and leather gloves - can't feel the strings!)

Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks x

jeez! how horrible! if i developed that, i would just freak out.

:(

first of all, i reckon tinabass is probably a female! also im confused cos the only nylon coated strings ive used were seriously soft on the old fingers. maybe try find some better ones

Have you tried (unscented) lotion on your fingers? The skin don't have to be dry to develop calouses. It probably sounds counter-intuitive, but the softer, moister skin will be more compliant, and less likely to tear. It's worth a try.

Also, look for other allergens that may be contributing, including soaps, scented lotions, fabric softener, etc.

Good luck!

my bass teacher taught me this and lets say it was 100% efficiant, next time you blister, dont wait for it to pop on its own. Pop it right away and remove all the excess hanging skin. the skin under there is super sensitive but it will calause like a rock.

that is the technique i use for hardening my skin up when my fingers blister it hurts alot playing with the sensitive skin but once it goes hard its not to bad think im developing slight r.s.i now tho :hmm: not gonna stop me playing tho kuz i jus got my new six string :D

Thanks for your advice everyone. Yes I am female by the way!

Just to clarify, its not blisters that I'm having problems with, its a skin condition. Obviously I have suffered from them too, but this is dermatitis - similar to eczema, but caused by contact as well as allergies.

Any more suggestions would be much appreciated. Can anyone tell me which the really soft nylon strings are please?

Cheers:p

there was a good article in this month's (December) Bass Player, the article was about blisters but I think it's relevant.

They suggested (for blisters) using thin Kevlar motorcycling inner gloves, ($18 from www.pcracingusa.com)

These could be worth a try for your dermatitis