Flippin' blisters...

[Dave R]

Is there ANYTHING that can help prevent blisters on the right (pluckin') hand? Other than just playing long enough each day to keep the calluses up?

I just got back from a gig. Had some 'decent' calluses built up from pre-gig practice.

But once in the gig, it was play harder and faster and put on the show, and at the end of the gig I had blisters under calluses. And man, it hurts to type.

I guess its the curse of the doghouse.

[Dr Piggery]

Is there ANYTHING that can help prevent blisters on the right (pluckin') hand? Other than just playing long enough each day to keep the calluses up?

No.





But I think we've all been there!

You haven't played a gig in while....

Arrive all eager and pumped up.....

Get on stage and you can't really hear yourself....

You dig in harder....

An hour later you have a blister the size of a grape on your plucking finger!!

[M Ramsey]

I haven't been playing much since last June when the band I'd had for 6 years folded shop. Went to Merlefest on Friday to hear my boy play with Tony Rice (Aaron plays mando for Mountain Heart) and saw some young friends who were scheduled to play 4 sets on Saturday.

They're all young folks, some just out of high school the oldest maybe 2 years into college, some still in high school. Their main singer and electric bass player (slab) was to be at the prom on the day they were to play four 45 minute sets at various stages all over the grounds of Merlefest. They ask if I can do the gig. I reluctantly agree, provided they try to do some fairly commonly known songs.

So, I get there with my AStandard bass (late 50's) strung with Velvet Garbos. We go over a few tunes and we're off to the races.

After the second set there were cramps in my forearms and I was developing a small blister on my right index finger. I make it through the remaining sets without the blister growing any bigger or bursting.

This past Saturday was spent doing a bit of yardwork and working up a decent sweat. The blister had sort of abated and seemed calloused over. But it was just dead skin that peeled during the chores.

Now it's OK, but I haven't played bass much since. That may change if I go to a bluegrass fest this weekend. I may need to leave the bass at the house.

Gotta play more. Y'all pray for me.

[bluegrassboy]

I've tried "Second Skin", which is sort of like putting superglue on a blister and I've tried taping my fingers. The Second Skin stuff might help if you put it on before you played, but once a blister starts it's too late. I hate taping my fingers. I don't like the feel or the sound that results and it usually ends up getting my strings sticky. If I have a blister that is formed, I put moleskin on the finger before taping it. I've suffered through a few jam sessions that way. Of course, the best is simply to play more and build up that callus! BTW, when a blister starts I've found some relief in putting ice on it. Seems to keep the size of the blister down.

[wineaux]

When I first started thumping, my teacher told me to "toughen" my blistered finger by soaking it in vinegar. It burned like heck for a couple of minutes but the blister very quickly gave way to a callous.

One problem I have is when I'm in my practice room, I keep good form and "grab" the string with the calloused part of my index finger. But in the heat of battle, especially playing faster songs, I tend to get up on my fingertips more, where there is no callous. OUCH.

[boombloom]

Do NOT be fooled by cheap imitations. Second Skin is OK for casual use, but real Super Glue is for bluegrass jams. Apply liberally to the areas of your picking fingers that come in contact with the strings. Contact area will vary widely with individual style. I used to use two coats and I'd put them on well before going out to jam. Remember--it don't mean nothin' 'til you prove it all night. And try out various string options. Four Spirocores will rip up most any hand. I switched to Golden Spiral G and D and saved myself a good deal of grief.

[Dave R]

A string recommendation based on reducing blisters? Cool! How's their tone?

[Doug D]

I always got blisters with any steel wrapped d and g....

then I put my ancient supernills back on and don't get them.

I don't really like the round-wound aspect of the supernills but the lower tension and nylon wrap are a welcomed change.

try guts or weedwackers.