Adjusting to a MusicMan StingRay

[skidrawk]

So I've been a fingerstyle player for 23 years now. I've gone through many phases of bass - Ibanez, Carvin, Kawai, Fender, Spector, and now the StingRay. I've never had a bass so responsive dynamically to fingerstyle playing as the StingRay. I am going through a growing phase that is redeveloping my calouses similar to what you go through as a beginner and after you've set the bass down for a spell. Anyone else gone through this? Also this bass has caused me to want to play more so that might be part of it but really I think it's more that I am playing harder because of the sounds I'm able to get when I do.

[Bluechain311]

I anchor off the pickup and the pickup is pretty close to the bridge where the strings are tighter. I went through the same deal with sore fingers from playing the Stingray. And yes, you will want to play more when you're playing a Stingray! It's a fantastic sounding bass...

[jaywa]

I love the sound of StingRays but have always hesitated to pull the trigger on one for that exact reason. Having played a P-Bass for 30 years I've gotten quite used to that split pickup as a thumbrest.

[hachi kid]

jaywa, get a Musicman, and put a p-bass pickup in it a little further up?...

[TOOL460002]

might i suggest it with dr hi beams? as far as technique, you can always anchor on the edge of the neck, though i bounce around all over the place. excellent purchase sir.

[shirtforbrains]

The stingray make my fingers hurt. Best bet live, keep hands really clean and use rubbing alcohol with water and pour some on your hands. This drys your hands, so your not going to get that blood blister.If you get a blood or water blister drain it asap.
Put everything on 10 and use a compressor.

[frankie5string]

Here's a neat trick I've seen someone else do: Before you begin to play, take your plucking fingers and rub your nose - that little bit of nose-oil on your fingers will make it a little less likely that you'll end up with chalky callouses...

You could also lick your fingertips but I find that's a bit gross... ;-)

[john grey]

I was very lucky in that my 1st bass was a j-Bass and I anchored on the back P-up. The teacher I had also insisted I change anchor points; all over the place....this helped more than anything else for many different reasons.
In most people who have been playing for any period of time the fingers adjust given time. The idea of light skin oil, etc will work but basically what you're experiencing is actually a good thing. There is also some folks who anchor on the edge of the neck or the edge of the pick-guard of a MM-bass to get close to the neck. Change up your anchor points; it's simply another exercise & in the long run will help not hinder.

[xxx666]

Ha - As I read this thread I am looking at the blisters I have on my fingers from playing my stingray at my gig last night - I too use the pickup as an anchor - I really like the sound I get from playing it there... My remedy at this stage will be :A teaspoon of concrete (Harden the **** up!!!)