finger tip, right hand HELP!

PIZZAcato · #1 10-22-2006, 04:49 PM

I've been playing for 2 yrs now and I've learned upright bass also. However during the process of learning the upright I got blisters and all kinds of what not on my index finger! Now i think it is too hard and effecting my tone negatively. Is there any way I can soften my finger up? Please help with any suggestions.

garth elson · #2 10-22-2006, 08:26 PM

I had the same problems when learning to double-thumb on electric, and the best solution I've found, however odd it is, is to simply use some super-glue. Your fingers are always going to be softer than the strings, so that's not really an issue. A blister is essentially a separation between layers in the dermis, so it's a matter of creating a strong bond between those layers. Superglue was designed to bond flesh, so it's basically safe to use on skin (don't get it in your bloodstream though). What I did with my blisters is 1. drain them 2. get hypodermic neede, and fill it with superglue 3. WITH SURGICAL (literally) PRESCISION, get under the outer layer of the blister, and get the glue between the dead skin and the very tender living skin underneath it to create bond. If you don't think this is a good idea or you don't think you can pull it off, then don't; but it worked for me. It will stay for awhile, allowing you to play in the interrim, and then it will fall off with the natural skin regeneration cycle. When that falls off and you have normal skin, try playing for 20-30 mins and soaking your fingertips in saltwater.

peaveyuser · #3 10-22-2006, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garth elson

What I did with my blisters is 1. drain them 2. get hypodermic neede, and fill it with superglue 3. WITH SURGICAL (literally) PRESCISION, get under the outer layer of the blister, and get the glue between the dead skin and the very tender living skin underneath it to create bond.

That's sounds freakin nasty.

Also what does dipping your fingers in salt water do

garth elson · #4 10-22-2006, 09:11 PM

Hey, I never said it wasn't freakin nasty. I just said it worked, haha. The salt water thing was actually reccommended to me by a bunch of guys that play upright and I've heard it other places too. It seems to have helped me a lot, since I've been gigging constantly with my band for the past year and haven't gotten any blisters on the fingers I've done it with (aside from my thumb when I was refining my double thumb). Basically, it's to help build hard callous on your fingertips that helps alleviate stress on your lower, more sensitive subdermis below. Soak for like 5 to 10 minutes when you think of it, and it may provide help.

FaithNoMan · #5 10-22-2006, 09:54 PM

I think he is asking how to soften his skin, not build callouses..

I think callouses are beneficial for fingerstyle players..if there's too much treble from the fingertips, just turn down the tone knob.

superjesus · #6 10-22-2006, 10:32 PM

try playing with a lighter touch for awhile and use hand moisturizers and a pumice stone on the callous. This should help.

bassbmx · #7 10-23-2006, 07:57 PM

Cheese grater.

I don't understand why you wound want to soften your fingertips. It seems to me like if they're soft, you're only going to get blisters, then callouses again.

Bassist4Life · #8 10-23-2006, 08:37 PM

I had this happen when I was playing URB in a big band with NO amp. I know, dumb. I didn't have a pickup on my bass at the time.

I was whomping on the strings and I got a huge blister on my right index finger. I had to keep playing for rehearsals.

I got a callous over the blister. It was so strange. This tough skin with a squishy layer under it. Gross...

What did I do about it? Nothing.

Joe

D-Bone · #9 10-23-2006, 09:17 PM

The blister comes from the friction too. Rounds can eat calluses up, but doing a 10 fret slide on flats can really heat up too.
That said, I like using a fast fret stick on bass strings. It takes the "Squeak" out of sliding on the rounds and cools the strings down on the flats. It also helps me with my fingertips getting sore on BOTH hands.

PIZZAcato · #10 10-24-2006, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassist4Life

I had this happen when I was playing URB in a big band with NO amp. I know, dumb. I didn't have a pickup on my bass at the time.

I was whomping on the strings and I got a huge blister on my right index finger. I had to keep playing for rehearsals.
Joe

Exact same position. However the reason i want to soften my finger up now is that when i play electric it sounds horrible! my middle finger is the right thickness callouse wise. But my pointer is freakin horrible! thx