fingertip calluses

[Indiana Mike]

Yes I have them... The issue is with my plucking hand

The problem is they are so hard when I play they strike the strings like a pick and while this is sometimes desirable it's beginning to bother me. Before I cut them off or file them down does anyone have any tricks to soften them ? Or... Should I just file them down?

[ausf]

My problem is my calluses get thick, dry and then crack, leaving these fissures that take forever to heal because the skin is so hard.

The only thing that worked (which also softened them) is pretty lame man-wise. On my wife's insistence, Aquaphor or Vaseline at bedtime. After I put the curlers in my hair of course.

[fu22ba55]

Originally Posted by ausf

My problem is my calluses get thick, dry and then crack, leaving these fissures that take forever to heal because the skin is so hard.

Same here. When they crack, you're screwed.

I use "liquid skin" or "new skin" or whatever that stuff is called to help heal fissures.

Best way to pare down calluses is to stop playing for a couple of days. I've never tried to reduce my calluses. I'm always trying to keep them if possible. I imagine Aquaphor would do a great job at softening them.

[ausf]

The liquid skin only worked to prevent the squeel of pain every time the crack bumped into something. It never helped with healing (for me anyway).

I play a StingRay and if my fingertips get too dry, they split on the big alnico poles when I dig in. Then it's over. At least a week of blood and pain.

Now I work some lotion on the fingertips before I warm up and it really makes a difference. The trick is to wipe off any excess otherwise you get some funky miscues while popping. I haven't noticed any string issues from it and it's only on the two fingertips, so it's not touching or affecting the bass itself.

[EricF]

Originally Posted by ausf

My problem is my calluses get thick, dry and then crack, leaving these fissures that take forever to heal because the skin is so hard.

The only thing that worked (which also softened them) is pretty lame man-wise. On my wife's insistence, Aquaphor or Vaseline at bedtime. After I put the curlers in my hair of course.

1. ANYTHING that allows you to keep playing is acceptable.

2. Aquaphor is great for helping tattoos heal. Therefore, it's manly.