My right hand fingertips are too hard, they sound awful.

hogue · #1 08-09-2009, 09:19 AM

Due to playing allot of upright, my right hand fingertips have gotten very hard. They sound fine when playing upright, but when I switch to electric they sound awful. The resulting sound is harsh, metallic, and absent of any warmth. For a quick fix I've been using my softer, uncallused ring finger but I need some help in softening up my index and middle finger of my right hand. Any Ideas?

pin_head_47 · #2 08-09-2009, 09:21 AM

Have you considered possibly going to some flatwounds, to compensate for your fingers? What kind of music or sound are you going for?

dmusic148 · #3 08-09-2009, 09:23 AM

Lotion. Oddly, the problem you have is one many of us would like to have.

Nashrakh · #4 08-09-2009, 03:08 PM

If you want to continue playing upright in the future, I think you're quite in a tight spot there. For upright, you need calluses, for electric, they can be a hindrance... (I don't even have them at all

)

Gord_oh · #5 08-09-2009, 03:10 PM

nylons might do something as well...
fender 9120s

Stumbo · #6 08-09-2009, 03:11 PM

Turn the treble down. Be sure to go FOH at a gig and hear how you really sound. If you're judging your sound from listening close up in your room or rehearsal space, maybe you're not really hearing properly how you sound live. I suggest you do some recordings at rehearsal and at gigs to get more information on what actually needs to be corrected, if anything.

You also might try a water proof sanding sponge that any big box hardware store will carry. Most likely in the the drywall section. Has different grits on different sides. Used with water, it will gently smooth out your callouses and possibly resolve the problem. Maybe even remove a bit of the callous to make it thinner might help. Doesn't hurt to try. Hey you can also use the sponge on your elbows, feet, etc. Last for years.

Jazzdogg · #7 08-09-2009, 03:17 PM

I don't want to say anything that sounds too obvious/simple at the risk of offending someone who is an accomplished and well-educated bassist. Different strings, EQ adjustments, raising the action on your electric bass, and turing down the tweeter on your cabinet may all help.

Where do you pluck on electric?
How hard do you pluck on electric?
Which styles of music do you usually play on electric bass?
Where do you normally stand with respect to your loudspeaker cabinet when you play?

I know that when I play DB a lot and then switch back to electric, or vice versa, there's always a period of adjustment. Perhaps a paradigm shift is as much of an issue as playing style or the gear used.

Pilgrim · #8 08-12-2009, 04:21 PM

The solution is easy - in addition to perhaps rolling the high end off a bit, move your hand up the bass, brace your thumb against the neck and pluck over the end of the neck. That will give you a much softer, warmer sound.

Also - having played upright myself, I'll bet you're plucking too hard...ease off and let the amp do the work.

hogue · #9 08-13-2009, 09:45 PM

Just to Clarify the Problem:
When I play electric, I mostly do rock gigs. I articulate close to the neck and roll off the treble. But I end up rolling off so much treble (and mids) that my sound is then too boomy. I think I'm going to try the sanding sponge on my fingertips.

TimoMetzemakers · #10 08-14-2009, 03:35 PM

I mostly play DB too, and I have the same problem, but I've found that the right kind of lotion will soften up those fingertips in no time. Try a moisturizing cream designed to soften up dry feet with cracked heels; those work great for DB fingers too.

SlingBass4 · #11 08-14-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

...Try a moisturizing cream designed to soften up dry feet with cracked heels; those work great for DB fingers too.

Quote:

...I think I'm going to try the sanding sponge on my fingertips.

Both are great remedies. I might suggest a quality moisturizer that penetrates deep into the skin as opposed to cheaper hand moisturizers. When sanding or filing down your calluses - careful not to take off too much