what if ya just can't build calluses?

fr0me0 · #1 02-01-2005, 08:08 PM

Didn't really know where to put this so i figured it goes here. I've been playing for not too long but more then long enough to have calluses. For some reason i just don't have one, they kinda of develope a bit then rip off. Same thing happens with those calluses you develope at the gym right below where the finger meets the hand they just rip off. Is there anything that can be done about this? I mean its not like I uses handcream on them or intentionally file them down or anything. Do i have to put something on my hands to try and dry them out or something? Or should I wear some gloves in the shower and avoid getting my hands wet at all costs. I'm really at a loss I have no idea what to do. I mean the skin is a little tougher but its just not a real calluse.

Figjam · #2 02-01-2005, 08:17 PM

After a few years, my skin is just really tough. I dont have bulging lumps or anything. Dont know how many people actually get large bumpy callouses.

slugworth · #3 02-01-2005, 08:18 PM

Baseball pitcher Nolan Ryan would soak his fingertips in
pickle juice to toughen up the skin. Seemed the friction
from releasing the baseball on a 100MPH fastball was tearing
up his skin. Stevie Ray Vaugh used KrazyGlue and would
make his own skin patches torn from various parts of his
body...

Slug

paniak17 · #4 02-01-2005, 08:19 PM

your [removed by mod]

the ombudsman · #5 02-02-2005, 07:41 AM

Don't worry, the skin will harden up eventually.

Just keep on playing when the skin rips off and the calluses will build up.

**IvanMike** · #6 02-02-2005, 08:47 AM

who cares?
i used to getcalluses but really dont any more
why? i dunno - maybe cause i dont play 6 hours a day liek back when i was in high school and had no other responsibilities.
the bottom line is i don't experience pain in my fingertips when playing, and i play well, so who cares?

nonsqtr · #7 02-02-2005, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fr0me0

Didn't really know where to put this so i figured it goes here. I've been playing for not too long but more then long enough to have calluses. For some reason i just don't have one, they kinda of develope a bit then rip off. Same thing happens with those calluses you develope at the gym right below where the finger meets the hand they just rip off. Is there anything that can be done about this? I mean its not like I uses handcream on them or intentionally file them down or anything. Do i have to put something on my hands to try and dry them out or something? Or should I wear some gloves in the shower and avoid getting my hands wet at all costs. I'm really at a loss I have no idea what to do. I mean the skin is a little tougher but its just not a real calluse.

It sounds like you're in that "halfway" state where your callouses are just starting to bud, but maybe you're not quite playing enough to build them up to full stature. Try putting a set of Ken Smith rock master medium's on your bass, those will build your callouses faster than anything (except an upright maybe). If you're really serious about building callouses, keep a reasonably fresh set on your bass at all times (maybe two or three weeks at most, no more). Pretty soon your fingers will be round on one side and square on the other.

Passinwind · #8 02-02-2005, 09:50 AM

Stanley Clarke used to recommend sanding with something like #400 wet/dry, which I've found to work pretty well. Don't let 'em get rough, and they won't rip off. Less string noise as well. YMMV, as always, though.

Tim Cole · #9 02-02-2005, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paniak17

your [removed by mod]

I thought you left this place for a "much better forum?" This post really served no helpful purpose other than to smart off anyway, but I'd reccomend you read the rules about language. It's needs to be FULLY masked, not just enough to get by the language filters.

While I have your attention, it's "you're", not your.

G'day

BassBrace James · #10 02-02-2005, 10:04 PM

I tend not to get big thick callouses either, and have often felt it was a minor hinderance, especially when playing upright. I recently came across something on the internet about soaking the fingertips in alcohol (the pharmacy kind, not Jack Daniels!) to keep the fingers dried out. I've been trying it for a month or so, dipping 'em in alcohol after I've washed my hands, and it does seem to help some.

Good luck!
James

grovest · #11 02-03-2005, 12:00 AM

I'm not suggesting you probably have a 'condition', but some people simply can't build calluses. I remember hearing a short bio on NPR's 'Performance Today' about one of the famous composers. Apparently, he first wanted to play the violin, but his inability to develop calluses forced him to instead play piano and write music. I did a quick web search just now and couldn't find info on that person, but I did find this snapshot of a conductor in a similar situation from Fast Company: http://www.benjaminzander.com/news/detail.asp?id=17

ggunn · #12 03-10-2010, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moconno1

Hey I have the same issue - I have very sensitive fingertips and even though I have calluses it still hurts to play sometimes. I got turned on to this stuff called Rock-Tips. It's a liquid callus and it's tough as nails. Great for people who have trouble keeping their calluses or newbies.

It's probably just super glue.

Pilgrim · #13 03-11-2010, 08:53 AM

Here you go:

How to tape fingertips