talc for left hand

[violinoscar]

Does anyone use talc on thier left hand? I have been using an unscented talc for some time when I play and find it helps with sliding around the fingerboard. Makes the neck messy though...

[Johnny L]

You're talking about mitigating sticky feeling?

I read about using an alcohol based pre-shave for the fingers. I tried it and it worked great, but I don't do that sort of thing anymore.

[deaf pea]

I have recorded acoustic guitarists who have used talc on their left hands to reduce string noise . . . it DOES seem to work (for that goal, i.e., less noise in recording). But then we have to be more careful trying to avoid the breathing noises that enter the recording during long held notes . . .

[musicman5string]

I put on some hand lotion and rub it in pretty good before I play. I've been doing this for 13 years ever since I saw Dave Holland do it several times.

[Damon Rondeau]

I didn't know Dave worked blue....

[Marcus Johnson]

I have a friend who swears by "Fast Fret"... he uses it each and every time he plays DB.

[Jake]

Is that GHS Fast Fret? I've never tried anything like that, but I know a fine classical bassist/instructor, who shall remain nameless, who's basses (neck/fingerboard/strings) have always been greasy whenever I've played them. I don't know what he uses. It has always thrown me off when attempting to plays his basses.

[ZuluFunk]

Originally Posted by deaf pea

I have recorded acoustic guitarists who have used talc on their left hands to reduce string noise . . . it DOES seem to work (for that goal, i.e., less noise in recording). But then we have to be more careful trying to avoid the breathing noises that enter the recording during long held notes . . .

I'm always holding my breath when recording...so is the engineer and the band.

[dbudd]

I use a moist wipe to clean my left hand just before playing. they come in little packs and are easy to toss in your bag. it definitely helps reduce that sticky feeling.

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by Jake

Is that GHS Fast Fret? I've never tried anything like that, but I know a fine classical bassist/instructor, who shall remain nameless, who's basses (neck/fingerboard/strings) have always been greasy whenever I've played them. I don't know what he uses. It has always thrown me off when attempting to plays his basses.

Yup, that's it.

[*fenderbass*]

I've found Fast Fret worked really well when I was using Roto Sound RS4000 nylon strings. I would put it on thick without wiping it off and it left the strings very slick after it dried. I switched to steel strings and don't use it much anymore. When I use it on my steel strings it's more as a cleaner.

Fast Fret goes on thin like an alcohol and dries/evaporates within a few minutes. It won't leave your strings greasy.

[Johnny Crab]

Being in New Orleans bands for many years(read high humidity, outdoor gigs, air conditioners that go out, etc.), the absolute BEST use of talc ever experienced was in a small studio in Kenner(suburb of NOLA). It was late July or early August at night and the studio was about 200 yards from the Mississippi River(nice humidity source)....AND on the 3 hours or so we had booked the air conditioner was NOT working as it had cratered earlier in the day. We ALL played in gym shorts and tank tops with WalMart fans turned on during short breaks between songs. It still got so hot the air outside(94 degrees, high humidity night) felt cold. We(bass & two guitars) used cornstarch talc on our hands. We were SOAKED with sweat but our hands were dry the entire time. You NEVER saw a gigbag without a bottle of cornstarch talc after that experience...