blisters >.<

Sausainis · #1 09-10-2010, 02:55 PM

Ok, so i was drunk yesturday night and when I am drunk i want to do 2 things: eat junk food, and play bass.
Even tho i dont remember what i was playing it seems i was trying to learn to slap& pop as...well, my all right hand fingers are in blisters

And ofcourse there must be a reason for this topic, right? I got gig on 19th, and i need to get rid of blisters till then...

Oh wise TB, share your wisdom with me! how can i get rid of blisters asap?

thombo · #2 09-10-2010, 02:58 PM

peeing on blisters-> calluses

SC Bassboy · #3 09-10-2010, 03:00 PM

If you put your fingers into boiling water it will harden the blisters into calluses. Seriously. I promise.

....... or you might try draining them of liquid and putting super glue over the blisters to harden them.

Sausainis · #4 09-10-2010, 03:07 PM

I also heard that if u make necklace of eal heads, and jump around church counterclockwise twice should turn blisters into steel calluses. Does that actually work? i dont wanna kill my eals for no reason

Sharkman · #5 09-10-2010, 03:09 PM

If you've got blisters you haven't been playing enough... Blisters are just reminders that you must NEVER stop playing.

As a real bass player, play with them!

I suggest "Taste the Pain" by the RHCP!

T-Bird · #6 09-10-2010, 11:57 PM

Hi.

If I get blisters for one reason or another, I treat 'em the same as I do with any other damages to my skin.
The answer is CA (cyano-acrylate = super glue).

Works every time.

If You can prefer ethylene CA over methylene CA. Some folks can get a mild allergic reaction from methylene acrylates.

Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor or physicist, keep that in mind

.

Regards
Sam

**Josh Ryan** · #7 09-11-2010, 06:16 AM

try and let them heal normally until the last minute, at the last minute a little super glue does actually keep the skin in place long enough for a gig. However, it will flake and peel off. There is really no way to get around the healing process, the super glue is a last resort. *

*I am not a doctor. My advice is for entertainment purposes only. Results may vary. Weight loss not typical.

SC Bassboy · #8 09-14-2010, 02:11 PM

I just Googled the "pee-ing on blisters" idea. It's actually thought to be true. weird.

pgolliher · #9 09-14-2010, 02:21 PM

+1 on super glue. Not sure if it is medically sound, but I keep some in my gig bag for emergencies. You might want to try draining the fluid with a very thin sterilzed needle as soon as you can- sometimes the skin will attach back and heal quicker (try to poke the needle where your strings won't hit). If you still have the fluid in there and start playing, they will rip open and leave a hole. (the super glue will work better if you don't have to fill a wet hole in you finger tip. ) Good luck!

Skitch it! · #10 09-14-2010, 02:23 PM

IME there isn't a way apart from lancing, which I wouldn't think about or advise at all, usually I've played on them until they've burst and then it's pain and spattered scratchplate until the final downbeat of the night, try brushing your tips with Spike Lavender Oil to dry them out and harden them up....I've never found a solution for this one apart from callouses IME.

Or learn to play well with a pick....then problem solved ; )

SC Bassboy · #11 09-15-2010, 08:55 AM

Random fact of the day: Many people believe super glue was originally developed to replace sutures after surgery. In fact it was discovered by accident during WWII while trying to invent new types of plastic compounds.

electracoyote · #12 09-15-2010, 08:58 AM

You will be playing in pain no matter what. Have no fear, this is the test of dedication all players must endure sooner or later. After the gig, assuming you don't curl into a ball and whimper like a newborn on stage, you will no longer be a boy, but a man.

Skitch it! · #13 09-15-2010, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electracoyote

You will be playing in pain no matter what. Have no fear, this is the test of dedication all players must endure sooner or later. After the gig, assuming you don't curl into a ball and whimper like a newborn on stage, you will no longer be a boy, but a man.

Yes

And if you can chop chillies with those tips after....then you are more than man. : )

Big B. · #14 09-15-2010, 09:11 AM

I dont know how to link to a forum but check on the DB side under miscellanious. There is a running thread about what to do with blisters with some really great advice. You can be rest assured that few people have more experience with blisters than double bassists.

SMILEYSIXX · #15 09-15-2010, 02:27 PM

Here is what I did:
1. Get a safety pin and a lighter
2. Heat safety pin
3. Stick it in the side of the blister and push down
4. Liquid comes out
5. Hold the blisters under hot water
6. Calluses

okcrum · #16 09-15-2010, 02:45 PM

Wait a day or two tops. The blisters will deflate and become callous on their own.

SC Bassboy · #17 09-15-2010, 03:03 PM

I remember years ago when I was just a baby bass player and was first being introduced to the Hell that is 4-hour long cover sets. My fingers got so bad that I actually bled all over my bass one night. I had to keep super gluing my finger tip back on in-between sets. Oh, those were the days. =)

BZadlo · #18 09-15-2010, 03:05 PM

I wouldn't pop them. I feel like they take much longer to heal that way.
A pick and/or additional fingers help in this department.
I used to get poison ivy between my fingers constantly so I had to learn to play with my thumb.
You will eventually wear through any callous if you play hard enough and long enough.
I typically play too hard and have to remind myself to lighten up if I have a busy week. It's hard to remember when you're on stage though.

When my fingertips are burning after a long practice or gig, I rub a bit of moisturizer into them before bed. I think it helps them heal faster.
4 days should be long enough.

Superglue works great but, remember to clean/dry your finger tips with alcohol before applying the glue and use multiple thin coats. If you do these two extra steps, the glue will last much longer (sometimes too long).