Injured reserve

[NortyFiner]

A work mishap today sliced my left thumb pretty deep on the inside, just below the knuckle. Fortunately, it wasn't deep enough to do severe damage; inconveniently, it's just about where my thumb usually rides on the neck of my bass. Ow. I have tried wrapping it up in a bandage, but the pressure is still uncomfortable.

To make matters worse, I just got in two new pedals that I was looking forward to messing with this weekend. Guess I can just focus on my right hand, open strings... *sigh*

Anyone have any ideas on how to deal with this kind of fret hand injury?

[MatticusMania]

Wrap it up and tough it out! I played a gig 2 days after dislocating the knuckle on my left index finger. It hurt like hell, but I wasnt about to cancel the gig.

[Muzoid]

Sorry to hear that...but I agree with 'tough it out'.

Hopefully you'll find a less painful position.

[tangentmusic]

Sorry to hear of your accident. The Human body has a remarkable healing process.
You'll be back in action in no time.

[xxjazzbassist]

if you're only playing for an hour or so wrap the finger up and then wrap electrical tape just below to constrict the blood flow so it doesn't hurt so bad. I did this after slicing my thumb open a week before my state solo competition

[pnut166]

If you are completely sure that the lac is clean, you can try a drop of superglue over it. If there is any drainage or redness at the site, don`t do it.

[VincentSalizeri]

Okay, so the tip of your thumb is okay though? I'm still not quite sure of where the injury is, but it sounds like you could get it to work by just lightly pressing the pad of your thumb instead of how you normally do it. Also, as others have said, bandaging it up is a good idea, wouldn't want to accidentally bleed all over your bass.

[selftitled907]

I gashed my pointer finger of my fretting hand really really bad one day at work. (Electrician) It was almost to the bone but luckily it was on the side of the finger so no ligiment damage, but yeah screw it man suck it up and play. youll b e fine. probally take longer to heal if you do play but....if you want to play, then play.

maybe youll be forced to change the way you play and will develop some sort of new technique

[jdwilliams]

im with ya.. had surgery on my left hand Tuesday 5 stitches later and I tired to play alittle tonight..ripped it back open :|

[ggunn]

Just a word on "toughing it out"...

It depends on the injury, of course, but sometimes it's better to give it a rest and let it heal for a while rather than trying to play through the pain.

[madmatt]

Awwww just let it bleed all over the bass, it will add "Mojo" character.