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Alternative to Finger Ease ?

jnewmark

jnewmark

Just wanna play the groove.
Supporting Member
Aug 31, 2006
10,121
7,022
NW Ohio
Disclosures
Third St. Cigar Records staff musician.
#1
I've been using that little can of spray stuff to make the back of my neck less " gunky " and sticky, mostly for outdoor gigs. I know it's meant for spraying on the strings, fretboard for this purpose, but I mainly use it to get my thumb/inside left hand to slide easier, especially in humid conditions. Is there a more natural, or better solution available ? I've been told lemon oil is one alternative, but that seems like it's more of a fretboard conditioner than anything else. Anybody got any other solutions to make the back of the neck more slippery, specifically for outside, hot/humid weather ?
 
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#6
RustyAxe said:
Fast Fret, Finger Ease, "lemon oil" ... it's all just scented mineral oil.
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So, are you saying just get a small, generic bottle of mineral oil, and be done with it? I don't really get an " oily " feel with Finger Ease, more of a slick feeling, that wears off sooner rather than later.
 
#9
Is the back of your neck a gloss finish, or a more-or-less raw, oil'n'wax or otherwise seemingly-unfinished wood?

For glossy finishes I find guitar polish works much better than FingerEase. It removes the stickiness of built-up hand gunk without becoming conspicuously slippery. Everything just glides nicely.
For raw finishes, I like nothing. Absolutely. Nothing.
 
#11
Bob_Ross said:
Is the back of your neck a gloss finish, or a more-or-less raw, oil'n'wax or otherwise seemingly-unfinished wood?

For glossy finishes I find guitar polish works much better than FingerEase. It removes the stickiness of built-up hand gunk without becoming conspicuously slippery. Everything just glides nicely.
For raw finishes, I like nothing. Absolutely. Nothing.
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It's a '98 MIA jazz that has seen a lot of use, The back of the neck is still a little glossy. I used Martin guitar polish as directed, and it made the back of the neck worse, no glide at all. My guitar player uses a small drop of lemon oil on a rag to wipe on his neck, Maybe I'll try that.
 
#14
Personally while I like Finger Ease on strings I do not like the feel on the back of the neck. But if you want a RADICAL alternative which is both cheap and works suprisingly well... look at the photo below. You can always cut the fingers out but they cost roughly a buck a pair and amazingly don't get in the way of playing. A little nuts, I know. But you'll get near zero stiction, they will absorb sweat and probably prolong the life of your strings. If you're ready to think out of the box, forget about how it looks (and you can always dye them) I think you would be surprised by the advantages with few if any disadvantages....

glove_bass.jpg
 
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#16
vindibona1 said:
Personally while I like Finger Ease on strings I do not like the feel on the back of the neck. But if you want a RADICAL alternative which is both cheap and works suprisingly well... look at the photo below. You can always cut the fingers out but they cost roughly a buck a pair and amazingly don't get in the way of playing. A little nuts, I know. But you'll get near zero stiction, they will absorb sweat and probably prolong the life of your strings. If you're ready to think out of the box, forget about how it looks (and you can always dye them) I think you would be surprised by the advantages with few if any disadvantages....

View attachment 3065269
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What sizes do they come in ? I have big hands and typically wear XL gloves. Also, how do they hold up? I play an aggressive finger funk style. Do you have a link ?
 
#18
jnewmark said:
What sizes do they come in ? I have big hands and typically wear XL gloves. Also, how do they hold up? I play an aggressive finger funk style. Do you have a link ?
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Yes, here is a link to the ones I have... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MG2LKHB/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They are one-size, but I wear extra large winter gloves and they are fine. Light weight and stretchy. The only thing you may find is that there is a bit of excess material at the fingertips. So I just turn them inside out and trim the excess back. They do not interfere with my playing at all even with the fingers covered. But you can easily clip off the finger tips and just use them as a hand cover to get rid of the stiction on the back of the neck. If you sweat a lot you might find them helpful as they will absorb the sweat. They're cheap and light enough that you can keep a few with you all the time.

Scott Devine of Scott's Bass Lessons wears a glove (because of focal dystonia) but it doesn't seem to impede him in any way which is why I tried it. He uses a different type of glove, but doesn't say which.
 
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#19
jnewmark said:
Even in hot, humid weather ? I played an outdoor gig yesterday where the temp was 95 degrees and humid. Fingerease lasted about 4 songs in.
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Especially in hot humid weather. I have two outdoor gigs this weekend and I will have plenty on hand both for me and the guitarists I play with. Tomorrows gig is in the afternoon with high temps supposed to be in the high 90's. Between the powder and large fan I'm taking ,I might not end up as a large puddle................. But then again , I might.:nailbiting:
 
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#20
sharkbait130 said:
Especially in hot humid weather. I have two outdoor gigs this weekend and I will have plenty on hand both for me and the guitarists I play with. Tomorrows gig is in the afternoon with high temps supposed to be in the high 90's. Between the powder and large fan I'm taking ,I might not end up as a large puddle................. But then again , I might.:nailbiting:
Click to expand...
So, do you just dust both hands with it lightly ? Does it leave gunk on the neck ? Any particular kind or brand ?
 

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