Double Bass Fast-Fret, is anyone using this to counteract stickyness?

[ctrlzjones]

When I was still playing guitar I avoided products like that because they smell like snake oil.

But as it now happens every summer that my fingertips are so sticky from humidity that it becomes uncomfortable to play (fast). So I'm thinking again about this fast fret promise, even if there are no frets. I understand that it consists basically on oil.

Have any of you tried it? Are there other, better suited products or tricks to attack stickyness? And yes, I have clean hands, a clean fingerboard and clean strings (red Spiros).

 

[Earl]

I like to use shea butter. I have also used a musician's glove (Amazon.com: Guitar Glove Bass Glove -S- 2 Gloves - Finger issues, cuts: Musical Instruments) which has saved me a few times with gut strings in high humidity.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I believe that stuff to be addictive.

Used to use it all the time, for electric bass. Quitting was tough , but once I did I never missed it.

I've also used the gloves @ctrlzjones mentioned above for an outdoor gig in the winter, and they work surprisingly well. Fun to play with, too.

 

[ctrlzjones]

(...)I've also used the gloves @ctrlzjones mentioned (...)

No gloves have I ever mentioned. Brrr. Never would I allow anything getting between my skin and my string.

 

[Joe Nerve]

No gloves have I ever mentioned. Brrr. Never would I allow anything getting between my skin and my string.

Ooops... I meant to tag the other guy .

I feel the same way, but I would have froze that day if not.

 

[Don Hergert]

I wouldn't recommend fast fret or finger ease or any other similar product on anything but all-metal or all-gut strings. Most of these products also include at least a small amount of solvent to keep the oil from gumming up. Those same solvents can attack synthetic strings and synthetic cores.

I would think that since gut strings need to be oiled for proper maintenance, that should be enough for the fingers with them.

For synthetic strings, perhaps a very small amount of fine solid wax or fine talc applied directly to the fingers?

In any case, anything that softens the calluses would be a bad thing.

 

[damonsmith]

I've used Fast Fret for years, I just got a new container of it. The great Bertram Turetzky turned me on to it years ago. It really works.

 

[bassmanbrent]

One free alternative you could try is to wipe your fingers on your forehead (or nose) from time to time while playing. It's not really humid where I live, but it works for me...

 

[ctrlzjones]

I wouldn't recommend fast fret or finger ease or any other similar product on anything but all-metal or all-gut strings. Most of these products also include at least a small amount of solvent to keep the oil from gumming up. Those same solvents can attack synthetic strings and synthetic cores.

I would think that since gut strings need to be oiled for proper maintenance, that should be enough for the fingers with them.

For synthetic strings, perhaps a very small amount of fine solid wax or fine talc applied directly to the fingers?

In any case, anything that softens the calluses would be a bad thing.

As I wrote: Spiros S42; I would assume those are not using synthetic materials in their construction, is that wrong?

 

[sean_on_bass]

One free alternative you could try is to wipe your fingers on your forehead (or nose) from time to time while playing. It's not really humid where I live, but it works for me...

This is what i do...put that face grease to good use! and it's free!

 

[flatback]

you can check out certain famous bass players on youtube. If you are looking for it you can see cats gettin a little grease from behind the ear, bridge of nose, back of neck. Creases are good reservoirs.

 

[statsc]

I wouldn't recommend fast fret or finger ease or any other similar product on anything but all-metal or all-gut strings. Most of these products also include at least a small amount of solvent to keep the oil from gumming up. Those same solvents can attack synthetic strings and synthetic cores.

I would think that since gut strings need to be oiled for proper maintenance, that should be enough for the fingers with them.

For synthetic strings, perhaps a very small amount of fine solid wax or fine talc applied directly to the fingers?

In any case, anything that softens the calluses would be a bad thing.

Baby powder (talc) works great!

 

[Lesfunk]

I don't like that stuff.
I know guys that slather it on their fingerboard
Ick. It killed my strings too

Baby powder works
When I first moved to FL my hands would stick to the neck badly
I mitigated it with powder
I don't need it anymore so I guess I acclimated