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finger issue - need help

buldog5151bass

buldog5151bass

Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Oct 22, 2003
26,703
70,146
Connecticut
bulldogbatsonline.com
#1
I've been playing for almost 40 years. I generally use the index and middle fingers for plucking, and used to be able to play for hours without issue.

Lately, when I play at all hard, my middle finger gets irritated and sore, to the point where I cannot use it for several days without pain (yes, I do have the requisite calluses)

I've been using a bandaid on that finger, which helps some, but am looking for a better solution. Is there any kind of tip or cover made that I can put on that fingertip to ease the irritation?

Thanks for any help.
 
#4
Basslice said:
Terrible place to seek medical advice! :roflmao:

Go see a doctor. Could be a lot of things and if rest doesn't make it better, you may want to figure out what it is before you can't play at all anymore.
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Agree with this. That said, I had an issue with my right thumb recently where I had cut the nail too close to the nail bed and it got sore and a little infected. I had to play, and since I do a lot of muting with my thumb, it was a problem. Bandages and antibiotic ointment worked for the injury, but I needed to cover it up so that the bandage didn't get frayed while I played.

There's something called a finger cot which is basically just a plastic cover you put over your finger to keep it dry. It will remind you of something else. It was very effective at keeping my bandages intact and my finger from getting sore while that healed up.

But unless you know it's a simple matter like that, check with your doctor first.
 
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#7
buldog5151bass said:
Not looking for medical advice, but any sort of product (almost like a thimble) that might be out there.

I've tried rest.
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You've been playing for forty years and all of a sudden when you play your finger gets so irritated you can't play for a couple of days?

Yea, you need medical advice, from a doctor, not a gizmo, gadget or thingy.
 
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#8
For some reason, the thumb and fingers on my right hand tend to get real dry and crack open sometimes. (Oddly enough, the left hand never does that!) Usually I'll put some Neosporin and a bandaid over the affected area and it helps.

I saw this glove advertised for guitarists and bassists and thought, "What the heck, I'll try it." It DOES diminish the discomfort, but it also tends to mute the strings. I have to turn up the volume on my amp if I use it.

Conversely, it works a lot better on the fretting hand. Even though I didn't need it on my left hand, I tried it just to see if it affected the sound like it did on the right hand. It didn't. I've never used it after those initial test runs. But you might want to try it to see what you think. (I'm not affiliated with the product in any way. Just throwing it out there in hopes that it might help the OP.)
https://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Glove-Bass-Musician-Practice/dp/B01C4QYN96/ref=sr_1_2?crid=P4H96ULC6PN&keywords=guitar+gloves+for+men&qid=1643862782&sprefix=guitar+gloves,aps,126&sr=8-2&th=1
 
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#9
Jeff K said:
For some reason, the thumb and fingers on my right hand tend to get real dry and crack open sometimes. (Oddly enough, the left hand never does that!) Usually I'll put some Neosporin and a bandaid over the affected area and it helps.

I saw this glove advertised for guitarists and bassists and thought, "What the heck, I'll try it." It DOES diminish the discomfort, but it also tends to mute the strings. I have to turn up the volume on my amp if I use it.

Conversely, it works a lot better on the fretting hand. Even though I didn't need it on my left hand, I tried it just to see if it affected the sound like it did on the right hand. It didn't. I've never used it after those initial test runs. But you might want to try it to see what you think. (I'm not affiliated with the product in any way. Just throwing it out there in hopes that it might help the OP.)
https://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Glove-Bass-Musician-Practice/dp/B01C4QYN96/ref=sr_1_2?crid=P4H96ULC6PN&keywords=guitar+gloves+for+men&qid=1643862782&sprefix=guitar+gloves,aps,126&sr=8-2&th=1
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That must be the coveted "Glove of Scott"!
 
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#10
If it's cracking and splitting open, yeah Neosporin or O'keefs Working Hands work well. If it's other pain, like internal, don't mess around, see a doctor.

Several years ago I was commuting via Amtrak from Richmond to NYC twice a week. On one of those, I fell asleep with my left arm curled up under my head. Crushed ulna left me with a numb fretting pinkie. I thought it would work itself out. By the time I saw an Ortho 8 years later it was too late. Damage is permanent.
Get it checked out.
 
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#11
I am not a doctor, but Musician's Practice Glove® (musicianslive.org)

EDIT: I see this was already recommended. I've used these, on both fretting and plucking hands, and I agree with Jeff, there's a slight muffling when used on the plucking hand, but less than I expected. This is a viable solution for me if I have sore fingers.
 
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#13
buldog5151bass said:
Lately, when I play at all hard, my middle finger gets irritated and sore
Click to expand...

Not sure what you mean when you "play at all hard" do you mean when you play for very long periods at a time or you are really digging in as in plucking harder on the strings...if the latter is what you mean ...maybe concentrate on a lighter touch? It must be very frustrating...hope it works out!
 
#14
Yep....been there - done that. OFTEN.... Couple thoughts. 1. Wash hands before and after playing 2. I use CORN HUSKERS LOTION on my fingertips 3. ICE them often, I use those plastic reusable ice blocks that I pick up and hold w my fingertips - a COLD BEER works too. 4. Use the other fingers for about 3 days. IF that doesn't work, yeah, you probably do need to see the doc
 
#17
buldog5151bass said:
I've been playing for almost 40 years. I generally use the index and middle fingers for plucking, and used to be able to play for hours without issue.

Lately, when I play at all hard, my middle finger gets irritated and sore, to the point where I cannot use it for several days without pain (yes, I do have the requisite calluses)

I've been using a bandaid on that finger, which helps some, but am looking for a better solution. Is there any kind of tip or cover made that I can put on that fingertip to ease the irritation?

Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
Howdy. I've been playing 35 years. The index finger on my left hand likes to split open like a flowering bud. It's really quite gross. I've been to the doctor and tried their recommendations. Nothing worked. I found (google it) "Original Guitar Glove" or "Original Guitar Fingers" by a small outfit in Canada. I use them daily...for practice and gigs. They definitely save me Much pain. Check them out. May work out well for you as it has for me. (BTW...i only go thru one glove a year! They last! They also make individual finger coverings as well.) Good Luck!
 
#18
My hands turn to flaky newspaper in the winter, especially my thumbs and forfingers. If it is this cracking stuff, I agree with those who use neosporin and bandaids (the cloth ones stay on better).Another trick would be to start using pointer and ring finger. It will take a while to master, but works fine. I had to learn when I lost the last joint on my middle finger
 
#19
Guitar Finger Protectors

Scroll waaaay down the page, @ 3/4 of the way down and you'll see these 4 pics. The top right one is the "Bass Guitar FT-1 Custom Finger Proctector."

upload_2022-2-3_9-2-2.png


I don't know anything about these other than what is listed on the web site. And they might be a little pricey. But I guess that would be relative to how much you need to play!
 
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