Fingertip injury: Gloves for picking hand (fingerstyle)

[JAKeverline]

I have a fingertip skin graft from a work injury a while back. Lately, it’s becoming a real problem because the skin cracks in low humidity, no matter how much moisturizer or oil I put on it. It’s also gotten thinner, so I don’t have as much pad. This results in a clanking sound every other note, no matter what angle I have my fingers. Has anyone else ever dealt with this before and how did you overcome it? I have seen gloves that some players wear on their fretting hand, but not on their picking hand. Anyone try this? I play reggae and fingerstyle funk, so playing exclusively with a pick is not an option.

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• JAKeverline
• Oct 21, 2022
• fingertip

Fingertip

 

[MdC64]

During the colder months my plucking hand finger tips crack. I use a Musician’s Practice Glove and it really helps. The glove does take some getting used to but after a while it isn’t an issue.
I also use the basses strung with flats more in the winter because rounds can make the cracks worse, but the glove allows me to use both.
The glove does make the bass sound deeper so I adjust with the tone knob and sometimes the amp settings if needed.
At bedtime I use cotton gloves sold at most drug stores. I coat my hands with Aquaphor or Working Hands or both and it helps to heal too.

 

[vindibona1]

Musicians Practice gloves as @MdC64 noted earlier. I might feel weird at first but after a week or so it will feel weird without it/them. Try gloving the fretting hand as well. A different experience than bare hand, but it definitely has its advantages. I often wear a glove on my plucking hand as well as my fretting hand. It provides a rounder sound and at least for me keeps the sound/volume even from string to string.

In another thread somebody mentioned something like fingertip covers which to me look like finger condoms. That's another area to explore.

Good luck.

 

[MdC64]

Musicians Practice gloves as @MdC64 noted earlier. I might feel weird at first but after a week or so it will feel weird without it/them. Try gloving the fretting hand as well. A different experience than bare hand, but it definitely has its advantages. I often wear a glove on my plucking hand as well as my fretting hand. It provides a rounder sound and at least for me keeps the sound/volume even from string to string.

In another thread somebody mentioned something like fingertip covers which to me look like finger condoms. That's another area to explore.

Good luck.

I’ve tried the finger tip covers and the strings tear them up. The gloves are much better. I use the finger tip covers when camping and doing yard work…much better than bandaids.

 

[Ralf1e]

Soft Plastic thimble like finger extensions may work. I used them for a while after loosing the tip of my left forefinger. Tried to find some to photo for you but moved house since I last used them. I know I have one in a bass case somewhere. If I find it I'll post a picture later.