Have not played in a month, long gig tonight, help with blisters

I find blisters are worse when it's really humid and hot. The sweat seems to make it worse so I would take a hand towel to keep your hands dry.
I'm not a fan of tape, but I know that some players use it. I think you're absolutely right to focus on playing lightly to help with the long sets.
Good luck and enjoy the gig.

 

well... yeah, will likely end up with blisters, but maybe not if you play lightly, lower your adjusters a bit maybe, and lean on the amp. i usually find that when I get into an upright gig after a period of not playing much, I usually give myself a blister or two, but it's almost always because at some point I just start digging in too hard... I find it hard to remember that I'm out of shape mid-gig.

J

 

If you can, try to play a couple times today for like 15 minutes at a time. It should get your fingers to remember what it's like to play bass without fatiguing/blistering them.

Power through the gig tonight (you should be fine), but you might have to deal with the aftermath tomorrow.

 

Tape didn't work at all for me when I tried it. More amp, lighter touch for sure. Stay in two as much as your bandmates will accept. And, as mentioned above, try to play for short periods before the gig. Good luck!

Edit. In case you have access to more than one bass, synthetic strings, like EP's or Zyex, will be way easier on your hands than steels.

 

I always run an amp of some sort or at least PA help and try not to overplay (playing too hard) don't dig in too hard and try to avoid rubbing your right fingers across the fingerboard when plucking I feel like too much friction on the wood does more to make blisters than the strings

 

+1 to keeping fingers dry. Also i would try to avoid taping, it will ruin your pizz tone(IMO).

 

OK, I'll play devil's advocate: I definately think you should at least bring some tape along. And probably tape up either at the beginning or at least before your fingers start to hurt - then it's too late.

I have used cloth and paper tapes you can get in the bandaging department of the pharmacy. I'm not a fan of blisters. They take way too long to heal.

As to your tone, if you don't tape too heavily and use your amp you won't notice much difference.

Good luck!

 

Read this thread....
The last word on Blisters?

This tape feels the most natural IME
Double Bass and Electric Bass Finger Tape