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Is this normal??

A

Asgard222

Apr 4, 2008
41
0
#1
Hey,

Over the past year I've been experimenting with some new strings to use on my Squier Affinity Jazz and Ibanez BTB13005E.

I changed the stock Squier strings to Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Bass Nickel Wound .050 - .105.

I also changed the stock Elixirs on the Ibanez to DR High-Beams .045-.130.

Sounds good so far right? Well, in my opinion both of these strings had the same "problem": they were so dry and rough it was just unbearable for me. When I run my finger through the strings from the headstock to the bridge lightly I see that the skin on my finger is falling off. By the end of a gig my finger looks like a skinned animal.

Is this just normal for bass strings or is it because of long exposure to the coated Elixirs:confused:? Or maybe I just have really light and sesitive skin? For me the Elixirs sounded and played the great.
 
#2
sounds like your not used to abrasive rounds at this point, i know many people might have suggested this by now, but have you tried flatwounds? if you are happy with the sound you are getting keep the string and work them calluses up, if not get yourself some flatwounds by fender, d'addario, ghs, labella, or TI's. hope this helps
 
#3
I vote "really light and sensitive skin", compounded by the fact that you're used to the smooth Elixirs. :rolleyes: I've played Slinkies, DRs, MTDs, Rotosounds, and all kinds of other rough strings, and haven't had "skin coming off my finger" since I developed my first calluses 30 years ago or so.

Mike
 
#5
Asgard222 said:
...they were so dry and rough it was just unbearable for me. When I run my finger through the strings from the headstock to the bridge lightly I see that the skin on my finger is falling off. By the end of a gig my finger looks like a skinned animal...
Click to expand...
Sounds like a skin problem to me. Not necessarily a skin disease or a medical issue...but I've used the same EB Reg Slinky (50-105) for YEARS and never had a problem. I wash my hands with soap & water before I pick up the bass too, so it's not like I'm depending on skin moisturizers for protection.

You could try putting lotion on your hands when your NOT playing, then wash it off when are ready to pick up the bass that day.

Dead skin flaking off your finger tips sounds like dry skin to me. If the skin is dry and flaky...it's dead.

FWIW, you'd better make sure you build up your tolerance for those strings before you even THINK about trying stainless steel flat wounds. Steel strings would take your tender little stumps down to the bone! :rollno:
 
#8
The first time I used Roto rounds, it feel like I was playing on barbed-wire. It felt really weird, but my callouses built up and I got used to them and know I think they're great.
So it could just be your fingers are used to them, that would be my guess. But I agree with Mike, I can't say say as though I recall seeing skin come off on the fret board. Suck it up and keep giggin, Nancy-boy! ;)
 

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