Double Bass Maintaining Calluses

[REV]

Every once in awhile I get a call to play upright bass. I try to practice a little every day to maintain hand strength and my calluses. Sometimes I have to travel for work or lately I've had a lot of calls for electric bass gigs and I haven't had time to work on the upright. How can I maintain my calluses? If I go a week without playing the upright my fingertips can get really sore after just 10 or 15 minutes of playing.

 

[mingusman37]

Doing the classic third grade glissando up and down the upright strings has actually helped me build calluses for upright playing, but really the best way to maintain would be to just play every day.