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Scar tissue on the fingertip

Mango-Stitch

Mango-Stitch

May 9, 2014
2
0
33
Queensland, Australia
#1
Hey guys, I've been reading the talkbass forum for a little while now but this is my first post. I've been teaching myself to play the bass since September, using YouTube tutorials and the game Rocksmith as my teachers, it's been pretty good so far too, I think I'm coming alone quite well.. think.. haha

Anywho, I have a bit of a problem. When I was a kid I pulled the flesh off the upper section of my left ring finger, they sewed it back down, and it healed up all fine, but as such I have an uncomfortable seam/scar on my fingertip right where I use it for fretting. When playing, particularly if I'm messing around with slides and such, that finger gets really uncomfortable along the scar.

Do any of you have scar tissue on your fingertips? If so, do calluses eventually build, or how do you get around the uncomfortability? Does anyone wear gloves whilst playing? I've heard that flatwound strings are smoother, would they perhaps be easier on it?

Sorry if I rambled a bit. Anyway, thanks guys!
 
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#2
Flatwounds could help. Tapewound strings could also help. They are just rounds wrapped with nylon and feel a bit like flats. I don't have any scar tissue on my finger tips but i do in lots of other places. I can definitely imagine that getting uncomfortable. I do think a good callus will help but prolly won't fix it. There are some bassists that do where gloves. Check out Scotts Bass Lessons. There good lessons and you will see his glove use in action. what kind he uses I have no idea though.
 
#3
Flats and tape wound strings will be easier on your finger tips but won't sound the same as rounds, this is something you will have to try out.

I hope for you that the scar will toughen up so it causes you less discomfort. I have a scar on my right thumb where I cut it once. It hurt off and on for a long time but has stopped now.
 
#4
Yes, This is something I forgot to mention. Flats and tapes do sound different from rounds. The flats even more so. Keep this in mind. You can hit up YouTube to see tone differences. If you want to try though LaBella White tapes sound close to broken in nickle rounds just with a little more thump, but they come with a hefty price tag.
 
#5
I got these burns months ago working on my car radiator. Right one my first second and third finger on my right hand. They didn't hurt a whole lot but it's been forever and my finger prints aren't back but sometimes they will dry up and crack.

I have tried lotion and aloe on it I need to be more consistent but for you op. They have scar cream which may be worth a shot. Also no joke super glue I am too stubborn and don't like to play with a pick.
 
#7
Thanks a lot guys, I might try out the super glue idea, it does sound a little funny, but it kinda makes sense thinking about it, like a plastic film over the finger, probably only a temp measure but while I've got time to kill I'll give it a go. I looked into "Scott's Bass Lessons" he wears silk gloves when he plays, rather than going the new strings I think I'll try this out.

I just tried uploading some images, if they worked then as you can see, it's a bit like it's got a seam to it. I'm not sure if scar cream would do much for it.
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#8
I had a similar injury to the middle finger on my right hand back in 1979 when I cut the tip of my finger off. It was sewn back on but it was very hard to play finger style for a long time. It used to also get itchy when the weather would change but has not done that in many years.

The first thing I said as I was running to the car to go the hospital was how was I going to play my bass. I cut my finger tip off on a Monday, had band practice Wednesday, and played that Friday and Saturday (with a pick) and it was very painful.
 
#9
Richland123 said:
I had a similar injury to the middle finger on my right hand back in 1979 when I cut the tip of my finger off. It was sewn back on but it was very hard to play finger style for a long time. It used to also get itchy when the weather would change but has not done that in many years.

The first thing I said as I was running to the car to go the hospital was how was I going to play my bass. I cut my finger tip off on a Monday, had band practice Wednesday, and played that Friday and Saturday (with a pick) and it was very painful.
Click to expand...

I hear you. I got a nasty burn on my left hand from a lot of hot oil and the first thought in my head way "How am I going to play bass!!"
 
#12
I ran my right thumb...which I play with about 1/3rd of the time, into a table saw blade three years ago. It will never feel like it did before. It's a bit numb and sensitive at the same time.

It has been getting better over time. Callouses build up differently. I take fairly coarse sandpaper to it to even out the skin...I keep it next to the couch and sand while watching TV.

My last girlfriend put a 9mm hollowpoint through her left index finger. It went through toward the bass of the finger and made a mess of it...blowing out all the bone in. Miraculously, the blood vessels and nerves to the tip were intact. They rebuilt the finger and after a lot of therapy, she regained almost 80% of use for playing guitar and bass.

They were to take out a metal splint in her hand which would restore the rest of the range of motion when she died unexpectedly of heart failure.

Playing through discomfort or even pain can help build up what you need to play with that finger. Eventually callouses will build up to protect against pain. A numbing cream on the tip might be very helpful. There are over the counter lidocane creams and even prescription cremes that will dull the tip, making it more comfortable to play with.
 
#13
In middle school, i chopped the very tippy tip of my right index finger off with an exacto knife. Its long since healed and doesn't cause me any discomfort but it does create a drastically different plucking tones from my middle finger.

I can't really tell if theres a callus on tip of the scar tissue... Either way, it means that it is impossible for me to get a smooth, even fingerstyle tone. What I've resorted to is to a) reduce the treble on my amp and bass, as well as use strictly tapes and flats. b) develop super independant index and middle fingers, sort of like Jamerson's hook. When i want some grind, i use my index and when i want a more mellow tone, I'll use my middle. If I'm just rocking out, I'll use both indiscriminately.
 
#15
I have 2 fingertip scars that I would like to get rid of. They're not painful but they do get itchy and irritated.
One is on my right thumb and most pickups will dig into it when I play finger style. The other one is on my left pinky and feels like an electrical shock when it catches a vibrating string.
I don't know that flats will actually help. They're smoother but actually harder on your hands when you get a little sweaty (they get sticky). I'd check out some nickel strings first.

Or, you could do what this guy is doing:
 
#16
Mango-Stitch said:
Thanks a lot guys, I might try out the super glue idea, it does sound a little funny, but it kinda makes sense thinking about it, like a plastic film over the finger, probably only a temp measure but while I've got time to kill I'll give it a go. I looked into "Scott's Bass Lessons" he wears silk gloves when he plays, rather than going the new strings I think I'll try this out.

I just tried uploading some images, if they worked then as you can see, it's a bit like it's got a seam to it. I'm not sure if scar cream would do much for it.View attachment 417021View attachment 417022
Click to expand...

To me, that location would only be an issue if barring 2 strings or playing harmonics. My suggestion is to use this as an excuse to practice proper technique and play on the fingertips not finger flats. Best of luck.
 
#17
I think your technique is the solution. Try playing more on the tips of your fingers. There will still be times when that section of your finger will get used, but it's probably a small percentage. The part of my left hand fingers that touches the strings is between the whorl of the fingerprint and the very tip, with the main toughened up skin being in the half of that area closest to the tip, if that makes any sense.

Good luck,

Tom
 
#19
Djangodog said:
To me, that location would only be an issue if barring 2 strings or playing harmonics. My suggestion is to use this as an excuse to practice proper technique and play on the fingertips not finger flats. Best of luck.
Click to expand...
+1
Though pressure on the tip may still cause some discomfort to the scar area.
120px-Newtons_cradle.gif


To help practice playing on the tips of your fingers, imagine you are holding a beer in your hand, that'll simulate the desired curve of the fingers.

As to scar cream, that only works, as far as I know, on wounds that are still healing and your scar is from long ago.

Musicians to draw inspiration from (where there's a will there's a way):
Django Reinhardt
Tommy Iommi
Bill Clements


Lastly, If it's really unbearable to use your ring finger, I'll suggest the upright technique of using index, middle and pinky only. It's better for your hand to NOT stretch that "one finger per fret" concept when playing close to the nut anyway – upright technique really helps with those widely-spaced frets.

Play on...
 
#20
The SUper Glue is not that temporary - depends greatly on how well you clean the skin first. I have used that at time when for some reason I hadn't been playing much and lost my calluses, then suddenly was needing them back. Wipe your fingertip good with rubbing alcohol or acetone to remove all oils, let dry and then use the SG. You might get 4-6 days of use, depending. Terrible as this sounds you might want to see a hand specialist and consider having it cut and reconfigured again. Repairs made immediately post injury are often poorly aligned due to the damage and tissue swelling leaving more scar tissue than a clean cut would. That area could be numbed, the "groove" carefully removed in a small V, put back with surgical strips. Maybe even Super Glue. Good luck with it brother.
 

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