Sweat creating a sticky neck at super hot gigs...

[mikeGJ]

Corn Starch is much better than talc for a drying agent. Gymnastic chalk is also good.

I don't have a severe problem with wet hands, but I do keep a dry cotton cloth close by on hot and humid days.

 

[Ralph Manak]

+1 for hand sanitizer.

 

[Bob McAlister]

I'm in the 'finger-ease' camp. My hands get 'spongy' when I play on hot gigs close to the beach. (Indoor or outdoor)I spray the back of the neck, the fingerboard/strings AND I spray my hands as well!!!!!

 

[Grooveline]

I didn't see if you specified whether the neck is finished or not but if its glossy you can always polish it. Virtuoso or Mequire's Scratch X are some i've seen suggested. If its unfinished you can tru oil or wax it.

 

[axxtion]

I used to live in Hawaii and played a lot of gigs that were outdoors. I tend to sweat a lot and with the salt air the neck would get super sticky and my bridge would start to corrode.

I started leaving a heavy film of Old English Lemon Oil on the neck and bridge and the issue went away while protecting the bass from the acids in my sweat. Still works to this day. Just make sure to bring a rag so you can wipe the oil off your hands between sets.

 

[daveonbass]

I too have overactive sweat glands in my hands...I steer clear of finished necks (or use some scotchbrite on the back of the neck) and that helps....I also carry a ziplock bag with an old sock in it that has some cornstarch in it. I just pat the sock on my hands and the neck of the bass so some off the starch comes out onto my hand and bass neck and it works quite well...
Hint: don't wear any black clothing doing this or it'll look like you've been on a cocaine bender

I only wear black clothing though

 

[JamesGrant]

Antiperspirant works on hands and wrists. There's even specific antiperspirant for hands and feet. Worth a go?

 

[daveonbass]

Our guitar player had some FAST-FRET that I used yesterday at the show. Worked for most of the night, so... making some progress. Had I thought to reapply during the break might have made it all night

 

[Ondoval]

If the gloves dont work for you, you could experiment with liquid chalk. It's used in the gym, when lifting weights. Works great for that purpose. I would try putting it only on the palms (not fingers). Might wanna experiment on a cheap bass first

 

[J Wilson]

Knowing myself, I'd get talcum powder everywhere ( . . . you don't want random questions about white powder in this line of work . . . ), and I can just imagine the train wreck I'd make of trying to sand gloss finish off a neck (NOT!).

I don't know if anyone mentioned this, but my cure that works well for glossy finished necks getting a little sticky is to use several coats of good paste wax (and be sure it's straight wax and not labeled 'wax/polish' which contains micro compound which can make gloss finish foggy). This helps seal the finish, and after a couple coats, you'll slide on it like glass, humidity, sticky fingers and all. Johnson's, Meguiar's, Mothers, etc.

 

[daveonbass]

Do it, do it, do it!! As @lowdownbp5 mentioned, "Musician Practice Gloves" (I get 'em from Amazon). They are the cure for this sticky neck and strings garbage. Been using them about 10 years here in Florida, but not originally to cure 'sticky neck and strings'. Story time...

I developed a skin condition called Dyshidrotic Eczema about 10 years ago (after 40+years of playing). The details don't matter, but a side effect of the condition is I can't grow calluses on my finger tips anymore. Tried many solutions and the gloves finally solved it as it prevented pain when playing. Nylon, no seams, it saved my playing career. Without gloves, I could painfully do maybe 2 songs. With gloves, all night long and let's play some more LOL.

To your point, an interesting benefit is that the gloves don't stick to the neck or strings during hot, humid gigs. Ever. Serious score! Smooth as a baby's bum all gig long.

FWIW, I've never had a glove get soaked on the hot, humid gigs. If I had, I'd have dried my hand and put on another one.

I take it off at break, put it back on at break's end.

Don't be self-conscious about wearing them, they come in a few colors. I get the tan and black. The bands and I would make jokes about them. "Hang on, Fig's gotta get dressed." or "Be sure to hang out for the Michael Jackson portion of our show later". The audience enjoyed it. Next thing you know, you're semi-known as "That bass player that wears the gloves." LOL.

Nowadays, I only wear one on my fretting hand. If the strings under my plucking hand are sticking, I put a glove on the plucking hand, too.

Anyway, here's a quick link to Amazon. Just size 'em for your hands.

https://www.amazon.com/MUSICIANS-PRACTICE-GLOVE-Finger-XX-Small/dp/B0793327G7?th=1

Here's a pic of me with the tan colored glove on fretting hand.:
View attachment 7267757

Anyway, I'd say buy a pair and give 'em a shot. For those sticky gigs, these have worked every time.

Tried the glove last night. Totally works to prevent the sweat issue - thanks! Only problem I had is that it can kinda "mute" strings I don't want muted every now and then. I hold my bass really low so my hand positioning due to that might be the reason I'd have that issue and you wouldn't but - as far as not sticking to the neck, this is 100% effective. Thanks again!

 

[fig]

Totally works to prevent the sweat issue - thanks! Only problem I had is that it can kinda "mute" strings I don't want muted every now and then. I hold my bass really low so my hand positioning due to that might be the reason I'd have that issue and you wouldn't but - as far as not sticking to the neck, this is 100% effective. Thanks again!

Really glad it worked for you!

Regarding the accidental muting issue, I wonder if you could strategically cut some length off the fingers of the glove?

 

[daveonbass]

Really glad it worked for you!

Regarding the accidental muting issue, I wonder if you could strategically cut some length off the fingers of the glove?

I had to use it for almost the whole show yesterday - think it's just getting used to playing with it - wasn't really an issue... and one of our singers told me it looks "Badass" (I bought a black one), so... there's that

 

[Zooberwerx]

The nastiest but most effective prep is the lab-quality silicone lubricant grease used on glass stopcocks. On a whim, we applied some to a sacrificial laminate surface to see how much distance we could cover with the Tom Cruise "Risky Business" slide. Just about broke our necks. It will work but only as a last resort on a budget instrument.

The newer automotive nano-waxes (Pep Boys) also come highly recommended.

Riis

 

[MrLenny1]

YUP! Finger Ease. I've been using it for 30 years.