Why do musicians where those stupid wristbands?

[tplyons]

Keeps sweat off your hands therefore your bass stays cleaner and your strings last longer.

I wear one for extra wrist support because I have carpal tunnel syndrome.

 

[budman]

Because Steve Harris wears them.

 

[Kgoodrich]

I love wearing mine.

sweatbands are sweet!

 

[Infernal Affair]

Most of the time I don't wear one, but I wear one when I play out because then I can wipe the sweat off my forehead. Also it allows my arm to glide easier along the body whenever my wrist makes contact with it. I also think they're cool, but that's secondary to usefulness. I usually just wear a black one with some embroidery on it.

 

[(b)Assman]

(b)Assman, you're from Texas & have never had an issue w/sweat? You're not playing hard enough.

I sweat but my arm doesn't brush up against my bass at all when I play. You can wipe your hands on a towel or your pants or whatever if you need to. I don't think I've ever had excessive forearm sweat. I understand the concept of wearing it from some of your point of views but why would a guitardist need to wear one? Methinks just appearance.

 

[(b)Assman]

WEAR, not where. Additionally, they are inanimate objects and acnnot really be stupid, unlike people.
On topic, I think the reason for WEARing them is fairly clear & has been pointed out nicely.

Ya, I know how to spell. Silly typo.

 

[peabody]

I wear mine because that's where my wrist rests on my bass (see avatar). It is much more comfortable for me.

I also always play with some sort of baseball cap on backwards...for no better reason than it's what I do.

 

[alapantera]

this is how I use it same as lesh.to keep the stickiness/sweat off of that part of the bass so it doesn't restrict movement and make your arm raw from hours of playing
[/IMG]

+1 that's what i wear them for. reduces friction between the bass and my forearm when picking.

 

[TRCat]

Not sweat, but injury...specifically DQS at the base of my right thumb/wrist.

 

[Lazylion]

I don't like the slippery feel of my sweaty forearm against the bass. So when it's warm, I wear a wristband to increase friction at that point. It helps me to keep my hand properly positioned at the strings.

That, and the fact that Phil Lesh does it.

 

[Godbody]

I wear one on my right wrist for every reason mentioned above, and one on my left for additional support. Same reasons I tape my ankles before I play soccer. Bass is an athletic endeavor for some.

 

[Jools4001]

WEAR, not where. Additionally, they are inanimate objects and acnnot really be stupid, unlike people.

Cannot, not acnnot

 

[nsmar4211]

I wear them when my wrists start to just feel like they're going to hurt. Helps keep the carpal tunnel to a minimum

 

[bassteban]

Cannot, not acnnot

See? People really can be stupid.

 

[The Golden Boy]

Are some people referring to wrist braces and some referring to sweatbands?

I can't see a sweatband as offering any sort of wrist support.

 

[tplyons]

Are some people referring to wrist braces and some referring to sweatbands?

I can't see a sweatband as offering any sort of wrist support.

Find the right ones, that fit a bit tighter than the rest and they do provide some support. Not enough to constrict movement, but it does provide a bit of support.

Better than nothing.

 

[GreggBummer]

Along the same lines... does anyone chalk up their fingers before they play like Steve Harris does? If you do... what does that do to your strings/bass.

Nothing good I bet.

 

[sobie18]

Keeps the bridge from rusting out.

Also, prevents me from buying a Bad Ass bridge and butchering the bass up.

 

[spade2you]

Along the same lines... does anyone chalk up their fingers before they play like Steve Harris does? If you do... what does that do to your strings/bass.

Nothing good I bet.

I wouldn't think it would be any worse than the corrosive nature of the finger oils and sweat, although I'd be a tad concerned with the chalk making its' way into the electronics.

 

[GreggBummer]

A long time ago (1992?) I was in a metal/punk band. I should say that I had awful technique at the time. I played finger style and I would dig in deep, and play as hard as I could. My hands and wrists would hurt like hell. (I corrected this. I am actually faster, sound better, and pain free.) I played so hard my fingers would often blister. I always thought chalk would help. I never tried it. Turns out what helped was lessons.

Sweat wise... I keep a wrist band in my bag. If I need it, it's there.