Dave Vader Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 Weird weekend, gigs both friday and saturday night, decided to take my recently completed Jazz bass project with me (probably not it's fault though). We've had it a bit quiet the last month or so, only one or two gigs, and I've not been practising a lot, but in 20 years of gigging my fingers have never hurt so damn much, can't touch anything, both hands! No idea why, same old fender flatwounds (new set on the J, might have something to do with it) same old hands, same old 80s tunes. Turns out though, the J is not as forgiving as my old P, there's nowhere I can get all 4 of my fingers in without one of them clipping a pole piece and stinging even worse. Had to switch back to the P for the 2nd set last night. Anyone else had a sudden loss of of hard fingertips? Just out of interest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allighatt0r Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 Have you been washing the dishes lots lately? I find the long soak my fingers get while doing the dishes ruin my callouses complete.y Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
munkonthehill Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 mine went away when I used special shampoo on my sons hair when he had something called skullcap. Its basically a buildup of dryskin on a babies head. So the special shampoo gets rid of this,,,,,,,,,AND CALLUSES. So imagine my suprise the next morning when my fingers were soft!!!!! gigged that night and ended up with a few blood blisters. The show must go on hahahaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted October 25, 2010 Author Share Posted October 25, 2010 [quote name='allighatt0r' post='999045' date='Oct 24 2010, 05:19 PM']Have you been washing the dishes lots lately? I find the long soak my fingers get while doing the dishes ruin my callouses complete.y[/quote] Yep, but then I always do, I have teenagers.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 I don't have hard finger tips and last week I practised for several hours a day and did 4 gigs. Turn the amp up and don't hit the strings so hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted October 25, 2010 Author Share Posted October 25, 2010 [quote name='chris_b' post='999777' date='Oct 25 2010, 10:43 AM']I don't have hard finger tips and last week I practised for several hours a day and did 4 gigs. Turn the amp up and don't hit the strings so hard.[/quote] Did that Thursday night at an open mic in town. Works fine until we play something a bit exciting, then I come over all Steve Harris and deafen the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigAlonBass Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 Some of the lads on here have started using Methylated Spirits to clean their strings. If you're one of them, immerse your fingertips in (clean) meths for 5-10 minutes every day. I just balance mine in a flattish old saucer on the chair arm while I'm watching the idiot box. I tried it after an old Double-Bass player told me about it, and it actually works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted October 25, 2010 Author Share Posted October 25, 2010 [quote name='BigAlonBass' post='999806' date='Oct 25 2010, 11:06 AM']Some of the lads on here have started using Methylated Spirits to clean their strings. If you're one of them, immerse your fingertips in (clean) meths for 5-10 minutes every day. I just balance mine in a flattish old saucer on the chair arm while I'm watching the idiot box. I tried it after an old Double-Bass player told me about it, and it actually works.[/quote] I clean my strings with WD-40, will that work as well? No seriously, might give this a go, no smoking at the same time right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 [quote name='BigAlonBass' post='999806' date='Oct 25 2010, 11:06 AM']....Some of the lads on here have started using Methylated Spirits to clean their strings. If you're one of them, immerse your fingertips in (clean) meths for 5-10 minutes every day. I just balance mine in a flattish old saucer on the chair arm while I'm watching the idiot box. I tried it after an old Double-Bass player told me about it, and it actually works....[/quote] And you've some refreshment for after! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mog Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 getting this a lot on my picking hand. staying away from pantene and doin the dishes helps. the best solution is to dig in for a few minutes each day to build the dead skin back up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_skezz Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 So...based on the information in this thread, is it reasonable for me to ask my Mother to let me off doing the washing up in future because it makes me worse at bass playing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heathy Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 The other week one of mine* just fell off for no reason. Also, I stopped using the ring finger of my plucking hand because it never got a decent callus. * Calluses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beardybass Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 [quote name='the_skezz' post='1000567' date='Oct 25 2010, 09:16 PM']So...based on the information in this thread, is it reasonable for me to ask my Mother to let me off doing the washing up in future because it makes me worse at bass playing? [/quote] I tried that when I was about 16 or 17, no joy. Me: Y'know Mum, Jaco Pastorius never used to do the washing up because it softens the skin on you fingers. Both parents in Unison: Well you're not Jaco Pastorius are you? The. End. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_skezz Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 [quote name='beardybass' post='1000881' date='Oct 26 2010, 10:14 AM']I tried that when I was about 16 or 17, no joy. Me: Y'know Mum, Jaco Pastorius never used to do the washing up because it softens the skin on you fingers. Both parents in Unison: Well you're not Jaco Pastorius are you? The. End.[/quote] Gosh darn it What if I say it'll be detrimental to my self-esteem if I can't play bass properly? Reckon I'm in with a chance then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted October 26, 2010 Author Share Posted October 26, 2010 [quote name='the_skezz' post='1000567' date='Oct 25 2010, 10:16 PM']So...based on the information in this thread, is it reasonable for me to ask my Mother to let me off doing the washing up in future because it makes me worse at bass playing? [/quote] Doesn't work on my wife, can't see it working on your mum... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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