Finger tape

[JPJ]

Quick question, I’m a mild eczema suffer which unfortunately affects my hands. When I have an outbreak, it can make my plucking fingers painful if the keens are in the wrong places (which they annoyingly usually are). For gigs, when necessary I have been using both the white microporous tape and regular flesh coloured Elastoplast, but it seldom lasts a full set. I’ve seen a few double bassists using finger tape, so I know I am not alone, but what tape are you/they using?

 

Oh, and before anyone say’s “use a bow”, let me assure you the world is not ready for my bowing technique (or lack of)😂

[Hellzero]

Maybe you'll find something there: http://www.doublebassfingertape.com/

 

[Happy Jack]

19 minutes ago, Hellzero said:

Maybe you'll find something there: http://www.doublebassfingertape.com/

 

I've been using this stuff (when blistered) for years ... really excellent, and mine came with a pair of folding scissors.

[JPJ]

Excellent stuff, thanks chaps (roll on order) 👍

[NickA]

Do let us know if it works.

 

Did my last gig with my right index finger super glued together 😂

[The Guitar Weasel]

I tried 'bass tape' when I first started. Let me say firstly I'm an aggressive rockabilly/psychobilly slap player and also occasional eczema sufferer since childhood. Firstly the bass tape that I bought from  http://www.doublebassfingertape.com/ seems to be identical to medical 'strapping tape' or 'zinc tape' you can buy for less than half the price from eBay/Amazon etc. It's super sticky (both the stuff from Basstape and the medical stuff) and if you have sensitive skin it's quite painful to remove. I also found it utterly ruined my slapping technique ... it was too slippery and I couldn't get a proper grip on the string with my finger pads. 

My own solution was two fold: firstly I went for Rotosound 4000 strings which have a fairly low tension - then I bumped the set. This gives me the softest and easiest action possible - and as I'm only ever amplified except for home practise - the lack of volume is actually a plus point. 

Then I simply let my fingers toughen up - I actually think the chemicals in tape 'glue' can be worse for skin conditions than just developing thicker skin naturally.