Hand and finger care

[Staggering on]

I have had a Yamaha SLB 200 for about six months and find that my fingers (especially left hand) get sticky after I play for a while...steady,no jokes.Even though they may be sweaty they don't move on the strings and fingerboard well.I also play guitar,banjo,mandolin and BG and have never encountered this before.I know some players who use hand creams or use string lube on banjo and guitar but I don't know what to try in this case. Anybody have any ideas?Anyone use hand lotions? It's worse now that we Canadians have finally got summer weather!

Edited July 14, 2015 by Staggering on

[henrywillard]

Personally I swear by Pirastro string cleaner (approx. £5.99 a bottle).
I always apply a bit of this wonderful stuff pre-gig, and then wash my hands before going on stage. Smooth playing guaranteed.

It's only a little bottle, but it goes a long way. Available from pretty much any stringed/large music store who have accounts with either [url="http://www.thesoundpost.co.uk"]The Sound Post[/url] or Stentor etc, and are Pirastro dealers.

Not sure if you're based over here or in Canada, but if you're over the pond, you can still get hold of the stuff. Have found this place in Toronto that stocks it [url="http://www.thesoundpost.com/en/product/CL05"]http://www.thesoundpost.com/en/product/CL05[/url]

I also use Planet Waves Hydrate fingerboard cleaner in the same instance. Again, a little goes a long way, and it's around £4 a bottle. Again likely to be available in all stores that stock D'Addario.

Edited July 14, 2015 by henrywillard

[timbass]

After using Dunlop 65 lemon oil on my bass guitar neck for the past 6 years, I started using it on my rosewood DB neck about 3 years ago. Applied in a couple of squirts on a lint-free cloth and wiped up and down the fingerboard under the strings, it helps keep everything smooth, reducing the effect of sweat and keeping the wood in good shape. Although it works for me, I am not sure what others might think. Anyone see any problems with this?