blue Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 (edited) I'm "old school" after 50 years of performing it's nothing I've ever paid much attention to. My finger tips on my fret hand are pretty tough. Everyone's DNA will be different on this one. Blue Edited June 20, 2017 by blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebigyin Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 After years of playing Acoustic Guitar and Bass my finger tips get well hardened especially playing heavy gauge Acoustic strings and the skin often splits but it doesn't bother me....what pisses me off more is breaking finger nails at work because I play mainly fingerstyle guitar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlloyd Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 [quote name='Skybone' timestamp='1497687802' post='3320007'] Exactly what I was thinking. Nicko, are you using Nickel Wound strings or Stainless Strings? Some people have a reaction to Nickel Wound strings that makes the fingers start to peel. I had a similar reaction when I used Nickel's, but since I switched to Stainless Strings, haven't had a problem Must admit that I did think it was a load of old rowlocks, until I actually tried it out. Also the amount of time you play will affect your fingers too. Take more breaks. Stick with it. [/quote] THIS I have a low level allergy to metals that I was unaware of until a few months ago. Switching to stainless steel has made a massive improvement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 [quote name='Crawford13' timestamp='1497455191' post='3318326'] I notice when you answered the question about how much you play, you said you don't play every day. I would recommend playing for even 15 mins everyday and you would be surprised how quickly the callouses will come on. [/quote] This. I think playing very regularly, even if some days is not a lot, helps keeping the fingertips in shape. Mine do not feel particularly hard or anything, but I play nearly every day for a bit, and I can easily play a 3h gig without noticing anything. However, if I had a period of not playing much, even after a 2x45' gig I could feel my fingertips not exactly sore, but getting there. And of course, watching the pressure. You don't need a lot of pressure against the frets, so a lighter touch will definitely help too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 http://youtu.be/W3ToNZSkmRg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicko Posted June 20, 2017 Author Share Posted June 20, 2017 [quote name='Skybone' timestamp='1497687802' post='3320007'] Exactly what I was thinking. Nicko, are you using Nickel Wound strings or Stainless Strings? Some people have a reaction to Nickel Wound strings that makes the fingers start to peel. I had a similar reaction when I used Nickel's, but since I switched to Stainless Strings, haven't had a problem Must admit that I did think it was a load of old rowlocks, until I actually tried it out. Also the amount of time you play will affect your fingers too. Take more breaks. Stick with it. [/quote] I'm playing nickel wound, but have been using nickel wound strings on my electric for erm, decades. I have been looking at finger pressure and action but bot look ok, the only time I really dig in with the fretting hand is when bending a string. Thanks for all the advice so far. Although the skin on the callouses is shedding its not a real issue, and after 24 hours or so they're as good as new. Maybe I'll just have to put up with it and avoid songs with slides! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 Bizarrely enough, my guitar strings are nickel (the wound strings at least), where my bass strings are stainless. I did notice when I was playing guitar more, that my finger tips were shedding like yours, especially when they were fresh. The nickels sounded great, where stainless didn't sound so good to my ears. When I came back to bass, I started using nickels as well, but then I noticed that my fretting fingertips had more white/dead/shedding skin. I read something about it on here, and tried out a set of stainless. No more white/dead/shedding skin on my left and right fingers. I think it is more to do with all the strings being wound, and obviously a fair bit thicker than guitar strings. Definitely worth trying a set of stainless next string change, if only to rule them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 You can become sensitised to things you have never had issues with before, so,just because the nickel has never been an issue doesn't mean it isn't now. May be worth a try with stainless, as said above, if only to rule it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlloyd Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 [quote name='Nicko' timestamp='1497965737' post='3321660'] I'm playing nickel wound, but have been using nickel wound strings on my electric for erm, decades. [/quote] So had I. 28 years. I've developed an allergy in the last couple of years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowlandtrees Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 Got a big blister on my plucking/slapping finger yesterday.....rockabilly...and got a practice on Wednesday and don't know whether I should burst the blister. Certainly can't play with it. It was the usual volume war as the gig heated up. I always try to relax and not join in but then you can't hear yourself. I never get blisters or even sore tips during even the longest rehearsals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbass Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 Lighten up, your digging in too much...and the bonus is your tone will tighten up too. Win Win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 [quote name='lowlandtrees' timestamp='1499105292' post='3329220'] Got a big blister on my plucking/slapping finger yesterday.....rockabilly...and got a practice on Wednesday and don't know whether I should burst the blister. Certainly can't play with it. It was the usual volume war as the gig heated up. I always try to relax and not join in but then you can't hear yourself. I never get blisters or even sore tips during even the longest rehearsals. [/quote] I hope you bought superglue... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 [quote name='lowlandtrees' timestamp='1499105292' post='3329220'] I always try to relax and not join in but then you can't hear yourself. [/quote] Turn the amp up and play softly, or use IEMs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.thumb.JPG.6cdc542e0f339229bc41f6f78e2f15b2.JPG)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.