Thumb protection for slap bass

[shoulderpet]

Hi all

Have never really been much of a slap player but been getting more into it recently.  I have a little bit of arthiritis in my hands and find that if I play a lot of slap my thumb hurts a little bit at the point where the thumb makes contact with the string, my slap technique is sound so its an arthiritis thing rather than a technique issue.  Just wondering if there is anything I can use that anyone knows of to protect my thumb? I know Mark King uses gaffa tape but obviously tape is fairly thin so you need to use a fair bit of it each time, hoping someone has a good suggestion , thanks

[Hellzero]

There was once the SlapRing by Gerald Reese, but the website is down : http://www.slapring.com/

[Hellzero]

And here a link to one that was for sale last year, so you can see what it looks like : https://www.bassic.de/kleinanzeigen/slapring-von-gerd-reese.3077/

These SlapRing things do show up from time to time.

[shoulderpet]

Thanks I will keep an eye out for one

[Maude]

Would something like a little neoprene sleeve do the job? 

You could buy a pair of surfing gloves and trim the fingers off and cut into a suitable size, you'd also get loads out of all ten fingers. 

There's these which are cheap and the extra small would probably ensure a snug fit. 

I don't what they'd do to the sound but these are only 2mm so could work. 

https://www.sportsdirect.com/gul-water-sport-gloves-888128?google&gclid=Cj0KCQjwu8r4BRCzARIsAA21i_Ayy5_c5oMPcaEmZCAnbkW9MRnPU4L7JTezpmSIrJKz7E6pV15FM3oaAmleEALw_wcB#colcode=88812803&fo_c=3681&fo_k=0b6e024f8b1027751e719cdc40e3722e&fo_s=gplauk

[Geek99]

Or wear marigolds ? 

[shoulderpet]

1 hour ago, Maude said:

Would something like a little neoprene sleeve do the job? 

You could buy a pair of surfing gloves and trim the fingers off and cut into a suitable size, you'd also get loads out of all ten fingers. 

There's these which are cheap and the extra small would probably ensure a snug fit. 

I don't what they'd do to the sound but these are only 2mm so could work. 

https://www.sportsdirect.com/gul-water-sport-gloves-888128?google&gclid=Cj0KCQjwu8r4BRCzARIsAA21i_Ayy5_c5oMPcaEmZCAnbkW9MRnPU4L7JTezpmSIrJKz7E6pV15FM3oaAmleEALw_wcB#colcode=88812803&fo_c=3681&fo_k=0b6e024f8b1027751e719cdc40e3722e&fo_s=gplauk

Thanks, not a bad idea

[TheGreek]

I have a leather thumb protector which I bought from my local £ shop - never used it. If you can't find one PM me and I'll dig it out (from wherever it might be).

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MEDISURE-PREMIUM-RE-USABLE-ADJUSTABLE-PROTETIVE/dp/B01DDTD9UW/ref=sr_1_19?adgrpid=103926605197&dchild=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwps75BRAcEiwAEiACMaC31--m7ucdZaEYLjf9S4o0gpQz724EqhBftTZNLv3gFI8LvS9A5hoCmLUQAvD_BwE&hvadid=447299722043&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9046033&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=14467292026679862491&hvtargid=kwd-1861469236&hydadcr=28147_1724764&keywords=thumb+guards&qid=1597230918&sr=8-19&tag=googhydr-21

Edited August 12, 2020 by TheGreek

[Dan Dare]

Get a bicycle inner tube and cut it into 1" to 2" lengths. Loads of protectors for a few quid. Just find one of the right width to fit your thumb.

[Thunderbird]

Durex extra strong lol

[Hellzero]

With lubricant if it doesn't fit well.

Ok, I already have my coat...

[Thunderbird]

13 minutes ago, Hellzero said:

With lubricant if it doesn't fit well.

Ok, I already have my coat...

Fast fret might be best can lubricate and clean the strings at the same time lol

[Hellzero]

13 minutes ago, Thunderbird said:

Fast fret might be best can lubricate and clean the strings at the same time lol

If it can clean the string at the same time, then I'll opt for the fast fret. 😁

[dannybuoy]

Maybe some kind of prosthetic?

 

[ahpook]

15 minutes ago, dannybuoy said:

Maybe some kind of prosthetic?

 

Funk ? Jazz's deformed cousin ?

[Collin Bass]

I wonder if a little tape around the thumb might cushion enough to take some impact off of your joint? May not help for arthritis, though.  I seem to recall a commercial where B.B. King was a big fan of Aleve! 

 

[kingforaday]

I did consider this when I was learning many years ago... mainly because I saw a rubber thimble thing at my grans house and thought “I wonder how I could relate this odd object to music in some way” - I never actually tried it but maybe that kinda thing would help?!