Am I Crazy?

[LowDownDave]

I've got a problem and I'm hoping someone can shed some light on whether something is possible or not. Last week I was rehearsing with my band and we pay to rehearse at this place that provides amps/cabs in the room (so you never know what you're going to get). The amps I've been ladened with recently have been sub-par (we're thinking of changing rehearsal spaces), and this time I ended up trying to compete with a loud drummer and guitarist using a 2x10 cabinet and probably about 200 or less watts. To say I had to play HARD to be heard (not sure I even was) would be an understatement.

To get to the point, I got blisters on my plucking fingers (I usually let the amps do the work, WHEN they CAN!) but I can swear something happend to my fretting index finger and it feels as if I may have a splinter! I know I shouldn't have had to play any rougher with my fretting hand, but perhaps the frustration of the situation caused me to unconsciously do so. So what I'm really asking is, is it possible to get some kind of metal splinter from a string? Has this ever happened to anyone? I can't see any kind of splinter, but it feels like one is in there as it is painful whenever I brush my thumb across the surface of my index finger, and it has persisted for a number of days now. Obviously I would like to sort this out as it makes playing painful and that is never good!

Any suggestions/help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

>>>>So what I'm really asking is, is it possible to get some kind of metal splinter from a string? Has this ever happened to anyone?

Never heard of it before

 

[Mobay45]

I've never heard of that either. I think you probably just irritated a nerve ending in your fingertip. If it had a spinter of some sort in it for several days, it would have turned red and become infected.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Get an X 'Ray

 

[roballanson]

I've never heard of that either. I think you probably just irritated a nerve ending in your fingertip. If it had a spinter of some sort in it for several days, it would have turned red and become infected.

Lets face it...that will be something to look forward too......

 

[Freddy-G.]

Yes, I've experienced that before. It wasn't a splinter. It's more like a bruise. Or like Mobay said, an irratated nerve ending. If you can, just take a break from playing for a couple of days, it will go away.

If you can place that 2x10 behind you at ear level, you won't play as hard next time.

 

[Golem]

>>>>So what I'm really asking is, is it possible to get some kind of metal splinter from a string? Has this ever happened to anyone?

Never heard of it before

I've had it happen. The splinter isn't really a piece from the string, but some stray nasty nano-shrapnel attracted by magnetism. Playing hard is unrelated, it's probably just coincidence that this happened during that session, which BTW sounds more like a sparring match than a rehersal.

I also get another type of annoying nano-injury that feels like a splinter but there is no splinter there. Your finger tip can split along the groove of your fingerprint, which helps to hide the split from visual inspection. And this CAN come from playing much harder than usual. Try a magnifiier and take a good look.

Switch to EB "Medicated Slinkys" and that will fix everything. The usual disclaimers apply, twice over.

 

[LowDownDave]

Cheers for all your responses so far. Interesting idea about the x-ray, seeing as my girlfriend IS a radiographer, but I don't think an x-ray would pick this up if I can't even see it! I do work in a lab, so perhaps I'll stick my finger under the microscope (and see what else is on there while I'm at it)!

Placing the 2x10 at ear level is a decent idea, but it WAS already on top of a rather large 1x15 cabinet that was SUPPOSEDLY plugged in and just wasn't working (I tested it). We really MUST find another place to practice!!! So it was still at near-ear level, was pushing a LOT of air out of the ports, but still could barely be heard above the rest of the band. I suppose I could ask them to turn down, but the drummer might have a hard time playing lighter (though I know it IS possible)!

But I'm glad some people suffered from a similar-feeling injury (well...not GLAD obviously, but it's good to know I'm not alone). I will avoid picking up the bass for a little while and see how it goes. At least until the "medicated slinkys" which release soothing finger balm come out.

 

[SteveB]

LowDownDave,

I had the sensation of a 'metal splinter' after playing bass (fingerstyle) once. It lasted for quite a while, too. I can't really say what the problem was though.. I just lived with it until it felt better.

Do let us know what the 'scope reveals on your finger...

 

[Mobay45]

Oh, I forgot to answer your original question.

Yes, you are.

BTW, I have bruised my finger on me left hand before. I did it recently when I was learning the songs for my new band. I played too long and hard. I ended up having to lay off for a few days to let it heal. Kind of counterproductive.

 

[bass thumper]

This happened to me once. My fingers fell off. Now I play only on open strings. Maybe, after thinking about this, this is why no one will play with me.

Signed:fingerless & bandless

 

[tkarter]

I get this from time to time after playing several hours. Mine is caused by the calous I have built up on my index finger. It feels like I have a splinter in my finger for about the next day after it starts. Then when it goes away I notice the calous is thicker and my finger is tougher until the next time I need to toughen it up.

tk

 

[dlloyd]

I found a metal splinter a couple of mm long wedged in between the windings of one of my strings just now... sharp as hell... I lost it while looking for batteries for my camera so no photo.

It's possible.

 

[LowDownDave]

Damn, I hope you find it "by eye", cuz it will be a lot less painful compared to finding it "by finger slide"!!! I've only played lightly since the pain started (by chance have not practiced with my LOUD band) and checking it now the pain seems to have subsided. Either it WAS a bruise/nerve ending damage/microscopic cut as suggested, or my finger has adopted the splinter as its own

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

Never experienced it..buy a pick.

 

[dlloyd]

Damn, I hope you find it "by eye", cuz it will be a lot less painful compared to finding it "by finger slide"!!!

I found it by ear.

It was right above the pickup and was rattling off the polepiece, making the weirdest buzz I've heard for a while. Took quite a while to figure out what it was.

 

[LowDownDave]

Can I ask which brand of strings you found the "splinter" on Dave?
Just curious.

 

[dlloyd]

Can I ask which brand of strings you found the "splinter" on Dave?
Just curious.

La Bella Deep talking flats. They've been on and off the bass a couple of times but are fairly new. There doesn't appear to be any damage to them.

I'm not sure whether the splinter was from the strings or whether it had just been attracted by the magnetism.

 

[Mobay45]

Never experienced it..buy a pick.

The only things you should pick are your nose and your seat.

 

[LowDownDave]

Never experienced it..buy a pick.

For my fretting hand? You sure play bass in a strange manner dood. Then again from what I've heard that's not the only strange manner you have...