playing with blisters

[IvanHardy]

how do you guys do it? i got accepted into a bad about 2 weeks ago an during that audition i got a mean blister on my index finger playing my stingray with power slinky's on it so i set it back with hybrid slinky's instead. it still hasn't gone away and after yesterdays practice my blister got worse. it looks like like it's gonna start losing the 2nd layer. my question is how do you guys deal with it? perhaps i should just go back to plain with a pick

 

[iamcatwarrior]

As someone who just got over extensive damage to my right index finger from, and the subsequent removal of, a metal filing, I can suggest to you that the best thing to do is just take it easy for a few days. Everything will eventually heal back up, but it'll just take longer if you choose to continue to play. Not a blister, but to me, it's a similar problem.

No one likes to not play their bass, particularly their MM's, but not playing to allow time to heal is probably a good idea.

 

[Holdsg]

I gotta think that's why the plectrum (pick) was invented in the first place. Not saying that's the only cure. If you believe in playing on the 1, as Bootsy says, you gotta have/develop a strong index finger callus. I've played with JnJ white tape, duct tape, gone to index/ring fingerstyle, just about everything. For me, i gotta play hard fingerstyle every week or two for about 2-3 hours to maintain the callusses I have. If you don't play, you get "soft" in many different ways.

 

[IvanHardy]

I gotta think that's why the plectrum (pick) was invented in the first place. Not saying that's the only cure. If you believe in playing on the 1, as Bootsy says, you gotta have/develop a strong index finger callus. I've played with JnJ white tape, duct tape, gone to index/ring fingerstyle, just about everything. For me, i gotta play hard fingerstyle every week or two for about 2-3 hours to maintain the callusses I have. If you don't play, you get "soft" in many different ways.

so should i just play with a pick until it heals up? my main style is index and middle finger style.

 

[OldManMusic]

I've used medical tape, duct tape, crazy glue (to put shreaded parts of my fingers back together) and then picks. My blisters come and go, depending on the frequency of gigs and which bass I'm using (I have one Bongo strung with EB flats and one with EB rounds). The flats are easier on the fingertips and a fresh set of EB flats might be able to give you the break your fingers need.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Pop the blister, cut away the excess skin, and fill the hole with superglue. Seriously.

Or, use flatwounds for a total solution.

 

[J Romano]

Pop the blister, cut away the excess skin, and fill the hole with superglue. Seriously.

Or, use flatwounds for a total solution.

When you put the super glue on, better be ready for the pain. Super glue on raw skin = major ouch! We use it in ED occasionally, but usually after some sort of numbing injection has been administered.....

 

[IvanHardy]

this is what it looks like currently sorry for the bad pic.

 

[MrMusashi]

say hello to mr superglue

MrM

 

[IvanHardy]

wow. guess i could try it

 

[J Romano]

Super glue works much better than liquid bandage.

 

[IvanHardy]

Super glue works much better than liquid bandage.

yeah i saw a video that frank bello does the same thing

 

[adouglas]

Hey, he gave us the finger!

I did something to my finger a few months ago (don't even remember what it was) and discovered I was actually able to play adequately with my middle and ring fingers while it healed.

You might also turn up and not dig in as much.

Or simplify the lines temporarily so you don't play so many notes.

None of these is anywhere close to ideal, but you have to figure out some way to stop aggravating the wound or it'll take forever to go away.

 

[nurnay]

My guitarist almost completely removed his fingertip at work the day before a gig. He played with us the next day, but it opened up during the gig and blood was ALL OVER his fretboard. Superglue did the trick, didn't open back up and he said it didn't hurt too bad, either.

 

[adouglas]

My guitarist almost completely removed his fingertip at work the day before a gig. He played with us the next day, but it opened up during the gig and blood was ALL OVER his fretboard. Superglue did the trick, didn't open back up and he said it didn't hurt too bad, either.

Duuude... that is SO rock and roll!

 

[Aussie Mark]

When you put the super glue on, better be ready for the pain. Super glue on raw skin = major ouch! We use it in ED occasionally, but usually after some sort of numbing injection has been administered.....

Only guitarists and vocalists would require an injection, I assume? This is a bass forum after all.

 

[IvanHardy]

i'll see if i have crazy glue lying around or something

 

[DrGonzo5150]

Only guitarists and vocalists would require an injection, I assume? This is a bass forum after all.

I've done my fair share of gluing in my time (injection free I might add).
Injections are probably just a British or American thing...
You know what it's like here in Aus!!! If I had a dollar for every time a digit/limb was reattached following a dingo mauling or a drop bear attack, well, there would be more than a few shrimp on the barbie this weekend.

 

[J Romano]

Super glue was first developed in Japan for surgical wound closure.

 

[syciprider]

You might also turn up and not dig in as much.

QFT. I just ask for more presence in the monitor so as to not affect the house. Cranking up the mids helps me hear myself too.