playing with blisters

[MadMatt]

Do it right! Go to a doctor and have them extract the fluid with a syringe and inject the medical equivalent of super glue into the blister and essentially glue the layers back together (It is important to leave that top layer of skin that separated intact). It burns like hell but only for a few seconds. When I was in the US Army Nijmegen 4 days march team this is how the medics would keep us on our feet and marching even when we had blisters the size of quarters.

 

[Davecg2]

been there, but my blood blisters were actually kind of awesome. pretty much had armor plated fingertips for a few weeks. non-blood blisters aren't nearly as useful.

First off, practice playing with a lighter touch, let your amp head do the work. Its a really hard thing to do especially if you play hard rock, but thats what your amp is for attack hard for tone not volume. As for what to do know, I'd say go ahead a pop it and let it heal. Try to avoid sliding, especially hard, sliding up and down your strings with too much pressure will cut right through your skin. Also try to avoid using that finger for a while, its not too hard to switch your index with your middle in most cases. In my opinion the biggest thing to work on is the amount of pressure youre using with your fret hand. Good luck, hope it heals soon!

 

[bassmonkeee]

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

Nope. The inventor was born in Delaware and he was experimenting with cyano-acrylates for clear gun sights during WWII. He developed a cyano-acrylate spray that was used for wounds in Vietnam, but that's not why it was invented.

He died this year at 94.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/28/business/28coover.html

 

[nurnay]

Duuude... that is SO rock and roll!

Agreed!

 

[five7]

You got to practice a couple of hours a day, every day and avoid doing the dishes. Luckily you only got blisters on your fingers.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I used Krazy Glue when one of my plucking fingers split on the first night of a two night gig (three sets). It worked well.

 

[aja_19]

Hello

i have on occasion had these blisters you speak of, especially if i haven`t picked up the Instrument in more than a week,but what works for me is a warm to slightly warmer bowl of water with salt, hurts a little at first,but let`em soak, it helps both the skin heal and builds a callus,

 

[J Romano]

Nope. The inventor was born in Delaware and he was experimenting with cyano-acrylates for clear gun sights during WWII. He developed a cyano-acrylate spray that was used for wounds in Vietnam, but that's not why it was invented.

He died this year at 94.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/28/business/28coover.html

Oops. my bad. Sorry for the mis-information. But I do know it is used in surgical procedures.

 

[tkarter]

Just put on the flats and no need for feeling anything other than why didn't I try that sooner.

tk

 

[bassmonkeee]

Ivan doesn't play country so flats ain't gonna cut it.

I don't play country, either, and flats work just fine.


EDIT: Heh. Just saw TK's post in The Lick Thread.....

 

[tkarter]

Oh no I can't play rock because I like flats on all my basses. LOL Okay.

tk

 

[Aussie Mark]

I don't know any rock players that like flats.

That dude in Iron Maiden seems to like flats. And me. For starters.

 

[bassmonkeee]

I don't know any rock players that like flats.

That must make it universally true.

 

[drTStingray]

Although rounds are clearly more abrasive, flats will give you blisters also if you play enough gigs and your fingers aren't prepared or you play hard. Flats on an EBMM are fine for any genre IMO - remember these basses have an EQ and killer sound/flexibility, some or all of which characteristics are missing from some of the first generation electric basses which are so popular currently, dependent on your viewpoint.

I've heard all sorts of stories over the years including soaking your fingers in vinegar etc etc (I guess there's an analogy with conkers on this!!). I've never used super glue on my fingers (except once or twice in error!)

FWIW I'm with AD and others on this - use a different finger until it's healed a little. If that's not possible, perhaps because they're all blistered then play through it - carefully - I've had blood blisters overlapping blood blisters in the past - I never deliberately burst wet blisters or remove bits of skin as you're left with tender skin which then shreds and blisters even worse - I've had one or two burst in action on one or other of my Rays.

I seem to remember when I was young it used to be said you're not a real bassist until you've had a blister or three! I still get them occasionally - no real reason but probably playing a bit too hard.

 

[adouglas]

Y'know, all this talk of superglue and flatwounds is just silly.

Just go heavy metal and all will be fine.

 

[five7]

That must make it universally true.

Only if you say it is so.

 

[KevinM]

I always just kept playing. The fingers will toughen up and so will you. I always play harder when I have to grit my teeth.

 

[drTStingray]

Y'know, all this talk of superglue and flatwounds is just silly.

Just go heavy metal and all will be fine.

Now we know why the original SUB pickguards were created! That's one heavy metal gauntlet!

 

[IvanHardy]

i gave it 2 days and my plucking finger is good now. i'm actually focusing on playing lighter touch instead of digging in like i normally do. thanks everyone.

 

[Stflbn]

You got to practice a couple of hours a day, every day and avoid doing the dishes. Luckily you only got blisters on your fingers.

I've been playing bass (yes, mostly rock) for 30 years and have never had blisters, blood blisters, or even callouses. I've had to use superglue before due to hurting a finger outside of playing and it's always worked... but my general response to original posts like this is 'lighten up... playing does not have to equal bodily harm"