• You're one step from joining Guitar Discussion Forum - The Fret.
    Create a free account to post, follow threads, and never miss an update.  Sign up free →

Finger tip care - callused care

Guitar Discussion Forum - The Fret

Help Support TheFret.net:

Justaguyin_nc

Justaguyin_nc

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 12, 2005
Messages
2,044
Reaction score
0
City & State/Province
Shelby NC
Ok, probably a dumb question... I have a problem with callused buildup on my finger tips which as you know will effect the sound of playing.. whats your secret in keeping the tips of your fingers from drying out and having that occassional Hard sound note pressed down? I work outside so my hands usually stay pretty dry and hard even with some lotion..
 
Last edited:
Well in my case... the strings indent into them..:) so when I go to change chords they usually stick or I cannot set them into the next chord... that make sense? Plus all the dead skin hanging up.. seems to happen alot even if you pull it all off... ewwwww... heck T2TB you been playing so long you probably don't even remember getting callused....:)
 
Justaguyin_nc said:
Well in my case... the strings indent into them..:) so when I go to change chords they usually stick or I cannot set them into the next chord... that make sense? Plus all the dead skin hanging up.. seems to happen alot even if you pull it all off... ewwwww... heck T2TB you been playing so long you probably don't even remember getting callused....:)
Click to expand...

Yeah I know man. I guess thats why I wondered! Actually the other day some dry skin at the edge of my 3rd finger was snagging on the B string as I was bending the G so I bit some of it off. Quick fix worked like a charm. :R
 
Ok, here’s what I do. Here’s what I do avoid the impression that I give myself pedicures. When walking along inside walls or outside a building I rub my finger tips on them. Most walls have some coarseness to them. Especially the outside concrete buildings. I a matter of a minute or to all for fingers have been smoothed down. If I forget to do the above, I just get some sandpaper from the garage and smooth it all out. I tried my wife’s elbow stone but it is not course enough to handle the finger calluses.
 
:) Well..actually I had just been playing a song right before this post and got upset abit because of scraping the tips across strings... heck, who knows maybe it will lead to emry boards and sessions at the salon being posted... Might find out surgical gloves makes for the best callused laden hands..
 
Last edited:
Yeah maybe dood. Just do us a favor though....if you find you have to use polish to enhance those salon fingers please make it black...at least you will still look cool. :) ;)
 
Just let them be, they will soon be hard as a rock. Then you can play for hours without feeling anything ;)
 
Stevie Ray says to keep playing. If the tips start coming off, just super glue them back on. I am sure he did that a lot with .013 strings.
 
heh, I havent felt anything for a while SS... that's what got me agitated... deadskin messing with my already messed sounds...lol.. hmmm...superglue... maybe dipping them into the glue before starting and then blow drying them will make a nice seal on that dead skin...
 
Just keep playing! It's a pain in the butt, but you'll wear the calluses down eventually. I kinda have these permacalluses now, but if one develops a ragged edge, a nail clipper and some sandpaper or an emeryboard will do the trick.
 
Warren, I am shocked by your statement that you use a Dremel for your calluses. The more acceptable maintenance technique for removing calluses, and oh by the way, trimming the fingernails (all at the same time) is a belt sander with 6o grit paper. Now that’s a man’s home pedicure process. If you are also into painting the nails then purchase a can of Premium Rust-Oleum fast drying spray paint. It can be purchased in many colors to match your guitar or amph.
 
I have found that a few scratches on a cheese grater gives instant gratification.
 
tim: you are correct...belt sanders are great...but hard to carry in your "man bag" that's why i went with the dremel!

ss: cheese graters are only used for amphs and wiping!

ww :D
 
I'm a chemist by training, and I have two words for all of you--sulfuric acid. Hey, if it's good enough for mobsters to remove their fingerprints, it's good enough for me! Just wash it off before you see bone....
 
Warren - that's why you have a roadie. He carries all your equipment.

VooDoo - You are on tough man. Acid on the fingers. Man, I thought it was for someting else.

Justaguy - Waren gave you the best solution. Go buy a Vox amph and all you need to do is run you fingers across the amph's grill.

Now that is what I call brain storming.
 
Ahhh..that's why VOX put the grater there.... Man, they are always ahead of the pack on innovations!!
 
I actually burn the tips of my fingers with knives i heat with the stove element... its true guys... works like a charm... i always got nice smooth but stiff finger tips...

I quess i'm just that hardcore...

ugh... just went back and read Vood00s acid solution... maybe my way isn't so bad *** anymore.

I think we're both on the quest for SRV's golden fingers.
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

B
Carl Martin's Dual Compressor Limiter (demo/review)
Replies
0
Views
251
Brian Johnston
B
R
My Guitar Herd
Replies
17
Views
1K
Alan
A
duhvoodooman
Couple of "Partscasters"...
Replies
3
Views
777
Jipes
Jipes
duhvoodooman
Been buying inexpensive guitars for the past couple of years...
Replies
7
Views
1K
Age
Age
tjcurtin1
Les Paul SL
Replies
3
Views
1K
Jipes
Jipes

Latest posts

Back
Top