My fret fingers have opened up

Shortfinger · #1 03-19-2019, 07:28 AM

Finally!

Actually, they have developed an annoying groove in the callus, particularly the middle finger. So pronounced that if I don't fret with the string into the groove, it can pop into it and make an annoying extra note.

I'm playing all three guitars, so do I blame the Martin, the Yamaha, or the Fender? Or is it the strings, Martins, D'Addario, or Elixer?

Or just my finger?

robj144 · #2 03-19-2019, 07:30 AM

It'll go away.

psax · #3 03-19-2019, 07:32 AM

Hello,

It wasn't clear to me that you considered the grooves a problem but just in case; when I get problematic grooves or unevenness I smooth my calluses with an emery board.

Good luck!

raysachs · #4 03-19-2019, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robj144

It'll go away.

Really? I've been playing a lot again for about two years after many years away. I've had the best callouses of my life since about the 2-3 months in, but I get amazingly deep grooves. I've even had strings get caught in them and "sproing!" out when i lift my finger off the string, making all manner of objectionable noise. My only solution is to sand 'em down close to smooth when they get too deep. They show no signs of going away on their own...

-Ray

Sax Player Guy · #5 03-19-2019, 08:13 AM

Same problem here. It seems that when I look at the left hand fingertips of guitarists they look pretty darned normal. Yet here I sit with these grooves (like the OP's, mostly the middle finger), and it makes nailing a chord more difficult due to there being much less effective real estate on the finger tip to get the string down.

If there are any tips (no pun intended) on ways to deal with this issue, I'm all ears. I will try the emory board idea, although the groove is so deep that I don't think I can take off enough callous to completely fix things. If time is the healer, I've been playing about 1-2 hours a day or so for about nine months. As the old song goes, "How much longer must I wait?"

jaymarsch · #6 03-19-2019, 08:24 AM

I use Guitar Hands and it keeps my calluses from cracking and getting too hard or soft. No grooves since I have been using it. Especially in the winter when my skin can get more dried out, it really is effective.

Best,
Jayne

Shortfinger · #7 03-19-2019, 08:24 AM

Maybe the calluses will open up on their own

zmf · #8 03-19-2019, 08:32 AM

I thought this thread was going to be a spoof on the current thread about guitars opening up.

Darn.

otto · #9 03-19-2019, 08:35 AM

Same problem....I file them, use a razor-knife to whittle some of the callous on the outside of the groove, then....file some more. If I'm gonna jam for a few hours I put about 3 layers of liquid bandage in the groove. Doesn't slide very good but the groove is worse!

pscheel · #10 03-19-2019, 08:36 AM

I use coconut oil after filing. It helps keep them smooth but still keeps them hard and it smells good! It also has a ton of other uses.

Sax Player Guy · #11 03-19-2019, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaymarsch

I use Guitar Hands and it keeps my calluses from cracking and getting too hard or soft. No grooves since I have been using it. Especially in the winter when my skin can get more dried out, it really is effective.

Best,
Jayne

Thanks, Jayne, I will give it a try!

raysachs · #12 03-19-2019, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaymarsch

I use Guitar Hands and it keeps my calluses from cracking and getting too hard or soft. No grooves since I have been using it. Especially in the winter when my skin can get more dried out, it really is effective.

Best,
Jayne

Never heard of this stuff before. Just ordered a tube. Do you use it every day?

-Ray

Shortfinger · #13 03-19-2019, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zmf

I thought this thread was going to be a spoof on the current thread about guitars opening up.

Darn.

It is. And I find that since playing all three guitars daily, my refrigerator has opened up also.

Three different choices inside, all Yeungling. Lager, golden pilsener, and light lager. The lager for the D-18, g.p. for the Yamaha LS-TA, and the Fender PM-2 pairs nicely with the light lager.

Opening up is easy. Just pop the tops. It's why I keep a long nail on my fret hand thumb.

jaymarsch · #14 03-19-2019, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raysachs

Never heard of this stuff before. Just ordered a tube. Do you use it every day?

-Ray

In the winter I do use it pretty much every day. During the other months I just use it as needed. It is a pretty clean product and was created by a dermatologist that plays guitar. Another product that a friend of mine uses is Mane & Tail. It is good for calluses as well.

Best,
Jayne

raysachs · #15 03-19-2019, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaymarsch

Another product that a friend of mine uses is Mane & Tail. It is good for calluses as well.

Best,
Jayne

Kind of sounds like Bag Balm, a gel like product made to protect cow teats from the rigors of giving milk. But cyclists have been using it for years, decades, centuries (?) to protect their nether-regions from the rigors of long days on a bicycle saddle...

Thanks, I'll see how Guitar Hands works for me...

-Ray