too much callus on left hand?

[belerecords]

Since I got a new Weber a few weeks ago I've spent hours and hours playing. I now have really thick, spreading out callus on my left hand finger ends. I thought this could only be good but am beginning to find it a bit harder to feel the strings and frets to get a good sound. Is it possible to have too much callus? Should I do all the washing up until I get soft, but painful, finger ends again?

What do you think?

[T.J.]

First off, let me state that I might be in the minority when it comes to playing and teaching.

Back in the '80s, I had hand problems associated with playing a stringed instrument. I had to go back and learn how to play without undue stress. I had to have my instruments set up so that they played as easily at the twelfth fret as at the first. I went with lower tension strings, and discovered that the higher tensions had been stiffening the soundboards, and choking off a lot of potential volume.

I started making my students get decent instruments, and to have them set up so they could be played without having to put unnecessary stress on their hands. I abandoned the philosophy that one had to pay one's dues to play the blues.

My students didn't have to build calluses to play, because they didn't have to fight their instruments to fret the strings.

There are some on this board who always feel that a higher action is the best way to get volume and tone. They talk about going with really high tension strings as well.

There are others, though, who tell of meeting admired players and being surprised that the instruments these players use were set up so low, and that they have since converted to the viewpoint of the admired. They talk about how their instruments' sound was more open with lower tensions.

I was in a local shop which carries Weber instruments, and I commented on the finger-killing action of a particular Weber bouzouki. The employees agreed, but didn't want to alter the instrument without talking to the company about it first. For what it's worth, the instrument left the floor, and the Webers they've had in since then haven't been as bad.

----

Some think callus is normal, but thick, spreading calluses? Not being able to feel your fingertips or the strings? Is that what you want?

Here's my suggestion: Have your instrument set up so it plays easily. Lower the action. Go with a lower tension. Unless you have a compelling reason to hurt your hand, why not avoid doing so?

And, of course, if you have a compelling reason, live and let live, right? *laugh*

[Philphool]

Agree with above, and:

Gentle filing of rough callouses with emory boards for fingernails might help.
I use more filing on fingertips than I do on nails.:)

[Eddie Sheehy]

I periodically remove the thick callouses on my fingertips. I slice em off or chew em off. Emory boards probably work fine too...

[Barbara Shultz]

I periodically remove the thick callouses on my fingertips. I slice em off or chew em off. Emory boards probably work fine too...

Gee, I think emory boards are a much gentler solution than slicing or biting! :disbelief:

[pglasse]

More callous discussion found here:

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48454&highlight=callous+climb

The above thread includes my suggestion to try the ClimbOn! bar. https://climbonp.accountsupport.com/cgi-bin/cart/agora.cgi?p_id=00002

In my experience, mandolinists really do want to keep some callouses on their fingertips but these callouses will work better for you if they are conditioned. The ClimbOn product was originally developed for rock climbers -- who depend on their callouses even more than we do.

As others have mentioned, having your mandolin setup by someone who really knows what they're doing can make a world of difference. In my experience, people often concentrate on how high their strings are on the bridge end of things -- not noticing that often nut height is higher than needed. A mandolin nut can really be set fairly low. It makes a big difference, especially in first position, where most of us spend our quality time.

Good luck,

Paul Glasse
Austin Texas

[catmandu2]

Callouses are always something I'm struggling with: as a double bass player, I need them as much as possible, yet they interfere somewhat with playing "lesser" strings. The balance is typically maintained by my wife...who lets me do the dishes which softens my callouses to the point of them coming right off, so I never have to worry about having "too much" (it's a never-ending cycle :crying:).

[belerecords]

Thanks for the thoughts and advice, I'm going to start by throwing away the rubber gloves when washing up. :)

[catmandu2]

Latex gloves work well....except turning them right-side-out after removing them takes me almost as much time as doing the dishes!

[Bertram Henze]

I found that thick callus is an intermediary state. My left hand fingertips started growing thick bark that peeled off easily at first, but after a few years of regular playing, my fingertips look almost identical on both hands. Only, the surface is much harder on the left hand side. Peeling has stopped completely. It seems my skin has found a smarter way of protection on it's own.

This happened without me changing anything instrument-wise. I play an OM, heavy strings, high action, no regrets. :) Wide open and loud, easily outbooming any old guitar. YMMV.

[JeffD]

I found that thick callus is an intermediary state. My left hand fingertips started growing thick bark that peeled off easily at first, but after a few years of regular playing, my fingertips look almost identical on both hands. Only, the surface is much harder on the left hand side. .

I report the same experience. On those occations where I stop playing music for an extended period (weeks) it all goes back a stage after a week or so of playing my fingers are back as described.

[Rob Gerety]

I found that thick callus is an intermediary state. My left hand fingertips started growing thick bark that peeled off easily at first, but after a few years of regular playing, my fingertips look almost identical on both hands. Only, the surface is much harder on the left hand side. Peeling has stopped completely. It seems my skin has found a smarter way of protection on it's own.

I have the same experience. My fretting hand fingertips have no more peeling callus - just a thick tough area - feels almost like scar tissue - but it looks almost the same as my non fretting hand - maybe a little squared off on the ends.

[Jkf_Alone]

Bertram's experience is the same as mine, if I allow my callouses to go away, they come back all barky and thick, then new skin develops that feels like it has a layer of hard candle wax underneath, but looks normal.

[Roger Kunkel]

If they get too big and rough, they can tear off. Could invite infection and you don't want that! I say keep them under control and don't bite em!