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Thread: Sticky Fingers

  1. #1

    Default Sticky Fingers

    Great album, but not the topic of this post...

    I'm wondering what tricks ya'll use for decreasing resistance on the fretboard. I used to use products like FingerEase on my guitar but it contains silicon which is not good for my mandolin's finish. I wish I could find something similar or some other method for making slides easier. Any suggestions?

  2. #2
    Mandolin user MontanaMatt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sticky Fingers

    Forehead and or side of the nose grease...sounds icky, not sticky!
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  3. #3
    Mandolin user MontanaMatt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sticky Fingers

    I also use daddario flat tops, quieter slides, with less friction
    2007 Weber Custom Elite "old wood"
    2017 Ratliff R5 Custom #1148
    Several nice old Fiddles
    2007 Martin 000-15S 12 fret Auditorium-slot head
    Deering Classic Open Back
    Too many microphones

    BridgerCreekBoys.com

  4. #4
    Registered User QCS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sticky Fingers

    Sometimes when I am at festivals or outdoor events I have a similar problem. I have used a product called " Fast Fret". It's a dauber type thing that comes with a small cloth, packed in a can. Wipe it up and down the strings and wipe off any excess. Product does not get on the fretboard. It seems to work the best for me. My skin seems to be dry, so I only need to use it once in a while. Good luck

  5. #5
    Registered User Mike Snyder's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sticky Fingers

    +1 for fast fret.
    Mike Snyder

  6. #6
    Registered User Ivan Kelsall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sticky Fingers

    Chicken fat,Bear grease,Snake oil - all available from your friendly travelling Quack doctor !!. Seriously - i don't use anything for this purpose,but,i do ocasionally use either WD40 or 'Servisol' Elec. switch cleaner to clean up the strings. Spray either onto a clean cotton cloth wipe the strings over a couple of times & then wipe it off - it works fine,& gives the strings a nice,silky feel,
    Ivan
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  7. #7
    Mediocre but OK with that Paul Busman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sticky Fingers

    I wish I was fast enough for this to be a problem.
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  9. #8

    Default Re: Sticky Fingers

    Quote Originally Posted by QCS View Post
    Sometimes when I am at festivals or outdoor events I have a similar problem. I have used a product called " Fast Fret". It's a dauber type thing that comes with a small cloth, packed in a can. Wipe it up and down the strings and wipe off any excess. Product does not get on the fretboard. It seems to work the best for me. My skin seems to be dry, so I only need to use it once in a while. Good luck

    Thanks! I'm going to give this a try.

  10. #9
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    Default Re: Sticky Fingers

    I eschew any of that stuff. I find the sprays to be nasty, chemical-y, bad for the environment, my health, the instrument, etc. I saw a video of Johnny Staats unload some spray can onto his mandolin. I thought "How can anyone that good be that clueless?" To each his own, I guess.

    Myself, I wipe the strings/neck with a cotton cloth. If strings become tacky/gunky, I *lightly* dampen the cloth with water.

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  12. #10
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    Default Re: Sticky Fingers

    I know there are many of you that like the slippery feel, I prefer a dry feel. When it feels sticky I am more prone to wiping down the neck with a warm damp rag, front and back, and washing my hands.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

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  14. #11
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    Default Re: Sticky Fingers

    If you've not tried them, Elixirs really do help with this issue. There are some that don't like their tone as well as uncoated strings, but my mandolins handle them well...
    Chuck

  15. #12
    Mandolin user MontanaMatt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sticky Fingers

    Don't put synthetic goop on your strings. See comment 2, your body makes oil! BTW I learned it from (corrected-Steve) Kaufman.
    Every item mentioned (fast fret, fret eaz, wd, switch lube), is a petroleum product, with short and medium chain hydrocarbons, and passes easily into your bloodstream(not good for your personal longevity!). Petroleum also is bad for your fretboard, (will some of the master Luthiers chime in!)
    Forehead and nose grease!
    Last edited by MontanaMatt; Nov-05-2017 at 11:21am.
    2007 Weber Custom Elite "old wood"
    2017 Ratliff R5 Custom #1148
    Several nice old Fiddles
    2007 Martin 000-15S 12 fret Auditorium-slot head
    Deering Classic Open Back
    Too many microphones

    BridgerCreekBoys.com

  16. #13
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    Default Re: Sticky Fingers

    Who is Mike Kaufman?

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  18. #14
    Mandolin user MontanaMatt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sticky Fingers

    2007 Weber Custom Elite "old wood"
    2017 Ratliff R5 Custom #1148
    Several nice old Fiddles
    2007 Martin 000-15S 12 fret Auditorium-slot head
    Deering Classic Open Back
    Too many microphones

    BridgerCreekBoys.com

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    AlanN 

  20. #15
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    Default Re: Sticky Fingers

    Believe it or not, MontanaMatt is right. Years ago an old Florida cracker told me the same thing. I thought he was nuts but tried it and it works.

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  22. #16
    Mandolin user MontanaMatt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sticky Fingers

    Nice, I'm in the old Florida cracker crowd! Another check on my life goals list!
    It's supposed to be 2F here tomorrow night...wouldn't mind some Florida temps in the winter.
    2007 Weber Custom Elite "old wood"
    2017 Ratliff R5 Custom #1148
    Several nice old Fiddles
    2007 Martin 000-15S 12 fret Auditorium-slot head
    Deering Classic Open Back
    Too many microphones

    BridgerCreekBoys.com

  23. #17
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sticky Fingers

    Thought we were talking about the Stones' album. My bad, though I have to say I was addicted to playing Brown Sugar (racial insensitivity and all) at very high volume on my car radio 45 years ago, and enjoyed the country/bluegrass versions of Wild Horses and Dead Flowers by other bands.

    Now back to my comfy chair and warm milk.
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  24. #18

    Default Re: Sticky Fingers

    I use a little cornstarch baby powder on my left hand where it touches the back of the neck. Works great. Keeps your hand feeling dry, but slides well.

  25. #19
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sticky Fingers

    I use this stuff: http://www.guitarhands.com/

    It really really works. A tiny drop worked into all four finger tips just before you play and you are good to go.

    It makes slides easier. But it does a lot more. I can play easier on my mandolins that have a stiffer action, for example.

    The best thing is that I can play longer without fatigue. Works really well.

    I discovered it at a festival, where after jamming for about four hours my fingers were shot. Someone offered a drop of this stuff, and I was good for another two or three hours.

    I have no financial interest in the company, I do not know what it is made of (doesn't hurt the strings or the instrument at all), I don't know if the same formulation is available anywhere, I don't know if its placebo, ... all I know is it works and I use it.

    Some use it like hand cream, and even claim it is a cleanser. Rub it in wipe if off. I just use it on left hand fingertips, and I only wipe off the excess. (Lasts longer that way too.)

    Seriously, one of my most helpful discoveries.
    Last edited by JeffD; Nov-06-2017 at 4:22pm.
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  26. #20
    Registered User sblock's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sticky Fingers

    FingerEase comes in a spray can, and sprays can get everywhere. Also, and rumor has it that it contains silicone, which is something to be avoided. Not recommended.

    FastFret, on the other hand, is a liquid product that comes with a cloth applicator, and its main ingredient is mineral oil. This is effective, convenient, and harmless, but you can just as easily apply a drop or two of of high-purity mineral oil to a soft cloth and rub it onto the strings (not the fingerboard), wiping off any excess. Johnson's baby oil will do well, or get food-grade mineral oil at any local drug or hardware store. Even grocery stores stock it.

    And yes, you can also use human body oil (wiped from the side of your nose or elsewhere), but this can build up and leave residues. And source can be unreliable...

  27. #21
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sticky Fingers

    I wash my hands in the Loo, and bring my pick in and wash it too.


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  28. #22
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    Default Re: Sticky Fingers

    Quote Originally Posted by mandroid View Post
    I wash my hands in the Loo, and bring my pick in and wash it too.


    +1 on that, it's what I do also. Always wash just before playing unless it is absolutely impossible.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  29. #23

    Default Re: Sticky Fingers

    Adam Steffey also uses WD-40 for this purpose:

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/s...rboard-strings

  30. #24

    Default Re: Sticky Fingers

    #1 -- Fast Fret.

    #2 -- Tibetan Almond Stick (exactly the same stuff as #1, in a more generic package).

  31. #25
    Registered User Tim N's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sticky Fingers

    "Fast Fret" is sold as a string cleaner and lubricant. It contains non-toxic white mineral oil, and it says on the tin that it won't harm the finish. I've used it for years to regularly clean strings on all my instruments. It didn't occur to me that it might have speeded up my playing - despite the name! Anyway, it's really convenient to use and carry around - especially that it now comes in a proper tin. However, carry a proper microfibre cloth around with you because the tiny bit of cloth you get with it wont last for long.
    "What's that funny guitar thing..?"

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