Is this normal?

plaidbeer · Post by **plaidbeer** » Tue Oct 12, 2010 3:07 am

So, I've got my guitar back after getting it set up properly and restrung. I'm learning to play and am focusing on open chords. The problem is, the tip of my index finger is stinging when I apply pressure to it. This has happened before but went away when I wasn't able to play (due to not having a guitar). Is this normal due (maybe I've not developed a sufficient callus on it) or is this bad?

gaybear · Post by **gaybear** » Tue Oct 12, 2010 3:20 am

if it's tingly, it could be pinched nerve or tendanitus. if it just hurts, it's either the callus or lack of, or the setup itself. is it just one string?

plaidbeer · Post by **plaidbeer** » Tue Oct 12, 2010 3:24 am

It's not tingly, more like stinging. I didn't notice flaring up on any particular string, but it has to be from fretting. I was thinking it might be that I'm just not callused enough on that finger?

I did have to switch to .11s due to tuning stability issues and had to have the action raised, so maybe that's the cause?

gaybear · Post by **gaybear** » Tue Oct 12, 2010 3:28 am

plaidbeer wrote: I did have to switch to .11s due to tuning stability issues and had to have the action raised, so maybe that's the cause?

that sounds most likely.
i bet it won't take much time to feel totally normal

plaidbeer · Post by **plaidbeer** » Tue Oct 12, 2010 3:33 am

Thanks. I was hoping it might be something like that vs. something else like my carpal. I now remember this happening when I was trying out Epi G-400s in stores (I remember them having a high action).

Gabriel · Post by **Gabriel** » Tue Oct 12, 2010 9:31 pm

If its a sharp sudden pain then it could be something bad, if its just a bit sore then its probably lack of calluses. Either way I'd take it easy and use surgical spirits to toughen up your finger tips.

SpaceFace · Post by **SpaceFace** » Thu Oct 14, 2010 2:44 am

How long have you been playing for? Because if you just started then its more than likely you dont have calluses built up (once they are though you can go a long time without playing and still have them). You might have what I get sometimes (and my fingers are well callused) where it feels like a pin sting in the finger and you cant exactly pinpoint where it is because there is no visible sign of a hole or anything of the like. I get this when playing my acoustic sometimes because the strings are old. Usually I just play through it and it goes away after a while. I would say to maybe soak your finger in warm water to sooth it but then that kind of defeats the purpose of building calluses.

plaidbeer · Post by **plaidbeer** » Thu Oct 14, 2010 3:06 am

Duly noted on the rubbing alcohol.

I've only played sporadically since September. Then I returned my guitar and bought another last week. So, I've been playing every day since then for 30-45 minutes to develop calluses. I played today without any pain at all. Now if I can only get the echoes of my crappy playing out of my head.