Beware the finger rest.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:41 am

I've got a Pickguardian repro finger rest on my v68 bass. Anyone who has these knows how sharp the edges are. Never bothered me until last night.

It was one of those shows where the band is on fire, and the crowd is huge and totally into it, and everybody's pretty drunk. Around the end of the first set, we did some big rock songs and I was doing windmill strums like crazy.

I put down my bass at the end of the set. Lo and behold there is blood all over the bass, strings, and pickguard. My thumb is gushing and all I can think is "I'm pulling a Crisman".

Of course, with two sets still to go and the free beer flowing, I was in no position to take it easy.

So, this morning, my thumb looks like this:

A nice sized gash and a whole lot of skin torn off at the top.

Just a warning - if you plan on going a little nuts, ditch the finger rest. I know I will!

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:47 am

Could you please phrase that differently than "I'm pulling a Crisman"?

....or at least buy me a beer first.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:57 am

"Bleeding like Brian"?

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:17 am

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:20 am

Gaffa tape.

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:21 am

P.S. John, I'm not laughing at your predicament, just Brian's comment.

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:24 am

Brian, give him the credit that he didn't say "bleeding like a stuck pig"!

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:46 am

Another Brian's fault ?!?

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:48 am

I played a bass that had one of those for 30 years and never had a problem ...

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:50 am

Yeah Jeff, but were you "doing windmill strums like crazy?!"

Kids these days, I tell ya!

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:56 am

"These days", Jeff? I copped it from some old codger who did it over 40 years ago!

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:02 am

Took her out to remove the finger rest, and there was still blood on the upper bout. I thought I had sweat it all off. I really hope someone was taking pictures!

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:19 am

Just be careful John. I hear that this same type of rage can transform one-piece necks into multi-piece necks:

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:21 am

Perhaps I should get myself a Rickenfaker to save for the encores.

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:24 am

Do it. We'll take up a collection here on the forum.