Is it possible to damage your fingers by using to heavy of a guage string?

Mastodon · 10-29-2006, 01:46 PM

Right now I'm working on the solo in Killing the Dragon ( cool live video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6zwvdrosv0 )

Anyway, my teacher was wondering why it was that I was executing some of the vibratos perfectly, but not quite hitting the pitches I need to on others.

I told him that I was using .012's and he said that he was surprised that I was able to get as close as I was with the .012's.

He then told me that SRV used .013's so it is possible, and that it's up to me if I want to stick with the .012's but he suggests I go back to 11's or 10s.

I can't stand the feel of anything less then .012's though, and with a bit more practice I should be able to hit the pitches I need to all the time.

I was wondering if I could cause any damage to my fingers if I continue to force myself to do these bends and vibratos on 12's until it feels almost effortless though.

Jason · 10-29-2006, 01:49 PM

Not quite sure..I would say stretch before and after warmup..etc.. Other than that I dunno

OzzyC · 10-29-2006, 01:55 PM

all your doing is building up more muscle in your fingers...

i dont see how it would hurt unless you try to do something insane like a 2 full step bend using only your pinky

like jason said....just be sure to warm up and not stress them too much

distressed_romeo · 10-29-2006, 02:37 PM

I doubt it. If you don't like the feel of lighter gauges then stick with the 12s. I doubt very much you'll damage your fingers. Pat Martino's top E is a 0.15 for fucks sake, and he gets on OK...

rummy · 10-30-2006, 12:45 PM

I think it'll only make your fingers stronger!

kmanick · 10-30-2006, 03:22 PM

that's Doug Aldrich in that video and you know for sure he ain't got no 12's on there

I'd be amazed if they anything heavier than 10's.
why try to play shred with such heavy strings?
I don't get it?

I've seen pat Martino live in a tiny little club in Boston and I can tell you he didn't bend a single note all night.

Mastodon · 10-30-2006, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmanick

that's Doug Aldrich in that video and you know for sure he ain't got no 12's on there

I'd be amazed if they anything heavier than 10's.
why try to play shred with such heavy strings?
I don't get it?

I've seen pat Martino live in a tiny little club in Boston and I can tell you he didn't bend a single note all night.

Because I play alot more then shred. And lighter strings really really bother me.

Drew · 11-16-2006, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mastodon

I was wondering if I could cause any damage to my fingers if I continue to force myself to do these bends and vibratos on 12's until it feels almost effortless though.

Short-term, your fingertips will hate you.

Long term, as long as you build into it and don't overexcert your finger muscles at first, then you'll be ok. You just have to build the necessary strength.

Though, you shouldn't be "forcing" your fingers - eventually you want to make your bending almost effortless, eve with the heavier strings. You want to be able to feel it, sure, but you shouldn't feel like your "forcing" anything, because pure technique is the result of minimizing resistances, not forcing through them.

All_¥our_Bass · 05-17-2008, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by distressed_romeo

Pat Martino's top E is a 0.15 for fucks sake, and he gets on OK...

:s cream:OUCH!!:screa m:
For me an 11 (or higher) in E is painful to play. 10 is my max, I perfer a an 8 or 9.

zimbloth · 05-17-2008, 04:02 AM

^ Yeah same. I prefer 9's for E, 10's for D, etc. A .015 in E would be intense

10-29-2006, 01:46 PM	#1
Mastodon Songs about My Cats Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bizurke Posts: 6,634 Main Seven: 2004 Ibanez RG7321 Thanked: 41	Is it possible to damage your fingers by using to heavy of a guage string? Right now I'm working on the solo in Killing the Dragon ( cool live video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6zwvdrosv0 ) Anyway, my teacher was wondering why it was that I was executing some of the vibratos perfectly, but not quite hitting the pitches I need to on others. I told him that I was using .012's and he said that he was surprised that I was able to get as close as I was with the .012's. He then told me that SRV used .013's so it is possible, and that it's up to me if I want to stick with the .012's but he suggests I go back to 11's or 10s. I can't stand the feel of anything less then .012's though, and with a bit more practice I should be able to hit the pitches I need to all the time. I was wondering if I could cause any damage to my fingers if I continue to force myself to do these bends and vibratos on 12's until it feels almost effortless though.

10-29-2006, 01:49 PM	#2
Jason Sign Your Neg Rep Posts! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South of the rats mouth.. Posts: 9,327 Real Name: Jason Main Seven: Esp/Ltd H207 :D Rig: Nadda Supreme Thanked: 79	Not quite sure..I would say stretch before and after warmup..etc.. Other than that I dunno "I wish TV had a knob so you could turn up the intelligence. The one marked Brightness doesn't work." Gallagher

10-29-2006, 01:55 PM	#3
OzzyC :ubersquint: Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: USA Posts: 3,314 Real Name: AntonioPetrucci Main Seven: RG1527RB Main ERG: I can has ERG? Rig: GNX3000 Thanked: 17	all your doing is building up more muscle in your fingers... i dont see how it would hurt unless you try to do something insane like a 2 full step bend using only your pinky like jason said....just be sure to warm up and not stress them too much You've got your head down You've got your eyes closed You look so pitiful now Your body encrusted with ash Breath heavy with toxins Hair singed and matted Clothes frayed and burnt You are left with nothing

10-29-2006, 02:37 PM	#4
distressed_romeo I R not Chthulu... Join Date: May 2005 Location: Albion Posts: 9,535 Real Name: I have many... Main Seven: C7 Hellraiser Main ERG: Aria bass tuned in fifths Rig: POD v2.0 Thanked: 198	I doubt it. If you don't like the feel of lighter gauges then stick with the 12s. I doubt very much you'll damage your fingers. Pat Martino's top E is a 0.15 for fucks sake, and he gets on OK... Dreaming in infared... http://farsideguitars.blogspot.com/

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10-30-2006, 12:45 PM	#5
rummy maybe this year Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 902 Real Name: J.C. Main Seven: RG7421 Rig: GH50L/Recto 2X12 Thanked: 2	I think it'll only make your fingers stronger!

10-30-2006, 03:22 PM	#6
kmanick Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: BOSTON Posts: 2,998 Real Name: Nick Main Seven: Carvin DC727C/Ibby 7620RB Rig: JSX/Mesa MarkIII Thanked: 40 $kmanick is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $kmanick is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $kmanick is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $kmanick is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $kmanick is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $kmanick is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $kmanick is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$	that's Doug Aldrich in that video and you know for sure he ain't got no 12's on there I'd be amazed if they anything heavier than 10's. why try to play shred with such heavy strings? I don't get it? I've seen pat Martino live in a tiny little club in Boston and I can tell you he didn't bend a single note all night.

05-17-2008, 04:02 AM	#10
zimbloth Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 11,244 Real Name: Nick Main Seven: Rico Jr Customs Main ERG: Ibanez 8 Rig: VHT Pittbull UL Thanked: 67	^ Yeah same. I prefer 9's for E, 10's for D, etc. A .015 in E would be intense

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Is it possible to damage your fingers by using to heavy of a guage string?