[TI4-1009]

Anyone use Finger Ease or Fast Fret or something similar? When I was playing a lot I used to use Finger Ease, I still have a can but haven't used it lately.

I always remember at the shows when the lights would go down, the band would come out and start the pre-game ritual. Plugging in, tuning up, finishing the cigarette, Bobby wrestling with the electronic ninjas, Big Steve handing out the setlists (no, wait, scratch that one- wrong band...), the crowd would be roaring. Jerry would always spray his strings down with what I assumed was Finger Ease.

Did it contribute (facilitate?) anything to Jerry's tone or style, or was it just part of the guitarist's toolbox?

[schmidtz]

Bobby still uses it (check out ten seconds in to this video):

[mkaufman]

I don't like it.

mk

[strumminsix]

IMO, nothing magical tone wise. It does interact with fingers and strings and many people like it.

For years I hated it til I was advised to spray it on a clothe then run that over strings, let dry a few seconds.

Now I like it

[tcsned]

If you've got corrosive sweat or otherwise gum up strings finger ease will help. I'm lucky to not have those issues.

[mkaufman]

I actually found it to have the opposite effect - made it harder to play.

mk

[dleonard]

I felt that I lost my "grip" on the strings when I used it. Not for me

[CountryMile Cadillac]

I've used it randomly, but never on one of my guitars, only on buddies instruments. Some of them swear by it.

[Dozin]

When I had the opportunity to pick Bob's guitar up I was really surprised how greased up it was. It was slimy and would slide through my grip if I wasn't squeezing tight enough. It was overdosed on finger Ease for sure.

For me it depends on humidity. Flatwounds can get sticky as I assume most strings do. A little squirt of Finger Ease is nice to have for those moments.

[mkaufman]

For me it depends on humidity.

+1

mk

[FrettyBoy]

I never leave home without it!

[Rusty the Scoob]

For me it depends on humidity.

+1

mk

+2

I find it helpful when you're doing a festival and the weather gets real hot and sticky, and you go to slide up to C and get stuck and hit Bb or B instead. When you overuse it, it starts out way too slippery for me and then later turns into paste.

Often I find just getting the first layer of sweat and grime off the neck and string with a slightly damp paper towl works just as well and more reliably.

[myoung6923]

I spray the stuff on the strings, back of the neck and my hand - then wipe it all down with a cloth. Keeps everything nice and smooth. For me, when there is too much humidity - it goes the wrong way...

[aiq]

back when dinosaurs roamed the earth i played a couple summers at Six Flags in Jackson NJ.

our stage was near a food court with a huge fountain and pine trees. stings would get sticky and i would use the FF the get rid of the gunk.

under normal conditions good strings and a clean instrument is enough.