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jaderhold - Posted - 11/28/2023: 08:47:10
Has anyone here had any issues with finger cuticle irritation, redness, and swelling developing from using nickel finger picks? If so what remedies have you found for the problem.
Thanks,
Joel Aderhold
HSmith - Posted - 11/28/2023: 08:53:12
Hi Joel
I haven't had this problem with picks, but I did find that the nickel plated armrest on my Stelling banjo caused irritation. I now play a banjo with a gold plated armrest and the problem has disappeared. Have you tried using picks plated with some other metal? Brass, cobalt-plated even silver picks are available.
FenderFred - Posted - 11/28/2023: 08:55:36
quote:
Originally posted by jaderhold
Has anyone here had any issues with finger cuticle irritation, redness, and swelling developing from using nickel finger picks? If so what remedies have you found for the problem.
Thanks,
Joel Aderhold
Yes. I swapped to ProPik Stainless Steel Picks. No more issues
monstertone - Posted - 11/28/2023: 09:25:13
Some hands are more sensitive to certain metals, woods, even weather. There was a time when my fingertips, excepting the left-hand calluses, would dry up & peel during the winter months. A banjo player I once knew discovered his hands had a negative reaction to the ebony fret board on his new banjo. He had to revert to a banjo having a rosewood fret board.
jdeluke137 - Posted - 11/28/2023: 09:28:27
If you want to stay with the same picks you could try coating the inside with clear finger nail polish or something similar. Anything to keep your finger from contacting the nickel.
NewBlackDak - Posted - 11/28/2023: 09:43:17
I was having that issue a little, and a rash on my forearm.
I bought some cobalt coated nickel picks, and some brass picks. Both took care of it.
BobbyE - Posted - 11/28/2023: 10:38:15
I was going to offer the same advice as John English. Also, as others have said, there are several alternatives to the material that is causing your irritation that you should be able to find something workable.
Bobby
banjoman56 - Posted - 11/28/2023: 10:40:16
Joel, back when I played a lot, I had that problem and I went to the Shelor SS picks and it solved the problem.
They are very comfortable, but to my ear they produce a little brighter sound than the nickel silver picks. Lately I've been using a set of Gene Elkin picks that Bob Gaddis gave me and they don't cause any problems. They are great picks if you can find a pair. I'm not sure what they are made of. It may be that they are nickel silver too and the reason that they don't bother me is because I don't play much any more.
fish1963 - Posted - 11/28/2023: 12:39:29
Lot's of people have nickel allergies. Mine are bad enough where I can't use a nickel arm rest either ... I have wood arm rest.
Sammy Shelor Stainless Steel Picks are awesome ... expensive but awesome.
hobogal - Posted - 11/28/2023: 13:20:49
Yes, I developed a nickel allergy to fingerpicks and have had no issues with brass ProPiks; I also like their tone.
jaderhold - Posted - 12/01/2023: 19:48:35
quote:
Originally posted by jdeluke137
If you want to stay with the same picks you could try coating the inside with clear finger nail polish or something similar. Anything to keep your finger from contacting the nickel.
Thanks, I have considered painting the inside of the bands with black primer,
'Riley Baugus 11' 3 hrs
'Shelby Banjo Company ' 4 hrs
'To Be Back Home Again' 7 hrs
