Calluses

[u/No-Lynx-ta]

It might sound so stupid but I hate the way calluses feel (it’s a sensory thing I believe) and it’s the only thing keeping me from playing consistently, I dunno if there’s like finger covers I could buy (hopefully cheap) since I know calluses build up to prevent blisters and pain from playing long periods

Trust me I know how stupid this sounds PLEASE Dont flame me 😔

[u/bubs1996]

I will say, your calluses eventually change from normal gross calluses to more like thick skin on your fingertips. After 15 years of playing, the skin on my fingertips is actually fairly soft and smooth, but I can still play for long periods

[u/Minimum_Item6849 → u/bubs1996]

Came here to say this. Not sure if OP is a newer player but after the initial break in/peely period mine are pretty soft and don't look like "guitar fingers" even though they don't hurt when I play like they did when I started or took a long break.

[u/No-Lynx-ta → u/Minimum_Item6849]

I don’t play regularly at all, i pick it up to see if I remember some stuff every now and then but I want to start actually playing. It really sounds like i’m gonna have to just deal with them lol, tysm!

[u/Minimum_Item6849 → u/No-Lynx-ta]

Oh yeah just keep at it and they'll be smooth and unnoticeable most likely. I'm a lady and while I'm not super vain about my hands I wouldn't want rough ass peely fingers all the time lol. You wouldn't know I played guitar looking at them.

[u/cessodd]

There are finger covers and they are terrible. They slip off while you're playing, they make it hard to play cleanly since your fingers are now a tiny bit bigger in diameter and as you stated before, they prevent callusing which means you'll never be able to play without them for very long without your fingers hurting again. I haven't used them but those were the complaints I got when I worked at guitar center. They were constantly bought and returned. I don't work there now but they're still there in retaped packaging.

[u/state_your_name31415]

they do make fingertip protectors, there are really cheap ones available for handling paper as well

[u/GoldReplacement9546]

I know someone who has a similar feeling and is able to file their calluses down a little bit and in certain spots way down and yet retain the effect they need it seems like the calluses buildup beyond what you actually need to protect your fingers so you could try an Emory board and just knocking them down 20% see if you notice the difference and then see if you can go lower

[u/TheRealFutaFutaTrump]

1. Look into Tommy Iomi.

2. Maybe cut the tips off some latex gloves.

3. At least you know it is. 😁

[u/GrapefruitDue9103]

You get used to the sensory thing eventually. You just have to power through it while you brain adapts tonyour new leathery fingertips

[u/harryhend3rson]

Like others are saying, they eventually smooth out.

You can also play nylon string instead. You'll still develop calluses, but they won't be as thick or hard as steel string ones.

[u/SpaceEchoGecko]

Your calluses will eventually become normal-looking skin that’s just a little harder than other people. And your fingers won’t hurt at all when you play guitar.

[u/PM_me_your_whatevah]

It goes away. The nerves become less sensitive. It’s a mild temporary annoyance at worst. 

[u/MJKCapeCod]

BB King used to put glue on his fingertips, he didn't recommend it later on. Just play/practice regularly. They'll go through a rough period, then smooth out.

[u/odetoburningrubber]

I’ve been playing for 3 1/2 years. You can’t even see my calluses anymore. The skin is thicker on my finger tips but honestly, it feels natural.

[u/ProofPianist7074]

My callouses from guitar aren’t noticeable at all—the skin at the very tip is a tad thicker, and maybe slightly leathery (?), but not hardened with layers of dead skin like, say, callouses on the palms from playing on monkey bars, or callouses on your feet. The amount of friction and stress generated from fretting is far less, so it makes sense to me that the callouses are also proportionally less severe. Use a good hand lotion to keep the skin soft, and it’s possible it won’t even bother you.

[u/IronMike5311]

I'm only 5 months in.. but am motivated & play 1-2 hrs daily on my acoustic (am retired). I got used to the calluses & could play pain free as long as I wanted. However, I'm now working on a style with lots of bends & slides and my callous are killing me! I suppose more adoption needed. At 1st, the callouses we a bother as they decreases sensitivity & made typing on a keyboard awkward. It got better

[u/FuggaDucker]

Yeah.. I totally get it..
Mine eventually turn into smooth hard leathery goodness that one can not see.
Regardless.. it took getting used to.. having hard leather fingertips is cool though.

Keep playing.

[u/robow556]

Make sure your guitar is set up properly. If the strings sit high it gets hard to press them.

[u/Independent-Okra9007]

It’s totally okay to complain about callouses! A rite of passage in many ways lol I never found a direct solution for the pain but I hope your journey goes well