https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/reduced-hand-strength-and-strng-gauges/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Thu, 04 Jun 2026 22:08:36 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/reduced-hand-strength-and-strng-gauges/paged/2/#post-209416 Wed, 15 Nov 2006 22:53:23 +0000
Trust me when I say there is going to be pain envolved with the physical therapy (especially when it comes to breaking the scar tissue - OUCH!!!) but you shouldn't push the pain too much when you're playing. Do your therapy and play then play for as long as you can and as often as you can until you eventually build up your stamina and strength. You'll get there. I also agree that you might want to stick with the 9's for now.

My hand still hurts and I often drop my pick, but I will never quit. Keep up the fight!

By the way, I am currently looking for an over-the-counter topical arthritic gel/lotion to help with the pain. You might want to consider doing the same.

Good luck!]]> Guitar Players Discussion MrJonesey https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/reduced-hand-strength-and-strng-gauges/paged/2/#post-209416 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/reduced-hand-strength-and-strng-gauges/#post-209386 Wed, 15 Nov 2006 20:26:40 +0000
Jim]]> Guitar Players Discussion geoo https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/reduced-hand-strength-and-strng-gauges/#post-209386 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/reduced-hand-strength-and-strng-gauges/#post-209376 Wed, 15 Nov 2006 19:36:43 +0000 D'Addario EHR360 Half Round Jazz Medium Electric]]> Guitar Players Discussion teleplayer324 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/reduced-hand-strength-and-strng-gauges/#post-209376 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/reduced-hand-strength-and-strng-gauges/#post-209282 Wed, 15 Nov 2006 05:27:10 +0000 Guitar Players Discussion Anonymous https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/reduced-hand-strength-and-strng-gauges/#post-209282 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/reduced-hand-strength-and-strng-gauges/#post-209272 Wed, 15 Nov 2006 04:44:49 +0000 heavier strrings. just seems smarter to go to lighter strings for recovering.]]> Guitar Players Discussion Tom D https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/reduced-hand-strength-and-strng-gauges/#post-209272 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/reduced-hand-strength-and-strng-gauges/#post-209260 Wed, 15 Nov 2006 03:01:27 +0000
:D :D :D

Vic]]> Guitar Players Discussion Vic Lewis VL https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/reduced-hand-strength-and-strng-gauges/#post-209260 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/reduced-hand-strength-and-strng-gauges/#post-209254 Wed, 15 Nov 2006 01:42:13 +0000 Since I play with 14's I was assuming that the 11's were your normal "Light" string :oops: and that you had dropped down to the 9's]]> Guitar Players Discussion teleplayer324 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/reduced-hand-strength-and-strng-gauges/#post-209254 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/reduced-hand-strength-and-strng-gauges/#post-209233 Wed, 15 Nov 2006 00:34:50 +0000
The Squer Tele and the SPT acoustic have always had 9's, they're both beautifully set up, low action, fast necks - not that I'm any speed merchant! - and a pleasure to play.

I think the main problem is with scar tissue - apparently it never regains the pliability of normal skin, and there's a lot of it around that knuckle - even now, over 3 months later, the knuckle still looks twice the size of all the rest, if I make a clenched fist it protrudes about 1/2 an inch further than the other knuckles.

I've tried playing barres like this.....

E A D G B E
3 5 5 4 3 3
T R P M I I

which is OK for strumming chords, but if you're playing something like this....
E|---------|---------| B|---------|---------| G|---------|---------| D|-5-5-5-5-|-5-7-8-7-| A|-5-7-8-7-|-3-3-3-3-| E|-3-3-3-3-|-3-3-3-3-| I need that thumb right in the middle of the neck for leverage, and that's when the real trouble starts....not just on a blues riff like the above, but any barre chord. I just can't see any other way around it other than to keep on playing and hoping every day it'll be a little less painful. I thought maybe using heavier strings might build my hand strength up faster....but at the same time, I don't want to make things any worse....

:D :D :D

Vic]]> Guitar Players Discussion Vic Lewis VL https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/reduced-hand-strength-and-strng-gauges/#post-209233 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/reduced-hand-strength-and-strng-gauges/#post-209047 Tue, 14 Nov 2006 00:03:21 +0000 Guitar Players Discussion teleplayer324 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/reduced-hand-strength-and-strng-gauges/#post-209047 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/reduced-hand-strength-and-strng-gauges/#post-208909 Sun, 12 Nov 2006 21:03:00 +0000 Guitar Players Discussion mhlandry https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/reduced-hand-strength-and-strng-gauges/#post-208909