Subject: Level 42 Digest, #185 ===================== * LEVEL 42 DIGEST * ===================== Digest 185 Tuesday, 08/30/94 77 subscribers Today's messages: Re: Level 42 Digest, #184 ------------------------------ From: "W.A. Michie" Date: Mon, 29 Aug 1994 20:22:10 -0400 Subject: Re: Level 42 Digest, #184 > The black thing on his thumb is a leather band. He used to use electrical > tape because his thumb got all bloodied-up. hmm, could be, playing as he does > jonathan > > I've seen that black thing on his thumb too. Other bassists have talked > about wearing various rings of steel, plastic, or whatever when slapping > so as to get a crisper sound from the string. But I'm only speculating > on that. > > Rob sound good...for crisper sound (Chris Squire, as it has been rumored, used to use a quarter or at least it's equivalent in British currency, as a pick), but if it's tape, it might have a muted effect. Seems more like a plastic or rubber sleeve, as you say, like a section of tubing.. I have a few L42 videos and there's close-ups, but I still can't tell for sure, just thought someone might have read something about it somewhere....anyone know his roadies? > Mark's thumb is wrapped with black electrical tape. Bassists use that to > supress blister swelling from all that slappin'. We do??!! After slapping for many years, neither I nor any musician friends, professional or amature, have seen or done that. The callus built up from repeated playing usually prevents bleeding....I've bled but from other places, like knuckles and finger tips..the blisters occur only when I sart playing after a break, I wonder if Mark ever takes one... > Tape? At least that what it appears to be. it does kinda look like tape, but then that would get kinda guky with sweat & heat, but then again it's fairly practical and available - I'll check the video again. Mostly I was interested in the "why" rather than the "what", if anyone had heard so... -- ____________________________________________________________________________ = = = William A. Michie III : UNIX System Administration = = Morgan Stanley, Japan : phone: 03-3286-9343 / beeper: 5013-5572 = = wam @ morgan.com : Equity System Administration/Floor Support = = ____________________________________________________________________________ =