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For Planet Waves Varigrip, 282 customer reviews collected from 2 e-commerce sites, and the average score is 4.5.

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Amazon has 274 customer reviews and the average score is 4.5. Go to this seller.
Ebay has 8 customer reviews and the average score is 4.9. Go to this seller.

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8.6.2016

I have to admit I do like this, in fact I love it. I think it's brilliant. It's well built, and it's clear D'Addario have put some real thought into it's practicality and how it'll benefit your guitar playing. This isn't a corporate fad designed to milk money out of novice guitar players who might think they need every single guitar accessory on the face of this planet. (The experienced ones I know who have been playing for over a decade also found this useful in their own way and considered getting one themselves.)The packaging it comes in (a card with the exerciser affixed to it) has a list on the back of all the different exercises you could essentially incorporate,ranging from building finger calluses to strengthening muscles and training them for bar chords.I started using this every day, playing around with it and giving the muscles a good flexing which I began to reap the benefits of. I could hold chords for longer and the fingers felt more agile when finger-picking. The callus builder (located underneath the grey strip seen in the picture) I was initially skeptical of, since it's "string simulator" is three lines that somewhat represent the thinner strings, but they're more raised groves in the plastic body as opposed to real guitar strings which I feel would have been better, or metal at the least.Nevertheless, they do show promise, and the fingertips feel toughened. The ability to change the tension on each finger press (via turning the small dials for each) allows me to slowly improve the strength in the little fingers while stepping it up for the main three which are much stronger (of course, as they said too, favouring certain fingers isn't ideal.)It fits into the pocket nicely and works great as a warm up before an intense session, or in your spare time when you know there's something you need to work on. It's versatile, strong and definitely serves me well. Highly recommended, espcially for a tenner.
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7.2.2013

I bought this for two reasons, 1st because im a guitarist (play both bass and 6 string) and 2nd just for general hand/wrist excercise.I quite like the Planet Waves brand, have purchased strap locks and other things previously and have never been let down - and havent with this. This is a great item to keep with you at all times and use before/after playing or when you're just sitting around. Ive been playing for around 13 years and have always found that my little finger on my fretting hand wasnt always that strong, no matter how much i practiced. But when i started using this i found after a few days the strength and speed in all fingers had improved alot.The thing that attracted me to this,rather than just a typical hand excerciser, was the string-like side. Even with playing for years, it helps to harden the finger tips to reduces pain and deep grooves when playing.This was designed for guitarists, so if you're looking to keep your hands/fingers in shape for better playing, I recommend getting this one purely for that reason.
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1.7.2015

That someone has given this 1 star becuase the ridges do not compare to real instrument strings absolutely boggles my mind.If you want to toughen your finger tips against the impact of strings, I suggest you practice your instrument of choice more, this product won't do that for you!This product will strengthen your fingers and tendons, that's why you should buy it.Make no bones, this is a quality product. I have tried the similar priced Gripmasters and they don't hold a candle to this. The pistons remain stable right through their full activation, the strength of resistance being variable is perfect and probably provides about 7 to 9 lbs pressure in comparison with the Gripmasters.If I had one gripe it would be that the shallow on the top of each piston is perpendicular with the device.When using this my fingers usually settle at a more accute angle, probably around 45 degrees but don't let this put you off.To strengthen your fingers and tendons, this does exactly as advertised and does it well.
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1.11.2017

I haven't played guitar for about three years, and just recently have bought a 3 string cigar box guitar. I realised that the skin on my fingers was baby soft and the muscles quite weak, and I needed to do something about it apart from just playing. So I now have my own Varigrip and it is just what I needed.I've only been using it for a few days and already can notice some significant strengthening of muscles in the fingers of my left hand - even the pinky. Also I am using surgical spirit on those fingers to help with forming hard pads. I know I have a way to go yet but I feel that I am well on the way to achieving my goal.I find the Varigrip very easy and convenient to use,and like many other reviewers I use it when watching movies or when reading, and when out walking. I can't understand the lower review markings and can find nothing to criticise.I would highly recommend this item to anyone wanting to achieve the same results as me and many others.
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23.8.2017

This is a useful device for strengthening your grip. The pressure you have to exert on each finger is considerable, so I think that some people with weaker grips may find it difficult to push the pins down. The little finger in particular is difficult, as each pin has equal tension. Frequent use should help there, as that's the point of the exerciser.The moulded base that is supposed to simulate strings is not much use, as it doesn't simulate the feel of real guitar stings as you would press them on a guitar fretboard. You won't develop the toughness in the tips of your fingers, which you will get from real guitar practice, from using this item.Also,the adjustment cogs do not make any real difference to the tension in my experience.Overall, I recommend this product for the basic tension and comfort in using. However, I cannot give full marks to a product that doesn't deliver on all its stated claims.
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27.3.2018

I bought this to assist me exercising my right hand little finger. I need an operation to release a trapped nerve in my arm which has resulted in my little finger not receiving signals and has resulted in some muscle deterioration. This grip has four adjustable (for want of a better description) trumpet type valve buttons that can be individually resistance adjusted to exercise individual fingers. It took me over two weeks of repeated exercise before I began to notice any improvement in my little finger, using the unit at least four time a day.Initially I struggled to to manage to depress the key 10 times, but after two weeks I was managing 15 depressions, after three weeks 20 depressions per session.I have also noticed a slight improvement in my grip, which had also started to deteriorate. So, don’t expect immediate improvements, bur practise and preservece does seem to pay off.
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7.3.2014

It looks and feels well made. It performs quite well in a number of configurations, and it all depends on what you expect from it.I was a bit disappointed that the tension was as strong as it is at it's weakest setting - this makes it difficult to use as a practise aid for finger co-ordination - for example for finger picking guitar or trumpet etc. Weaker springs would have made this much easier, and tension could be increased if desired. I bought the varigrip mainly to exercise my fingers at the onset of arthritis, and I'm not sure that it will actually help. This is mainly because it is difficult to use the grip to bend specific finger joints enough,and I now also have my doubts about strength exercises actually easing the symptoms of arthritis anyway. No doubt the grip will improve the strength of fingers, hand and wrist, if that's what you want.
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2.7.2017

Without question, this wonderful product has allowed me to develop my ambidextrous skills to a level that has exceeded my wildest imaginings, to the extent that I am now able to regularly perform virtuosic trumpet arrangements of Paganini's 24 Caprices on two trumpets, SIMULTANEOUSLY!With my mouth closed, my left nostril blows trumpet one whilst my right nostril blows trumpet two. The control of the air passing through my nostrils has been the biggest challenge so far as the individual trumpet parts are not in unison, as you may have imagined, but are in fact often at different pitches and of varying duration.I anticipate being able to add a trombone to complement this arrangement,controlling its pitch with my left foot. I have, however, yet to find a suitable orifice from which to blow. Suggestions are most welcome.
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13.5.2020

I bought this to strengthen the fingers on my fretting hand, on first use I thought it was quite tough to push the paddles down but I've quickly built up the strength and speed in my fingers to make this quite easy, even the little finger. I use it multiple times each day, following the instructions included on the packaging. I gave not increased the tension (makes it harder to push down) I've no need. I find it comfortable to use and I would recommend it, but perseverance is the key, but I would understand if some were unable to press the paddles down even on the easiest setting,so perhaps not suitable for everyone.My fretting fingers have benefitted, they are a lot stronger.I also use it to stretch my ring finger by pushing this finger down on the fourth paddle rather than the usual 3rd paddle.
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10.2.2012

Being able to adjust the tension for different fingers is really useful - it's highly unlikely your pinky finger will be as strong as your first finger, especially when you first start using a device like this.What is a little disappointing though is the range of adjustment. In the PlanetWaves video of the Varigrip [...] the narrator says the tension ranges from 2-4lb. My little finger struggles with the lowest setting, but the rest of my fingers, especially first and middle fingers, find the highest setting too easy.What would make this exerciser much more useful is a greater range of tensions, say 2-6lb, and different models with different ranges - 4-8lb, 6-10lb for exampleStill,any adjustment is better than the fixed tension of most of the competitors!
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6.6.2014

it does its job well and does give tendons a good workout but i think there are a couple of caveats (at least there are for me). firstly, it isn't as quiet as it could be. two of the pistons squeak when they're pressed. thought this might decrease as i used it more but sadly it hasn't. it isn't terribly loud but i can't use it sitting in the office as one of my colleagues would hit me with a bit of wood. secondly, the base of it could be more ergonomically designed. it doesn't sit very comfortably either in the palm or when using the thumb method. maybe a high-density foam would provide a nicer experience?these issues aside it does work and you'll notice the differences in your wrists andfingers after not too long at all.
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30.7.2013

After not playing the bass for over a year, I decided I wanted to pick it back up, but the fingers suffered. Saw this little gadget and bought it.Develops and maintains the strength and dexterity of your fingers, hands and forearms. Its ability to vary the tension enables customised conditioning for individual fingers (gives your little finger a great workout).It has a reversible molded grip which uncovers simulated strings to help develop and maintain finger calluses for string musicians.I find I use it whilst watching TV as it is the perfect tool for maintaining conditioning when playing the guitar isnt really feasible.My husband who plays guitar regularly uses this to keep the finger callusesin tact.
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26.4.2012

I purchased this for two reasons, I broke my right hand and after 2 months of not playing guitar I wanted my left hand to come up to speed as well. My right hand is still a little too weak for the Varigrip but as I couldn't play guitar for 2 months I thought it would help my left hand get back into the movements of playing again and it has done perfectly. I'm slowly getting enough strength into my right hand by trying a little more each day. Money well spent. Don't listen to anyone who says it's not hard enough, if you've ever played a guitar you'll know that it's finger excersises that make the instrument easier to play, you don't have to leave finger marks in the wood of the neck!

11.4.2018

I've got one and I carry it around with me all the time. I'm always exercising my fingers as I walk along. I was having trouble playing bar cords and I thought this may help. Well, it certainly strengthens your fingers and helps relieve stress. Which I find useful for when I play the guitar. It also helps develop calluses on the tips of your fingers when your away from your guitar. The last time I used one of these was when I broke my wrist. It helped bring the strength back into my finger then and it helps me to strengthen my fingers now. They're adjustable so you can adjust the amount of strength you need to exercise. very useful. I use mine all the time.

20.2.2020

I've wanted one of these for years but never really needed it, until recently. I've played for over 20 years and just recently started Classical Guitar but my fingers just aren't strong enough for all the quick changes.I've had this thing 2 days now and I can already feel the difference. I have no doubt this will allow me to hit Cavatina soon. My fingers just don't have the power yet but this is definitely working. I play every day for hours yet this is already making tricky bar-chords feel less strenuous. Looking forward to seeing what I can do in a month of it.A great present for someone you know who plays guitar a lot. They'll be very grateful.
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