Thanks for your advice and ideas.
The thing is- I've been using my pinky too much!
when I said reserving my pinky, I'm trying to use my index and ring fingers for most octaves- the meat of the tune, especially on the low end then hammering on with the pinky when I want to make the tune squeal/scream or whatever best describes it. So the pinky is left sticking out much like we english drink tea- well not sticking right out cus fingers need to be close to buttons but kind out suspended till the right moment when the hand splays and it comes in like a killer sting. I've noticed Big Nick and Jim Pettijohn doing this if I'm not mistaken. Jim does it to brilliant effect in that waltz he posted on the vintage german box he restored.

Cheers, Ade.