Seriously.
He’s getting back into the road bike thing after a 20 year gap, and had been starting to have issues with pinky and ring finger numbness. Google turned up that it was an ulnar never pressure issue but didn’t really do much other than link to a bunch of places that linked to the same Web MD article. Next step: search on Slowtwitch for how to actually manage it. Specialzed is mentioned as having good gloves for managing ulnar nerve pressure, and there were other suggestions about bar tape and gel pads for the handlebars.
So yesterday, we went and hit a local Specialized dealer for the gloves, gel pads, and bar tape. This morning, spent some time redoing the bar tape with the pads and also tweaking how the brake hoods are attached to the bars. After that was done, he did a nice little 15 mile ride with zero numbness and was able to jam comfortably on one of his guitars afterwards with no problems with pinky numbness or weakness.
Thanks y’all who contributed info on the topic in the past. (And yes, the ST search function for this worked nicely for the question.)