Members GAS Man Posted December 8, 2012 Members Share Posted December 8, 2012 Okay, I'm going to avoid making any remarks about that being possibly seen as gay or "ghey" because I'm told that can be offensive to folks who are gay, so I won't do that in my context here. Just to put that aside.But I love having fingernails for finger picking and they just aren't holding up these days. They're constantly breaking down to the quick. I've even tried nail hardener which doesn't seem to help much. I'm informed, however, that I need to try OPI which is supposed to be better than the last bottle I bought of "Sally Hanson Hard as Nails". That stuff just seems to put a thin finish on top of the nail that flakes off of the contact areas, plus the smell of it doesn't go away once dried. I'm also starting to have some trouble with my nails lifting and curling up from the nail beds (especially on my fretting hand - so I'm keeping a more constant vigil to keep those uber-short). Looks almost fungal, but doc said, nope, looks like repeated trauma.But in my flights of fantasy I toy with the vision of going to the mall and having Suzie from Vietnam glue on some acrylic nails for the thumb, index, middle and annular fingers on my pickin hand. But then I'd have to go back repeatedly to have the growth area filled in. And that sounds dumb. But hopefully, I'd get at least a 50% discount for only having 40% of my nails done. And maybe I could get into some good gossip while there. But seriously, I like finger picking and it just seems like my nails are getting worse with age. On the upside, it's forcing me to become more proficient with flat picking.What do professional performing classical guitarists do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cbh5150 Posted December 8, 2012 Members Share Posted December 8, 2012 Well, I have for many years played without a pick, AND do not grow my nails. I think I adapted to using the skin part of the thumb-and-fingertips and have not really thought about it. When I strum a hard chord, I use the face of my fingernails. I know it's not the "proper" way to fingerpick, but it works for me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jds22 Posted December 8, 2012 Members Share Posted December 8, 2012 I thought about it when I was playing classical. My nails are thin and hook downwards, not really suited for classical. After about a year of playing nothing but classical I had an epiphany. I plugged into a tube amp and cranked it. I sold my classical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jpnyc Posted December 8, 2012 Members Share Posted December 8, 2012 Some people cut out bits of ping pong balls and glue them to the insides of their fingernails. YMMV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Harley John Posted December 8, 2012 Members Share Posted December 8, 2012 You mention the sally Hanson hard as nails stuff. Have you tried 'hoof lacquer'? its what i use. you have to get it at a pet store or farm supply store. its not made for people. its made to keep the hoofs of horses from chipping. as a result of using this stuff my fingernails are indestructible. its like having mini letter openers on the ends of your fingers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members xrleroyx Posted December 8, 2012 Members Share Posted December 8, 2012 Make sure it's vintage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GAS Man Posted December 8, 2012 Author Members Share Posted December 8, 2012 Originally Posted by Harley John You mention the sally Hanson hard as nails stuff. Have you tried 'hoof lacquer'? its what i use. you have to get it at a pet store or farm supply store. its not made for people. its made to keep the hoofs of horses from chipping. as a result of using this stuff my fingernails are indestructible. its like having mini letter openers on the ends of your fingers. Hey, thanks for the tip! I'll look for it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GAS Man Posted December 8, 2012 Author Members Share Posted December 8, 2012 Originally Posted by jds22 I thought about it when I was playing classical. My nails are thin and hook downwards, not really suited for classical. Yeah, sometimes my nails do that growing hooked downward thing as well. But I only need a little bit of nail. Like if it extends to where the tip of my fingers end, that works for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GAS Man Posted December 8, 2012 Author Members Share Posted December 8, 2012 Originally Posted by cbh5150 Well, I have for many years played without a pick, AND do not grow my nails. I think I adapted to using the skin part of the thumb-and-fingertips and have not really thought about it. When I strum a hard chord, I use the face of my fingernails. I know it's not the "proper" way to fingerpick, but it works for me... I think that does represent adapting to reality, but I get a bit too much muting to the tone and slower action for whatever reason (maybe the pain? ) when I don't have enough nail to cover the top tip of the finger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GAS Man Posted December 8, 2012 Author Members Share Posted December 8, 2012 Originally Posted by jpnyc Some people cut out bits of ping pong balls and glue them to the insides of their fingernails. YMMV. Funny, I was reading something about that and people talking about "ramping up" their nails with super glue and baking soda right after I posted this thread. http://www.classicalguitardelcamp.co...p?f=87&t=52130 To me, those guys just can't "man-up" and head to the nail salon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gardo Posted December 8, 2012 Members Share Posted December 8, 2012 I have a friend who has been teaching guitar for years and he did suggest fake fingernails for playing but I said " nah, I don't think so." Try it, It if works great . If it doesn't work don't tell anyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GAS Man Posted December 8, 2012 Author Members Share Posted December 8, 2012 Originally Posted by gardo Try it, It if works great . If it doesn't work don't tell anyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GAS Man Posted December 8, 2012 Author Members Share Posted December 8, 2012 Seems like any discussion of finger pickin on an electric guitar should always include a reference to this phenomenaI mean, the punctuation of the tone of his attack has always impressed me, as in, how does he do that with just flesh and a bit o' nail? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO7Tacda2WU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Angry Tele Posted December 8, 2012 Members Share Posted December 8, 2012 you may lose your real bluesman cred. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GAS Man Posted December 8, 2012 Author Members Share Posted December 8, 2012 Originally Posted by Angry Tele you may lose your real bluesman cred. Like in, I'd only rank a metro-bluesman cred? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Angry Tele Posted December 8, 2012 Members Share Posted December 8, 2012 Originally Posted by GAS Man Like in, I'd only rank a metro-bluesman cred? if you go to the hospital you'll have to explain why we cant get a good pulse oximeter reading from you hands. We could use your feet, unless you paint them as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GAS Man Posted December 8, 2012 Author Members Share Posted December 8, 2012 I already had one woman at work, a older Vietnamese gal, giving me an interrogation over the sheen just from that nail hardener. I played along for a while telling her I was considering going "pink" next time. She's pretty gullible so I had a bit of fun with her until I fessed up and told her it was just nail hardener. I explained why and she said, "so why don't you just quit playing guitar?". To which I responded, "why don't I just quit breathing?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Angry Tele Posted December 8, 2012 Members Share Posted December 8, 2012 certain colors are okay, just not the really opaque and dark ones. usually the will take it off anyway. (at that time the nurse will be thinking you are an odd one and then later the entire break room will be disscussing you, and you may here loud laughter and tatalog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GAS Man Posted December 8, 2012 Author Members Share Posted December 8, 2012 ^^ yeah, I'd definitely go au naturale. My wife's a surgery tech and an LPN (working towards her RN) and I know how those folks are. It only takes a story or two and you don't ever want to get naked for a surgery again. I'd bet I could probably just find fake nail kits. Seems to me I remember seeing such things around in the distant past, having had one of those things called a mother and sister kicking around the house some years back. Definitely, ping pong balls shards layered on with a combo of super glue and baking soda would be the most macho way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members *BLEEP* Posted December 8, 2012 Members Share Posted December 8, 2012 Originally Posted by GAS Man I explained why and she said, "so why don't you just quit playing guitar?" Maybe you could quit playing electric guitar and start playing electric zither instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members chipwich Posted December 8, 2012 Members Share Posted December 8, 2012 Originally Posted by jds22 After about a year of playing nothing but classical I had an epiphany. I plugged into a tube amp and cranked it. I sold my classical. Was my experience exactly. I do finger pick acoustic and electric from time to time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Snappy Hat Posted December 8, 2012 Members Share Posted December 8, 2012 I have gotten fake or acrylic nails for years. Went to salons and got them done for 3 to 5 dollars a nail. I just get 3 done , thumb , forefinger and middle. Then for the last year I been doing it myself at home with the kit you can buy at Walgrens. If my nail breaks I cant play for 2 weeks. This kit is the primer and acrylic powder not press on stuff. This stuff lasts up to a week . Cost $8.00 Heres how you put it on . Dip the brush in the liquid, touch the brush on the powder and then put it on your nails . Done . Let it dry and then shape it later with the file . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GAS Man Posted December 8, 2012 Author Members Share Posted December 8, 2012 ^^ cool, I'll check it out. Of course, I'll have to bring the missus along to get it past the cashier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SnowViking Posted December 8, 2012 Members Share Posted December 8, 2012 Originally Posted by GAS Man What do professional performing classical guitarists do? Classical guitarists rarely get nail extensions- they file their nails in a specific way (often at an angle) plus some fine sandpaper. You don't need long nails to pick properly. http://www.classicalguitar101.org/cl...l#.UMOsPuSvGHg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members John Backlund Posted December 8, 2012 Members Share Posted December 8, 2012 I've been using fake nails for years, three brass and one plastic... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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