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Post by otis1960 on Jan 21, 2021 23:20:23 GMT
I am cursed with many afflictions, including pathetic spindly nails. This is obviously a serious disadvantage to an aspiring fingerstyle guitarist. I have experimented with fingerpicks, but find them too cumbersome and inhibitory. So, any alternative suggestions? Ralph McTell was no help, as he has “tree climbing nails” Martin Simpson explained his silk-wrapped nail solution, but this seemed a bit over-the-top for a ham-fisted amateur (plus, you need some half-decent nails to start with) I heard James Taylor refer to his “bionic nails” in an interview I understand that many classical players use stick-on nails (falsies?)
Does anyone have suggestions based on personal experience? Yes, I can just use my fingers, but I feel that I am missing out on a whole load of tone
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Post by martinrowe on Jan 21, 2021 23:25:22 GMT
Here's Clive Caroll's take on it. I think he got it from John Renbourn so there's some good pedigree behind this. Cheap and a video to boot. Clive Carroll Nails
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Post by fred7 on Jan 22, 2021 11:20:11 GMT
A lot of professionals use acrylic overlays but this can get expensive. I am fortunate to have strong nails but because I'm always in the workshop I do break them frequently. When I was doing a bit of playing out I tried acrylics and they were very good. The down side is going back to no overlays as you either have a ridge as they grow out or you have them removed with chemicals that temporarily soften your own nails. I have also used super glue and bits of plastic like in the video Martin posted and that worked quite well. I even tried these because they give a playing edge as close to your nail as possible. They were not really for me but could work for you and are cheap enough to try - search wire finger picks. Now I just play for me, if I break a nail I just cry....... and wait until it regrows. This is the only time the Electric comes out.
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Post by Matt Milton on Jan 22, 2021 11:41:26 GMT
Interesting, I'd not seen those wire finger picks before. I keep a set of Alaska Piks for when I break a nail. Alaska Piks are different from conventional finger picks in that they are more like false nails.
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Post by fred7 on Jan 22, 2021 12:02:16 GMT
Interesting, I'd not seen those wire finger picks before. I keep a set of Alaska Piks for when I break a nail. Alaska Piks are different from conventional finger picks in that they are more like false nails. Mmmmmm. I had not seen the Alaska piks but they look good enough to try and as you say, to keep for breakages. Think I'll treat myself to a set of those and give them a go. Thanks.
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Post by jangarrack on Jan 22, 2021 14:49:09 GMT
I always used to play with with finger nails and a Fred Kelly Delrin thumb pick, but over the last couple of years have played with progressively shorter and shorter nails, now just barely to the top of my fingers, and the flesh part of my thumb. However when I did use finger nails and temporarily lost my index fingernail in a very painful accident, I used a Fred Kelly Delrin Freedom Pick. I was surprised by how natural it felt, how effective it was and how quickly I got used to it.
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Post by jonnymosco on Jan 22, 2021 21:34:05 GMT
Forget the silk wraps that James Taylor uses (great vid by him and his nails on YT), your nails will still be soft.
I use either acrylic gel, done at a nail bar, or acrylic falsies during lockdown. Both are terrible for your nails, but fantastic for your tone. There is no going back, well, after a year of not applying them, your nails may be back to health.
I'd start with the healthy diet route and natural strengtheners.
Even with thin nails you can achieve a half-decent tone. Here's a video I made on buffing etc. which is essential for good tone. Good luck with it. Jonny
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Jan 22, 2021 22:49:04 GMT
I've mentioned this on here before and of course it's each to their own. But after 40 years of split nails and trying everything from superglue to ping pong balls, 'horses hooves' and a dozen other remedies plus finger picks, thumb picks, all failures for me, I finally got a tip from a nail expert to try 'OPI Nail Envy'. That was 2 years ago now. It is a nail strengthener which contains formaldehyde. Paint it on twice a week then remove, repeat each week. After 3 month my nails were brilliant and I've not had a SINGLE nail split since. REALLY. The odd little chip after gardening or DIY but doesn't split down. I only do it once a week now. I've recommended to some of my guitar group with excellent results. If you want to try, get the matt version if you don't want shiny nails. You can get it on ebay for £10-15 a bottle, a bottle will last 6 months at least. But keep going for a few months. (I'm not on the payroll! ). www.opi.com/shop-products/nail-care/treatments-strengtheners/nail-envy-originalFFJ
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Post by otis1960 on Jan 22, 2021 23:23:23 GMT
Thanks guys, some useful suggestions I think I might try some Alaskas for starters; Clive’s ping pong nail demo looked very interesting but a bit involved, so I’ll keep that in reserve
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Post by otis1960 on Jan 22, 2021 23:33:49 GMT
I will try John’s nail envy treatment as well, I think; can’t see how that can do any harm
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Post by dshevy on Jan 23, 2021 0:05:35 GMT
I've mentioned this on here before and of course it's each to their own. But after 40 years of split nails and trying everything from superglue to ping pong balls, 'horses hooves' and a dozen other remedies plus finger picks, thumb picks, all failures for me, I finally got a tip from a nail expert to try 'OPI Nail Envy'. That was 2 years ago now. It is a nail strengthener which contains formaldehyde. Paint it on twice a week then remove, repeat each week. After 3 month my nails were brilliant and I've not had a SINGLE nail split since. REALLY. The odd little chip after gardening or DIY but doesn't split down. I only do it once a week now. I've recommended to some of my guitar group with excellent results. If you want to try, get the matt version if you don't want shiny nails. You can get it on ebay for £10-15 a bottle, a bottle will last 6 months at least. But keep going for a few months. (I'm not on the payroll! ). www.opi.com/shop-products/nail-care/treatments-strengtheners/nail-envy-originalFFJ I used the Nail envy stuff for a while but it peels easily and personally, i didn't find it very effective. I slammed my middle finger in swing doors when i was 13/14 and the nail came off completely, also the bed now grows a groove up the middle of the nail that used to split very easily. For the last 6 months i have used this: www.amazon.co.uk/Mavala-Scientifique-Plus-Nail-Hardener/dp/B076DJRBFP/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&qid=1611360038&refinements=p_89%3AMAVALA&s=beauty&sr=1-3I apply it every other day, sometimes every 3/4 if i forget (i'm still on the first bottle with a third left). Its not a polish its a liquid that absorbs into the nail itself after 10/15 seconds. My nails have never felt better, i can feel the tip of the nail is stronger and 'thicker'. I still run a file over them every 2/3 days to stop any edge or snag that could split; particularly on my middle finger. I tried silk wraps and Jonny is right, even after just 2/3 weeks my nail was noticeably weaker and brittle. I've thought about acrylic/ professional silk wraps but the upkeep and need to have infills or new sets is off putting to me so the Mavala has been transformative. YMMV ect... Regards David
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Post by gsans on Jan 23, 2021 1:28:08 GMT
I agree with the suggestions to use some sort of nail treatment - it's a good starting point. I've been using this from Boots for a while now: www.boots.com/boots-8-in-1-recovery-oil-10261880I apply it nearly every night probably, and it's definitely made a difference to my nails. They're no way near the same level of strength as acrylics/silk wraps though. However I've tried acrylics etc in the past but everything always seems to leave the natural nail so much worse off than before. I've not found the perfect solution - everything so far is frustrating in some way or another. At the moment if a nail catches/tears then it's just about waiting for it to grow back! If I'm doing gigs with heavy strumming etc then I'll usually apply a coat or two of nail strengthener (like this one: www.boots.com/sally-hansen-diamond-strength-instant-nail-hardener-10035106). I find this stops the nail wearing down so much, as it's an extra layer which wears down instead of the nail. I usually then remove it with "strengthening nail polish remover" the next day and apply recovery oil afterwards. Good luck!
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Jan 23, 2021 8:52:06 GMT
I will try John’s nail envy treatment as well, I think; can’t see how that can do any harm Hi, Give it a go; as you say, nothing to lose. The only 'effect' I've noticed is that my nails became slightly more rounded rather than flat (left to right that is). There doesn't appear to be any ill effects on the nail itself. I haven't noticed the 'peeling' at all. My other half says my nails have never looked better! I also use a good nail file (wolfram) 3 times a week to keep nails the same length all the time. I suppose it also depends on what you play and how you play. I don't do a lot of heavy strumming and have used lights or extra lights for many years so I'm not bashing my nails to death. Even so, the 2 weeks wait for a split to grow out is a thing of the past. P.S. I started doing my left (fretting) hand as well. I still do but with less frequently, more for making them look better than they used to. FFJ
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Post by vikingblues on Jan 23, 2021 19:00:28 GMT
One I found of some benefit was using a hand moisturiser that includes Keratin. e.g. Vaseline Intensive Care. There really was a benefit to the nails. Obviously not as strong as artificial nails, but although a managed to play OK with a thumb pick I could never get the hang of artificial aids on the fingers. At the risk of being gross I'll add that in by an odd coincidence when I started using it for my finger nails I was using a thumb pick due to a verruca/wart type growth at the end of my thumb under the nail (I was careless with treating a couple of foot verrucas at the time ). I'd been trying the usual medical solutions for these with no success. Within a week of using the moisturiser the one on my thumb had gone. Tried it on my foot too - also worked. Odd because the verruca/wart occurs due to a virus that causes an excess amount of keratin, a hard protein, to develop in the top skin layer. Why adding Keratin to something caused by Keratin should kill it I know not. Mark
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Post by Matt Milton on Jan 24, 2021 9:21:19 GMT
Should say this about the Alaska fingerpicks - they come in either metal or plastic and while both are workable I much prefer the plastic ones. Metal ones don't stay on as well I find.
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