Martink93 Posted January 28, 2021 Posted January 28, 2021 Hi my dads learning to play guitar but keeps snapping his nails and getting frustrated. Just wondering if you guys knew of anything i could buy him to strengthen them or something
Skinnyman Posted January 28, 2021 Posted January 28, 2021 I’m sure that others will chip in with suggestions that he sit with his nails in a saucer of vinegar or paint them with clear nail polish or similar. Ive always just filed mine short on both hands and use the pads of my fingers rather than the nails. Almost certainly a poor technique that’s frowned upon but it works for me. 1
ezbass Posted January 29, 2021 Posted January 29, 2021 I understand that learning good manicure technique is important (only filing in one direction, etc) and using quality files (Andy Summers uses a diamond one IIRC). Using clear coat nail varnish and building up the layers should help. I think I read somewhere that a renowned fingerstyle player uses stick on nails. I try to grow mine, but they tend to flake (I don’t do any of the above) and I’m not keen on the sound of them on bass, so they stay short like @Skinnyman’s.
Martink93 Posted January 31, 2021 Author Posted January 31, 2021 Thanks for the replys il get him some nail polish... i cant wait to see his face lol
Skinnyman Posted January 31, 2021 Posted January 31, 2021 (edited) In fairness, I think you can get “nail strengthener” which may save any embarrassment. Although a nice pillar box red does go well against a sunburst finish and a tort ‘guard Edited January 31, 2021 by Skinnyman
EdwardMarlowe Posted February 25, 2021 Posted February 25, 2021 On 28/01/2021 at 22:36, Skinnyman said: I’m sure that others will chip in with suggestions that he sit with his nails in a saucer of vinegar or paint them with clear nail polish or similar. Ive always just filed mine short on both hands and use the pads of my fingers rather than the nails. Almost certainly a poor technique that’s frowned upon but it works for me. I do the same. Much prefer it. My problem was not breaking nails but rather a phobia I'd rip one off, or the high E would slide up between finger and nail like a cheesewire and pull it off. Never had a problem picking with the pads of my finger clawhammer style. The other easy option would be to get some finger-picks that slide onto the end of the fingers. Come in metal or plastic. Cliff Gallup used metal ones with his Gretsch back in the 50s, if memory serves. 1
MacDaddy Posted June 25, 2021 Posted June 25, 2021 many years ago when I played classical guitar, I was never without an emery board, and a clear nail strengthener.
Stub Mandrel Posted August 6, 2021 Posted August 6, 2021 21 minutes ago, ubit said: Bite them! What he says
ubit Posted August 6, 2021 Posted August 6, 2021 25 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said: What he says Then again, I'm a bass player who plays with fingers so nails get in the way. If I finger pick on a guitar I still use the fleshy bit of my fingers rather than nails 1
ubit Posted August 6, 2021 Posted August 6, 2021 On 25/02/2021 at 09:35, EdwardMarlowe said: I do the same. Much prefer it. My problem was not breaking nails but rather a phobia I'd rip one off, or the high E would slide up between finger and nail like a cheesewire and pull it off. Never had a problem picking with the pads of my finger clawhammer style. The other easy option would be to get some finger-picks that slide onto the end of the fingers. Come in metal or plastic. Cliff Gallup used metal ones with his Gretsch back in the 50s, if memory serves. I dabble with the banjo and use metal finger picks in a claw hammer style 1
Skinnyman Posted August 6, 2021 Posted August 6, 2021 12 minutes ago, ubit said: I dabble with the banjo I have reported this to the relevant authorities. 1 2
ubit Posted August 6, 2021 Posted August 6, 2021 41 minutes ago, Skinnyman said: I have reported this to the relevant authorities. The last time I was practising, I was starting to get speed up with playing the rolls that are prevalent in Bluegrass music. Next thing Mrs Ubits son came through and closed over the door. Talk about being shut down without a word. 2
EdwardMarlowe Posted August 6, 2021 Posted August 6, 2021 3 hours ago, ubit said: The last time I was practising, I was starting to get speed up with playing the rolls that are prevalent in Bluegrass music. Next thing Mrs Ubits son came through and closed over the door. Talk about being shut down without a word. I know a cabaret performer who had just completed a rehearsal at home of a new number, looked at his cat and said "What did you think?" Whereupon the cat vomited on the floor, and stalked off. Everyone's a critic... 1 2
