Finger nails! who needs them.

[MIKE 450]

A number of years ago after a chat with Tommy Emannuel, I took he's advice and cut my finger nails on my on my right hand. He told me they'll always break no matter what you do with them.

He said after a while your finger tips would become hard like they are on your left hand.

He was right! now my picking finger's are like little rocks, no more nail breaks or wasting loads of playing time messing around with nail files etc.

Most of you will already know this or prefer long nails for picking your nose. But if your sick of them cut them off.

[chris c]

I tried that too a few years ago, but even after months of playing every day, my fingertips didn't become hard enough to produce a good sound.

So I'm mostly using fingerpicks now, and am very happy with them.
It took some time to get used to it and to produce a good sound, but it was well worth the trouble.

[MIKE 450]

Hi Chris, yes I agree with what your saying. I have friends who won't part with there little tin box full of finger picks. And no matter how hard you get your finger tips you won't get the same volume or sound.

One of my mates who came home after touring around Europe ended up in hospital. The picks had cut into he's finger tips so badly, he ended up getting three finger tips lanced to release the poison.

With me it was a question how often do I want to set around bending the finger picks into shape, then because I use three fingers I'd be trying on all the picks-- always getting them mixed up.

As for how long it takes to harden your finger tips.Well if you only play for an hour or two a day it may take a while. Try playing four hours a day and the job will be over in a week and you'll sort out all those little tunes you meant to finnish while your there.

I must admit it was painfull. I suppose looking back it was summer time so I was busking and giging. One of those days, I was in a busking competion where I played for five hours almost none stop. My finger's and throat where RAW --still my harp playing/ guitar playing etc- improved.

But the best thing was not having to have all that extra work anymore with finger picks. Just throw on the guitar and off you go, SIMPLE.

[onemanband]

Sorry guys,...............has to be fingernails for me. I agree it's a real pain to keep them in one piece and pristine, particularly if, like me, one is continually being reminded by my beloved, of jobs that need doing around the house, and is also forced into continual rounds of washing up!!

I do wear washing up gloves for these chores (some people think I'm a right cissy) but at the first sign of a split, I coat the injured nail with "Hard As Nails", a sort of clear nail varnish that seems to stop any further damage.
I also keep my RH nails closely clipped (I find this the best result for fingerpicking my 12string).
I tried those fingerpicky thingy's many years ago and absolutely hated them, never been back down that route since!

So there's my opinion, as far as sound and feel are concerned.........it has to be fingernails every time!!

Brian.

[rocksteady]

Nails for me!!! Nothing like them for feeling

[JB]

another vote for nails here, I'm lucky tho', my nails are 'hard as nails' !

harhar

[rocksteady]

It's all how you take care of them. File, don't cut, and don't wait till they are too long. I keep mine just long enough that I can see them over the tip of my fingers. Ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

[lewddude]

FYI, in the states we have this product called "new skin" like a liquid bandaid. More like Super glue, but it works great if you got girly fingar tips. Works both left and right hands!

A number of years ago after a chat with Tommy Emannuel, I took he's advice and cut my finger nails on my on my right hand. He told me they'll always break no matter what you do with them.

He said after a while your finger tips would become hard like they are on your left hand.

He was right! now my picking finger's are like little rocks, no more nail breaks or wasting loads of playing time messing around with nail files etc.

Most of you will already know this or prefer long nails for picking your nose. But if your sick of them cut them off.

[dale warner]

I broke a nail a couple of weeks ago - it was just hanging there, half off, half on. I got myself some pound shop super glue and some kitchen roll (in truth it was toilet tissue but that doesn't sound very hygienic so I've sanitized the story) and it's been 'right as rain' ever since. Every few days I use the super glue remover that came in the packet and re-do the nail. It looks odd but then, I'm never going to model for nivea. The funniest bit is the quilting on the nail.
Hope I've not put anybody off their cup of tea.
Good health,
Dale

[JB]

lol ... nice one Dale

[rocksteady]

I broke a nail a couple of weeks ago - it was just hanging there, half off, half on. I got myself some pound shop super glue and some kitchen roll (in truth it was toilet tissue but that doesn't sound very hygienic so I've sanitized the story) and it's been 'right as rain' ever since. Every few days I use the super glue remover that came in the packet and re-do the nail. It looks odd but then, I'm never going to model for nivea. The funniest bit is the quilting on the nail.
Hope I've not put anybody off their cup of tea.
Good health,
Dale

[MIKE 450]

Funny reading all these tales of nails. I think Dales storey says it all the glue-- toilet tissue- when I think of super glue I think WHAT IF IT-----------

Anyway there may children reading this so lets get back to my point.

When the best or one of the best acoustic guitarist in the world gives you a tip TAKE IT.

I count myself very lucky to have been in the company of not only TE but young Gareth Pearson. Gareth assured me that I would never grow my nails again, and he's right I wont.

Simply go on to youtube and watch/listen to both these guys--there sound is second to none. Plus there's no more mucking around with metal fingernail picks/ super glue/nail files--what happened to Dales fingernail can be a real bumer if your live onstage.

I think my chat with TE amounted to one major thing--IF YOU WANT TO IMPROVE GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE-

[mutley2209]

never broken a nail but I GOT BLISTERS ON ME FINGERS!

[singlereed]

You can buy nail repair glue in Boots - as far as I know it is cyanoacrylate glue, i.e. superglue. If you read Pierre Bensusan's book, he shows you how to build up nails with superglue and baking soda! I used glue once when I tore a nail a day before a classical guitar exam and it saved the day. I wouldn't want to make a habit of it, though, it is extremely poisonous nad you need to be careful you don't get it in your eye etc. Best plan is to trim and file nails carefully and just look after them, avoiding rough edges. When I played classical guitar, it was a right pain to be honest and fortunately I don't need them nearly as long for the way I play steel strings.