stratman_dup1 Posted August 27, 2001 Share Posted August 27, 2001 I've got a question for y'all. I've been getting into Classical fingerstyle, and actually managed to grow out my nails long enough to appreciate why classical players are so picky about them. Problem is they only grew out that long because I didn't pick up my electric for quit a while. I sat in with a band the other night, played some good ol funk and blues, and when I got off the stage and sat down I noticed 2 of my nails were destroyed, just tore off at the fingertip. I use a hybrid pick and fingers technique when playing electric, and tend to slap, pop, pull, yank (need I go on?) the strings pretty hard with my fingers which in turn ruined my nails. What to do?? I trimmed my nails pretty much off so they were all the same lentgh for classical but I really miss the tone and timber I get when using my nails, but I can't let them grow out because they will just get destroyed when I play electric. Changing my style of playing electric is not an option, it is very instictual and I wouldn't change it if I could. Yanking on the strings and bending the crap out of a note is half the fun I have playin the Blues. But I would like to have the tone, consistency, and projection of nails when playing Classical. Are their any alternatives?? I don't think fingerpicks would work, I've used them before but have yet to find one that doesn't slip and slide around on my fingertip while playing. How about fake nails?? Are their any out there that could withstand my assualt of .011's at standard tuning on an electric and still be usable on a Nylon string?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticsound Posted August 28, 2001 Share Posted August 28, 2001 I've posted on this before, so try the search for details. To summarize, Amanda Wilkinson, of the group the Wilkinsons, showed me the designs on her nails, and I noticed the top coat was incredibly thick. She told me you could have the top coat put on your nails at any nail salon. My nails have only now returned to my preferred length, except for the index, so I haven't tried it to see how well I can play. I'm also concerned with doing only one hand with this stuff, as it is VERY thick. (highly noticeable! http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif ) ------------------ Neil Reality: A few moments of lucidity surrounded by insanity. It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonafide Posted August 28, 2001 Share Posted August 28, 2001 Originally posted by Stratman: How about fake nails?? Are their any out there that could withstand my assualt of .011's at standard tuning on an electric and still be usable on a Nylon string?? Absoulutely!! Acrylic nails are just awesome. Can they withstand your assault? They will do the assaulting http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Seriously, once you have them done, you just need to have them 'filled' at the bottom every 3-4 weeks. Those suckers last and last and are brutal in strength. It does take a bit getting used to as they are thicker than what you are used to. Once you get the hang of wearing them, I promise you won't go back. You can shape them to be very 'fast' or very 'percussive' or anywhere in between. I only do 3 nails and it cost's about $10. After that I fill them myself. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael saulnier Posted August 28, 2001 Share Posted August 28, 2001 How do you say: "it's that crazy guitarist who only gets three fingers done" in Korean? Or Vietnamese? guitplayer I'm still "guitplayer"! Check out my music if you like... http://www.michaelsaulnier.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratman_dup1 Posted August 28, 2001 Author Share Posted August 28, 2001 HAHAHAHA, you are on a roll lately Guitplayer http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Thanks for the replies, I guess it's time to check into the Acrylic nails. I'm gonna feel like a dope being the only guy in the nail salon http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Me-"No, seriously ladies, I'm a guitar player. I need these nails for guitar playing" Ladies- wink wink wink "yeah, sure you are handsome" Me- blushing "No, really, seriously, I AM a guitar player. see the calluses, see??" etc... I did see you're post Fantasticsound, that's kind of what made me think of it. I opened I new post because I wanted to explain my circumstances. I truly do assualt the strings on my Electric with my fingertips and really thought that would be a factor. But you guys seem to think the Acrylic nails can take it so I guess I will have to give them a try. One question though, I've heard that fake nails are bad for your real nails, fungus and all that. I suppose it doesn't really matter since I can't grow my real nails out anyway but should that be a concern. I'm guessin not or you probably would have mentioned it already, forget I said anything about it. Thanks again folks, see ya at the nail salon. Their for playing guitar... really... seriously... http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gifhttp://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gifhttp://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonafide Posted August 28, 2001 Share Posted August 28, 2001 Originally posted by guitplayer: How do you say: "it's that crazy guitarist who only gets three fingers done" in Korean? Or Vietnamese? guitplayer HA!! http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif It's no joke. However, I did see this frightning special on nightline about the DESEASES that have been popping up in these 'asian' nail joints. Fingernails falling off, turning green and shit like that, not kidding. I finally got the stuff and am getting good enough to do all by myself. The folks at the nail place actually used to like when I would show up because it took them less than 10 minutes to get me out of there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bohemian Posted August 30, 2001 Share Posted August 30, 2001 superglue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticsound Posted September 1, 2001 Share Posted September 1, 2001 Originally posted by bohemian: superglue I tried this but my fingers kept getting stuck to the strings! http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gifhttp://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif Seriously, I hated the way superglue dried my fingernails. It made them feel like they were bending in the opposite direction!! http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/frown.gif ------------------ Neil Reality: A few moments of lucidity surrounded by insanity. It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratman_dup1 Posted September 3, 2001 Author Share Posted September 3, 2001 Well, got my nails done. You guys weren't kidding about how THICK they are, course that could be because I told the chick to make them as strong as possible!! There's nothing quite like the experience of being the only guy in a nail salon to make a person feel like they are in an episode of the Twilight Zone. I tell ya, you could just hear a pin drop when I walked in, and when the gal actually started doing my nails I could see all the women in the place lookin over their shoulders at me http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gifhttp://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Really funny actually. But I have no regrets, the volume and articulation I can get with the nails is head and shoulders above what I was getting with my fingertips. I still haven't put them to the test with my electric but that day is coming soon, tommorow to be exact. I'll let you all know how it goes but something is telling me the nails will hold up fine. I think I could crack open a tank with these babies and they would hold up just fine. By the way, have any of you ever heard the gossiping that goes on in a nail salon?? Pretty darn remarkable to say the least http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gifhttp://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gifhttp://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticsound Posted September 4, 2001 Share Posted September 4, 2001 Originally posted by Stratman: Well, got my nails done. You guys weren't kidding about how THICK they are, course that could be because I told the chick to make them as strong as possible!! ... Good for you. I only realized today, that my middle, ring, and pinky fingernails are ready for the treatment. Unfortunately the index is still tiny due to breakage, but I'm afraid if I wait for it to catch up, I'll break one or more of the others, so... I'll be going very soon. ------------------ Neil Reality: A few moments of lucidity surrounded by insanity. It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiveMusic Posted September 4, 2001 Share Posted September 4, 2001 I've asked this question on here before but haven't tried it yet, so you beat me to it. Glad it's working as I need to try it. I'm about to give up having nails that won't break. I'm wondering how you settled on the length for her to make them. And... can you file them readily yourself to shorten them if they are too long? ------------------ Duke > > > [ Live! ] < < < Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticsound Posted September 5, 2001 Share Posted September 5, 2001 I was assured you can file and cut as needed, but beware, you should reapply before the rear of the coated area gets close to the end of your cuticle, otherwise you end up putting MORE pressure on the most fragile section of nail. ------------------ Neil Reality: A few moments of lucidity surrounded by insanity. It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratman_dup1 Posted September 5, 2001 Author Share Posted September 5, 2001 Originally posted by LiveMusic: I've asked this question on here before but haven't tried it yet, so you beat me to it. Glad it's working as I need to try it. I'm about to give up having nails that won't break. I'm wondering how you settled on the length for her to make them. And... can you file them readily yourself to shorten them if they are too long? Yes, you can readily file and shape them yourself. But I would advise getting one of the big files made for acrylic nails, these suckers are hard as a rock and I would imagine they would tear up a regular file. Unless your talking about a metal one of course. As far as the length goes, I actually purposely told her to leave them long and semi-unformed at the tips so that I could file and shape them to my likeing with my guitar at hand. I would be careful not to file them too short, I filed my a little bit too short but that is probably due to inexperience. Plus I think when you are used to not having nails it will feel un-natural to you at first and you may want to file off more than you should. I know I'm still getting used to mine, plus the extra thickness of them adds to the un-natural feeling imo. That's OK though, they grow back at an alarming rate when you first have it done due to the chemicals used to apply them or some such thing. That's no joke, I had mine done for the first time last Friday and I can already see where I've got new nail coming in. They've grown probably 1/16"-3/32" in less than a week!! That's remarkable for me, my nails never grew out that fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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