Oh No I Broke A Nail!

taygull · #1 01-20-2003, 03:40 PM

My wife thinks I'm a wuss! I never thougt I would worry about breaking a nail.

I have tried using fingerpicks and just not had any luck.

I broke the nail on my middle finger. What do you guys perform do when this happens and you have a gig?

Do ya'll pick with your thumb nail, thumb pick, or just the "meaty side part" of the thumb.

What can be done to strenghthen the nails. I am a bit shy about having nails. I am in sales and I think most people, unless they play guitar, would understand why a guy would have nails.

What are some of your thoughts?

architectx · #2 01-20-2003, 04:01 PM

You know what - just break down and go have a real manicure done! I spend more time on my nails than my wife does on hers - it is essential (IMHO) for any fingerstyle player.

I've had good luck with acrylic nails as a temporary fix. Some folks play with them all the time, but I got afraid of nail rot & such, so I stick with the natural thing till I'm in a pinch. I'd recommend trying "tips" (women use them for French manicures I think). They'll be easier on your nails for the long term.

If you've only torn a nail (if a good part is still hanging on), there are liquid reiforcing solutions sold in drug stores & such. I've made that work before as well, but I had to re-apply it about every other day (2-4 hours of playing).

There are also some fingerpicks made that actually fit under your existing nail. I've never tried them, but they look as though they would be more like real nails than banjo or dobro style picks.

Acoustic guitar magazine did a great article on nail care & such recently. It was probably in the November or December issue (mine are at home, I'm not - or I'd look for you). You may want to track down a copy and read through it. There are also numerous resources on the web - try a google search for something like "guitar nail care". Most classical folks rely only their nails, so the info on exactly what products people have had success with is out there.

taygull · #3 01-20-2003, 04:36 PM

Thanks for the great info.

I think I'll sneak off and get my nails done!

Please don't tell my buddies!

Robbie · #4 01-21-2003, 02:53 AM

There is a nail repair kit that you can get from Savarez (the guys who make the classical guitar strings). Basically it involved sticking bits of silk on the nail and then soaking it in super glue. And it works! I broke my thumbnail several months ago, and that nail comes in for a lot of abuse. I reinforced it with the silk and glue and it sounded better than new.

Rob

Midnight Shadow · #5 01-21-2003, 08:17 AM

When I don't break the nail off completely I use Super Glue and spread it on top of the nail and under the nail. Seems to build it up enough that I am able to continue to play.

If I break it off completely, and I can't save what is left, I use the Pro Pick which has the center cut out so that I still get a feeling of skin hitting the string first. You can find an ad for them in Acoustic Guitar Mag.

The Alaska Pick is also an option and someone else mentioned it. The Alaska Pick fits under your nail and around the nail. I have tried them and didn't like them so I went with the Pro Pick. Chris Proctor uses the Alaska Picks and apparently likes them. They can be filed to fit better under the nail and they can also be cut across the top to make them more to your liking.

As to your question about thumb picks I mainly use the side of my thumb but do at time, in a song, use the nail for a different sound. I also use the Fred Kelly thumb picks. I don't remember the exact model but the "blade" that strikes the string is only about 1/8 inch wide and sticks out about 1/4 inch.

Hope this helps.

Midnight Shadow

taygull · #6 01-21-2003, 07:02 PM

Well guys and gals,

I spent an hour and fifteen minutes getting my nails done! I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SAY THAT!

I had tips put on my index, middle, and ring finger. Why do women go through so much work to do things like this?

I had an old injury that causes the tip of my index finger to caulis and get brittle and break. It does cause a lot of pain and am considering going to a specialist to see if they can fix it. I had a surgeon once tell me it could be fixed. I am definitely going now. After the manicurist clipped, sanded, prodded the caluis. IT HURT LIKE THE DEVIL!

Well my wife laughed at me! My dog didn't recognize me! And my kids think they have 2 mothers!

This is the only part of learning to play the guitar that I am really self-conscience about. I'm just not use to seeing guys with fingernails! I've tried finger picks and they just don't work.

The moral of the story is, it is worth it. I can now play my first Taylor that I got yesterday!

P.S. I like the way the nails look! (Just don't tell anyone)

Acousticado · #7 01-21-2003, 09:21 PM

I'm a thumb/index finger strummer/fingerpicker -- don't use or like picks. I've had a lot of problems with extreme wear on my index fingernail -- it wears on an angle to expose a lot of flesh and I always end-up either sore, bleeding and definitely painful. I can't play for a few days when i really do a number on it. Last week i decided to have an acrylic nail put on that one finger. I keep it short, but I can hammer the s*** out of this thing and barely mark it. A little filing on occaion -- a visit to the esthetician about once a month will be in order. Only costs a few $ each time. Bonus is I'm getting more *controlled* volume, clarity and accents than I had before. This a great permanent solution for me.

taygull · #8 01-21-2003, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tayloresque
Last week i decided to have an acrylic nail put on that one finger. I keep it short, but I can hammer the s*** out of this thing and barely mark it

Bonus is I'm getting more *controlled* volume, clarity and accents than I had before. This a great permanent solution for me.

I couldn't agree more. I've been playing about an hour now on the acrylics, man is this easy. They are more solid and I can hit it hard or soft. I wish I had done this a few months ago!

Acousticado · #9 01-21-2003, 11:13 PM

Quote:

I wish I had done this a few months ago!

I wish I had done this YEARS ago!

Camalex · #10 01-30-2003, 01:11 PM

I did acrylics for a while but decided I hated going to the salon. So I investigated an old Pierre Bensusan trick. A dab of super glue onto the exposed nail tip, spread carefully (just on white of nail) and then dip the nail into small amount of baking soda. Repeat the procedure and file/buff to desired shape. I have found this to cosmetically "okay" (acrylics look better) but any odd repairs can be done at home very quicly (the super glue sets up in seconds/no smell)-- no salon and I actually think the nail grabs the strings a little better than acrylics. $2 bottle of super glue and small monkey dish of baking soda will last months (very low cost). Be sure to keep the super glue only on the nail. Small coats is better than one large coat. File, shape and buff and you're off -- finsh with small coat of super glue helps cure the nail tip.

PS I have used the silk/super glue routine as well. With less success. The silk tape kist are awfully expensive the silk tape is awfully flimsy -- easy to ruin the whole strip in one bad move. Plus I find the tape pops off much easier than the baking soda "cement."

Acousticado · #11 01-30-2003, 07:22 PM

Camalex, the 'salon' I recently started going to is a 5 min. walk within the large office complex I work in. Instead of going for a break when it's time for a 'nail job', I go during work time. It only takes about 15 min. (I only have my right index fingernail done) every three weeks and costs only US$3 (Cdn$5). The gal does a great job to the extent that it virtually doesn't show. Besides, what's wrong with going to a 'salon'? Hey guy, you should see the babes there (including the babe that does my nail and finds it REAL cool that a guitar player comes to her). It's cool, and you're a novelty to the ladies. I've only been once so far, but I went in to buy a nail file the other day, and the other gals already know I'm the guitar player. I'm going back for a nail job next week. T'ain't so bad, man!

anothersmith · #12 01-30-2003, 10:11 PM

Has anyone had professionally-done silk wraps? I'm wondering how they compare to acrylic tips in terms of strength and looks.

Camalex · #13 01-31-2003, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tayloresque
Camalex, the 'salon' I recently started going to is a 5 min. walk within the large office complex I work in. Instead of going for a break when it's time for a 'nail job', I go during work time. It only takes about 15 min. (I only have my right index fingernail done) every three weeks and costs only US$3 (Cdn$5). The gal does a great job to the extent that it virtually doesn't show. Besides, what's wrong with going to a 'salon'? Hey guy, you should see the babes there (including the babe that does my nail and finds it REAL cool that a guitar player comes to her). It's cool, and you're a novelty to the ladies. I've only been once so far, but I went in to buy a nail file the other day, and the other gals already know I'm the guitar player. I'm going back for a nail job next week. T'ain't so bad, man!

My brother (a mechanc) has this funny line where he described something as "manly" or "girly" using the deepest irish accent he can muster. he would describe his hands as "the manly hands of a mechanic, not the girly hands of a computer programmer." There's more to that story and his comments are made in good clean fund but I guess I just find myself hearing those words as I enter my local salon. Plus, I have to drive to the salon (not a five minute walk away -- it not convenient to make a special trip for my nails.

Finally, I think the tone of buffed acrylic fingertips is "muted" and not nearly as crisp or as clear as that of a bare nail and/or combined with superglue reinforcement. I like the "attack" I get with the superglue. I went back and forth with acylics for many months before I came to this conclusion -- so yes I went to the salon many times. I didn't feel like a novelty to these women -- in fact I felt the odd man out and subjected to many funny looks.