James Taylor : Plays with real fingernails or fake ?

[harmonics101]

I was watching James Taylor over the weekend. You know, that thing they got on PBS that probably everyone has seen by now. I wish they would show more of his fretting hand than they do at least in the episodes that i saw. I couldn't even see if he had the darn guitar capo'd or not.

In any case, I was watching his finger picking hand and did not see any long fingernails or picks readily visible.

What does James use as far as props for his right hand ? Does he use various methods and combinations ?

It did sound very good and much more pronounced tone than I can generate with flesh on my right hand.

Harmonics101

[stratt2828]

Some years back I read an interview with him and he described how he used glue on fingernails. I'm not sure about these days though.

[oldhippiegal]

I have that as-recorded sheet music, and he capos a lot.

[TwinandTwang]

Fake
It's in the first (free) lesson he gives on his site.

[SimplyLuo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BqISqpMRo8&hd=1 (his lesson on nail care)

fiberglass wraps

[bbrown]

Where can one find these fibreglass wraps? Taylor does not mention a product name.

BTW - a similar thread is going on under general topics - I asked the same question there.

[K-vegas]

Originally Posted by harmonics101

It did sound very good and much more pronounced tone than I can generate with flesh on my right hand.

I like tone produced w/o nails on solo but mixed in with other intruments it sure gets lost quick. I'm not sure I could stand the nail overlays tho. Well maybe if I played like JT...

[SimplyLuo]

Originally Posted by bbrown

Where can one find these fibreglass wraps? Taylor does not mention a product name.

BTW - a similar thread is going on under general topics - I asked the same question there.

You can get some self-adhesive fiberglass wraps here for pretty cheap: http://www.transdesign.com/

they have a huge selection of nail products

[bbrown]

Thanks very much for the link.

Sorry for the delay - I thought I had subscribed to this thread.

--Bill

[bbrown]

Looking over this site, it's a bit overwhelming - many products that seem to do the same thing. Any suggestions on what might be the right stuff to get?

Here's the wrap listing: http://www.transdesign.com/

Thank you,

--Bill

[bbrown]

If anyone is still following this (I might be writing to myself at this point

I wrote to this company (that Luo mentioned) asking what they might recommend for guitar players, and this was their reply............


Hi,

This should work fine.
Instant Fiberglass Self Adhesive
Instant Fiberglass is very thin synthetic mesh with a loose weave. The loose weave makes it easy for adhesive to penetrate. It is especially strong and durable.
0607 Fiberglass 70 Count$2.49


Or if you want something stronger

Instant Linen Self Adhesive
Instant Linen is a closely woven, heavy material. It is much thicker than silk or fiberglass. Because it is opaque, even after adhesive is applied, a colored polish must be used to cover it completely. Linen is a strong wrap.
0616 Linen Precut Self Adhesive 70 Count Pack$4.75


Best regards,
Van

[email protected]
US: 1-404-363-2933
International: 1-800-640-2283
www.transdesign.com
www.nailsupplies.us (New)

[SimplyLuo]

Cool, thanks for sharing!
I've heard that linen wraps, while very strong, are opaque.. I don't think I could stand having white nails all the time !

[Chordpounder]

I've even heard of teabags or paper towels, cut to shape and glued on with acrylic clear polish.

Richard in Neenach, California