Hello all,
I have started playing my guitars recently and for about the last 6 months have been using my fingers only...something like Jeff Beck, but at a lower skill level .
I've done a forum search and found the thread from May 2011 about fingerpicking which had the tip from adey, seconded by both Ceri and Martian about eating a cube of gelatin a day and the importance of filing, as well as the advice from 53 magnatone about acrylic nail polish. My question is if there are any other tips or nostrums to keep the fingernails intact?
cheers,
Alex

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......it's a topsy-turvy world when noses run and feet smell...

Nails for me are not worth the bother. If you've got weak nails you're probably always going to have weak nails. Go to a salon and get them capped with acrylic if you want really tough nails. That's what Johnny Hiland and Martin Simpson do.

I wouldn't do it though very embarrassing for a guy doing that. Prefer to toughen the skin up and use it.

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Luck won't do it and ignorance can't

George Van Eps.

Don't bite 'em

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A-man

Vitamin K and carotine are are important for healthy nails. May help out a bit.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

Good one!!
At least summertime brings more humidity and less breakage.....

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......it's a topsy-turvy world when noses run and feet smell...

Perhaps if one went in in disguise??? like Alexei in disguise with diamonds (sorry )
Actually, the skin is tough...but I like to leave 2 of my nails long so I can get a percussive effect from the strings when needed (and sometimes when not needed as a surprise!)

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......it's a topsy-turvy world when noses run and feet smell...

I tried for years, never got them thick enough. and I am always tinkering so much that I tear them off of bend them back all he time. but there are those lucky ones like my father that nearly kill you when they clip them I think there is only so much you can do, its all up to genetics unfortunately. The things you are already doing may just take more time, but you probably don't have the nail gene either

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Thanks!
I've got my Dad's nail gene, but unfortunately it applies to the toes.....he always said that he needed the nailclippers used for horses to trim his toenails...maybe I can arrange some sort of transplant???

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......it's a topsy-turvy world when noses run and feet smell...

Sorry about that one -couldn't resist it
I am blessed with strong nails, and play 97 % of the time without a pick , just using the nails. Whether it is acoustic or electric. But I suggest you get yourself some fingerpicks, Alex- like the dobro/banjo- and some guitar players use. Quite ok when you get used to it
Cheers

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A-man

PS! Congrats w your first 100 posts

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A-man

You could try wearing shoes and socks on your hands for a while. Maybe that's the magical solution for thin nails

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^^^ Brilliant Yeah i know those two guys i mentioned go to a salon and get it done properly but i could never do that no way! i'd feel self conscious and a bit of a wimp sitting there in the ladies salon waiting to get my nails done All the same i will say this having longer strong nails is great if you can keep them from wearing away. You get more attack and clarity than flesh alone.

I'm just resigned that it'll never work for me though. If i play heavily with a nail within a very short time it's all worn away

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Luck won't do it and ignorance can't

George Van Eps.

Thank you for helping make it happen
You're so close...in Canada we call 99 a Gretzky

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......it's a topsy-turvy world when noses run and feet smell...

Good one!
Maybe I should....I do see people occasionally looking at my hands because the nails on the one hand are very short, and on the other, quite long (when they're not broken off)...looks as if I can only use a pair of scissors with one hand....unidextrous I think it's called

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......it's a topsy-turvy world when noses run and feet smell...

...I'd feel like a king sitting in a salon full of women, a women ready to clip and polish my nails. I'd bring grapes and a fan, some harem outfits, incense, and middle eastern music to set the mood if you are having trouble getting past wimpy.

I keep my left hand nails short, my right hand nails medium with a slight point and rounded edges for some texture during finger picking and strumming. I use dish gloves when I do dishes so my nails don't soften and I wash with either sandalwood glycerin soap in the rest room or Palmolive green (just a dab, too much will dry out your nails and skin) when I'm in the kitchen. I use any old sturdy standard nail clipper and Revlon sandpaper boards (nail files) for shaping, finishing, and smoothing.

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"The individual is handicapped by coming face to face with a Conspiracy so monstrous he cannot believe it exists. The American mind simply has not come to a realization of the evil which has been introduced into our midst." J. Edgar Hoover