playing with fingernails on tapewounds?

[Matthew_84]

I've recently started to grow out my index and middle fingernails to get more of a pick sound as well as to do the "one-finger-flick" when I need more speed.

My next bass may very well be a fretless semi-hollow strung with tapewounds to get a sound something like Paul McCartney's tone in "Michelle".

I'm pretty sure he played a lot of his songs with a Hofner, Labella tapewounds, and a pick. So it seems like using a pick on tapewounds won't cause any damage to the nylon wrapping on the string, but my fingernails will likely be a bit sharper, a bit rougher, and harder and they wouldn't "give" like a pick would.

Has anyone tried playing with their fingernails on tapewounds, or have any opinions on the matter?

Thanks,

Matt

[tekdiver500ft]

Sir Paul used a pick onstage, but played pretty much exclusively fingerstyle in the studio. Fingernails sound very much like a pick, though, and would probably work fine in a situation like you describe.

[yodedude2]

you must have really strong nails! mine would break. i use nail polish/strengthener to help keep them from breaking.

that said, i've played tapewounds fingerstyle for years and never had issues with string breakage or wear.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by tekdiver500ft

Sir Paul used a pick onstage, but played pretty much exclusively fingerstyle in the studio. Fingernails sound very much like a pick, though, and would probably work fine in a situation like you describe.

First I ever heard that.

[Nev375]

I use fingernails quite often, but I don't really grow them out all that much. I want to be able to use the fleshy part of my fingertip for a more traditional sound as well.

I kinda play with my fingers curled in and the end of the nail lightly pushing against the string (helps to have a good arch on the nail) rather than with the string flat underneath the nail. I'd really advise against growing them long and "flatpicking" with them in such a way as to make the nail flex. I've tried it in the past and nails will break, split, chip and do other things which *could* potentially be painful, but probably won't be.

Besides, what happens to your music gig if you break a nail?

But yes, fingernails do produce a pick-like sound and are not likely to harm tapewounds. Even if you were to sharpen the edge of them they would dull from constant playing.

[SamanthaCay]

I've been using my fingernails on tapes for several years now and haven't had a problem.

+1 on having strong nails though, a lot of people have weak and brittle nails which make it pretty much impossible to use this technique.
It's also important to keep them at around the right length, too long and they break, too short and they don't work so well.
I've found my happy medium is right around 3/32”.

[tekdiver500ft]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

First I ever heard that.

I should have added "often" to the onstage use. He said that he would often use a pick onstage, as it is easier for him, allowing him to concentrate on the singing. In the studio, he did each part independently, so he was able to concentrate on each, and played fingerstyle, as it sounds better to him.

[JimmyM]

Sure sounds like he's using a pick on most of his stuff in the studio, bro.

[tekdiver500ft]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Sure sounds like he's using a pick on most of his stuff in the studio, bro.

I know it does, I'd have thought the same thing. I'll try to find the quote where I got that piece of information.

[tekdiver500ft]

I'm not finding anything reliable right now. It was in a YouTube video, though, so I'll keep looking.

[yodedude2]

a quick google images search of sir paul in the studio during his beatles days shows several shots of him clearly using a pick with a ric, one shot of him using a pick on his hofner, and one shot of him with a jazz and no pick in sight.

[Matthew_84]

Thanks everybody! Good to know. I was really just sort of curious... I likely won't be getting this bass for a while, I thought it would be ssoner, but Christmas proved to be too expensive.

Originally Posted by SamanthaCay

I've been using my fingernails on tapes for several years now and haven't had a problem.

+1 on having strong nails though, a lot of people have weak and brittle nails which make it pretty much impossible to use this technique.
It's also important to keep them at around the right length, too long and they break, too short and they don't work so well.
I've found my happy medium is right around 3/32”.

Thanks Samantha. Yeah, I've really just started to grow them out and one of the corners of my index nail is about 3/32" and that seems to be about the length that I'm looking for. It is a good reminder not to get too carried away. I guess I'll see how they hold up... Do you have any tips to keep them from breaking or chipping?

[sunbeast]

I use my fingernails as well- best thing I've found as mentioned is to keep them pretty short and file them even with a fine grit file often, as any sort of miniscule divot or cut will often eventually lead to a break. My fingernails hold up pretty well to bass strings, but I am a cook by profession, so that is where I tend to do the most damage to my nails even when kept uniformly short (I once worked in a kitchen with a guy that managed to keep meticulously clean long classical guitar playing nails while simulataneously cooking- I still haven't figured that one out!). I doubt that your technique with fingernails will be nearly as aggressive as pickstyle since most of the hit (at least when I play) will actually be with the pad of the finger. The ideal touch via classical guitar method is where you get nail and finger pad on each hit.

[Matthew_84]

Originally Posted by sunbeast

I use my fingernails as well- best thing I've found as mentioned is to keep them pretty short and file them even with a fine grit file often, as any sort of miniscule divot or cut will often eventually lead to a break. My fingernails hold up pretty well to bass strings, but I am a cook by profession, so that is where I tend to do the most damage to my nails even when kept uniformly short (I once worked in a kitchen with a guy that managed to keep meticulously clean long classical guitar playing nails while simulataneously cooking- I still haven't figured that one out!). I doubt that your technique with fingernails will be nearly as aggressive as pickstyle since most of the hit (at least when I play) will actually be with the pad of the finger. The ideal touch via classical guitar method is where you get nail and finger pad on each hit.

Hmm, thanks for your input. I was actually intending on growing out my nail enough that I would only play with the nail, but short enough where it shouldn't break... This was mainly because when I do the one-finger-flick it sounded like I really only got nail on the upstroke and both on the down causing a difference in tone, but now that I think about it, I don't think that I had enough nail on the downstrokes to really make an informed decision. My index nail is nearly the length that I think I'll need, but I haven't had the opportunity to pick up the bass at all in the last couple of days, but I should get some time in today. I'll post back after I do.

[sunbeast]

Originally Posted by Matthew_84

Hmm, thanks for your input. I was actually intending on growing out my nail enough that I would only play with the nail, but short enough where it shouldn't break... This was mainly because when I do the one-finger-flick it sounded like I really only got nail on the upstroke and both on the down causing a difference in tone, but now that I think about it, I don't think that I had enough nail on the downstrokes to really make an informed decision. My index nail is nearly the length that I think I'll need, but I haven't had the opportunity to pick up the bass at all in the last couple of days, but I should get some time in today. I'll post back after I do.

I have tried similar early on when I was trying to teach myself fingerstyle guitar. The only nail I found to have enough "oomph" for that for my taste was my thumbnail, and I can do an up and down pick attack with my thumb that I like, but I still prefer it with a combo of meat and nail. I would also think you'd be breaking alot of nails that way- It takes alot more pressure to get a full sound out of a bass string than a guitar string and even most steel string acoustic players I know use finger-picks of some variety. Everyone's nails are different though!

[Matthew_84]

Well, I played a good amount last night and I found that I do prefer the tone of nails only. I found sometimes I'd hear two quick attacks, the tip and then nail, and it didn't sound good. It was very quick, but I could still notice it. Also, I found that when I did the one-finger-flick, I had a more consistant tone with only the nail, and I'm thinking it's because downstrokes were tip then nail and upstrokes were nail then tip.

My nail on my index is at about 3/32" now and it does seem to be a good length. It's just long enough that I can usually get nail only on the string with both techniques, and it does seem short enough that I don't think it will break, as long as I maintain it. One thing that I think is an advantage though is that I'm playing with flatwounds, which because they're smoother, would likely be a lot more nail-friendly than rounds; and I'm playing right over the P Bass pick-up, and the tension is a bit looser there. Also that P Bass gives a round tone anyway, so I think it helps out.

Actually, I got to give the VT Bass a lot of credit here: in one setting I have it's setup to sound like Geddy Lee and even with a P bass and flats I can "nail" the tone. Another setting's like Jamerson and if I roll down the tone knob to just below half, I can't hear the nail at all, but the tone is a bit punchier.

Quite a long rant, I know, but I'm pretty happy with this. I'll just have to see how my nails hold up over time. There's got to be some mineral or vitamin I can take that help strengthen nails, but I'll look into that and post what I find, if I find anything.

Thanks everyone,

Matt