Fingernails

Damani311 · #1 12-23-2007, 03:41 PM

Hate'em. Every time I start to dig in I want to play with the tips of my fingers, as opposed to the padding, I find I can play much faster this way. However, even though I keep my nails really short, they always make a picking sound against the strings.

What do you guys do about nails?

TFunkadelic · #2 12-23-2007, 05:16 PM

If they're still giving you trouble after clipping them down as far as you can, then I guess you could just pull them out completely...

or tweak your technique just a little bit.

gabethedestroyr · #3 12-23-2007, 05:38 PM

I clip mine as short as I can every 3-4 days.. +1 to technique if you're having trouble with them as short as they can be.

Marcury · #4 12-23-2007, 05:55 PM

My bass has a piezo, so when the nails start too get to long it's clack city. I've learned to change the angle I hit the strings with if I have to.

I'd suggest getting a nail file, once you cut your nails you can file them down further and keep them that way.

Johnny Crab · #5 12-23-2007, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gabethedestroyr

I clip mine as short as I can every 3-4 days.. +1 to technique if you're having trouble with them as short as they can be.

+1
I clip mine if they hit the strings.
They get clipped just enough so they reinforce the very tip of the callous area directly next to them.

CrazyArcher · #6 12-24-2007, 02:33 PM

Hmm my nails never gave me much trouble... In fact, there was a brief period of time when I played with nails to get more pick-like sound. I got a more responsive bass and abandoned the idea, but I still leave something like 1mm of white space when I cut my nails, because I like to have the flesh backed up with the nail when I hit the string. Don't have any problems that way.

charliet · #7 12-24-2007, 03:52 PM

yea when i cut my nails short my middle finger has some skin on the inside that hurts pretty bad when touched. But i love nails...i get the desired tone im looking for..........no help here just running my fingers.

Ramstien · #8 12-24-2007, 08:04 PM

I bite my fingernails, so none of that for me.

dave64o · #9 01-01-2008, 06:30 PM

I don't have any problem with my nails on the strings. But then again, my nails are always so short that I can't peel a sticker, pick up a coin, or anything like that. If can do those things, it's time to cut my nails.

bassjigga · #10 01-03-2008, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramstien

I bite my fingernails, so none of that for me.

Yeah me too. Take up biting your nails. Just kidding...

JeffC · #11 01-03-2008, 01:07 PM

I keep mine short, in fact I keep a pair of clippers in my gig bag.

warnergt · #12 01-03-2008, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TFunkadelic

If they're still giving you trouble after clipping them down as far as you can, then I guess you could just pull them out completely...

LOL!

bassrique · #13 01-05-2008, 09:10 AM

I have my nails at the length where I can play with the traditional sound or with my nails. Playing fast passages with nails is easier.

BuffaloBass · #14 01-08-2008, 07:30 AM

And I actually dig the sound of it. I'm with bassrique. I keep them manicured down, but I can, if I want, use them. Only my thumb gets cut and filed for double thumbing.

Seussbass · #15 01-08-2008, 07:50 PM

I usually bite my nails, but if i've been particularly good and left them alone for a few days I'll usually end up biting them as soon as I feel like they're going to interfere with my bass playing.