Random Question about nails

[pocketbass]

I was just wondering if anyone here in this forum has some insight to my concern. I play bass and acoustic guitar. I play my bass with my first 2 fingers, like most bass players do. I definitely prefer the sound and feel of playing with my nails cut short.

However, when I play my acoustic, mostly fingerstyle, I prefer my nails a little long to get that crisp bright sound from my strings.

I want to know if anyone else has had this problem and found a solution to it. One thing I don't want to do is wear finger picks. Is there a certain length that one can keep their nails to get their preferred sound from their bass and acoustic?

Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

[dave64o]

I generally keep my fingernails so short I literally can't peel a a sticker off of something and even picking up a coin off the floor can be tough. Plus, for those increasingly rare times I do play guitar I almost always play with a pick. So I guess I really haven't run into that problem.

Maybe let your nails grow a little and for playing bass use a felt pick to get a somewhat finger-like thump while also avoiding the brightness and sharp attack your nails would give you? Just be prepared to buy A LOT of picks. I love the sound of a felt pick when they're new, but the ones I've tried seem to compact pretty quickly and lose that thumpy quality.

[JTE]

I play both bass and guitar, and mostly fingerpick the guitar. My right-hand nails are kept long enough to get some nail under the guitar strings, but short enough to not click when I play bass. It a fine line so it takes frequent filing of the nails to keep them in that small window.

jte

[pocketbass]

Originally Posted by dave64o

I generally keep my fingernails so short I literally can't peel a a sticker off of something and even picking up a coin off the floor can be tough. Plus, for those increasingly rare times I do play guitar I almost always play with a pick. So I guess I really haven't run into that problem.

Maybe let your nails grow a little and for playing bass use a felt pick to get a somewhat finger-like thump while also avoiding the brightness and sharp attack your nails would give you? Just be prepared to buy A LOT of picks. I love the sound of a felt pick when they're new, but the ones I've tried seem to compact pretty quickly and lose that thumpy quality.

A felt pick? I never even seen one. I probably would not use one, but I might go out and get one just to try it out. Thanks.

[pocketbass]

Originally Posted by JTE

I play both bass and guitar, and mostly fingerpick the guitar. My right-hand nails are kept long enough to get some nail under the guitar strings, but short enough to not click when I play bass. It a fine line so it takes frequent filing of the nails to keep them in that small window.

jte

I have tried that once. My wife finds it funny when I take her filer. Thanks. I guess I just have to try that method and find the right length for me. Now only if I can find her filer without her catching me.