Fast growing fingernails: the struggle is real

[bassdrummer]

Am I the only one whose fingernails grow too fast? Been so busy that I neglected to clip my fingernails before playing tonight. I play fingerstyle and my bass is strung with Chromes—for the whole set I was struggling to turn my index finger enough to pluck the strings without making contact with my fingernail. So my tone was all over the map from harsh highs to round thump, which also resulted in wild variations in volume. Why, God? Why? My wife and daughter are jealous. They wish they could grow their fingernails long and fast like me…but they don't play fingerstyle bass. In a related issue, my eyelashes also grow super long, to the point that they rub against the lenses of my glasses. Again, my wife and daughter are jealous…
Long nails and Chromes, long eyelashes and glasses…the struggles are real…

 

[fu22ba55]

Wait 'til you start playing upright. Gotta keep nail clippers in the bass case at all times.

 

[BLDavis]

Just wait till the hair in you nose and ears grows faster than the hair on your head.
B.

 

[Winslow]

Gotta keep nail clippers in the bass case at all times.

Yup. Been doing that pretty much since I started out. Every new bass means a new set of clippers to go in the case/bag, along with all the other usual stuff.

 

[G On Bass]

I maybe the mutant here, but having some fingernail is part of my tone. I keep the one on my index and middle fingers filed and trimmed to the correct length much like a classical guitarist. I carry fingerpicks in case I break a nail on load in. Fretting hand? Nails gotta be all but non-existent...

 

[two fingers]

Yeah mine grow stupid fast. It's not exactly "manly" but I prefer a file to clippers for my plucking fingers. I keep one in my catch-all gig box.....aka "The Box of Doom".

 

[Prof.Dr.Metz]

You too bassdrummer? Mine grow fast as well. I don't like having long nails but I don't like them too short either

 

[growlypants]

Mmmm. Thought I was the only one!! (My nails grow fast, and definitely interfere with good sound.)

 

[JRA]

Gotta keep nail clippers in the bass case at all times.

and a file, per @two fingers.

never leave home without clippers and a file, OP! good luck with your fingernails!

 

[turf3]

That's what teeth are for.

In related news, I will never be able to play classical guitar properly.

I read one classical guitarist's comment:

"When I was a teenager I picked up the guitar to attract chicks, and now I sit around with a bunch of other middle aged guys and discuss nail care!"

 

[Liko]

Am I the only one whose fingernails grow too fast? Been so busy that I neglected to clip my fingernails before playing tonight. I play fingerstyle and my bass is strung with Chromes—for the whole set I was struggling to turn my index finger enough to pluck the strings without making contact with my fingernail. So my tone was all over the map from harsh highs to round thump, which also resulted in wild variations in volume. Why, God? Why? My wife and daughter are jealous. They wish they could grow their fingernails long and fast like me…but they don't play fingerstyle bass. In a related issue, my eyelashes also grow super long, to the point that they rub against the lenses of my glasses. Again, my wife and daughter are jealous…
Long nails and Chromes, long eyelashes and glasses…the struggles are real…

I keep a set of nail clippers in my case. WCS, it takes ten seconds to trim down the index and middle on my right hand. Two minutes and all my nails are hacked down out of the way, though I would probably take some time with a file or emery board after the set before my wife (licensed cosmetologist) gets too close a look at how I butchered them.

You should probably back off on the pre-natal vitamins though...

 

[Meenkya]

I still blame my fingernails for my inability to make those two fingers sound the same....wait, Its just me.

 

[Yellow Bang66]

Yup. Been doing that pretty much since I started out. Every new bass means a new set of clippers to go in the case/bag, along with all the other usual stuff.

I knew a guy that had 1 keychained to his amp & 1 on the string retainer on his bass. he took it off when playing, of course.

 

[Yellow Bang66]

I keep a set of nail clippers in my case. WCS, it takes ten seconds to trim down the index and middle on my right hand. Two minutes and all my nails are hacked down out of the way, though I would probably take some time with a file or emery board after the set before my wife (licensed cosmetologist) gets too close a look at how I butchered them.

You should probably back off on the pre-natal vitamins though...

Remember Fredrick Noad? In one episode he said to keep a nail file handy at all times!

 

[Giraffe]

I'm filing every other day. They seem to grow a lot faster since I started that routine, and now I can't stop.

There are some excellent nail files available these days.

 

[DrThumpenstein]

Yep, me too, and I keep clippers in the console of my car so I always have them. I have to clip or file about every 5-7 days to avoid the zing. I've played around with different nail lengths and how they affect tone, and have concluded I'm best off and more consistent keeping them cut really short on my plucking hand for the tones I prefer. They can get a little longer on my fretting hand before they cause any issue, but I keep a matched set. (Mrs. Thumpenstein definitely prefers them shorter, for reasons that have nothing to do with playing bass.)

 

[4stringfarley]

To the point I can tell they've gone from acceptable to too long during an 8 hour shift at work. I have to cut mine back every 3-4 days. I wish I could grow facial hair like that.

 

[dalkowski]

What's the best manicure for metal?

 

[4stringfarley]

What's the best manicure for metal?

Pliers

 

[nickpc]

I had recently (during COVID) finally stopped biting my nails. As in tearing them up from the nail beds on occasion. Yes, real fun to play, especially digging in with Rounds. Or just fretting...

Having quit I was having to file frequently, and was working out the best length for playing. Then came jury duty and a 2-week murder trial, and they're all bit to hell again...

Monday the willpower will engage to quit again.