Fast growing fingernails: the struggle is real

[HardNHeavy]

ease up on the Biotin. an 1/8th of an inch is an all natural, built-in pick imo.

 

[Jazzdogg]

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…

When I was playing regularly (now retired), I was finally able to maintain consistent optimal fingernail length after I changed one habit:

Every day, immediately after washing up and brushing my teeth, I spent a few minutes using a fine diamond nail file on the nails of my plucking hand; when I realized how little time it took, I started doing both hands every day.

The only time I had to use clippers was when a nail became damaged and had to be reshaped.

The habit of "stacking" and "nesting" new habits with old reinforces new behaviors very quickly. Good luck!

 

[Dave Leighton]

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

At the same time it falls out and takes root on your back...

 

[devnulljp]

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

I play classical guitar and upright, and never had a problem with nails (other than occasionally dinging one on the bass, making the guitar harder to play). I do find the nails get in the way on Chapman stick though.

 

[Ostie]

You think nails are a problem for bass, try playing mandolin. I cut my nails every week. I don't know if that's fast growing or not. I guess they grow about 1/16" a week.

 

[smogg]

Small nail clippers is part of my tool kit. Right next to my boy scout knife And NO you can't borrow them. That's gross!

 

[Fender_Bender]

Do what Albert King did and pull an emory board out mid song .

 

[TOOL460002]

Pocket knife solves this problem quick and dirty if you just need to get more pad and less nail on your plucking hand. Or wire clippers? Pre-cut pieces of electric tape stuck to your equipment? That'd dampen it a bit. Great for blister-/cut-wrapping mid-set. I gear load pretty light/modular, but I can think of several ways to solve that problem if you forget and show up all Tobias Beecher (any Oz fans?).

 

[MikePlaysBass]

My fingernails also grow fairly fast. Probably getting lots of good minerals and things in our diets. I clip them at least once a week.
I do need to add some clippers to my gig bag, though. I can manage the plucking hand OK if they're a bit long, but it really messes up the fretboard fingering, especially on the upright or fretless where I need to use the fingertip and not the pad. Playing fretted is a bit more forgiving, but I still don't want to have to actively think about how it affects technique while I'm playing.

 

[bassdrummer]

So glad I started this thread! The first step is admitting that I have a problem…
But seriously, I thought I was the only one dealing with this! Great practical suggestions and some hilarious responses! TB comes through once more…

 

[Matty Koff]

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 was blessed with strong and thick thumbnails that easily cut into my other nails.. the result is my fingernails are usually to short.. but if I were to run into this problem and didn't have clippers, I'd still be able to cut the tip of a troublesome nail off.

I don't run into this issue though because the nails usually start bugging me well before I make it to picking up a bass.

 

[bassdrummer]

Some of my favorite funny quotes from this thread…

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

Too late! Already there!

"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!"

Yes, it's a support group…

What's the best manicure for metal?

Classic TB

I had recently (during COVID) finally stopped biting my nails…Then came jury duty and a 2-week murder trial, and they're all bit to hell again...

Trial was a real nail-biter (literally)

Were you acquitted?

LOL!!!

Was there a full moon involved and are you part werewolf?

Snark needs a new model of clip on tuner that has built-in nail clippers. They could call it the Clip-Off.

Such a good invention…

I wish mine would just fall out like my hair did decades ago.

Same (but just one decade ago for me)

I'm thinking of having that nail removed. Anyone know a good mob or cartel guy?

Wait, are we brothers separated at birth??? All of those check for me.

At the same time it falls out and takes root on your back...

Relatable!

 

[bassdrummer]

All joking aside, great advice here too. Keep nail clippers in every bass case…real men do use emery boards…make nail clipping/filing a regular hygiene habit…fingernails may not be used as an excuse for two-finger plucking to sound uneven…do not bite your nails, even if you are are on a jury (or if you are the defendant) in a 2 week murder trial…avoid going outdoors at night during full moons…embrace the inevitability of the redistribution of hair…and so much more! You guys are great!

 

[dtripoli]

Stop taking vitamins and omegas and cartilage and eat at McDonalds and they'll stop growing as quickly.

ease up on the Biotin. an 1/8th of an inch is an all natural, built-in pick imo.

My nails have always been slow growing and not strong at all.
Started taking Vitamin D and Biotin. My nails grow twice as fast but are not stronger.

 

[Killing Floor]

I've decided I really don't care for fingernail talk. It's kinda icky. Let's change this to a pedal thread. I love this one.

 

[nickpc]

No offence friend. I hear ya, I'm the same, only I call it exercising instead of taxing. I don't get sick either, and it's not from being a germaphobe that's for sure. (never a flu shot either!) Hearing that info. back then just happened to end the habit for me.

We're on the same page - I just wish it was that easy for me. Being Day 1, and since willpower is hard pressed to block something you do without any conscious thought, I'm wearing a mask today (at home, in my home office) as that will A) keep me from biting my nails, and B) be a constant reminder that I don't want to pick at my nails either. And when I'm done with work I'll grab a bass and just noodle - no open strings so I have both hands occupied!

 

[funkifiedsoul]

You will succeed Nick! (maybe a wee cayenne or worse under the nails? lol)

 

[fhm555]

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

I keep a Case three blade stockman pocketknife on me at all times. One of the blades is reserved for nail trimming.

 

[Pimmsley]

I can emphasise... I also have fast growing nails and they are such that a little growth makes a lot of difference to my technique and playing style. I used to get caught out all the time when I had a weekly/twice-weekly gig. Every other week for a while I would have that realisation around 4pm that I forgot to cut my nails the night before, at work knowing I had to drive straight in to the city centre and play in a couple of hours. I started keeping a nail clipper in my gig bag... lol

 

[BlueTalon]

Do what Albert King did and pull an emory board out mid song .

I keep nail clippers in my pocket, it's one of several things I feel a bit naked without whenever I go anywhere (chapstick, pocketknife, ear plugs, etc.). One time at a gig, my guitar player broke a nail. He was bitching about, but before I could say anything, he started the next song. I started to play the song, but then thought I'd help him instead, so I started just playing 8th notes on whatever the appropriate open string was, and started digging in my pocket. He looked at me and asked me if I was going to play the song, and I said no... and then I handed him the nail clippers. His eyes went a little wide as he took them. I went back to playing the song intro, he trimmed his broken nail, and then joined the song much happier.