How often do you cut and trim fingernails?

[Chrisk-K]

If I don't cut and trim the fingernails of my plucking fingers for a couple days, I am likely to get that annoying clanky tone.

I trim my fingernails more often than my wife!

 

[shutupdonnie]

in addition to being a bass player, i'm also a professional chef. i carry fingernail clippers in my car, in my gig bag, in my bass case, and in my knife bag. i can't stand to have my fingernails long!

 

[James Judson]

Been there done that!!!! I used to bite my nails til I realized it was not habit so I been carrying nail clippers around ever since.

YMMV

 

[dave64o]

About every four days or so.

My rules of thumb are that if I can a) pick up a coin off the floor, b) peel off a sticker, or c) pick my nose then my nails are too long!

 

[s_mcsleazy]

i cut em 2 times a week

wednesdays and sundays

 

[Sam Evans]

About every 5-7 days, though I prefer to file rather than clip.

 

[puddin tame]

every couple of days?
I think your technique needs adjusting. i'm just not sure if it's your bass technique or your nail clipping technique

i'm probably every 2-3 weeks, I basically let them grow until they start to interfere with playing

 

[ryco]

whenever they start getting in the way of plucking, which amounts to about 10 - 14 days.

 

[GizmoTheOne]

Depends... some people's fingernails grow faster than others', so trim them down when they get in the way. I trim them about once a week, when I have the time to...

 

[Jodaka]

i found it easier to just have them permanately removed on my right hand. such a long-term time-saver...

 

[JohnDavisNYC]

every couple days... i like to keep them at a pretty specific length, where they are short enough to never hit the strings playing electric, but still long enough to support the pads of my fingers for playing upright.

john

 

[Chris Sheaffer]

I trim them often, always the day of a gig, and shave my head, it's like a good luck charm. Don't ask me why?

 

[touji]

One a week, Monday nights. I have lessons on Tuesday so

 

[DarkArwen]

I'm a little stoopid about nail clipping. I only clip the two nails on my right hand that I have to clip, then let the others remain a bit longer. Tends to be about once a week or so. I think the yellow bassist uses a pick. I'm just saying. That's a lot of arm movement.

 

[Rallypoint_1]

Once of week for me. I hate when nails are long on the right hand. Here I thought I was only one who thought this way.

 

[Chris K]

I trim my fingernails more often than my wife!

Stop trimming your wife immediately.

 

[Chris K]

whenever they start getting in the way of plucking, which amounts to about 10 - 14 days.

Yep.

Only the right thumb recieves halftime service; otherwise the nail will hook the strings when I play double thumb.

 

[Atticus]

As often as possible. It has nothing to do with bass technique: if I don't clip them then I bite them. I try to carry clippers around whenever possible.

 

[Billy K]

I can't believe not single one of you guys go to a mancurist.Man what a relaxing expirence plus you get to hold hands with a pretty girl and mine I get to have a little footplay action too.Man biting and clipping my own is history.Get your own May lyn.

 

[SamanthaCay]

I like to keep mine at right around 3/32”. That's the length that will allow me to use either my nail or the pad of my finger on the fly. I like having that option.