nail myths

[detwid]

Hi, all the experts

I have consistent nail problem, not because it is weak.

the thing is what is the standard length my nail should growth. Some said as parrerel to your finger tip to reduce the clicking nail sound but you have to compensate with less volume.

When i grow my nail a bit long, it play easier with confidence but after 2 weeks, the sound is not smooth and soft as silk anymore, so i have to cut it to its original. However it is so hard to remain good sounding all the time.

Is it appropriate if i grow my name as long as my finger tip to avoid the nail problem, but i have to get used to it because the sound is not so good for me right now. I use KOHNO guitar.

Please help

[Todd]

I dont necesarily have an answer for you.
And im no expert.
But i spend alot of time getting my nails right.:)

This is one of those age old discusions, ya know. :wink:
Even the best of players have been known to reshape
their nails, or change the length.

You're certainly not alone in the struggle to find
the magic nail length shape, that gives control, volume,
and no nail noise.
ITs a critical element as far as im concerned.

Ive been systematicaly shortening my nails for quite sometime.
Little by little.
When i first tried a shorter length, i didnt like it.
Then I heard Scott Tenant say the finger tip and nail tip should be
the same length, and after hearing his extremely even,
full bodied sound, i knew i would have to eventually force
myself to do it.
I knew it was gonna be a pain, but in the end, its definately
worth the time.

So i began to file them down. Shortening them bit by bit over
an extended period of time seemed to be the magic
fix for me.
I would file them down a bit, then they'd feel too short for
a day or so, then i'd get used to it. So i'd keep that
length for a few weeks. Then i would do the same thing
again and again, till eventually getting them slightly
below the tip of the finger. The amount i would shorten
them was extremely small, and barely noticable, wich
helped minimize awkwardness during the transition.
it just takes some time and a little patience. As well
as measuring with a machinist's ruler everyday to make
sure i was aware of exactly what length i was at day to day,
and filing to keep them that way.

Now that ive got the length right, i can just eye it up, and file
without measuring. :)
So, you might try that method if nothing else is working.
I know exactly what you're going through. I CANNOT STAND NAIL NOISE :twisted:
But extra length gives extra leverage and volume.

One downside ive started to notice, is with short nails,
i use alot of flesh, and so, if my hands are sweaty, oily,
dry or what ever, it affects the way my fingers slide over
the string. If my hands are sweaty, they swell slightly,
and that can really wreak havoc. When i had long
nails, that wasnt a problem.
But trying to record classical guitar with long nails, is a too much
of a battle with noise. I found i was expending way too much
energy trying to combat noise, instead of getting into the music.
In addition to trebles clicking, i was also bothered by scratchy
basses. Man, i was so fed up!!

The magic length differs from person to person
unfortunatly, wich doesnt leave any definate answers.
So many different types of nails and finger shapes.
No one way could possibly work for everyone.

If you're like me, and you played with long'ish nails for
a very long time, you may just try the succesive method
i described. When you're used to them longer, it takes
a long time to adjust when you go short. There's just
no way around it.
Took many many months, but SO worth it.

My 2 cents on the subject :)

Best of luck,
Todd K

[detwid]

thank you so much, that is really helpful to me

As you mention, i have to get used to short nail to avoid inconsistency of the nail. SUCH A TOUGH TIME. i know that it will take time until my finger will sound right to my ear.

[Guitar Slim]

Detwind

Here's a tip for getting that "silky smooth" sound. Try using some very fine finishing or polishing paper on your nails before you play. Look for anything from 500 to 1,000-grit paper, you can get it at most hardware stores. I can't find the blue/gray paper I used to use anymore, so now I'm using the black stuff. I'm not sure what material is best, I have a stash of several different kinds I am experimenting with. You'll need to experiment to find what combination of material and grit works best for you.

Press your nail perpendicular to the paper and and wiggle your finger back and forth to polish the edge of the nail until it feels smooth. Then fold the paper in half and polish the under side of the nail edge -- not too hard, though, you can thin the nail if the paper is too gritty or the material is too hard.

Also, your orignal post says you "cut" your nails down. If you are actually cutting your nails, stop! Use a good diamond file to shorten and shape the nails. Never use cutters or cross-hatch files.

Use the polishing paper after filing, and every time you play. You'll be surprised at the improvement in sound.

[Pepe Vergara]

I have outdone my wife, mother, sister and daughter in my regular filing and smoothing of the nails. At least every third day, I adjust and care them. If I get them too long, the tone will suffer a lot. Sometimes I do that everyday. It depends on whether I have been doing some sanding or not. Sometimes, the sand paper on my dish will sand my nails to the skin. Also, when removing the hardened glue, sometimes I have to cut some nail down. Sometimes I use the chisel, since the use of garlic has hardened them so much. They also grow too fast.

[brian richardson]

my nails peek just over my skin-don't like
long nails anymore since i nailed(sorry) my perfect length.
will a brighter guitar give more nail noise? just thinking.

hi Pepe!! how ya been??

[Todd]

my nails peek just over my skin-don't like
long nails anymore since i nailed(sorry) my perfect length.
will a brighter guitar give more nail noise? just thinking.

hi Pepe!! how ya been??

Related to that, anybody ever hear about the 70's
Romanillos guitars seeming to absorb nail noise?

Always wondered if that was true/possible.

[brian richardson]

i read about one of his 'new' guitars absorbing nail noise.
seems strange but how? built in metronome :lol:

[bruno]

[Here's a tip for getting that "silky smooth" sound. Try using some very fine finishing or polishing paper on your nails before you play. Look for anything from 500 to 1,000-grit paper, you can get it at most hardware stores. I can't find the blue/gray paper I used to use anymore, so now I'm using the black stuff. I'm not sure what material is best, I have a stash of several different kinds I am experimenting with. You'll need to experiment to find what combination of material and grit works best for you.]

That's very good advice. It works well.

Another tip for those who have hard nails is to rub your hands with liquid vaseline then wipe it off as completely as possible. The nails absorb a small a amount, which makes them softer, thus improving the touch.

[GSI Fan]

...I can't find the blue/gray paper I used to use anymore...

bruno,

Try locating a good woodworkers store near you. Rockler Woodworking carries the blue/grey paper in 800 - 20,000 grit. Yep!...20,000 grit.

[Pepe Vergara]

Try micromesh.

[bruno]

GSI Fan,

Thanks for the tip. I'll give it a try.

Pepe,

What's micromesh and how can I get it?

[Pepe Vergara]

...
What's micromesh and how can I get it?

A kind of an abrasive with very fine grain. It was designed to polish some material for NASA, and it ended up being a great polishing tool. I even remove scratched from my eye-glasses with it. It can be purchased at Rocklers or any woodworking store.

[bruno]

Thanx!

[bruno]

By the way, Pepe, what grade micromesh do you use: 12000? And
how much does it last?

[Pepe Vergara]

For fingernails: I have never used
For polishing guitars, especially the fretboard I go from 200 to 1,200 grit with my wet sanding paper. SOmetimes, after 600 grit, I use micromesh in the fllowing order: 6,000-8,000-9,000-12,000. For nails, I would say that order is good. Try polishing it on a good pair of old Levi's.

[Rex]

Crocus cloth is very fine also. It is like a very fine emery cloth. Very fine emery cloth works well also.

[nikpearson]

I've found the most convenient solution is using one of those salon buffer blocks available from The Body Shop or similar stores. These have four abrasive sides of which 3 are great for polishing and smoothing nails (one is too rough to b much use). The finest paper feels almost perfectly smooth and leaves a glass like finish. Bets of all because they're actually designed for nails they're extremely quick to use. I can polish my right hand nails in a minute or so working through the 3 grades. Much less hassle than some of the other suggestions. My current buffer is 9 months old and cost about £4.

[rdubb]

3M Tri-Mite FRE cut open coat 500. The 'grit' comes off when you polish so you don't take off length.

It rocks every thing else out there, except maybe the 3-stage buffer. I like it b/c its faster than the 3 stage buffer, and easier. And nearly as good.

Actually whats the best is using the Tri-Mite, then the last stage of the buffer.

The problem with that particular sandpaper is that you can only really buy it in bulk, or else pay per sheet from GSP or stringsbymail.com. But one sheet used judiciously can last for months.

[Travis_Warner]

I use the Scott Tennant method...why?...becuase it's pretty much what my first instructor advised me to do, and I've enjoyed them. They do require some work, and even though I'm not that advanced yet (only 2 years worth of playing, with a 6 month intruption of late due to basic trainning), but I find that I do have a lot of control over them.