For more years than I can remember I have struggled with broken nails. I get about a week and then one breaks and it is a month before it grows out. That month
is no fun cause the sound is gone though I still plan with the flesh while I wait. I have tried a variety of finger picks but the noise was just not worth
getting used to them. I knew I didnt want to do the acrilic thing for several reasons. Cost, maintenance and primarily what they do to your nails. And then
there is the possibility of fungus. I dont care for the sound of them either. Did I mention they look weird?
Well I stumbled on an ad for some glue on nails, wait its not what you think. These are not the drug store type. There is a guy named Rico Stover that markets a nail that uses temporary glue dots. There is no superglue or any liquid involved. I was skeptical but desperate so I ordered some. They turned out to be fantastic. Here is how I apply them:
The nails you get are really long so I cut a nail in half and put it in a mug of boiling water for 30 seconds. Then I take it out with a fork and mash it on the kitchen counter with the fork to flatten it out as I have flat nails. If you have arched ones you could skip this step. Next I tear off a square of glue dot from the sheet and take off the paper backing. Then I press that on my natural nail and remove the clear plastic backing. Then the artificial nail gets put on top of that with the rounded end against your cuticle. I then cut and file the other end, which is the end you will be picking the string with, to the length and shape I like. Do this for as many nails as you want to put on. I just do my index, middle and ring. I recommend a Fred Kelly Speedpick for the thumb but Rico has thumb sizes too. You just measure the width of your nail and order the size you need.
When you are done playing you just grab the edge of the nail and pull it off. Lay them upside down somewhere and they are ready for the next time you play. You can keep using the nails cause the glue sticks to the nail but not your natural nail. You can keep doing this until the nails come off while playing. If you are careful this could be a whole week before you have to put a new dot of glue on the nail. I forgot to mention that you need to clean your nails with soap before applying the artificial nail. Rico says you should use alcohol but I can hardly get them off doing that and find that soap works better for me. You may have to experiment to see which cleaner works for you. Maybe start with soap and then go to alcohol later in the week. You have to do this because of the oil and lotion etc that may keep the glue from sticking well.
No more broken nail problems, no thinning or other damage to your nails, no claky claky of picks and cheap. It is jut an amazing thing.
I suppose that you could just use them for emergencies but I am thinking that I am not going to have long nails any more. Just a second to put these on and then take them off when I am done. Come back later or tomorrow and press them back on and I am ready to make music.
I am not afilliated with Rico Stover in any way nor do I get anything for this explanation. I am a fingerpicker that is just wanting to help other players. His site---------->
http://www.ricoguitarnail...USA-Prices-Ordering.html
Well I stumbled on an ad for some glue on nails, wait its not what you think. These are not the drug store type. There is a guy named Rico Stover that markets a nail that uses temporary glue dots. There is no superglue or any liquid involved. I was skeptical but desperate so I ordered some. They turned out to be fantastic. Here is how I apply them:
The nails you get are really long so I cut a nail in half and put it in a mug of boiling water for 30 seconds. Then I take it out with a fork and mash it on the kitchen counter with the fork to flatten it out as I have flat nails. If you have arched ones you could skip this step. Next I tear off a square of glue dot from the sheet and take off the paper backing. Then I press that on my natural nail and remove the clear plastic backing. Then the artificial nail gets put on top of that with the rounded end against your cuticle. I then cut and file the other end, which is the end you will be picking the string with, to the length and shape I like. Do this for as many nails as you want to put on. I just do my index, middle and ring. I recommend a Fred Kelly Speedpick for the thumb but Rico has thumb sizes too. You just measure the width of your nail and order the size you need.
When you are done playing you just grab the edge of the nail and pull it off. Lay them upside down somewhere and they are ready for the next time you play. You can keep using the nails cause the glue sticks to the nail but not your natural nail. You can keep doing this until the nails come off while playing. If you are careful this could be a whole week before you have to put a new dot of glue on the nail. I forgot to mention that you need to clean your nails with soap before applying the artificial nail. Rico says you should use alcohol but I can hardly get them off doing that and find that soap works better for me. You may have to experiment to see which cleaner works for you. Maybe start with soap and then go to alcohol later in the week. You have to do this because of the oil and lotion etc that may keep the glue from sticking well.
No more broken nail problems, no thinning or other damage to your nails, no claky claky of picks and cheap. It is jut an amazing thing.
I suppose that you could just use them for emergencies but I am thinking that I am not going to have long nails any more. Just a second to put these on and then take them off when I am done. Come back later or tomorrow and press them back on and I am ready to make music.
I am not afilliated with Rico Stover in any way nor do I get anything for this explanation. I am a fingerpicker that is just wanting to help other players. His site---------->
http://www.ricoguitarnail...USA-Prices-Ordering.html
