gub Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Sorry if this seems a strange post but i wondered if anyone else keeps there plucking finger nails a bit long to get a little more attack, i cant seem to get on with a plec so its just something i have got used to i think i am not talking girl long long but just enough so i canstill play smooth if need be with the finger tips but also nail it if need be ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AttitudeCastle Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Can't remeber who it is, it might be Beefcake the mighty from GWAR but i don't think so. But from a metal band, grows his nails HUGE like an inch and a half out from the tip and gets them manicured to keep them healthy and strong, meaning he gets sharper pick-ish attack and can play with his bass even lower! Quite a few people do i think! i have tried but well, i'm a nail bitter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FayeAutumn Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 No, I do quite the opposite in fact in order to avoid that plectrum style attack. Not that there's anything wrong with it - it's just not my sound. It makes sense however that should you want the extra attack and don't get on with plectrums (never did myself) that you'd grow your nails a bit longer. As AttitudeCastle mentioned, it's best to make sure ones' nails are in good condition and healthy though, you wouldn't want to break a nail and make your attack uneven sounding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexbasscat Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Not a strange topic at all, in fact I'm surprised it hasn't come up more often. I keep mine as short as is comfortable in an attempt to maintain an even tone. I wonder if folk that use a super low action requiring a feather -light touch also keepshort nails. I don't quite fall into this catagory just yet, but I do wonder if the light brush of the string required for super - low action requires the player to use the skin at end of the finger (almost passing the string at 90 degrees) instead of the pads used for a finger touch grip (say for instance holding a thin roll up). Just wondering.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveK Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 As short as possible. Can't stand the "clank" you get with longer nails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 [quote name='gub' post='1222936' date='May 7 2011, 10:30 AM']Sorry if this seems a strange post but i wondered if anyone else keeps there plucking finger nails a bit long to get a little more attack, i cant seem to get on with a plec so its just something i have got used to i think i am not talking girl long long but just enough so i canstill play smooth if need be with the finger tips but also nail it if need be ![/quote] Yep. Not hugely long though, just enough to catch the string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 I find it uncomfortable to play if my nails are long,so I keep them really short. I can still get the string under it enough to pull out pinched harmonics though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gafbass02 Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Another really short nail bod here, I find it really uncomfortable otherwise. I sometimes use the flat face of my nail as a plectrum, (I hold my fingers as though I were holding a plectrum between my first finger and thumb, but with no actual plectrum, just strike the string with the nail of the first finger) but I split it down the middle on Thurs, I really need to knock that off and just remember to carry a plectrum for the rock stuff, it's just been a loooooong time since I needed them lol. I'm gonna try clear nail varnish on that one nail just to see if it's tough enough as I prefer using my nail as a pick cause it's kinder to elixirs and more flexible to switch from fingers/thumbs/pick etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heathy Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Really short here too, but probably leaving about 1mm of white on the right hand plucking fingers. Men with long manicured fingernails are all 'odd' - Fact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomE Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 [quote name='gafbass02' post='1223132' date='May 7 2011, 12:59 PM']Another really short nail bod here, I find it really uncomfortable otherwise. I sometimes use the flat face of my nail as a plectrum, (I hold my fingers as though I were holding a plectrum between my first finger and thumb, but with no actual plectrum, just strike the string with the nail of the first finger) but I split it down the middle on Thurs, I really need to knock that off and just remember to carry a plectrum for the rock stuff, it's just been a loooooong time since I needed them lol. I'm gonna try clear nail varnish on that one nail just to see if it's tough enough as I prefer using my nail as a pick cause it's kinder to elixirs and more flexible to switch from fingers/thumbs/pick etc.[/quote] me too - i get the plectrum sound like you for exactly the same reason! my guitartist looks at me like i am insane when i do this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawman Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 [quote name='SteveK' post='1223010' date='May 7 2011, 11:32 AM']As short as possible. Can't stand the "clank" you get with longer nails.[/quote] big +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skej21 Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 (edited) I keep my nails short for finger-style playing. If I want a plectrum sound/attack (very rarely because clanky sounds are bloody awful IMO), I go a bit crazy and use a plectrum! Edited May 7, 2011 by skej21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gafbass02 Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 [quote name='BottomE' post='1223138' date='May 7 2011, 01:04 PM']me too - i get the plectrum sound like you for exactly the same reason! my guitartist looks at me like i am insane when i do this.[/quote] Yeah, I mainly get that off other bass players. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rOB Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Very short nails, even have clippers in my gig bag in case I forget to trim before rehearsals or gigs. [quote name='gafbass02' post='1223132' date='May 7 2011, 12:59 PM']I sometimes use the flat face of my nail as a plectrum, (I hold my fingers as though I were holding a plectrum between my first finger and thumb, but with no actual plectrum, just strike the string with the nail of the first finger)[/quote] Yep I do this too. A useful technique. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burgundymouse Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 I was a nail bitter for years until just before I took up bass and then managed to grow them long enough to make them pretty colours (I am a girl - its allowed!) Then took up bass and hated the tinny sound I gor with long nails so have gone back to keeping them short but beautifully manicured now rather than bitten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman Sam Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 [quote name='SteveK' post='1223010' date='May 7 2011, 11:32 AM']As short as possible. Can't stand the "clank" you get with longer nails.[/quote] This. I keep my left hand nails short too or it justs feels weird when fretting. I like clank with a pick, not finger nails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sawtooth Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 I'm sure I once read that Paul McCartney uses clear nail varnish on his plucking thumbnail to strengthen it. I personally keep mine short. But, I was recently toying with the idea of using guitarist's fingerpicks to play my acoustic resonator bass. While I was researching the different types online, I happened upon an acoustic guitar forum, where there was a serious debate about what type of nail treatments to use, nail varnish vs. acrylic false nails, what glues to use to stick them, even the merits of certain nailbars/beauty salons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 Generally keep my plucking fingernails just long enough that i can use the nails to catch the strings. Prefer the rounded sound of skin though. If i leave them too long i get fret buzz. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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