The Glade 4.0

Kinda desparate here looking for some help with an odd problem.

I have thin/soft nails that tear very easily. I wouldn't care, except that I want to grow the nails on my right hand just long enough to use them for fingerstyle guitar playing. Fingerpicks suck for a lot of reasons.

As it is now, I use the flesh on my fingertip when I finger pick which doesn't yield very good results. I'm not wanting to grow them really long. Just so they are even with, or just slightly beyond the tip of my finger (this will add brightness to the tone when I play). The problem is, when they get to that point, it doesn't take much to tear or create a snag in one, which means clipping them back to zero.

I started taking a once a day multivitamin a month or so ago and that seems to have helped. I searched the web and found a bunch of different recommendations, most of which sound hair-brained. Some suggestions were to increase intake of, or rub on one or more of the following

Protein
Garlic
Onions (lol really ?)
Gelatin/Jello
Lemon Juice
Milk/Cheese
Calcium
Biotin

I have no interest in acrylic nails, overlays, superglue, or any other high maintenance artificial nail enhancer.

I suspect it's just a genetic thing I have to deal with, but the odd thing is, every single other person in my family has strong nails.

I know it's a long shot, but does anyone know of a tried and true way to add a little thickness/strength to fingernails?

Gah.. Didn't mean to post this in rants, although I guess it works. It was intended for the General forum.

You might want to see a doctor, especially considering that the rest of your family has strong nails.

Other than that, I would probably go with the gelatin recommendation.

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Long ago, my mom got some specially made gelatin stuff specifically for strengthening nails. I think she used it as a soak.

You might also want to consider going to a manicurist and asking them about your options. I'd bet they do some sort of guitarist manicure here and there

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Women are from Hoboken, men are from Trenton. ~ Jimmy Kimmel

I tried one or two of the local nail salon's. Most of them speak very little english, and when I try to explain what I'm looking for they look all perplexed. Then they start pulling out the acrylic overlays and such.

I guess I need to shop around.

Get pregnant! That's the only time I've had nice long strong nails worthy of polish!

Seriously, though, might want to check into the gelatin. You can get it in the baking aisle of your grocery. Read the label on how to use it.

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"Said I never had much use for one, never said I didn't know how to use one!"~ Matthew Quigley

"nothing like a little meow in bed at night" ~ Bruskey

"I gotta float my stick same as you" Hondo Lane

"Fill your hand you son of a *****!"

there are nail strengthening polishes designed for what you've described (and they are clear)... it works better than the soak cause it's constantly on and takes less time to work.

e.g. http://www.rimmellondon.com/UK/products ... spx?id=222

alternatively if you're going for colour, there are those available as well, but never tried them.

If you can't get Rimmel in the US, there's always OPI, but they tend to be more expensive.

http://www.opi.com/

check out their nail envy line, which is quite good I hear... I believe there's also a matt finish one if you don't want to look all sensitive new age guy hehe...

proper diet

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Ron Paul 2012

why is it that when finger picking a bass; the fingertips seem to be a better option, but on guitar you want the nails? I do not quite understand that.

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Darksiege
Traveller, Calé, Whisperer
Lead me not into temptation; for I know a shortcut

Fingernail is comprised almost entirely of protein. I know that low-protein diets cause weak fingernails, but I'm not sure if increasing it will necessarily work to counter-act a genetic disposition towards weak nails.

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"Aaaah! Emotions are weird!" - Amdee
"... Mirrorshades prevent the forces of normalcy from realizing that one is crazed and possibly dangerous. They are the symbol of the sun-staring visionary, the biker, the rocker, the policeman, and similar outlaws." - Bruce Sterling, preface to Mirrorshades

Actually, Jasmy is correct. The Classical guitar teacher at our University recommends taking a prenatal vitamin. I dated a guy who picked up classical guitar and had the same problem. We went to wal-mart and got him a bottle of something like "hair and nails" vitamins out of the prenatal vitamin section. Worked great, although he did complain that his *ahem* hair started growing as well...

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"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Jesus of Nazareth

Nev, mind being a bit more specific? Are saying I should smoke more weed? Kidding aside, "proper" is rathe subjective these days...

DS, without getting in to too much scientific detail, I'd say the answer has to do with the diameter and length of the strings, as well as the "tone" desired. Ideally you want the sound of an acoustic guitar to be bright and clear with a fairly strong attack. Basses, even acoustic versions, generally go for a big, full, round boomy kind of sound that is attainable with the fingertip or a felt pick.

Since my diet is already high in some proteins, and Gelatin is not something I eat a lot of, I'll give it a try. Can't hurt anything, although I'm skeptical eating the stuff will help. =P

Lid, I have some Sally Hansen nail hardener. It does help some, but mostly it just makes my nails unnaturally shiney, which isn't a positive as far as I'm concerned.

LK, Thanks, I'll look for those.

Thanks for the tips all,

Keep em comin...

Cortosis weave.

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It feels like all the people who want limited government really just want government limited to Republicans.
---The Daily Show

Not sure about Sally Hanson as I've never used it, however if you want to go the eternal route for nail strengthening (for the long run) I'd suggest the following.

every two monthes get a manicure and get your cuticles cut.
Every week use a cutical cream/oil and keep them soft
Before cutting your nails, soak them in warm water (or take a hot shower) as this makes them soft and minimises any chipping or uncessary breaking.
Use a nail strengthening hand cream every day

If you want a short fix, you can get plastic fake nails and some double sided tape. They are good for a couple of days and are easy to take off. You can even reuse them several times!

Edit. I also suggested OPI as they are the only ones I've heard around the water cooler to have a mat finish nail hardener. This means you won't get the shiny nails effect.. hehe... Personally I like rimmel cause they dry fast, but i've heard very good things about the opi stuff.

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“The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government.” - Thomas Paine

It makes no difference to me.

Big yellow book (you know the one) ... page 1225

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“The person who tries to live alone will not succeed as a human being. His heart withers if it does not answer another heart. His mind shrinks away if he hears only the echoes of his own thoughts and finds no other inspiration.” - Pearl S. Buck

i'm pretty sure that's indicative of several problems. one that jumps to mind would perhaps be osteoporosis.

basically, if something's not normal, go to the doctor.

Well, if by not normal, you mean new, then this is very normal. My nails have been thin/soft as long as I can remember. They are clean and healthy, just not as durable as I'd like. They don't present any problems until I try to make myself play fingerstyle guitar (I'm much more inclined to use a flat pick, and I'm much more adept with one).

I checked the "Yellow Book" Teek referred to. It suggests certain B vitamins are important to healthy nails and hair.

The multi-vitamin I started taking about a month ago contains Thiamin (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), B6, Biotin (B7), Folic Acid (B9), and B12 (among many others). I've noticed a steady improvement in them since, so I think I'll stick with it for a while and see if the trend continues.

Well, if all the manicure places you've tried have had some sort of language barrier, try a beauty school. The instructors there may be able to suggest some options, or maybe refer you to a shop/spa where language won't be an issue.

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Women are from Hoboken, men are from Trenton. ~ Jimmy Kimmel

Or..just get a weekly Mani/pedi! Use the time to contemplate life and all of it's twists and turns.

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Dream as if you'll live forever...
...Live as if you'll die tomorrow

Vivere Senza Rimpianti

Um, Kirra, I don't think he's going to try to play guitar with his toes.

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I would love to see that.

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"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Jesus of Nazareth

Guitar's so impractical to play with toes. Something meant to be played flat would be a better option. Maybe a zither!

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"Aaaah! Emotions are weird!" - Amdee
"... Mirrorshades prevent the forces of normalcy from realizing that one is crazed and possibly dangerous. They are the symbol of the sun-staring visionary, the biker, the rocker, the policeman, and similar outlaws." - Bruce Sterling, preface to Mirrorshades

Amputation?

That's a completely useless suggestion. I just wanted to garner the "Cut Out a Screeling" Glade achievement.