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Acrylic nails
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ralexander
Posts: 797
Joined: Jun. 1 2010
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia
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Acrylic nails
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First off, SORRY for yet another nail topic. I'm sick of them too. I've read through the archives here, but I wanted to discuss acrylics in particular in more detail. I'm in a bit of a weird situation. I also play steel string fingerstyle, usually pretty aggressively. In the past I have used both acrylics and fake nails with the SS to great effect. I want to find a solution that will work well for both SS and flamenco. The problem is, I'm currently without a flamenco guitar as I wait for Stephen Faulk to deliver my new blanca. So, I can't really test things for myself at the moment. My natural nails have gotten a good bit stronger since I have been using them on my SS. However, they are still not strong enough to produce the kind of tone I'm looking for. I've been thinking about going back to acrylics, but I'm concerned about getting good tone for flamenco. I read a few posts about keeping the acrylics thinner to avoid an overly dull or plunky sound. Is anyone having success with acrylics? I know from experience that they make the natural nail weaker, so I'm really struggling with using them again because the recovery takes a while if I change my mind. So, who is using acrylics and how is it working out for you? And yes, I have tried various nail hardeners and they don't stand up well to the steel string stuff (unfortunately)
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Date Aug. 31 2012 14:43:30
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Guest
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RE: Acrylic nails (in reply to ralexander)
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Hi My nails are just starting to recover after two sets of acrylics... I can see the benefits in theory but basically didn't work for me Really screwed what were once strong nails... Once the last lot peeled off I bought a maestro Vargas nail set ( lol...could have thought of a better name....) Probably the same stuff as savaras or other kits out there SurprisinglyI found this stuff great for reinforcing the nail...Much better option than acrylics...For me anyway Guess crazy glue works in much the same way... I usually cover the top third of the nail... I can control the thickness etc.... I play about 6 classes a week and perform regularly... It's kind of a hassle putting the stuff on but find its not damaging the natural nail... and the tone is much better.. Found acrylics have a dull, thudding sound...just wasn't the right sound or feel for me.... Guess it depends how much you value your natural nail and tone...
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Date Aug. 31 2012 22:09:49
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ralexander
Posts: 797
Joined: Jun. 1 2010
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia
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RE: Acrylic nails (in reply to Guest)
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Alain - thanks for the info! I checked out the Vargas site and they mention something I've read a lot, which is to maintain some flexibility in the nails for good tone and feel. Hamia - the acrylic mix is painted on, so you can just cover the existing nail or the tech will use a sticker that goes around and under the nail and acts as a guide surface for them to extend the acrylic out as long as you want. Then the sticker just peels off. Todd - thanks man, I've followed your posts on this issue since I really dig your playing and tone. I'm certain that if I wasn't also playing steel string, my natural nails would be fine. I had given up fingerstyle when I discovered flamenco because I realized how steep the learning curve was. I wanted to dedicate myself completely, but I just couldn't give up the steel so easily. Now looking for an ideal balance so I don't have to compromise either style. Erik - I did the silk and glue thing recently as well, seemed ok but I couldn't get them smoothed like I wanted. And they seemed to flake off too easy. I probably would have gotten better with some experimentation, but I want something even easier to work with. And I may have found it! As I mentioned before, my buddy's girlfriend brought over some shellac and a UV lamp on Friday night. One base coat and three top coats, each layer cured perfectly with 1.5-2mins under the lamp. My nails seem to have good flexibility still, and I have played steel string the past couple of days and they still look brand new! It's kind of amazing. Fingers crossed, I look forward to trying them on my blanca - I think I'll continue to use these until it arrives. After so many years of messy pain in the butt solutions, the ease of application is priceless IMO.
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Date Sep. 3 2012 14:05:02
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britguy
Posts: 712
Joined: Dec. 26 2010
From: Ontario, Canada
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RE: Acrylic nails (in reply to ToddK)
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quote:
Acrylic substance is really hard, like cement. They have absolutely no give to them. Thought I'd jump in here, as I have constant problems chipping my nails working on the farm, etc. I was recently chatting with a (Vietnamese) nail lady in our local shopping mall. She tells me there is a new kind of flexible gel nail coating available that does not harm the natural nail and is quite thin and flexible. It's called "Bio Scultpture Gel". I was tempted to try it, as I had tried the 'acrylic' route some years ago and hated them, both for playing and what they did to my natural nails. So I'm still very wary. For about a year and a half I've been using those "Guitar Players Nails" from Strings by Mail. They're fiddly to put on right, but mine seem to last about three weeks or so - if I dont get them too wet when swimming (I use a plastic glove on the right hand with vaseline on the nails). I find the GP's Nails work pretty good and only cover about half the natural nail. But they still leave a very ugly-looking natural nail surface when they come off. I wish I could find the ideal solution, also. Anybody heard of, or tried, this new Bio Sculpture Gel stuff?
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Fruit farmer, Ontario, Canada
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Date Sep. 3 2012 17:08:04
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