Artificial Fingernails

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leonaro

Posts: 21
Joined: Mar. 22 2007

Artificial Fingernails

We have a really good artificial fingernail for classical and flamenco guitarist.
We are: http://www.guitarplayernails.com/

We've been around for about 4 years now and have over 2,000 guitarists using our nails, including Grisha Goryachev. Here's an excerpt of an e-mail he wrote us:

Dear Dave,

I can't say how much I appreciate your product. Wow! It's just wonderful. I never looked back. No more of praying for my real nails. Your nails have a perfect thickness, elasticity and strength. They actually feel like real nails, good ones! And they lend so many possibilities for different sound effects and tone colors! I was expecting a plasticky and dull sound I've heard so many times, but I found none of that.

Thank you again!

Sincerely,

Grisha Goryachev

Not only does he use our nails, but he's a great guy, as most of you know.
If you would like to hear the inventor of these nails you can go to:
http://www.myspace.com/davidkear
That's me. Iv'e been using these nails for over 5 years now on all my fingers.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 19 2008 20:22:07

Pgh_flamenco

Posts: 1506
Joined: Dec. 5 2007
From: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to leonaro)

The product has a natural look to it.

I checked your website and saw statements about being able to remove the nails quickly, but did not see a procedure for removing them. Do you sell a release agent; how do you recommend removing them?

Thanks.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 20 2008 9:08:46

Doitsujin

Posts: 5078
Joined: Apr. 10 2005

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to leonaro)

What a nice comercial spam-post...

For classical guitarrists maybe ok. For flamenco... no.. The fakenails will break during playing for just a single class... Im shure. Nothing for me.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 20 2008 9:42:36

HemeolaMan

Posts: 1514
Joined: Jul. 13 2007
From: Chicago

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to leonaro)

i'm not sure what the rest of you think. but i think for your first post thats a pretty **** thing to post.

did you even ask grisha before you posted that?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 20 2008 10:27:17

leonaro

Posts: 21
Joined: Mar. 22 2007

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to Pgh_flamenco)

This information is on our site in the written instructions.
They remove very easily either by filing them off, which takes one or two minutes (It's not like acrylic where you have to soak them for 45 minutes each)
or you can cut them down the middle and carefully peel them back and off. If you notice you're removing any natural nail, stop and just file them.
You can take one off and put a new on in less than minutes.
Any more questions give me a call or e-mail from our site.
Thanks,
Dave

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 20 2008 12:02:21

leonaro

Posts: 21
Joined: Mar. 22 2007

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to Doitsujin)

No, they don't break very easily. You can beat them up pretty good. Rasqeado al night long. You can add fiberglass wrap for increased strength also. (we include it in our kit). Another nice thing is they repair very easily, and you can always just take one off and put on a new one in less than 10 minutes.
The most important traits in developing our nail was diversity of tone, ease of application, and strength. We did pretty well on all of these. They're not perfect, but they're the best there is. Most everyone who tries them agrees.
Listen to Grisha play. He uses our nails on a regular basis. He was also nice enough to tell me I can quote him anytime.
Thanks,
Dave

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 20 2008 12:19:21

leonaro

Posts: 21
Joined: Mar. 22 2007

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to HemeolaMan)

Look, it's a great product. We've helped over 2,500 guitarists over the last 4 years have great nails. I would hope this might interest you. Especially with so many guitarists having nail problems. You don't have to use them. And as I said in the last post, Grisha is more than happy for us to let people know he uses our Guitarplayernails. He's been using them for over a year now with great success. It took us over two years to formulate this nail. It wasn't easy.
So we thought we'd let you know a bit about it.
Thanks,
Dave

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 20 2008 12:40:14

MarkMc

Posts: 121
Joined: Oct. 1 2005
From: Wilsonville, Oregon

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to leonaro)

quote:

So we thought we'd let you know a bit about it.

Thanks Dave for posting this.
It's interesting that's for sure!

-Mark

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 20 2008 22:18:36

Doog

Posts: 59
Joined: Sep. 17 2007
From: Tennessee

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to leonaro)

At the risk of being booed and severely castigated, I have to step up in Dave's defense.

For a very long time I looked for a good artificial nail to compensate for my nails' tendency to shred and break. I have used everything from tissue paper and glue to ping pong balls to silk wrap [a kind of fiber glass for nails] ... they were all unsatisfactory. Then I came across GuitarPlayersNails and have used them for a couple of years now.

These acrylic nails are fantastic and hold up beautifully for weeks at a time. They are excellent for both classical and flamenco and THEY DO NOT BREAK while being used to play intense, prolonged, and repeated rasgueos.

If I had not already discovered them, I would be delighted to find Dave's information posted here.

If you do not need them or have any use for them, forget about it and get off of Dave's back!

If you need a product like this or use some other type of product to protect your nails, then don't knock Dave or his excellent product until you have tried it.

I am a member here and not a plant!

Doog

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 21 2008 13:22:46

Doog

Posts: 59
Joined: Sep. 17 2007
From: Tennessee

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to Pgh_flamenco)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pgh_flamenco

The product has a natural look to it.

I checked your website and saw statements about being able to remove the nails quickly, but did not see a procedure for removing them. Do you sell a release agent; how do you recommend removing them?

Thanks.

Just curious Pgh_flamenco, why would you want to remove them?

With good maintenance they will stay in place for weeks. Eventually, one way or another they will loosen up and can be pealed off effortlessly.

Doog

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 21 2008 13:29:30

HemeolaMan

Posts: 1514
Joined: Jul. 13 2007
From: Chicago

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to leonaro)

i'm not bashing the product. htey look pretty spectacular, and i will buy some..... i rarely if ever break nails though.

i support what you are doing and your ideas man i think its a good thing you got going

I just object to the first post you ever make being an advertisement...... which is pretty shamelss. this is a forum, not a free advertising playground.

i appreciate that your heart was in the right place, and you want to help these people out with their nail issues.....but an introduction would really have been nice.

had you posted it in the classifieds section it wouldn't have been as bad. but for real man, lol.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 21 2008 13:33:44

Doog

Posts: 59
Joined: Sep. 17 2007
From: Tennessee

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to Doitsujin)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Doitsujin

What a nice comercial spam-post...

For classical guitarrists maybe ok. For flamenco... no.. The fakenails will break during playing for just a single class... Im shure. Nothing for me.

Hi Doitsujin,

I do not know what kind of fake nails you are referring to, but Dave's acrylic nails do not just up and break during a single session of playing. This hazard is avoided or put off by applying a couple of coats of Sally's Big Bondini Nail glue [on top of the acrylic nail]. I have had acrylic nails break, but not while playing flamenco.

Doog

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 21 2008 13:35:19

Doog

Posts: 59
Joined: Sep. 17 2007
From: Tennessee

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to HemeolaMan)

quote:

ORIGINAL: HemeolaMan

I just object to the first post you ever make being an advertisement...... which is pretty shamelss. this is a forum, not a free advertising playground.

i appreciate that your heart was in the right place, and you want to help these people out with their nail issues.....but an introduction would really have been nice.

had you posted it in the classifieds section it wouldn't have been as bad. but for real man, lol.

Hey HMan,

I do not have any products of instruments to sell, but I ask sincerely, "Where is the classified section?" Maybe I am just old and blind, but I could not locate it.

Oops! I found it, so cancel my question. Like I said, I do not have anything to sell and I am not in a buying mode, so I never even checked for a Classified Section.

Sorry 'bout that!

Doog

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 21 2008 13:41:50

leonaro

Posts: 21
Joined: Mar. 22 2007

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to Doog)

Thanks Doog. Check's in the mail. Just kidding. Anyway, I'm glad you've had success with our nails. Just one correction, they're not acrylic. They're made from a proprietary material that we then apply a coating to. The coating is added for strength and tone. Our goal was to come up with a material that had diversity of tone and feel like a natural nail, ease of application, safe to use on a regular basis, and durable. They're not perfect, and with our methods of application there's a bit of a learning curve, but for the most part they do what we set out for them to do.
Thanks again,
Dave

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 21 2008 14:00:01

leonaro

Posts: 21
Joined: Mar. 22 2007

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to HemeolaMan)

Well in actual fact I've been a member for about 3 or 4 years. I haven't posted in a couple of years though, sorry about that. But we've had this nail now for over 4 years, so I figured it would be O.K. to mention it in this forum.
But I understand your considerations.
Thanks,
Dave

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 21 2008 14:05:47

HemeolaMan

Posts: 1514
Joined: Jul. 13 2007
From: Chicago

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to leonaro)

see this is better. we're having a discussion.

now i'm not put off anymore. before i thought it was a hit and run thing lol.

i suppose the part im most interested in is the fiberglass wrap. though, i would want to use nail lacquer instead of super glue. i realize this owuld not be as resilient, but ultimately i'm only looking to spare the backs of my nails from rajeo and not strengthen them

do you suppose that'd work?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 21 2008 15:01:26

leonaro

Posts: 21
Joined: Mar. 22 2007

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to HemeolaMan)

I don't know what rejeo is, but using silk wrap or fiberglass wrap with super glue is used a lot for nails. Nail laquer would probably be less brittle and work better for strengthening and/or protection if there's no consideration for adhesion. When you use super glue with silk or fiberglass, it is stronger, but can be more brittle. One thin layer of super glue added to wrap isn't too bad, and can add strength, but for your purpose laquer probably would be better. You can also use rubberized superglue. They make it clear. (also comes in black). It's flexible and less brittle. You can even use that stuff straight as a nail strengthener (like tough as nails). If you do that you can dry it quickly by spraying with some mild nail glue dryer. There's one I'm looking into right now (testing) which is thin, clear and rubberized. So far, pretty good results.
For adhesion, you want the thinnest, purest cyanoacrylate, "super glue" you can get. They measure super glue viscosity in cps. 1 to 3 cps is the best for really good adhesion. ( we carry that one). You can get fiberglass or silk wrap at most beauty supply stores. Get the kind that's self adhering, makes it a lot easier. My 2 cents.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 21 2008 16:19:08

wiglebot

Posts: 39
Joined: Nov. 15 2007

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to leonaro)

I have a question for you guys.

I have strong nails that grow like crazy. I file every day.
I tried nail hardener and a polish, but it made my nails too hard and it changed the tone of my guitar to a metallic sound. The shape was the same. I stopped using everything and my cedar top classic and flamenco sound great.

Would these fake nails be too hard. It looks like after the last process, these things are made for Kung Fu Tiger claw style or something. Segovia argued about this issue as well.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 21 2008 18:13:19

leonaro

Posts: 21
Joined: Mar. 22 2007

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to wiglebot)

No, they're not too hard. And there are ways to adjust the tone to a certain extent. There's a whole thing on this in the "Tips and suggestions" area on our site. In a nutshell, if you have a nail thats too thick, like acrylics and gels tend to be. ( If you make them thin enough for good tone, then they tend to be too fragile and break easy, if you make them thick enough to be strong, then they sound heavy and go thud). I think what we all want is diversity of tone. From a nice mellow tone, all the way to a bright, crisp pizzacato. Our nails are pretty good at that. This is what Grisha says:
"They actually feel like real nails, good ones! And they lend so many possibilities for different sound effects and tone colors! I was expecting a plasticky and dull sound I've heard so many times, but I found none of that". So I guess you'd have to try them out for yourself. Sounds like you have really good nails though. I never was so lucky. It had been a constant battle for many years. I finally won the battle.
Dave

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 21 2008 19:13:03

flamencoguru

Posts: 271
Joined: Jun. 30 2004
From: West Palm Beach, Florida USA

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to leonaro)

I take one multivitamin (any brand, doesn't matter) a day. Eat a healthy diet. That's it. My nails are strong and flexible.

Un saludo, Errol

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http://www.myspace.com/flamencoguru
http://www.youtube.com/flamencoguru

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 22 2008 2:14:59

John O.

Posts: 1723
Joined: Dec. 16 2005
From: Seeheim-Jugenheim, Germany

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to flamencoguru)

My big problem is wearing on the side of the thumb from alzapua and on the i-m fingers from picado. While my nails never break, it never takes long for them to wear down to nothing.

Many have told me I'm one of the loudest players they've ever heard. I know loud isn't necessarily equal to good and I don't know how I got that way, I just can't help it

Probably has to do with the nail problem though.

Any-who

I ended up having them done at a nail studio making them about four times thicker than they really are. This would bother a lot of players, okay with me though even keeping them only 2mm long.

I tried a lot of stuff too before I found the right thing. This sounds like something to try for people who're still looking.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 22 2008 3:05:48

HemeolaMan

Posts: 1514
Joined: Jul. 13 2007
From: Chicago

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to John O.)

yeah my alzapua destroys the nail right on the inside near the base. makes it hard to get the shape right as that part grows out. maybe if we get some o dem der nails and just made em even with our natural nail it might stop from wearing out the thumb so fast.

leonaro, rajeo is andaluz for rasgueado, or rasgwado as julian bream would say.

other spellings rageo, rageao, rasgueo... etc. in any case it ends up sounding like rrrrra' heyo or rrrra hey ow. or rrracheo.....

or in extreme cases, when clarity is required and you don't want to sound like a fool, "rasgwado" lol jk

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 22 2008 9:33:59

leonaro

Posts: 21
Joined: Mar. 22 2007

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to HemeolaMan)

Thank you, I did not know that. A rajeo by any other name would strum as sweet. (And hopefully not break your nails).

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 22 2008 10:04:45

Pgh_flamenco

Posts: 1506
Joined: Dec. 5 2007
From: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to Doog)

quote:

Just curious Pgh_flamenco, why would you want to remove them?

With good maintenance they will stay in place for weeks. Eventually, one way or another they will loosen up and can be pealed off effortlessly.

Doog

My interest was mostly academic. If I end up using a product like this it will more than likely be this one—partly because of Grisha’s endorsement and partly because of the sound clips on Leonaro’s MySpace page.

I figured knowing how to remove something you’ve glued to your body with Superglue might be useful.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 22 2008 10:20:09

Doog

Posts: 59
Joined: Sep. 17 2007
From: Tennessee

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to Pgh_flamenco)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pgh_flamenco

quote:

Just curious Pgh_flamenco, why would you want to remove them?

With good maintenance they will stay in place for weeks. Eventually, one way or another they will loosen up and can be pealed off effortlessly.

Doog

My interest was mostly academic. If I end up using a product like this it will more than likely be this one—partly because of Grisha’s endorsement and partly because of the sound clips on Leonaro’s MySpace page.

I figured knowing how to remove something you’ve glued to your body with Superglue might be useful.

Hi Pgh,

Unless you have some kind of excellent reason for removing the artificial nails 'prematurely', I would strongly recommend that they be left on until they naturally fall away. When they do the natural nail surface will likely be a little scuffed up. Not to worry. The surface can be gently buffed up and if left alone, it will resume its natural appearance shortly. You can also immediately re-apply the artificial nail if you wish to do so.

If for any reason you do want to remove the nails early, you can file them off. Just be mighty careful that you do not file deep into the natural nail and into the nail bed because that can cause some permanent damage and can possibly disfigure the nail.

With common sense and a gentle hand you should do fine if you elect to use them or take them off.

Doog

P.S.: Super glue is perfectly safe to use on the body. As you may know, it is used medically to close superficial wounds. I get winter drying and cracking of the skin on my hands. This can be quite painful because the crack exposes the superficial nerve endings. I routinely cover the crack [and therefore the nerve endings] with super glue so that I can use my hands in comfort. It stays in place for a day or so. Sometimes I need to use it a second time. My point is: Do not worry about having to get super glue off of your body.

P.P.S.: "partly because of Grisha’s endorsement" ... Hey, Pgh, what about MY endorsement!!!!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 22 2008 11:15:02

leonaro

Posts: 21
Joined: Mar. 22 2007

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to Doog)

With normal maintenance they will stay on untill you're ready to take them off. They file off very easily (unlike like acrylics). You can file them off in about a minute or so with a course grit file. You can also take some nail clippers and cut the middle of the tip, then carefully bend back and peel off. I can take one off and put a new one on, ready to play, in about 6 or 7 minutes.
Dave

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 22 2008 12:20:05

leonaro

Posts: 21
Joined: Mar. 22 2007

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to leonaro)

I know, I should edit what I write before clicking OK. So excuse the mistakes and redundancy. But I hope you get the idea. (I promise, in the future, I'll read what I write before hitting OK).
Dave

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 22 2008 12:25:22

HemeolaMan

Posts: 1514
Joined: Jul. 13 2007
From: Chicago

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to leonaro)

you can edit it afterwards, just click edit, its on the right side at the top of your message right near post reply

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 22 2008 14:25:33

Pgh_flamenco

Posts: 1506
Joined: Dec. 5 2007
From: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to Doog)

Hi Doog,

I'm still in the research phase regarding fingernail care and was interested in a description of the procedure for removing artificial nails. I think it's best to know what's involved in something like this beforehand.

I've heard about medical uses for superglue, but additional anecdotal information is helpful.

quote:

P.P.S.: "partly because of Grisha’s endorsement" ... Hey, Pgh, what about MY endorsement!!!!

If I buy this product I will tell Leonaro that Doog recommended it!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 23 2008 14:43:36

Doog

Posts: 59
Joined: Sep. 17 2007
From: Tennessee

RE: Artificial Fingernails (in reply to Pgh_flamenco)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pgh_flamenco

Hi Doog,

I'm still in the research phase regarding fingernail care and was interested in a description of the procedure for removing artificial nails. I think it's best to know what's involved in something like this beforehand.

I've heard about medical uses for superglue, but additional anecdotal information is helpful.

quote:

P.P.S.: "partly because of Grisha’s endorsement" ... Hey, Pgh, what about MY endorsement!!!!

If I buy this product I will tell Leonaro that Doog recommended it!

High Pgh,

You are wise to be thorough and thoughtful.

If you do opt for Dave's GuitarPlayersNails I think that you will be pleased. Like Dave said, there is a learning curve. I work with them differently now than I did initially.

"Hey, Pgh, what about MY endorsement!!!!"

You realize, of course, that there was humor in my above noted comment, but you can still reference my recommendation!

Doog

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 23 2008 20:49:14