TAC Family Forums

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  • Fingernails maintenance for finger pickers

    Posted by Rich on January 27, 2026 at 11:43 am

    I am wondering how Tony and others maintain their finger nails for finger picking. Seems that mine always get torn up from everyday things. I do use a nail strengthener, but am wondering what else i can do besides finger picks attached to the fingers?

    jorgemac replied 1 month, 3 weeks ago 3 Members · 3 Replies
  • 3 Replies
  • Skyman911

    Member
    January 27, 2026 at 1:28 pm

    I’m not sure what else you could do. Paint them with hard acrylic clear polish? I personally wouldn’t grow my nails out to pick, but that’s just me. I’ve tried thumb picks, and don’t prefer them. I just use the flesh of my tips.

  • jorgemac

    Member
    January 27, 2026 at 3:25 pm

    I can’t remember which 70’s, 80”s folk artist is was, but he did a video on nail maintenance. He layered his finger nails with , I think it was either fiber glass or silk cloth and acrylic finger nail polish. 1 of his songs said “if you need a friend you can count on me”. he was huge way back when.

    I used to get my right hand layered, I think it was acrylic at salon and it would hold up for month or so. If you have never entered he world of a nail salon it can be quite an experience.

    Now I mostly hybrid pick and most of the fingering is using the ball of my fingers more than the finger nail. Softer sound though.

  • jorgemac

    Member
    January 28, 2026 at 6:27 pm

    James Taylor has a finger nail maintenance video for guitar players.

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