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Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
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markwitz
`Olu`olu
USA
841 Posts |
 Posted - 01/12/2011 : 1:07:56 PM
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The last time Dennis Kamakahi was in town, I was speaking with him before his sound check and he was gluing artificial nails on. After he glued them on he carefully filed them to where he wanted them. You can see them fairly clearly at around 1:20 on this video. They seem to be a little different from the method used by James Taylor. Watch it at 720p and in full screen to get the best view.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI1WpN9ZlRE&feature=related |
"The music of the Hawaiians, the most fascinating in the world, is still in my ears and
haunts me sleeping and waking."
Mark Twain |
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basilking
Lokahi
125 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2011 : 09:03:59 AM
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Many different methods to get what I call "Bionic Nails". My natural nails are weak, gelatin/other remedies did zero for me. ~ 7 years ago I took a workshop w/Pete Huttlinger where he described getting a nail salon to apply acrylic nails over his natural nails. This is the "powder + solvent, brushed-on" method. I've seen the overlaid sheets James Taylor has in his kit but that seemed like "fiberglassing" to me.
I go every few weeks and have a salon apply the acrylic version. Beforehand I sand & chip off most of the previous acrylic layer [except the tips, which I just shape]. If one just gets "fills" where they apply a layer over the part that's grown-out, it can start lookin' pretty cadaverous, along with the side-lifting JT mentions.
If you've got insufficient nail-length they can apply plastic tips but I try to keep the existing natural nail long enought and preserve the acrylic layer on tips. During trip to salon I hafta be careful not to snag/tear my nails lifting/grabbing stuff; when the acrylic's done my nails are very strong for finger-picking and brush-strokes.
My nails look pretty "natural" to me. I don't get any clear-coat or polish; this ain't a fashion-statement, just musical functionality.
My "kit" for in-between or emergency repairs consists of a few pieces of different-grit sandpaper, a coupla emery boards and a bottle of Krazy Glue w/brush applicator. The Krazy Glue [cyanoacrylate] is also very handy if ya cut your finger. Right now I have a small slice on my RH index finger-pad from changing a chainsaw's chain. I sealed it with super-glue [authentically used in medical circumtances], no pilikia. I try to wear at least a glove on RH when working in the yard or whatever but some "fine" work requires bare-fingers. Ahh well.
The "bionic nails" work well for lap steel too. I use a thumb pick there for better picking-angle but index/mid/ring work great. As JT says fingerpicks keep one from "feeling" the string, and for me damping's harder with finger-picks. This is just my $.02 - many threads on other forums about middle-age guys' obsessing over their nails... |
Edited by - basilking on 02/01/2011 09:49:09 AM |
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Nails 101 by James Taylor
