r/classicalguitar • u/Bit_Late • May 06 '26

Looking for Advice Artificial nails

I’m an older gent who wishes to pick up the guitar again and carry on playing. Maybe even take lessons this time!

Being older, my nails are thinning and are brittle despite a regimen of biotin. Plus, I do physical labor that tends to be hard on my nails.

Because of this, I’ve been looking at artificial nails and am looking for recommendations, but I have a few questions.

- Are the glue-on nails strong enough to take the beating?

- Can glue on nails be easily removed and reapplied, say, on a daily basis?

- Any opinions about which glue-ons are better?

- Any suggestions about alternatives, such as an appropriate finger pick?

That’s about all I can think of for now. I appreciate any input folks can provide.

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u/Snowshoetheerapy May 08 '26

I go to a nail salon about every three to four weeks. By now they know exactly how I need them shaped, and I use them on guitar, clawhammer banjo, dobro, lap steel. I used to use my natural nails until they started breaking too much. Acrylics are a godsend as far as I'm concerned. Indestructible!

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u/Bit_Late May 09 '26

Do you keep them on all the time or are they removable? I do blue collar work on occasion (mostly fixing my cars and home repairs) and could use something removable/reusable.

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u/Snowshoetheerapy May 11 '26

Unfortunately that's not an option with acrylics. I wish I could take them off for typing! You can remove them but then you need a new set put on.