Fingernail Care

For a classical or flamenco guitarist, the right-hand nails are part of the instrument. A smooth, well-shaped edge gives a clean, warm tone and lets the fingers release the string without catching; a rough or chipped nail scratches, clicks, and kills the sound. These are the tools we use and recommend for shaping, polishing, and repairing nails.

What You Need

Tropical Shine Four-Way Nail Shaper & Buffer — The everyday tool. A coarse blue side for shaping the length and curve, then three progressively finer surfaces to take the edge from smooth to glassy. Inexpensive enough to keep one in every case.

Oasis Nail Buffer for Guitarists — Four grits (320, 600, 1200, 3000) on foam pads over a curved hard base, which gives excellent control for working the exact contour of the nail where it meets the string. The finest surface produces the polished edge that makes tone production effortless.

Savarez Nail Repair Kit — For the broken nail the night before a performance. Silk, adhesive, and the tools to rebuild a split or chipped nail so you can play the concert and let the natural nail grow back underneath.

A Few Nail Care Basics

Shape with a file or the coarse side of a buffer, never with clippers, which leave micro-cracks. Follow the natural curve of the fingertip and keep the length just past the flesh when viewed from the palm side. Finish every session on the finest grit so the edge is polished, and buff lightly after each practice rather than heavily once a week. If your nails are thin or split easily, keep them short, avoid prolonged soaking in water, and consider a repair kit as insurance.

Questions about nail shape for your playing style? Email sales@xguitars.com or call 828-417-9515. I have been playing with nails for more than thirty years and am glad to help. — Geoff Ferdón, Owner, XGuitars