Fake Nails Instead of Picks - Anyone tried them?

Carl Mesrobian · Post by **Carl Mesrobian** » 22 Sep 2017 4:16 pm

In my never ending pursuit of Travis picking perfection on 6 string I came across this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BqISqpMRo8

Anyone try this for pedal steel? Myself I've even done gigs without fingerpicks ('cause I stupidly forgot the picks at home instead of leaving in the pak a seat), and maybe acrylic, or super glue, or other will give just enough edge (no pun intended) to the sound, since my pedal steel seems edgy enough.

But the picks would be digging into the string instead of away.

There a lots of options for 6 string guitarists - I just don't know if it would work for pedal steel.

Any thoughts??

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 22 Sep 2017 4:49 pm

There was an extensive discussion on facebook just recently:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/steelbe ... 243275535/

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Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 23 Sep 2017 8:18 am

I'm a pretty hard core Travis/Atkins picker on Pedal Steel, and I just use standard Pedal Steel picks.
A plastic thumb pick (I like Slick-Picks), and two metal finger picks (I like Jeff Newman picks best).
I totally trust JT, though, and I really like his "How to tune an acoustic guitar if you use a Capo alot" video.
I have forced many singer songwriters to watch that one

Matthew Walton · Post by **Matthew Walton** » 23 Sep 2017 2:42 pm

I get acrylics on my nails and use a thumb pick, and I love it.

Two things of which I'll caution you: The price does add up, since you need to get a fill every two or three weeks (I've gone four weeks, but it's a bad idea). In my neck of the woods it usually costs $10 for a fill (the initial nail job will be a bit more), but get a price before you sit down.

The other thing is you have to have a good nail file; probably multiple for convenience sake. I use the 4" Diamon Deb diamond files, and they never wear out. This 6-pack is probably the best value you'll find. Put one in your car, put one in your steel seat, put one in your pocket, oh the places you'll go!

You might want something finer for smoothing out, in which case I like the Tropical Shine 3-way buffer. 3M Tri-M-ite Fre-Cut 500 Grit sandpaper is also amazing, but it's a lot harder to come by.

John Goux · Post by **John Goux** » 26 Sep 2017 8:23 pm

I have acrylics for playing acoustic guitar. It is not uncommon for me to get an idea to try something on PSG, and simply walk back to my steel and poke around without the picks on. I often notice how much easier it is block, there is no pick noise, and I like the tone of flesh.
When I get serious about playing, I always put on the picks. There are players on the forum who don't use picks. I think it would require different tonal settings to make it push through a band. .

Someday a player will come along with chops and soul like Derek Trucks, and apply that to pedal steel. I think it will be a new era when that happens.
J

Zoran Kosir · Post by **Zoran Kosir** » 29 Sep 2017 6:39 pm

http://www.alaskapik.com/

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 2 Oct 2017 7:33 am

Probably work for gut or acoustic guitar but stick to metals picks for steel.