Funny that !!!

[julian egan]

As some of you know, my background is classical guitar. In all the time ive been playing, i have only ever used my nails. Whenever i break a nail its game over for the classical guitar! I just dont seem to be able to get a nice sound out of it without using my nails.

But today i took my "special occasion only" guitar out of its case just to let it know i still loved it, and decided to have a play using my stumps!!

And what dya know.............i can get quite a good sound out of it !!

The reason for the change??? It can only be due to playing my banjo with nylon strings on it. Cant tell ya how happy i am to be able to play it again. Ive just been playing Koyunbaba by Carlo Domeniconi for the last hour !!!

Another thing this has highlighted to me, just how much difference there is in string tension. The Bjo with steel strings is so different from the Bjo with nylon strings and the guitar is a world apart again. Its all good tho eh?

[Trevor Boyd]

Julian you probably know that until about the beginning of the 20th century, the classical guitar was often played without fingernails, including by Tarrega.  I think Segovia re-introduced the use of right hand nails, and from then on most classical guitarists have played with nails.  A very controversial subject in its day!

I like you had to get used to playing without nails on the banjo :-)

[julian egan]

Yes it surprised me when i found out. I seem to get more colour and warmth when using my nails. This is gonna lead to problems when they do start growing back. They will keep catching on the Bjo strings !!

[thereallyniceman]

I bet that as soon as you develop the calluses on your fingertips from the nylon strings you will be able to play both guitar and banjo with great tone... but in the meantime get some of these :