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Tiptonic Starter Kit Finger Picks and Adhesive Activator

Rated 4.92 out of 5 based on 13 customer ratings
(16 customer reviews)

$249.00

Order the Starter Kit to get Tiptonic Finger Picks with Premium Adhesive and an Activator.

Select your Finger Pick Sizes and receive a range of picks to dial in the fit (48 picks total)

Get Finger Picks for 1 Nail to all 5 Fingernails

Note: We currently only make Tiptonic Finger Picks for the Right Hand.

Description

Your Tiptonic Starter Kit will arrive in 2 boxes:

Box 1 of your Tiptonic Starter Kit contains a Sizing Chart and instructions. Use the Sizing Chart to find your pick sizes then email them to us.

Box 2 will contain your Tiptonic Finger Picks and the Starter Kit items listed below.

Your Tiptonic Starter Kit will contain the following:

Box 1:

  • A Sizing Chart to find your pick sizes
  • International Orders come in one box only
    • Contact us to confirm pick selection britt@tiptonic.com

Box 2:

  • Your Activator for rejuvenating the adhesive on your Picks
  • A custom mix of 6 Finger Picks for each size ordered
    • Includes 2 picks in each of our 3 height profiles (for Flat Nails, Regular and Curved)
    • Plus – 2 picks in each of our 3 height profiles one size narrower than ordered for comparison
    • (Most Pick Mixes contain between 40 – 50 picks depending on how many fingers need picks)
  • The Owner’s Manual – Filled with great tips and tutorials.
  • A Quick Guide to our Pick Sizes
  • One 8 compartment plastic Storage Case to keep your Picks organized
  • One roll of Activator Adhesive in a Paperboard Tube Case
  • Small file to shape the back of the pick to match your cuticle
  • A Power Adaptor Power Supply cord for your Activator

International Orders

For customers outside of the US we recommend that you find your Finger Pick Sizes with one of our Finger Pick Samplers first to make sure that the fit and feel of Tiptonic Finger Picks will work for your nails and style of play, then order the Activator as an upgrade later if needed. It’s fine to order the Starter Kit first if that is preferred. Contact us with any questions about international orders at britt@tiptonic.com. All Starter Kits come with a US type power supply cord and wall plug unless another type is selected. We also stock UK, EU and AU type plugs and power supplies. UK, EU and AU power supplies and plugs cost an additional US$10.00 for the Starter Kit and Activator.

New To Tiptonic Finger Picks?

Either the Tiptonic Starter Kit, or one of our Finger Pick Samplers is recommended if you are new to Tiptonic Picks. It is important to get a good fitting pick and these products are designed to give you a range of Finger Picks based on the size and shape of your nails to ensure that you get the right pick from our selection of over 450 Finger Pick Sizes. We are always happy to work with you to find the correct size or if you have any questions.

The Starter Kit includes an Activator Case and a Sizing Chart so that you can dial in your perfect picks. The Premium Activator Adhesive is stiff at room temperature and doesn’t adhere to the nail as well as when warmed. The Activator warms the adhesive up and holds it at the perfect temperature indefinitely until you are ready to put them on. This rejuvenates the adhesive and allows it to be reused dozens of times. Many people get around 6 weeks or more of daily use before the pick and the adhesive begin to wear out. Reordering your picks is easy.

The Activator Case

The Activator Case rejuvenates the adhesive so that it can be reused over and over again. It’s is also a great place to keep up to 7 picks stored and ready for the next gig. Place your Tiptonic Finger Picks back in the Activator when you finish playing to store them until you need them again.

Additional information

Weight 1.7 lbs
Dimensions 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.5 in

16 reviews for Tiptonic Starter Kit Finger Picks and Adhesive Activator

  1. Rated 5 out of 5

    Joanna Faber

    I am SO HAPPY with the sound and feel of these picks. I have been a frequently frustrated guitar player, as it is almost impossible for me to maintain a full set of natural unbroken nails. Just as I get them all to the right length to make playing really satisfying, one of them develops that little nick on the side, and then no matter what I do – filing, crazy glue, vitamin supplements – it’s a goner. I’ve tried going to a salon for acrylic and gel nails, which were great for playing, but they destroyed my real nails and left them paper thin. I’ve tried finger picks as well, but…no, they’re nothing like a real nail. They come off the wrong side of the finger and curve in the wrong direction.
    The tiptonics have the natural playing feel of a salon gel or acrylic, but without destroying the real nail. Best of both worlds.

  2. Rich Cavanaugh (verified owner)

    These picks really work! Used acrylics for 20 years, really damaging my nails, luckily I discovered Tiptonics. They work as advertised, follow the excellent manual and you should be as amazed as I am. Painstaking design work, great customer service, great end result. I am grateful!

  3. Rated 5 out of 5

    Rich Cavanaugh (verified owner)

    And, 10 stars!

  4. Rated 5 out of 5

    Tom Dobbins (verified owner)

    Congratulations on your product; you nailed it!

    I am a lifelong guitar player and a fingerstyle player for most of that time. As my fingerstyle technique improved over the years, like many guitarists, I have been searching for fingerpicks that feel the most natural. I think this is the “Holy Grail” for fingerstyle players.

    Artificial (salon) nails, etc. were never a practical solution for me since I do not make my living playing guitar, and my own nails were never up to the task. In recent years I have been using Alaska piks with the tops cut off and filed to minimize the “pick bulk” on my fingers as much as possible. These have worked well but they still have some pick bulk.

    When I first read about your product, I have to admit that I was skeptical – this is a hard problem to solve. When I received the nail chart and subsequently the starter kit I could appreciate the quality and extent of the research and development to arrive at this product.

    With the nail chart I was able to identify my nail shapes; when I received the starter kit and tried the nails I was off by a millimeter (over) on my fingers so I really appreciated that +/- 1 millimeter nails were included in the starter kit. This saved a lot of trouble – and gave me confidence right away that the nails would work.

    The directions were excellent. I followed them carefully and I was able to put the picks on and take them off and the experience was exactly as described.

    I have been using them for a few weeks now and I love them. They are my nails – no pick bulk! And I can play with such feel and precision!

    American ingenuity at its best; I hope your company prospers. I am now a loyal customer.

    Please extend my appreciation and thanks to everyone who contributed to this product.

  5. Nate (verified owner)

    These nails are excellent!
    I have been looking for a solution that allowed a balanced tone and volume between my thumb pick and the fingers.
    I tried growing my nails out and it was ok, but they would periodically break and I’d have to wait weeks for the nail to grow back, or just playing steel strings grinds my index fingernail down pretty quickly leaving it misshapen. I thought about acrylics but can’t have long nails with my job, and don’t like stabbing myself on them when they get longer. These come on/off easily, sound great, and last a long time (I’m on 2.5 months, still going with 1-2 hours a day). Tiptonic was great helping me find the perfect shape, which was a challenge since my middle finger had a partial amputation of the nail so is weird-shaped, but we actually found one that works well.
    Overall I’m really happy with these–they’ve changed my playing and I expect to use them long-term!

  6. Rated 5 out of 5

    kabeatty (verified owner)

    I absolutely love these picks! I have been playing fingerstyle guitar for about 50 years, but have always had issues with my nails. Practice time has been limited due to thin nails that delaminate and break. I have tried banjo picks, ProPicks, Alaska Picks, Fred Kelly Freedom picks, acrylic nails, silks, vitamins, brush on products, etc. All had one problem or another. Tiptonic picks have solved those problems for me. This product performs exactly as advertised and I couldn’t be happier with them. I have been using them for about 6 weeks and just placed my first pick order (after going the Starter Kit route to find what worked best). By the way, customer service has been friendly and quick. Britt really does a good job responding clearly and promptly. I have no trouble recommending these picks.

  7. Rated 4 out of 5

    Thomas Kight (verified owner)

    There are always pros and cons for any product. My experience with Tiptonic picks has been very positive overall. I’ve tried all manner of fingernail / finger pick solutions and found none of them satisfactory until I tried Tiptonics. Once you dial in the right size (easier said than done), the result is a warm, consistent tone on the index, middle and ring fingers. Sifting through the 50 or so pics in the starter kit was a bit of a pain in the neck, but a necessary evil since even Tiptonics recognizes that using the nail chart to accurately measure nail width or height is always approximate. I was glad not to just receive the ones I thought would fit because not all of them did. So I had to systematically sift through the others to get the best fit. Eventually, I found ones that were perfect for the index, middle and ring fingers. The thumb (for me) was another matter: one size was too small, the next size too large, etc. Tiptonics is careful to point out that their product is best for the fingers, and only for the thumb under certain circumstances. I appreciate that honesty. I tried the finger picks with nothing on the thumb for awhile, but the tone differences were too much, so I have jury-rigged one of the thumb nail to sort of work. It is too small, but hooks nicely to the left side of the thumb nail, so I hook it on there and the adhesive generally holds it in place even though the right side is not hooked into the nail at all. I reinforce the nail and also cover the side edge with Nexcare Hospital Tape so the edge doesn’t catch. Not ideal, but it is working for the moment to create an even tone overall. Finally, I have found that the way the finger tip in inserted into the pick to install it tends to push some of the adhesive toward the front of the pick which leaves enough visible to occasionally catch the string. So now, I take a toothpick and move the adhesive away from the very tip of the Tiptonic pick before heating it up which has reduced the adhesive build up in the front of the pick so it is no longer catching the string. So I’m still fine-tuning the system for me, but as I get ever nearer to that solution, I am pleased with the results in terms of sound production that translates onto both nylon and steel strings. Have a little patience and the product is worth the effort I think.

  8. Rated 5 out of 5

    Antonio Grippi (verified owner)

    These things are pretty amazing. I stopped using a pick 20 years ago, but it’s always been a struggle to keep nails long enough to play but short enough for daily like, and maintained when they break. These sound amazing, and really feel like my nails. My middle finger nail would constantly chip, and cause problems often times limiting playing time while it regrew, or at least making it less enjoyable, and muted sounding. After getting these sized right, I’ve just been amazed with these. Britt has been awesome with customer service and helping get the fit perfect. I was hesitant given the price, and the process of actually getting them, but am so glad I pulled the trigger on these. After getting the sizing charts in the mail, I took my time and measured, and submitted my sizes. within a couple of days the picks were here, all 50 or so of them. Plenty in the size I requested as well as variations in pocket depth, and fitment. this was great because the sizes I sent for 2 fingers were a little off. I was able to find picks though in the kit that did fit, but that’s not the end of it. the President emailed me to see how things were going, and I explained pretty great except I was having a little trouble with a couple of the pics popping out of the groove when playing. This was no problem, as after getting my feedback they sent out another pack of picks in various sizes and shapes based on my feedback, and even some extras in longer lengths because I expressed interest in them. Truly a great company to deal with, and Britt is awesome. If you’re even considering these, just do it. it’s absolutely worth the price, and once you bite the bullets once, the picks are actually inexpensive.

  9. Rated 5 out of 5

    Robert E. Mason (verified owner)

    I have used acrylic nails in only my right hand pointer and middle finger which served me well for a few years, but there was constant maintenance and hassle which I didn’t like at all. After Hurricane Michael destroyed the nail salon I used, I went back to regular picks and their inherent problems before discovering Tiptonic picks. My Tiptonic picks have replaced both the regular picks and acrylic nails as well. They perform perfectly and instill confidence. They free you up to concentrate on what you’re playing rather than how to play it.

  10. jwkipe7377 (verified owner)

    Earlier this month I had the opportunity to use and evaluate the Tiptonic pick system.

    Initially my expectations were somewhat guarded, but after eventually settling on the correct shape for my picks, I have to say I was more than pleased – in fact I was absolutely amazed at the entire system.

    Having had my original fingernails (which incidentally were never particularly strong) damaged by chemotherapy, I had all but given up on being able to play classical or jazz guitar ever again.

    The Tiptonic picks provided me with better tonal quality and projection than I had achieved with my original nails.
    Additionally, I found that they stayed in place even through the most aggressive playing, yet came off easily when I desired, leaving no damage whatsoever to my real nail.

    Imagine if you were a painter, and someone cut off your brushes so that all you could paint with were the brush handles – that was more-or-less the situation I found myself in before the getting the Tiptonic system. Now however, thanks to Jack and Britt West, I have rediscovered how much joy I derive from playing my guitars and I can endorse their them without reservation.

    I wholeheartedly give the Tiptonic system my very highest recommendation!

    John W. Kipe
    Classical Guitarist & Instructor

  11. Rated 5 out of 5

    sailingthe7seas2001 (verified owner)

    Tiptonic finger picks a review~
    The first things I received after I purchased Tiptonic finger picks was a Priority Mail envelope containing: (1) Finger Pick Sizing Chart, (2) Sizing Chart Instructions, and (3) Fingernail Pick Letter Explanation. Using these I made my first selection of finger picks which I thought might fit my fingernails and recorded the width and shape appropriate for my fingers and thumb. Using this information I went online and entered my information.

    A short time later I received a package containing: (1) a Tiptonic Fingernail Pick Owner’s Manual,(2) a plastic round 8 compartment with a generous selection of finger picks, (3) the Activator Case and power supply, and (4) a nail file. I used this to refine the fit of my finger picks. At this point a number of users will find their perfect fit. I guess my nails are somewhat more of a challenge to fit. So I called and talked with Britt West and he sent out some additional picks to fit, but we still need to make some adjustments for my fingernails.

    Britt has sent me a third set of picks to try. I want to commend Britt for the efforts made on my behalf. I have been treated with respect and courtesy. In my discussions with Britt I have learned we like similar activities. With some experiences growing up even though we live on opposite coasts. Back to the finger picks, we have found the picks which fit me the best. On to how the picks feel. Well they adhere to my nails and I haven’t experienced a loose pick. I guess you could say they feel as if they were my natural nails. It took me a while, but the end result is worth it. Britt made helpful suggestions and was patient with me when we were going through the fitting process. Though we all have similar body parts sometimes they are unique and require some customization? Again allow me the privilege of saying I am well pleased with final results and the personal treatment I received.
    __/)_
    ron
    Ronald Lee Barbour

  12. Rated 5 out of 5

    Walter Herman (verified owner)

    I had been looking for the right finger picks for 50 years. I’ve never been happy with any picks and most of the time I would just use my natural nails. The tiptonic picks are the best picks on the market In my opinion. The staff is amazing and go way beyond the call of duty. They made share I had the right picks. If you use a flat pick you can use both at the same time.

  13. Rated 5 out of 5

    Donald Dillinger (verified owner)

    I am unable to add anything helpful to the above ecstatic chorus, so I will just say: AMEN. What great (bespoke!) fingerpicks! Thanks Britt!

  14. Rated 5 out of 5

    Cemops

    Looks promising but we can not know if it really works (particularly for flamenco style) well unless you ship it to Turkey 🙂

    • Britt West (verified owner)

      Hi Cemops, Thanks for your comment! Everything is now set up on the website. We are now able to ship to Turkey via DHL, UPS International or USPS.

      We have a lot of customers who play Flamenco style guitar as well as Classical and other nylon/ gut string styles. Having picks that have the correct length on the playing end and that also fit well at the cuticle are critical for aggressive styles like flamenco. We are happy to work with you to select the correct picks for you nails. We recommend that international customers (or anyone with questions) email us a few photos of their fingernails so that we can assist in your pick selection. You can email photos to info@tiptonic.com

  15. Rated 5 out of 5

    Cemops

    Thanks Britt, it is a great news! I’ll be in touch as soon as possible.

    • Britt West (verified owner)

      Thanks! I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

  16. Rated 5 out of 5

    Emil (verified owner)

    Outstanding product. Yes there is an initial investment and then a learning/experimentation phase. I found my ideal shapes and greatly prefer the secure adhesion of using the activator. I got rid of my long nails years ago with a shift to early lutes and guitars that don’t sound good with nails along with dabbling in bass guitar.

    Fast forward wanting to get into steel string fingerstyle guitar. I couldn’t find fingerpicks that allowed the speed, precision, and warmer tone of nails. I found these and am so happy that they handle aggressive playing & strumming while giving great tone! Steel string’s absolutely destroy regular fingernails but the tiptonics are impervious. Some folks like acrylics but those destroy your natural nails and tiptonics can be removed to live a simpler life of short nails outside of guitar playing.

    I highly recommend giving them a solid try!

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