This section explains an alternative to the ping-pong ball fingertips method that is based on cutting off the top part of Alaska plastic finger picks and gluing them onto the fingers.  



This technique is easier than using pieces of a ping pong ball, because the Alaska pick tips are pre-shaped and pre-bevelled If done more carefully than shown in these photos the effect can look clean, if a bit yellowish :) There's a lot of material in Alaska picks. You can get three or more glued-on finger picks from one Alaska pick, using the front top, middle and lower section, with the top being the easiest to 'install' on your nail. And if you want to make the most with the least you can get creative and work a little harder to extract even more fingerpicks from one Alaska™ pick

Visit the Materials section to see the resources necessary to complete these instructions. 

1. Take an Alaska pick and snip off the topmost section (e.g. the part that plucks the string)

2. Take the thick cyanoacrylate glue (gap-filling superglue) and put a thin layer on  the top 1/8" - 3/16" of the nail, and glue the Alaska tip on.

WARNING:  Be careful not to use too much glue or to get it on you, or glue your fingers together.   Be careful not to get the super glue in your mouth, eyes, nose, ears or hair, or any  other sensitive part of your body, and be sure children cannot get to it, and that  other people will not accidently mistake the glue for something else or get it on them. Use the glue sparingly and position the pingpong tipe nail until it extents a little beyond the tip of the finger.

3. You can hold the nail in place with tweezers, or even tape, or just press down on it with another finger to let it set. If you're using gap-filling super glue (cyanoacrylate), you should ideally wait 10 minutes or so to reduce the chances the nail will slide or come off, during whatever you do next.

4. You can also try discreetly and judiciously running a small bead of glue along the  edges/ends of the Alaska pick to help keep it in place, as the picks can be pried off wherever there is a small gap. The glue can also smooth out areas, although your best initial bet is shaping with a fingernail file or other tool of choice.   The glue can take a slope and give it a smoothness.

5. Although the pick tip is pre-shaped and bevelled, you will probably need to use the file to make the the bevel of the pick and your nail uniform, and also to clean up any rough edges on the Alaska pick. Over time you may find shapes and curves you like better,  and file the pick accordingly.

6. Note:  You might need to add a little glue if the fingerpicks come loose or fall off, after a few days. Normal wear and tear on the glued-on picks does seem to require occasional maintenance, but it is very easy to do and only takes a few minutes here and there. 

NOTE:  How far the pick extends beyond the finger tip makes a difference. Some of it depends on your style. If the pick extends too far past the fingertip, playing can be impeded, and slowed down. And if they're too short, they won't easily make contact with the string. You'll have to experiment with the right length and shape.

NOTE 2: You can also use other sections from Alaska guitar picks to get more glued-on picks from one unit.  Just cut, sand or file them to the shape you want.