Definition of "missing tip": I'm missing the finger past the last joint. Complicate that by having another half centimeter of bone removed about 4 years ago because of a cyst formed around a "foriegn object" inside the finger. I'd had surgeries on it to remove a fingernail remnant, and I believe that's what was inside the cyst. I suspect I have another one, as things like barring and holding a rake seem to cause pain. Personal advice: if you can live with something, DON'T SCREW WITH IT. (Murphy's law applies/)

There's no fat pad on the end. The problem isn't that the skin won't toughen into a callus. It's that...oh, try walking on your knees or fretting with your knuckles and see how it feels. I suspect that it will still hurt, even if you last long enough to get calluses.

I taught myself how to play fiddle with the pre-cyst chopped finger, and the low string tension hasn't posed a problem. I find I can fret with the flat part of that finger, and it's great for barre chords. (Well, until the suspected cyst acts up.) The finger is strong, even though it's short and un-padded. In any case, I'm having the time of my life with the guitar, and I haven't felt any frustration yet. If it weren't for the fact I have a teacher who's capable and willing to adapt teaching methods to suit me, personally, I'd probably get very frustrated.

When I was in primary school (age 7 or 8) and wanted to be in band, they wouldn't even consider any stringed instrument, because they didn't believe that, with that finger, I was capable of learning how to play it. I remember thinking that they were wrong - they should have at least given me a chance. I know some people feel strongly about doing things the "right" way, but, for me, it's about making music that sounds good. There are loads of teachers out there who can teach the "right way" to do things. Thank goodness for the teachers who can teach you what works.

Thanks to Rick for starting this, and to folks for sharing their experiences and suggestions.