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Finally compared guitar picks
Posted on 2/19/20 at 1:33 pm
Posted on 2/19/20 at 1:33 pm
got to talking with someone about picks, he was all about the $35 Blue Chip picks. I've always been of the mind that a pick was a pick, for the most part.
Boy was I wrong. Sat down last night with the D-18 and an assortment of picks from around the house and truck. Ended up with standard nylon Dunlop and Fenders, Tortex, Gator Grip, and a few others I couldn't identify, of various thicknesses. Played the same thing (melody of "Red Haired Boy"), using each separate pick.
I had never made such a comparison and was tremendously surprised and the extent of variation in sound. Some were very muddy, some were far too bright, some had a lot of pick noise. Glad I did this finally.
Ended up with a 1mm red Dunlop Big Stubby as the best sounding. Bright, but not too bright, clear. Have no idea how I ended up with that in my case, but bought some more at lunch.
For what it's worth.
Boy was I wrong. Sat down last night with the D-18 and an assortment of picks from around the house and truck. Ended up with standard nylon Dunlop and Fenders, Tortex, Gator Grip, and a few others I couldn't identify, of various thicknesses. Played the same thing (melody of "Red Haired Boy"), using each separate pick.
I had never made such a comparison and was tremendously surprised and the extent of variation in sound. Some were very muddy, some were far too bright, some had a lot of pick noise. Glad I did this finally.
Ended up with a 1mm red Dunlop Big Stubby as the best sounding. Bright, but not too bright, clear. Have no idea how I ended up with that in my case, but bought some more at lunch.
For what it's worth.
8
Posted on 2/19/20 at 1:42 pm to TheCurmudgeon
For many years my go to was the green Dunlop Tortex pick. Once I got into shred a bit more, I switched to Dunlop Jazz III. Now I use Petrucci signature picks, which are exactly the same shape as a Jazz III, but a little big bigger in size. Dunlop recently debuted a new Petrucci pick called the Trinity that I just ordered today. It's more of a triangular shape than a tear drop shape. I can't wait to see if the odd shape makes a difference.
Posted on 2/19/20 at 2:10 pm to TheCurmudgeon
I don't use picks anymore but when I did, I was really fond of Gravity picks. I used the 4mm acrylic with a hole cut in it for extra grip. $9
Posted on 2/19/20 at 4:42 pm to TheCurmudgeon
I'd like to try bending some hardwood into thumb picks. I've played with wooden picks before and thought that they sounded really good.
Posted on 2/19/20 at 5:09 pm to auggie
Currently using Herco Flex 75s. A client left a few at my shop, I played with one for a few days and now I'm hooked. But I bounce between picks depending on the genre I'm playing, the guitar I'm playing, my right hand and arm's energy and enthusiasm or relative latency at any given moment. There's no rule that says you have to use the same pick all the time.
I also like green and yellow Dunlop Tortex picks, the fake tortoise and MOP everyday Fender Mediums, and I have a bunch of V-Picks in different sizes, tips and thicknesses I love.
I also like green and yellow Dunlop Tortex picks, the fake tortoise and MOP everyday Fender Mediums, and I have a bunch of V-Picks in different sizes, tips and thicknesses I love.
Posted on 2/19/20 at 6:26 pm to TheFretShack
I just still am surprised at the tremendous range of sounds on the same guitar, same string, same notes from the different picks.
I figgered energy transfer was energy transfer, and once the string was vibrating it didn't matter how it started vibrating. Maybe its a stupid question, but how do the different materials, thicknesses create such a huge difference in sounds? Like a couple were thick 2mm, very stiff, one was bright and one sounded like dead strings. Amazing to me.
I figgered energy transfer was energy transfer, and once the string was vibrating it didn't matter how it started vibrating. Maybe its a stupid question, but how do the different materials, thicknesses create such a huge difference in sounds? Like a couple were thick 2mm, very stiff, one was bright and one sounded like dead strings. Amazing to me.
Posted on 2/19/20 at 6:54 pm to TheCurmudgeon
1mm Tortex for me without fail. Anything thinner feels like I’m playing with paper. Any thicker feels like a CD case.
Posted on 2/19/20 at 6:58 pm to TheCurmudgeon
Ed King, uses old oyster shells. He grinds and sands them into the shape that he wants.
Posted on 2/19/20 at 8:13 pm to TheCurmudgeon
I’m a big fan of the James Hetfield “White fang” guitar picks. The edges are beveled so that they glide over the strings and the middle of the pick is textured on both sides, preventing the pick from spinning in your fingers.
LINK
LINK
Posted on 2/19/20 at 8:13 pm to TheCurmudgeon
I've been through many, many different picks over the last year. I've settled on Dunlop Ultex 1.0mm for electric, and Ultex 1.40mm for acoustic.
Posted on 2/19/20 at 9:10 pm to bgoodwin
Give me a green tortex .88mm or I’ll just use my fingernails.
Posted on 2/19/20 at 10:15 pm to ezride25
Dava
Posted on 2/19/20 at 11:02 pm to bgoodwin
quote:Ultex 1.0 - me too... when I used a flat pick.
I've been through many, many different picks over the last year. I've settled on Dunlop Ultex 1.0mm for electric, and Ultex 1.40mm for acoustic.
Went on a pick quest shortly after starting lessons and these sounded the closest to natural tortoise shell. My instructor had a couple antique tortoise picks and we were seeking an old-thyme sound, so we spend time listening to dropped picks to avoid biases. And then played those that passed drop test with the same inclination toward style. Eventually went from their standard style, to sharpies, to jazz III's. They were also great for playing using their different edges (even broad flat side) for different fatness of sound.
Now use Herco Flex 52 Blue ... "bugga-blue" thumb picks and play in a hybrid style for a more percussive feel and some thumb independence. Especially since broadening my music styles from mainly fiddle tunes. And you can still grab hold with index finger while wearing to flat pick (just squeeze).
Posted on 2/20/20 at 1:48 am to awestruck
I use a Golden Gate med thickness, large thumb pick.
I would like to be able to use a thicker one, but The wrap around the thumb, doesn't give enough, and is just way too tight on my thumb. Starts hurting like hell pretty quick. Pretty much the same story with all brands that I have tried.
Been meaning to try and glue on, a shaped bit of some really hard wood. Maybe persimmon?
I would like to be able to use a thicker one, but The wrap around the thumb, doesn't give enough, and is just way too tight on my thumb. Starts hurting like hell pretty quick. Pretty much the same story with all brands that I have tried.
Been meaning to try and glue on, a shaped bit of some really hard wood. Maybe persimmon?
Posted on 2/20/20 at 6:03 am to auggie
You guys are just fricking with me now. 
I just bought a pack of .46 picks from amazon because that is what was recommended.
The guy that teaches me gave me a few that had his name on them and they are way thicker than the one Im using. I find the thicker one easier to pick the strings but its not as easy when I am strumming so I use the thin one.
I just bought a pack of .46 picks from amazon because that is what was recommended.
The guy that teaches me gave me a few that had his name on them and they are way thicker than the one Im using. I find the thicker one easier to pick the strings but its not as easy when I am strumming so I use the thin one.
Posted on 2/20/20 at 6:48 am to LanierSpots
.46 are incredibly thin. Personally, I hate thin picks. The flexibility leads one to think they are easier to strum with, but to me they create a clicking sound that I can’t unhear. Pretty sure this is because the pick is snapping back into place as it goes over each string.
If you like a thicker pick, check out the Hetfield’s in the link I posted. The edges are beveled down and they have a nice point. Really effective for not only picking but for rhythm too.
If you like a thicker pick, check out the Hetfield’s in the link I posted. The edges are beveled down and they have a nice point. Really effective for not only picking but for rhythm too.
Posted on 2/20/20 at 8:43 am to LanierSpots
quote:
The guy that teaches me gave me a few that had his name on them and they are way thicker than the one Im using. I find the thicker one easier to pick the strings but its not as easy when I am strumming so I use the thin one.
I think right now, it seems easier to use the thin ones for strumming, because it goes across the top of the strings easier, and lets you just keep a rhythm, w/o having to adjust the angle that you are holding the pick.
Later on you will want to get more volume, and will start using thicker picks. By then, you will be adjusting your angle for upstroke and downstroke w/o even thinking about it.
Posted on 2/20/20 at 10:56 am to auggie
I think everybody likes a thinner pick when first starting out, especially on acoustic. Like auggie said, it's easier for strumming and produces a softer sound. But as you gain more experience, you'll find yourself going thicker and thicker. For a flat pick, .88 - 1.0mm was the sweet spot for me in a Dunlop Tortex until I discovered Gravity picks. Using a 4mm pick seems completely insane at first but I adapted to it quickly. The smooth beveled edges allow it to slide off the string more gradually which eliminates the snappiness and produces a more mellow tone. I actually tried a 6mm pick from Gravity for a while. I called it the cough drop but that was going a bit too far, lol.
Posted on 2/20/20 at 11:40 am to TheCurmudgeon
Been using jazz 3s for a while
Posted on 2/20/20 at 8:38 pm to LanierSpots
quote:. . . and how many lures does a fisherman own?
You guys are just fricking with me now.
I just bought a pack of .46 picks
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