Picks - What's your preference?

[pablopepper]

Stumbled upon this video a few days ago, and it got me thinking. I haven't really thought about the picks i've used for a heck of a long time, maybe there is something better out there.


I have been using the same picks (or similar variations) for well over 15 years now. My last major change was to move from celluloid to tortex. My current preference is Dunlop Gator Grips in .96mm.


So, I did some digging around and found a few different manufacturers of interesting new styles and materials. The few mentioned in the video above as well as Hufschmid, Winspear, StoneWorks to name a few, all making handmade picks! Crazy! And really expensive! I don't know about you, but I've always considered picks to be a bit of a disposable commodity. Buy them by the handful and don't worry when the go missing, but at $30 - $100 each...

Anyway, it got me thinking, what picks are you guys using? Anyone using anything unique?

[pablopepper]

Another thing, over the next few days I'm going to have a go at making some thicker, acrylic picks (because I can, dammit). Depending on how they go, would anyone be interested in product testing one for me? Or does anyone have some suggestions as to what you like or don't like about commercially available plectrums.

[KurtSlash123]

Hell yeah I'll product test for you, I personally love thicker picks, I can't stand those flimsy thin and stupid little picks. I'm currently using .73 claytons, not bad but could go thicker and more sturdy but there easy to find locally for me :P

[Bass Guy]

I used to swear by the good ol' Dunlop Tortex .88mm picks- mainly because Metallica used them, and I was 16.

But after falling under the spell of Danny Gatton, I switched to Fender medium teardrops and my playing style changed overnight.

Nowadays, on the rare occasions I play guitar with a pick, I use Jim Dunlop Jazz III picks- ideally with the Tru-Grip rough surface.

For bass I am predominantly a fingerstyle player, but when I need to play with a pick I use thumbpicks. This enables me to switch from one form of attack to another within seconds. I found a brand of thumbpicks other than Jim Dunlop to try called Pickboy- they're much thinner and snappier than the Dunlop thumbpicks with out being too flimsy to withstand bass strings.

[pablopepper]

First prototype, and I'm already learning. Needs to be bigger, but not a bad start.

3mm thick, beveled edges to a point. Now I have to wait until I get home this afternoon to give it a test.

[pablopepper]

I used to swear by the good ol' Dunlop Tortex .88mm picks- mainly because Metallica used them, and I was 16.

But after falling under the spell of Danny Gatton, I switched to Fender medium teardrops and my playing style changed overnight.

Nowadays, on the rare occasions I play guitar with a pick, I use Jim Dunlop Jazz III picks- ideally with the Tru-Grip rough surface.

For bass I am predominantly a fingerstyle player, but when I need to play with a pick I use thumbpicks. This enables me to switch from one form of attack to another within seconds. I found a brand of thumbpicks other than Jim Dunlop to try called Pickboy- they're much thinner and snappier than the Dunlop thumbpicks with out being too flimsy to withstand bass strings.

I was very anti pick on bass for a long time. Then I started playing in a punk band and found I needed the extra attack and speed over fingerstyle. Hate using them for pretty much anything else. Gotta play to the situation, I guess.

[Bass Guy]

I always tell people starting on bass to learn both pick and fingers. You never know when you'll need one over the other. I initially found conventional picks very hard to use on bass when I started, so I immediately worked on my right hand callouses instead. The pressure required to hold the pick and give enough attack on the string was too much for me at the time.

Thumbpicks provided an elegant solution for me- still can't use them on guitar, though!

[Fretworn]

I prefer picks with grip - like Dunlop nylons. Find I can have a looser grip that way. .60s for acoustic, .76s for electric. I do have some 1.5mm Gator Grips I use for bass.

[wokkaboy]

interesting video Pabs and keen to find out how your prototype picks turn out.
I've mainly used the Dunlop purple picks pictured, a stiffer pick works better for me

[dave.king1]

From when I first started to lean bass around the middle of last century I have used a Fender celluloid pick of about .8mm, use fingers very rarely but do hybrid pick on both guitar and bass.

When fingerpicking bass I also use the sides of my nails on 2nd & ring fingers which gives a really edgy metallic sound in conjunction with the heavy gauge round wounds.

For guitar I use .88 Dunlop Max Grip, just starting to fool around with thumb picks but have yet to find one I like so currently less than inspired to keep trying thumbpicks.