Picks and Plectrums

eric-vaxxine · 2012-08-06T01:46:12+00:00

For many years, the only pick I ever used was a Jim Dunlop Jazz III. But over the last few years I have dumped the JazzIII, I've become a bit more 'picky'.....

Picks and Plectrums

Delta-Male

White Dunlop 0.46mm..... For lead and rhythm... Although my lead aint really that much :-[

deefstes

X-rated Bob wrote: Oh the options...
http://littlebrotherblues.com/Gear/Thumbpicks/index.html

I believe the Fred Kelly stuff can be ordered direct from the manufacturer. Same might apply for other brands.

Great link, Bob! You've showed me that Fred Kelly Bumblebee thumb pick once and I think it is by far the most comfortable thumb pick I have seen. I've been keeping my eyes open for it at every music shop I've walked into but have yet to find some (or a salesperson who's even heard of them). The first shop that I find with these, I'm buying a few dozen.

http://fredkellypicks.com/bumble-bee.html

ftcl

Dunlop Max-Grip 1.14mm. Although it appears as though it has made me lazy. Played with a smoother pick the other day, and it felt like I had to consciously grip it harder...

Psean

ftcl wrote: Dunlop Max-Grip 1.14mm. Although it appears as though it has made me lazy. Played with a smoother pick the other day, and it felt like I had to consciously grip it harder...

Isn't that the point o f grippy picks? Not having to use excess effort and concentration just to stop you pick falling out your hand.

eric-vaxxine

Thanks everyone for all your replies.

Couple of points from what some have said:
All lost prlectrums go into storage...ha haa.
I think I know where all our odd socks go.....
They cushion our fall when we vrek !

Acoustic playing with a thin pick, someone replied
that they really hate that sound.....I don't just sit and strum though,
I get busy and kinda play 'attack rhythm'. To play licks and
phrases with punch, I find myself using the tip of my first finger,
and pick, that is something I developed in all the years holding a
red JazzIII pick (never a black one).

You'll probably like this.....
I have a copper plectrum that is as bendy as a medium plastic
pick. Bendy metal. It was given to me by Jerry Donahue, many
many years ago.

My guitar guru, Rowland Pillay (RIP) would play using a coin,
a matchstick or a bottle top if he didn't have a pick.

deefstes

eric vaxxine wrote: You'll probably like this.....
I have a copper plectrum that is as bendy as a medium plastic
pick. Bendy metal. It was given to me by Jerry Donahue, many
many years ago.

Jeepers, that can't be very good for your strings?

Bob-Dubery

deefstes wrote:
eric vaxxine wrote: You'll probably like this.....
I have a copper plectrum that is as bendy as a medium plastic
pick. Bendy metal. It was given to me by Jerry Donahue, many
many years ago.
Jeepers, that can't be very good for your strings?

Brian May plays with a coin. Martin Carthy, and a lot of lap steelers, use a metal thumb pick. I don't know if this imposes more wear on the strings, but they get the tone and the attack that they want.

Miemie

Brian May plays with a coin. Martin Carthy, and a lot of lap steelers, use a metal thumb pick. I don't know if this imposes more wear on the strings, but they get the tone and the attack that they want.

As does the Reverend Willie G sometimes(mexican peso in this case)

Psean

Miemie wrote:
Brian May plays with a coin. Martin Carthy, and a lot of lap steelers, use a metal thumb pick. I don't know if this imposes more wear on the strings, but they get the tone and the attack that they want.

As does the Reverend Willie G sometimes(mexican peso in this case)

Yip. And he plays 7 gauge strings and they seem to handle it. Must have such a light touch.

Bob-Dubery

deefstes wrote:
eric vaxxine wrote: You'll probably like this.....
I have a copper plectrum that is as bendy as a medium plastic
pick. Bendy metal. It was given to me by Jerry Donahue, many
many years ago.
Jeepers, that can't be very good for your strings?

Have you seen Donohue play? The way he bends I'd bet a set of strings doesn't last very long anyway - so wear and tear from his choice of plectrum is probably not much of a concern.

deefstes

X-rated Bob wrote:
deefstes wrote:
eric vaxxine wrote: You'll probably like this.....
I have a copper plectrum that is as bendy as a medium plastic
pick. Bendy metal. It was given to me by Jerry Donahue, many
many years ago.
Jeepers, that can't be very good for your strings?
Have you seen Donohue play? The way he bends I'd bet a set of strings doesn't last very long anyway - so wear and tear from his choice of plectrum is probably not much of a concern.

Good point. And not just Donohue, I guess any string bend is string against metal so there's probably no real reason the think that a metal plectrum will do more damage.

ezietsman

If your pick wears down your strings to the point that it bothers you, you should think of changing your strings MUCH more frequently.

deefstes

ez wrote: If your pick wears down your strings to the point that it bothers you, you should think of changing your strings MUCH more frequently.

...or you should stop using a jigsaw blade as a pick.

[deleted]

Hi Guys --Try this for a pick & lets hear your comments

' Cut a normal credit/bank card to the shape you are most comfortable with - e.g a rounded triangle or teardrop shape. Smooth off the edges with an emery board.
The size of the pick determines the rigidity - bigger = flexible & smaller = more rigid
I've been doing it for years - works for me !

eric-vaxxine

Picks are REALLY overpriced here in the UK,
the credit card idea has value, I might give it a whirl.

Picks here cost 50pence each!
2 pints of milk in a plastic bottle costs £1.19.
Enough for 30 picks.

singemonkey

eric vaxxine wrote: Picks are REALLY overpriced here in the UK,
the credit card idea has value, I might give it a whirl.

Picks here cost 50pence each!
2 pints of milk in a plastic bottle costs £1.19.
Enough for 30 picks.

50p!?

When I think the picks I like in SA cost only nine ront...

Bob-Dubery

rinkledrocker wrote: Hi Guys --Try this for a pick & lets hear your comments

' Cut a normal credit/bank card to the shape you are most comfortable with - e.g a rounded triangle or teardrop shape. Smooth off the edges with an emery board.
The size of the pick determines the rigidity - bigger = flexible & smaller = more rigid
I've been doing it for years - works for me !

I tried that, but had problems with delamination.

deefstes

OK, seeing as this entire discussion has been had before, I suppose now is a good time to post a link to the Pick Punch which usually gets posted at around this point in the plectrum discussion.

http://www.pickpunch.com/

singemonkey

deefstes wrote: OK, seeing as this entire discussion has been had before, I suppose now is a good time to post a link to the Pick Punch which usually gets posted at around this point in the plectrum discussion.

Yep.

needleshy

I usually use JazzIII or Ultex .71 or 1mm.

I have used many credit cards back in the day but they wear down way too quickly and also leaves white dust all over your guitar so.

Has anyone on the forum been brave/patient enough to order a Red Bear Trading Co. pick yet? www.redbeartrading.com

i was looking last week at ordering some of the new Tusq picks, but the shipping cost is 20$ so i cancelled that but if there are a few ppl in CPT keen to order with me we should order as a group, the picks are rated pretty highly by the ppl who have used them. Its an ivory composite pick which sounds pretty cool.

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