SGSpecialguy Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 Im sure all of the experienced players already know that, but for those who are not as experienced, pick thickness and the materials its made of can make HUGE tonal differences, a thin pick can produce some shimmering beautiful tones for picking style and soft strumming but doesnt work as well for hard forceful strumming, while a thicker pick will tend to have warming tones for picking and will work better and hold up longer for harder strumming. If Im sitting around in the morning with a cup of coffee and just doing some lite picking I love a lite pick for its crisp bright picking qualities, if Im strumming with the boys I need a heavier pick. Also, pick material and what its made out of will make HUGE tonal differences too,, Ive always used the standard Dunlop teardrop style pick for years, but recently tried the "V Pick" for my acoustic playing and I gotta say I really like them, they are an acrylic type material thats bright, crisp and clear, I got a Ultra Light Medium that Im using for my acoustic playing and I love it,, these are just some thoughts for you new and aspiring players out there,, Picks can make a huge difference in your overall tone,, try a few styles, thickness' and material types to find what suits your style and tastes Experienced players may chime in with some of your favorites too :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buc McMaster Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 Amen, bother. In my humble opinion, the pick is the single most effective tone changer in all of guitardom. Flexibility (or lack thereof), tip shape, thickness, material.........each one of these factors make enormous differences in perceived tone. And then there's a player's angle of attack and how firmly the pick is held in the fingers........changes in these two will again alter tone from the same pick. I prefer a totally inflexible pick for playing just about anything. I vary grip and angle of attack to alter tone and dynamics, going from a whispery, thin sound to a powerful, full-throated tone. For me, it's gotta be an extra heavy Red Bear with a round tip, their E shape. This pick is about .125 or so thick and there's absolutely no flex in it at all. Everyone has their fav........this one is mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 ... Experienced players may chime in with some of your favorites too ... Gee' date=' I hope I qualify. :- Ah yes. The boutique pick market. Just can't bring myself to drop large loot on a pick. Tortex is just fine with me - Dunlop Tortex .73 triangles. Although I'm checkin' out their Ultex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertjohn Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 Totally agree. When I started playing again, about 10 years ago, my teacher told me to use the heaviest pick I could. I was using really light Jim Dunlops at the time. I now use Fender meds/heavy for acoustic - usually meds and Fender heavy for electric. A heavier pick allows you a wider variation of tone, depending how you use it of course, and requires technique and practice like anything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGSpecialguy Posted June 7, 2010 Author Share Posted June 7, 2010 Gee' date=' I hope I qualify. [cool'] Ah yes. The boutique pick market. Just can't bring myself to drop large loot on a pick. Tortex is just fine with me - Dunlop Tortex .73 triangles. Although I'm checkin' out their Ultex. someone posted a link to a site that had picks for $20.00 EACH :- thats pretty extreme !! LOL it had three different sides, round, pointed and standard shaped,, The "V Pick" is $4.00 each, but they seem to last on my acoustics anyways and I like the tone, there are videos on the guys webpage for those interested, V Picks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchdogg Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 Totally agree, I have a habit of buying as many different picks as I can find to experiment with. .73 Dunlop ultex gets my vote ( when not finger picking). They were supposedly engineered to be similiar to tortose? Expensive but my fav by far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilliangirl Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 I'm not an experienced player but I agree. I've been quite happy with the Dunlop Tortex .60 picks, but I hold them sideways, which changes the tone slightly. Suburude sent me a Red Bear Trading pick (medium) and it DEFINITELY sounds very different. I started out using the Dunlop nylon picks but never liked the sound much. I am in love with this RBTrading pick and might order one in a different shape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoss Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 I'm sold on these BLue CHip picks-- but they're @ $40 with postage/handling!!!! http://www.bluechippick.net/ I had one local bluegrass icon try one out and try to buy it from me on the spot. I thought it was bad last year with a $7 Wegen pick--when I misplace one of the Blue Chips I really start to sweat!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkharmony Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 In my humble opinion' date=' the pick is the single most effective tone changer in all of guitardom[/quote'] No question about it. Most of my playing requires a thin (.60 Dunlop nylon) pick, but when I flatpick and want some tone, I love the Red Bears and the John Pearse chitin picks. It's funny how much we all discuss saddles, nuts, strings, pins and tonerite, but picks seem to be a distant thought much of the time, when that will affect your tone more than any of those other things*. *fingerstylists excluded, of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rame Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 For me it has to be the Dunlop Nylon 1mm. Anything else just feels off to me. It's funny because I'm somewhat apathetic when it comes to strings. As long as they are half-way decent I'm ok with them. But the pick HAS to be the black Dunlop nylon 1mm. I've heard that Billy Gibbons uses a quarter or peso as a pick. It is definitely important to tone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maninblack Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 Another vote for the black dunlop 1mm. It is such a versatile pick. The material is soft enough for strumming, but the thickness is heavy enough for solid picking. I just wish they made one from that material that was a hair thicker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 Are you trying to tell me that Pickers can be choosers???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyK Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 Tip shape too. Sharp tip, sharp tone. Rounded tip, subdued tone. That's why I keep a mix of Dunlop Jazz II and Jazz III picks on hand. I use rounded tip for accompanying vocalists the sharp tip for competing with the Banjo. I usually use a sharp tip until the vocalist begins then rotate to a rounded corner and lay back a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 I like Tortex because of its durability, as well as it's tone. I want to try a bluechip, but I just haven't wanted to try one 40 dollars worth......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 I think they call picks in England, "plecks" or "plecktrums" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertjohn Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 I think they call picks in England' date=' "plecks" or "plecktrums"[/quote'] Shouldn't that be plectra? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lefty Guy Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 I'm sold on these BLue CHip picks-- but they're @ $40 with postage/handling!!!! http://www.bluechippick.net/ I had one local bluegrass icon try one out and try to buy it from me on the spot. I thought it was bad last year with a $7 Wegen pick--when I misplace one of the Blue Chips I really start to sweat!! I'm with you on these. I've now got 2 Blue Chip TAD 40s. Beautifully clear, loud tone & stick to your fingers like glue.......at $40 a pop that's important as you don't want to lose one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sorad Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 I like the green tortex for acoustic and the dunlop purple stubby jazz picks for electric. I find if i use other materials other that are more glossy are too slippery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisA83 Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 Does anyone here not use a pick when strumming? I always used to but then for some reason stopped (maybe because I couldn't be bothered picking it up and putting it down in between fingerstyle-ing(?), or maybe because it was quieter for practicing), and now just use my middle finger and thumb nails. Any time recently I've tried to use a pick I just can't! I like the sound I get with my nail anyway, it doesn't cost $40, and I can't lost it ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGSpecialguy Posted June 8, 2010 Author Share Posted June 8, 2010 gee guys,, and I thought my $4.00 V Picks were extravagant those $40.00 blue chips look pretty cool and they say they DONT wear out, I like that Idea as all of you know the tortex gets rough along the edges after some hard playing,, BUT they are $3.95 a DOZEN so its no big deal to throw em out when they wear,, might have to try one of those Blue Chips though if they are that good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buc McMaster Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 It's true - the Blue Chip nor the Red Bear picks wear at all. They will last forever, assuming you don't lose it. So, if you're good about holding on to things, a $20 Red Bear or a $40 Blue Chip is actually an good investment. I have a couple of Blue Chip picks as well, but the Red Bear does it for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGSpecialguy Posted June 8, 2010 Author Share Posted June 8, 2010 Thanks Buc, I was just on the Red Bear site and I think I wanna try one of those, which ones you using ? Kinda thinking the style "B" with grip holes, med. actually I kinda like the tri-tip pick too its funny, they say 3-5 week wait period, no stock :- each pick is individually made Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buc McMaster Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 SG: I use the E shape in extra heavy.......very, very stout pick! I prefer a rounded tip and zero flex, and this one delivers in spades. I use the standard bevel. I did order three of the C shape in medium gauge.......pointy tip, thinner but still no flex.......that I didn't really like the feel of not the tone. Unless you know exactly which one is the right one for you expect to have to order more than once to nail it. These C's in medium aren't for me and I'll gladly send one to anyone interested.....free! no charge! Be advised that I ordered them with my name on them and they are in the ivory color......quite attractive pick. I'll send to the first two PMs after I return from Kerrville (I'll keep one just because!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGSpecialguy Posted June 8, 2010 Author Share Posted June 8, 2010 pm sent,, very curious about those pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buc McMaster Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 We have winners! SG and BK get 'em! Out via USPS next week after the Kerrville trip! I'll also toss in a 40mm Blue Chip for you guys.........too thin for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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