Lyrics & Knowledge Personal Pages Record Shop Auction Links Radio & Media Kids Membership Help
The Mudcat Cafesj



User Name Thread Name Subject Posted
CraigS Finger/Thumb Picks (34) RE: Tech: Finger/Thumb Picks 14 Apr 04


I use my nails when they exist. When they do not exist I use picks or get blisters. I cannot use flatpicks - I just lose them inside the guitar. I use medium Gibson, Fender or Rotosound thumbpicks. I had a worn one that I liked a lot, because it was easier to play with, and used to file the tip down to simulate wear - but now I always reduce the pointy bit by setting it on fire and blowing it out v quickly - less effort than filing. Metal picks are easy to make from old cans with a pair of scissors, but a metal thumbpick does not cope with upstrokes and opens out unless supported with the index finger. I find that plastic fingerpicks as bought are better if distorted using hot water and worn the "wrong" way round, ie picking surface = nail side of the finger, but not curved - straight. Richard Grainger always plays with metal picks the wrong way round and I have been astonished for years as to how he keeps them on his hand doing this. I have tried it but I get fed up of the dang things falling off.
End of 30 yrs experience of trying to use picks. I still avoid them if possible.


Post to this Thread -

Back to the Main Forum Page

By clicking on the User Name, you will requery the forum for that user. You will see everything that he or she has posted with that Mudcat name.

By clicking on the Thread Name, you will be sent to the Forum on that thread as if you selected it from the main Mudcat Forum page.

By clicking on the Subject, you will also go to the thread as if you selected it from the original Forum page, but also go directly to that particular message.

By clicking on the Date (Posted), you will dig out every message posted that day.

Try it all, you will see.