I usually use a blue Herco thumbpick and a combo of flesh and short nails on the first two fingers. I have no problem with volume because I play loudly. My nails are pretty tough but now and then I use Sally Hanson Hard As Nails polish. I detest fingerpicks. They feel creepy and seem to isolate my soul from the strings. When I used to play bluegrass banjo I used a plastic thumbpick and two metal fingerpicks. Now when I play banjo I play with the same setup as on guitar. But I no longer play bluegrass.
When I play classical ragtime tunes I do without the thumbpick. I like the tone of the bass strings with the bare thumb on those tunes.
90% of my fingerpicking is done in a solo or duo situation so I don't have to worry about cutting through the sound of mandos, banjos etc.

Rev George




Oft quoted: I started playing guitar to get chicks, now I spend my time talking to other middle-aged men about my fingernails