Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them

Subject: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing t
From: MickyMan
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 10:48 AM

I was just thinking about this as I was folding my blue jeans and found another one in the little pouch at the top of the right pocket. I never seem to have one when I need it. How about some actual products that people have found successful for keeping track of these little things? I would love something that I can either tie or stick to my guitar and mandolin without harming the finish. I can't be the only person with this problem.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: breezy
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 11:34 AM

Keep a small box or tin and always put them in it then store it away with your guitar.

Easy.

Be organised.


S S

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: GUEST,Cluin
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 11:49 AM

Crazy Glue the f**ker to your thumb.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 12:00 PM

Weave it between the strings up around the third fret when you're finished playing.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: GUEST,Cluin
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 12:02 PM

Seriously, I use an old Altoids (the blow-job mints) tin I got from an old girlfriend, that I keep in the guitar case. There are over 70 picks in there of all shapes and thicknesses garnered over the years. Some are no good for me. I should weed `em out.

But to keep a few good ones handy on the guitar, I use a plastic spring-loaded pickholder stuck on the back side of the headstock, between the tuners. Works great and I usually keep about three picks there.

One thing... I used to always drop picks inside the guiar soundhole. That rarely happens anymore.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: Amos
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 12:29 PM

Cluin:

Your link to Snope's revelations regarding the use of Altoids in fellatio is MUCH more interesting than your use of the tin box to keep flatpicks in.

But then, I'm a fingerpicker. :>)

A

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: MickyMan
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 12:32 PM

OH MY GOD ,,,,,, my wife loves those altoids. Who cares about guitar picks! Sorry.....gotta go

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: open mike
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 12:37 PM

there is an item made to clip around a microphone stand
which is rubber and has a slot to hold picks.
musician's friend
if you go here and search for pick or pick holder you will find
some items....a new one is called a "wedgie" sounds uncomfortable
but looks practical.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 01:18 PM

When I buy 'em I buy 'em by the gross...

Then I keep a few over there, a few in there, a bunch in the instrument cases... some in the car...   So basically I can't turn around without hitting a guitar pick or 3...

:-)

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: GUEST,jennifer
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 02:19 PM

Alternative approach - I saw somone recently who swore that the only way to make sure he never lost his pick was to only ever have one at a time. But as usual I can't remember who it was.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 02:32 PM

I make small decorative cross-stitch bags to hang from my dulcimers. I put my picks, noters and a small pencil in there.

On the funny side, Martin makes a HUGE guitar pick that I've punched a hole through and hung on my dulcimer bag. NEVER without a pick now!

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 02:34 PM

minds work differently...I 'keep' picks in an instrument case, but during events, like parties, where I am moving about, I have a smallish zippered or velcroed pouch that fits on my belt. I can still lay picks down on a table if I am careless, but at least I HAVE a way to keep 'em on me!

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 02:43 PM

There is some merit to the "only one pick" approach. I only have one steel slide for Dobro/lap-style playing and I know exactly where it is at all times. I have four glass slides for bottleneck-style and never can find one when I need it.

Bruce

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: Mooh
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 02:45 PM

Re Altoids...the choir ladies always have them...suddenly it all makes sense...LOL!

I have one of those plastic stick-on spring loaded pick dispensers on my music stand, a Dunlop mic stand pick holder, and pocket size fishing lure box of picks on my desk, some in my wallet (where there's never enough money to buy picks), some in an Ottawa Folklore Centre key fob on my key chain, some in a tray in the van, some in instrument cases, some between the strings above the nut on some instruments, in my shoulder bag, on my dresser, and always in my left front pocket. The stick-on holder is very handy and I am considering getting a couple more.

I'd be naked without picks.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: GUEST,Blackford John
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 02:50 PM

Rule 1 - always buy more than you need
Rule 2 - buy a tin to keep (most of) them in
Rule 3 = accept that you'll lose/lend some
Rule 4 = if you do not do the clothes washing in your house educate your partner in how forgetful pickers are. Jeans, shiort pockets etc provide a lifelong reservoir of old (and often well-washed picks)

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: Don Firth
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 02:55 PM

Keep 'em in your pick pocket?

(Well . . . somebody had to say it!)

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: Cheche
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 03:18 PM

I have a little velvet drawstring bag that I call my pick pocket...but I always keep some around the house and in my instrument cases.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 04:11 PM

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: Peace
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 04:31 PM

It can't be done! There are 12,869,437 flat pickers in the world and only 12,869,436 flat picks. That's a fac', Jack.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 05:09 PM

Your local music shop, or even a large supermarket in my area, has a little stick-on that's sort of "pick shaped" and about 3/8 inch thick, with a spring loaded "button" so that you can slide about 5 picks or so into it, on top of the button, and the spring keeps them where you can just strip one off the top. (sort of like those cheap plastic "coin dispensers" you may have seen before the cash register delivered the change automatically?) They mount with a "foam strip" pressure sensitive adhesive. Might be about $3 (US) or so.

Can't recall who made them, but they're not hard to find in my area.

They're a little large for a mando, and although I did stick one on one of my old ones, I don't think I'd recommend them for that. They're just large enough to hang a little over the edge on a mando. They should work okay for a guitar, if you don't mind sticking something to yours.

Some guitar players in my area stick them on the body near the base of the neck; but at the end, between the gears, is the more usual place. Of course, everybody has a "favorite," and it usually just tucks between the strings, so this jobbie is just for spares for most users. (but only holds about 5 or 6 med/heavy picks)

John

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 05:45 PM

One thing that makes sense would be to have them a different colour to the floor. Maybe glow in the dark. They make those too - you probably get radioactiuve fingers...

But I'm never organised enough to do that. Still, buying a plectrum is a lot cheaper than buying a guitar, when you're in a music shop and feel the urge to buy something before you leave.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: MickyMan
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 05:48 PM

OK, I'm back tending my thread...my wife and I were collecting data on that Altoid thing. Not really, but I did detect a little spark of interest. Good enough for now.
All of these ideas are truly inspiring. I knew that this thread would take off for a life of its' own.
My pick locating life did not seem to be quite as bad as it is now that my son has converted to my yellow tortexes. I'm a music teacher and I never lose them at work because I have one of those sticky spring loaded things stuck in the cubby where I keep my guitar. Every once in a while though those school picks make their way home and they're lost forever in the black hole of our father-son guitar playing situation. I guess it's a small price to pay for the joy of sharing the same type of pick as my son (doesn't that just choke you up with sentiment?).
I'm not sure that I dare to put a sticky thing on my beautiful 76 Alvarez Yairi or 1919 Gibson A, but it may get to that. Does anybody know if the adhesive messes up the finish?

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: GUEST,Chris
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 07:06 PM

Pay forty bucks for a tortoise shell, if you can find one. You'll watch it like a hawk.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: s&r
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 07:18 PM

Blu Tack

Stu

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: s&r
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 07:19 PM

It's also good on the end of a pencil for retrieving picks that have dropped inside your guitar

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: Peace
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 07:58 PM

Watch the finish if you 'glue' anything to your axe. I used to keep picks on the 'side' of the guitar. Left the adhesive on too long. Took off some finish when I removed the tape.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 08:02 PM

Whenever I get really desperate I take the front cover off the clothes dryer. There is usually a pretty good cache under the filter. You will usually find a bunch of other goodies as a bonus.

Cap't Bob

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: Joybell
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 08:04 PM

When I was a girl you could buy a whole tortoise for $40 bucks. How times have changed.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 19 Jan 04 - 12:51 AM

Of course, if you just drop a fistfull in the sound hole, you'll always have some handy - if you can get one out.

The spring loaded holders I've seen all have the "foam" manager tape pre-applied, complete with 3M markings on the peel-off. It holds quite securely, but like any contaminant, I'm sure it will leave a mark if you remove it - at least if it's been there for a while. Those I know who've put them on (self included) usually just leave them there long after they've forgotten there's a bunch of picks there. (If you use one out of the holder, you have to find another one to replace it - no?)

John

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: Blackcatter
Date: 19 Jan 04 - 01:16 AM

FYI for those who may not know about the whole Altoids thing: A blue clicky to a page and the pasted text directly below. There's actually several pages that have the same story (verbatim). Interestingly enough, a Google search also turned up may porn pages with the words Altoid BJ in the searchable info. . .


The Curiously Strong Mint

The Curiously Strong Mint

Here's one of my fave bits of netlore:

Subject: Altoids in a whole new light

This is an absolutely true story-forward it around to friends who might get a kick out of it.

Had the most interesting conversation with the top sales weasel at our company today. She came into my office and noticed I had a box of Altoids on my desk.

(Have you had them? They are these obnoxiously strong peppermints made in England.) As soon as she saw them, she burst into laughter. Turns out she had recently had an affair with a guy who called her and left her an incredibly steamy voice mail message after an encounter. He went on and on about what a blow job goddess she was, how amazing she was, how he'd never be the same, etc. She was kind of puzzled, thinking: what did I do to this guy that was so different from my regular technique?

She finally figured it out: she's a smoker, and before getting intimate with him, she had gone to the bathroom to "freshen up." Not having a toothbrush, she crunched on about four Altoids and then got busy. Apparently things went amazingly.

So she passed this little tidbit on to another female sales weasel, who immediately tried it out on *her* fiance. Apparently this guy has never, ever been into oral sex, but liked the mint sensation so much that he asked her to stop and chew another Altoid mid-blow job. He is now a fellatio gourmand.

This news has been going around our office. Having a box of Altoids on your desk is now like being part of the Secret Blowjob Goddess Society. It's the equivalent of having the hottest car or coolest computer. News spread like crazy among the females, who all went out at lunch to Walgreens to buy a box of Altoids (about $2 for 100 or so), and their partners across the city tonight are getting one hell of a corporate blow job. As far as company-wide morale boosting events, it doesn't get much better.

Some of the men found out, too -- they went out after work to buy them for their wives. They strategized on how to get their wives to eat them. And people wonder why I work in technology. (For what it's worth -- it really does work! It leaves a lasting tingle that is apparently quite exquisite.)

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: Kaleea
Date: 19 Jan 04 - 01:23 AM

Without going into intimate details of, shall we say, intimate activities, I suggest you look at your local guitar shop for the keychain which has a little leather pocket the shape of a pick which snaps closed with your fav picks inside (hopefully). Also pick up some Gorilla Snot, or other ooey gooey stuff to put on your fingers to assist you in holding onto your pick (& anything else you require assistance with in the stickyness department). I also have the black rubber pick holder for a mic stand in which I may slide a few picks into before a gig--I like it alot. Sometimes my old arthritic carpal tunnel hands & geezerly fingers drop things. I also keep picks in a little plastic old timey type of change holder which one squeezes to open. It is only a couple of inches long & flat so it fits easily into any pocket in my gigbag. If you fill all of these spots with picks, you're bound to have one when you need it!

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: GUEST,chris
Date: 19 Jan 04 - 12:39 PM

stick the hooky bit of velcro round the blunt end of the pick and get a 2" piece of the loopy bit and cut a machine head turnbutton sized slot in it serves two purposes- keeps the pick close to the instrument and stops the damned thing from revolving in sweaty fingers
chris

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: PoppaGator
Date: 19 Jan 04 - 01:25 PM

Become a fingerpicker!

By the time you get two or three metal fingerpicks shaped just right to fit your fingertips, and find a thumbpick that fits you just right, you'll be careful not to lose them.

Your set of picks will be a unique customized possession, not a replaceable commodity like a flatpick, and your whole attitude towards them will be transformed.

I managed to keep a single set of picks for over thirty years, including a couple of years of serious full-time playing (1970-73)followed by a long period of relative inactivity. I lost 'em about five years ago after starting to play a bit more frequently, and had a hell of a time getting a new set to fit right.

I keep 'em in the plastic case that my Shubb capo came in (along with the capo -- there's just room for one plastic thumbpick and two metal fingerpicks in there), and keep the little plastic case in the pickbox in my guitar case. When the picks are not on my fingers, that's where they are.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: open mike
Date: 19 Jan 04 - 02:34 PM

i have one of theose squeezy coin purses too
you don't see them much any more...used to be
common to see them with company logos on them.
They were often given to customers--they do
work great for picks. I often put a couple in
my wallet's change purse compartment too. I
like the dunlop ones with the textured grip
surface. I believe there is a tire made by a
dunlop company. I refer to my fave picks as
"mud and snows" due to their "tread" surface.
I also have some earrings made from picks..
but they are hard to use with those ear wires
attached!@ A friend who is a jeweler made a
silver one for her musical friend--bet he keeps
a close watch on that one!

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 19 Jan 04 - 03:26 PM

Buy a large metal safe. Concrete it into the cellar of your house. Put the picks in a box and place it in the safe.
From then on you will know EXACTLY where your picks are....

Actually -if you are concerned about problems from sticking a container onto your instrument, why not attach it to your instrument's strap. At least if you then lose your flatpick, you will also be strapless.
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: MAG
Date: 19 Jan 04 - 11:35 PM

Pockets. Pockets work just great. One reason I won't buy pants without 'em anymore.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 19 Jan 04 - 11:47 PM

The real trick is getting pockets without pants!

:-)

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: Bardford
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 12:19 AM

A fellow in a guitar class I was in had his pick tied to his guitar with about a two foot length of fishing line. Little hole drilled in his pick. I think the other end of the monofilament was tied to the bottom 'E' - classical guitar, it was. He would just let the pick dangle when he wanted to use his fingers, and reel it back in when necessary. I figure he'll save about a thousand dollars over his lifetime.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: Blackcatter
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 01:04 AM

Yeah, but goodness that must have looked goofy. . . That's even worst from guitarists who don't trim their strings.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: Terry K
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 02:07 AM

..... on the Altoids thing ... maybe we should keep quiet that "SUCHARD" is the maker's name and not part of the instructions for use

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: MAG
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 02:11 PM

I don't think the monofilament thing would work for real long. I don't even buy soft picks anymore because they break in the first half of a dance (although I kinda like the sound). Does this guy periodically replace the pick? I think I would rather just have lotsa picks.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: MickyMan
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 05:15 PM

Thwe monofilament thing sounds like a great idea. Gotta try that

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: Bob Hitchcock
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 06:31 PM

I use a tin my wife gave me, about the same size as an Altoids one, but it once held Celestial Seasonings Tea Bags. Good for holding picks, but the tea did nothing for my sex life.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 12:38 AM

You are doing the obvious, aren't you -- buying brilliantly colored picks?

Blackcatter -- Never believe a story that starts "This is an absolutely true story."

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: Nick
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 09:01 AM

Dave Pegg of Fairport Convention licks the side of his pick and sticks it to the top of his head.

Never fallen off any time I've seen him and he has always managed to retrieve it when needed.

Does look a touch odd though...

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: GUEST,Tracey Dragonsfriend
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 09:53 AM

There's a funny thing - I customised one of those leather "squeezy purses" for a friend just the other day, with a pyrographed design of a guitar. So you're not the only person to use one, OpenMike!
I didn't take a picture of that one before it got delivered, but you can see some more of my decorated purses here, if it helps anyone : http://homepage.ntlworld.com/t.annison/Leather.html#PurseWendy.Pic

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: Grab
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 11:06 AM

Got an old cigar case that used to be my granddad's. And I only use the big Fender "wedge" ones, which are harder not to notice.

BWL, that's fine so long as you remember it's there. At our folk club's New Year party, some of us were having a bit of a jam. One guy took out his guitar, struck a chord and said "God that sounds awful". Then we pointed out the plectrum stuck in there. Same guy embarrassed himself later on as well by putting a capo on the first fret and playing an A chord without moving the fingering one fret up - took him about a minute to work out what he was doing wrong there. He wasn't pissed, just having a "senior moment" I think. :-)

Graham.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: Mark Ross
Date: 22 Jan 04 - 02:14 AM

I keep some in my pocket with one of them thingies on a key ring, and I usually keep one in the strings of my guitar, and I will usually find one in my hat band. But I can play without one if the need arises.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: onlyme
Date: 22 Jan 04 - 06:26 PM

Never wash them with your socks, and don't let your son (sorry my son) near your guitar (see easy in theory )

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - How to keep from losing them
From: MAG
Date: 23 Jan 04 - 09:14 PM

Has everyone noticed that W.E. is offering a to-be-customized-to-your-needs cross-stitch pick pack in the auction?