Mandolin picks are the subject of never-ending discussions over at the Mandolin Cafe forum, with some "connoisseurs" paying up to $35 for a handmade pick.

Mandolin is my main instrument and, over the years, I have settled on celluloid picks of about 0.90 to 1mm as giving a good balance between attack, clean sound and tone. About 50p to £1 for a good one. Those are my preference but many others prefer lighter or heavier picks or different materials.

Much can be done without a pick but for serious melody or chord work a pick is pretty well essential on a mandolin.

Zen