Congrats, Frank - Can't hear a banjo without smiling ! Good luck with your new instrument... and getting used to those damned picks - I've had pretty good luck (managed not to hurt myself too badly) with "National" finger and thumb picks... As you mentioned, the thumb is plastic, and can be reformed for a better fit with some HOT water, while the metal finger picks bend fairly easily to a more comfortable and secure fit. Happy pickin', Murph