Frank ~ About picks that do not shut off the blood supply to the end of your fingers and thumbs. The best thumb pick I've found is called the "speed pick" (there was a thread about these picks a while back). They look rather strange but they tend not to slip and do not shut off the blood flow like most of the thumb picks I've tried over the years. You can see them at: http://www.elderly.com/accessories/items/PK24-M.htm I tend to like to feel the strings so I use "pickey pickeys". These are finger picks that come to a point. It takes a bit of practice to bend them so they fit properly. The advantage is that you can feel the sting on your finger tips. They are also sold at Elderly Instruments. Cap't Bob