Instruments: soft thumbpick

Subject: Tech: soft thumbpick
From: GUEST,Phil Williams
Date: 06 Aug 09 - 12:16 PM

A couple of years ago I bought a clear see-through thumbpick made from a soft plastic. Unlike your regular Jim Dunlops the surface has a texture that slightly gives if pressed with a fingenail. The tone is warm compared to normal thumbpicks and I would love to be able to
find some more. Usual Google/Ebay searches havent worked so far.
Phil Williams N.Cornwall/Devon border

Subject: RE: Tech: soft thumbpick
From: Amos
Date: 06 Aug 09 - 12:20 PM

Fred Kelly's "Bumblebee" pick has that softness, as well as being rotatable and usable as a flatpick equally easily.

Elderly has them among others.


A

Subject: RE: Tech: soft thumbpick
From: Will Fly
Date: 06 Aug 09 - 01:18 PM

The Bumblebee is an excellent pick. It gives a very bright, clear tone. Recommended.

Subject: RE: Tech: soft thumbpick
From: GUEST,Phil Williams
Date: 07 Aug 09 - 04:51 AM

I'll try one of those for sure, but I'm actually looking for a soft mellow tone.

Subject: RE: Tech: soft thumbpick
From: BobKnight
Date: 07 Aug 09 - 04:58 AM

The Bumblebee looks interesting. Any scource for that in the UK?

Subject: RE: Tech: soft thumbpick
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 07 Aug 09 - 02:13 PM

I have some see-through thumbpicks in my collection, but they have no name on them, darn it.

However, I also have even softer thumbpicks made by National. They are dark brown and translucent. I call them my 'maple syrup picks' because of their soft, mellow tone.

If you can't find what you want, you might look for the Nationals. I believe they are widely distributed.

Subject: RE: Tech: soft thumbpick
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 08 Aug 09 - 10:40 PM

Refresh.

Subject: RE: Tech: soft thumbpick
From: ossonflags
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 07:16 AM

This may be worth a look


http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_nkw=guitar+light+thumb+pick&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3286.m270.l13

Subject: RE: Tech: soft thumbpick
From: GUEST,Finger picker Bill
Date: 28 Aug 21 - 11:54 AM

I use the “long” Bumble Bee and cut a piece of duct tape to cover the picking surface. Sounds crazy and you’d think it’d wear off quickly but it really doesn’t. Helps a fair amount toward a warmer tone.

Subject: RE: Tech: soft thumbpick
From: gillymor
Date: 28 Aug 21 - 12:20 PM

I use a large Dunlop thumbpick which is just slightly too small for my thumb and in order to get a good fit I plunge it in very hot water for a few seconds (don't leave it in too long or the thing will uncurl), place it on my thumb and immediately put it under cold water still seated on my thumb. Then with various grits of sand paper made fast to a board I shape the picking point to my liking ( I like it to be as short as possible). Next I take a fine file and remove plastic from the area above and opposite the picking surface until I get the action where I like it and then smooth it with fine grit sand paper (don't remove too much material). Finally I add a bevel on the picking surface where is strikes the strings. It takes a bit of trial and error to get it the way you want it so don't work too fast and keep trying it as you go.

Subject: RE: Tech: soft thumbpick
From: GUEST,JHW
Date: 28 Aug 21 - 03:45 PM

Sorry folks but I've always used my thumb itself, with carefully trimmed nail. Too old to learn to play properly now.

Subject: RE: Tech: soft thumbpick
From: leeneia
Date: 30 Aug 21 - 11:43 AM

I don't suppose the OP will see this after eleven years, but this site has info about picks:

https://banjonews.com/2009-08/maintaining_strings_and_picks.html

He says that picks get softer from a warm environment or the warmth from fingers. I suspect that what the OP had was a warm, transparent Dunlop pick.

When I want a soft sound, I use a Herco pick.