can't hold onto my picks

Subject: can't hold onto my picks
From: Charcloth
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 08:44 AM

I have searched the data base & can't find this topic (which surprises me)Does anybody have any good ideas as to how to keep from losing your hold on pick while you are playing. Sometimes the oil in my fingers makes it hard to retain my picks especialy when playing fast tunes. I recently tried drilling some small holes in a few picks to give a try, but I am afraid they will be prone to break now. I have heard of a product I think it is called "Gorilla Snot" but have never tried it. I surely can't be the only person to wrestle with this problem. So toss me your experienced ideas please. Thanks, Charcloth

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 08:54 AM

Grip Guitar Picks

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 08:57 AM

Some guitar players I know use a knife to make a series of shallow cuts on the pick to make it more gripable. Others use sandpaper to roughen them up a bit.

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 09:12 AM

There was actually a thread called Fig Picks which talks about lots of different kinds of pick-slipping solutions. Check out the discussion there for several ideas.

I've had trouble holding onto my flatpick, and the product from Wal-Mart that you can dip the end into is the perfect solution for me.

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: GUEST,Margaret V
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 10:47 AM

Charcloth, there are about a zillion threads on the forum that will be of interest to you. I found them by typing "finger picks" (though I didn't use quotation marks) in the Digitrad and Forum Search box. Good luck. Margaret

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: GUEST,Les B
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 11:42 AM

Charcloth - If you play with a fiddler, get some of the powdered resin from under the strings near the bridge, it is slightly sticky. (Of course it's a suspicious looking "white powder" so be careful!).

What will work the best, however, is time & practice. It takes a while for your hand to get the muscle tension just right. When I first started using a flatpick, I dropped them all the time, but, now, haven't dropped one in years.

Also, don't think about it, the more you worry about dropping the pick, the more self-fulfilling that idea becomes. Just concentrate on the music, and let your fingers work it out for themselves.

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: 53
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 11:48 AM

try the jim dunlop nylon picks, that have a very good grip on them. BOB

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 12:15 PM

I'm on my way to Wal-Mart - hope I don't have to relearn how to play again!! Thanks Charcloth for the thread and Thanks Barbara for the previous link.

I'd always thought that picks were meant for slippin around and droppin - - -

Is that a song *G*?

Steve

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 01:55 PM

Gorilla snot! No problem. I have carpel tunnel syndrome. My fingers get numb and the pick just flies out of my hand. With Gorilla snot it stays there, my fingers still get numb, and hurt, but the pick stays in place.

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: 53
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 01:58 PM

i've never tried the snot stuff. BOB

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: Fortunato
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 02:01 PM

Gorilla Snot works, period. I went through a long period of pick dropping, now over, and the Snot did the job. They also sell a great tee shirt, you can imagine. Buy it. Regards, Chance

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: 53
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 02:03 PM

thanks man for the info i think i will try it, but i don't know about the shirt. BOB

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: Fortunato
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 02:06 PM

GET YOUR SNOT!

Click here

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: mooman
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 02:07 PM

If all else fails with the hints given above, which are all good, you could try making a "thimble" which is often used by tenor banjo players for melody picking. I don't use one myself as I don't have a plectrum problem but (a href="http://www.irishbanjo.com/tenor.html#thimble>this site explains how to make one.

Best regards,

mooman

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: mooman
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 02:09 PM

Whoops sorry...here's the link I meant to post!

mooman

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: 53
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 02:10 PM

SNOT IT IS. bob

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: GUEST,chris flint
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 04:15 PM

I use the hooky bit of velcro folded over the end of the pick and stuck down and hang the loopy bit on the machine head - gives you somewhere to keep your picks when not in use. I've also seen blue tack used on a pick

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 04:18 PM

Well, it turns out that Wal-Mart doesn't carry Plastidip anymore!! Just came back from there, looking for thinner for the stuff, and the clerk said they don't carry it anymore. Figures. I still have a tall can of it, but it has gotten very thick and makes too thick a coat on the pick. The required thinner according to the can is toluene or naptha or Plastidip Thinner, none of which I could find.

Sorry, Norton1. Surely it must be available elsewhere.

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 10:34 PM

barbara, check with a beauty suppy place; i'll bet it is some of the same type of stuff they use to thin out the stuff they use when building up and applying fake nails.

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: Tweed
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 10:54 PM

Herco nylons if you can find 'em. The gray ones. They won't slip and you'll lose more than you'll ever be able to break.

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 02 Nov 01 - 10:56 AM

Found out the same thing from Wal-Mart last night - not a biggy - it's still available (I went to their website) and probably in a craft store or something.

Tuolene, and the other thinners you mentioned, are dangerous paint thinners. Breathing the vapors can kill you and a simple spark will leave you, as a human, an unidentifiable item. But you should be able to go to any body/fender repair shop and they would gladly give/sell you a small amount for the purpose you need. I paint my own vehicles so have some and have read the warning label - made me dizzy once is how I learned to read the directions!

If I locate where it is being distributed I'll come back and post here.

Steve

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 02 Nov 01 - 11:20 AM

http://www.globalnovelties.com/auto/plastidip.htm

$10 for a 14.5 oz can by mail order.

I still think there are other places but haven't found them yet.

Steve

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: GUEST,Shinny57
Date: 02 Nov 01 - 11:30 AM

I have to agree with those that suggest establishing better pick holding technique and also I agree the J Dunlop gray nylons are definitely a comfortable pick

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: GUEST,Tweed
Date: 02 Nov 01 - 11:38 AM

How 'bout a dab of spirit gum on each side of your picks? Costume shops probably running clearance sale on it now and it can't be too bad on a person.

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: 53
Date: 02 Nov 01 - 01:05 PM

if you can't hold your pick, then do what i'm trying to do , and that is learn to fingerpick. BOB

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 02 Nov 01 - 01:06 PM

I found it at my local lumber store - gonna try it tonight!! Thanks for this info - been great!

Steve

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 02 Nov 01 - 01:11 PM

Isn't naphtha what's in lighter fluid? I don't smoke anymore, but can probably find a can of it somewhere. Or, I can leave all these nasty substances alone and try gorilla snot. Wetting your fingers with spit helps, too, but I'm not crazy about either snot or spit.

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: GUEST,frankie
Date: 02 Nov 01 - 01:33 PM

I've got still usable Fender medium flatpicks that I drilled 1/8" holes in almost 20 years ago. They're easy to grip and none have ever broken on me, Charcloth. Dunlop makes flatpicks with the model name Tortex that actually seem to grip better as they get sweated up.Good luck, f

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 02 Nov 01 - 06:03 PM

Guest had posted a link to "Grip" picks. I haven't seen these before but am going to ask my local shop to try and get a couple of them - Thanks for the link!!

Gorilla snot would end up on my left hand and in my strings - I know it as sure as I'm setting here. I use Fingerease and invariably it will get on my pick - yep flop goes the pick. And spit never has worked for me.

I'm sorta counting on the PlastiDip stuff - I was an electrician in another life and remember this stuff when it first made its appearance in the tool industry.

Thanks to all who posted here!!

Steve

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 02 Nov 01 - 11:51 PM

Man that stuff is too cool!! Dip them in - hang them up - wait four hours - and they do not slip!! I've dipped every pick I can find!!

Steve

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: Bert
Date: 03 Nov 01 - 04:58 AM

Arab Oud players have the true folk solution. Cut your own picks from strips of plastic bottle. Make them about four inches long and about 1/2 inch wide. Shape the end into a suitable point.

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: Mike Byers
Date: 03 Nov 01 - 08:59 AM

I think it was in "Acoustic Guitar" magazine several years ago that I saw a bracelet with a line attached to a pick. The idea being that you might lose your grip on the pick, but the pick couldn't get too far away; sort of like the mittens with strings that you had for your snowsuit when you were a little kid, right? I've never actually seen this rig in use, but I suppose somebody must have one...

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: Charcloth
Date: 03 Nov 01 - 09:26 AM

Thanks for responding. I don't like the dunlop nylon picks they sound "scratchy." As far as muscle development goes, I have been playing nearly 30 years. Fiddle rosin is too sticky, sticks to everything & I will get it everywhere-trust me neatness is not one of my strong points. I think I will try some of the gorilla snot & see how that goes. In the mean while I have a few medium fender picks I drilled some holes in that I am gonna try out & see how they hold up. Thanks again, Charcloth

Subject: RE: can't hold onto my picks
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 03 Nov 01 - 12:56 PM

Norton1, glad that worked out for you. I like the dip because you can use all your favorite picks. The dip wears off after a few months, especially if you slip your pick under the strings of the neck when stored.

People back off borrowing my picks when they see the coating (not a bad thing), but now I know there's one more person on this earth who has the sense to use it!!