Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Fred
Date: 09 Jun 25 - 10:05 AM

For those who have a problem gripping picks, I've been using this:

MYPROTEIN Liquid Chalk.

It's what speed climbers use to aid sure grip, I believe. You can use it on pick or fingers.

I find it helps.

Fred

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 07 Jun 25 - 12:23 PM

Flatpicks - BlueChip TD35, TAD35, and TAD40 for strumming and the tiny bit of flatpicking I do.

Thumbpicks - BlueChip JD and Fred Kelly Slickpick (heavy).

Fingerpicks - Propik ‘Fingertones’ with the split-wrap on index and middle finger.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Mooh
Date: 07 Jun 25 - 12:12 PM

Since it's been about 20 years since my last responce here...

BlueChip TP35 and TP40, rounded triangle flatpicks, and BlueChip JD thumbpicks. I reshape the tips of the thumbpicks to suit because they're both too long and too pointed when new. Neither pick seems to wear...ever.

I got on to the brand when Uwe Kruger handed me his Henderson flattop guitar to try. I wasn't all that thrilled with the guitar but his pick was awesome. I immediately ordered two flatpicks, then two more, then the thumbpicks. Must be 15 years or so now and I neither lost not worn them out.

I rarely use anything else, though when I do it'll be nylon Jim Dunlops, Ultex, or Wegen.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: gillymor
Date: 07 Jun 25 - 08:35 AM

I've been using the large white Dunlop thumb picks for forever now. I place them in boiling water for a few seconds, immediately put it on my thumb and dip thumb into cold water or place it under a running spigot and I have a pick that sits comfortably and securely on my thumb. (be sure not to leave in hot water for more than a few seconds or it will lose it's shape entirely). I then shorten it a bit, following the contour of the blade, blunt the point a little and bevel the underside.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Fred
Date: 07 Jun 25 - 07:37 AM

Sorry, error.

Jim Dunlop doesn't make Speed thumbpick, Fred Kelly does.

Fred

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: GUEST,PHJim
Date: 07 Jun 25 - 06:09 AM

Fender medium tri-corner, preferably white so I can find 'em when I drop them.

Herco HE115 Flex 52 thumbpicks - blue or red

National medium metal fingerpicks with the part that goes around my finger dipped in liquid plastic that's meant for insulating tool handles.

Large thin triangle flat picks for lap dulcimer.

I get the index, bird and ring fingers of my right hand done in acrylic gel at Lilly's Nails.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Fred
Date: 07 Jun 25 - 05:35 AM

Thumbpick: Jim Dunlop Speed.

Flatpick: my favourite used to be Dunlop Tortex .60 (orange). However, I now use the recently launched Dunlop Tortex Flex X Pick .60, giving much better grip.

Fred

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From:
Date: 06 Sep 04 - 12:58 PM

I use Jim Dunlop Nylon .73 guage as a standard flat pick with light strings (11 to 52). Does anyone know of a site where I can bulk buy them (100) at a discounted rate?

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 25 Aug 04 - 06:01 AM

DAWG. nuff said.
eric

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 25 Aug 04 - 03:31 AM

Fingers is best of course. However if you find yourself in one of those noisy pub sessions (however it is our Irish friends spell it!) then you need a thumb pick. If you have fat fingers (along with fat much else sadly in my case) then there is only one solution, because reshaping thumbpicks in hot water weakens them.

You need the rotosound large size thumb pick, They sell them for 90p but if you buy the bag of a dozen - the shopkeeper will do you a deal usually. Personally I'd say order two bags, as they do attract the admiration of all classes even the criminal classes amongst our fellow musicians and you do have to look for them and search them out, they don't grow on trees.

A comfortable solution!

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Mark Clark
Date: 24 Aug 04 - 11:05 PM

I took advantage of the current sale and ordered a couple of Tortis® picks from Red Bear Trading. I've been using them for a couple of weeks now and They are WONDERFUL!

I ordered the new model with three different shapes in a "heavy" weight (1.4mm?) and I just love them. They really play as well as natural tortoise shell. Much better control than with Fender heavies.

I'd been trying the Wegen Bluegrass picks (also heavy) but these Tortis® picks are far superior. If you do much flatpicking, you should really try one of these picks.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Mark Clark
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 03:25 PM

Jim, Are you talking about the new Tortis® Flatpicks I linked above, and again here? How did you like them? Did you ever use real tortoise shell? How would you compare the two? What sort of guitar do you play most often? (brand, model and playing style)

Thanks,

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: GUEST,Jim Boles
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 02:54 PM

Tortis Picks,
I have tried the tortis picks made by some guy named Dave, they are way overpriced for what they are. he claims they are grown from a natural substance but has no proff to back his claim.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: GUEST,Doug
Date: 05 Jun 04 - 06:38 AM

My favourite picks are dunlop Big Stubbys 2mm. Cain't beat them for shred accuracy and feel

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 08 Jan 04 - 04:42 AM

I know nothing (NO change there) on this subject but note a review of Jazz guitarist Paul Martino yesterday described him using a pick "the size and thickness of a domino" !!??

RtS

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Rich from Milwaukee
Date: 07 Jan 04 - 08:56 PM

Wow - long lasting thread!

For flatpicking and strumming, standard Fender Heavy tortoise picks. Changed from Mediums about a year ago as I've been doing more picking and less strumming.

For fingerstyle, nail salon acrylics on my thumb and 1st 3 fingers. I file them so they're even with my fingertips. Gives that great combination of skin and pick tone!

RfM

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Fortunato
Date: 07 Jan 04 - 02:22 PM

Unlike Bob Hitchcock I use the full size fender medium flat pick. I find the mini-pick or telecaster pick can get lodged in my nasal cavity and be the very devil to get out. Of course, if the object to be picked is too far up in there for the flat pick, then I prefer brass dunlops, 21 guage. You can do some serious scraping with those little beauties.

Happy New Year, Chance

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: breezy
Date: 07 Jan 04 - 12:18 PM

you can loosen most thumb pix.and re-angle 'em they only come in a basic form, you have to tailor them to suit your style.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 07 Jan 04 - 06:26 AM

Gibson Medium for flat picks, but I never found a thumb pick that felt comfortable, mostly too tight, and the attack angle was always too much {90 Deg.} for my liking.
John

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Bob Hitchcock
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 08:17 PM

For flatpicking I use a Fender "mini pick" medium, sometimes called a Telecaster Pick. For fingerpicking a Dunlop thumpick with 3 National "Picky Picks" which I think are made for Banjo, not sure.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: breezy
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 07:33 PM

have I mentioned 'Fred Kelly Speed picks'?
They bring out the true tone of your guitar, and make it sound even better, or worse if you've got a crap guitar, but then I do have some quality ones.
Came across them by chance thru Brook guitars.
So I bought a lifetimes supply from Fred himself in Grayling Michigan
They are long lasting, never snap, 3 gauges.
Then there's the bumble bee pick

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: JohnOttoCleese
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 07:13 PM

Hi all

Answer - my nails!

Yes, even on my steel string electro-accoustic :-)

Cheers
James

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 06:26 PM

Jim Dunlop 1mm (I have heavy strings) for strumming. For picking, nought. I can't cope with thumb picks (I like to feel the string) and me nails are useless, they either snap or grow at funny angles. No nails, no breaking, no worries! I might try a thumb pick one day. I was at one of those Hands on Music things in Witney (near Oxford UK). The guitar tutor used a really cut down thumb pick - it hardly stuck out at all. The guys name was Chris Foster. Really nice chap, great player, similar in style to Carthy, Jones, Hullet and the Obi Wan - Simpson.

Regards

Pete

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Mark Clark
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 03:10 PM

I'm with you, Murray. I am aware that natural tortoise shell picks can still be had through devious channels but I'm not willing to be a part of building that market. The Tortis® Flatpicks seem like a great alternative and even at that price they are cheaper than what I hear genuine tortoise shell picks go for.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 02:06 PM

Mark, it isn't only the endangerment of the species that makes the harvesting of natural tortoiseshell an ethical no-no.

The revolting cruelty of the collection process is another factor in the equation.

Personally, I could no more own a tortoiseshell pick than I would install an ivory nut or saddle on my guitar (and I am sceptical of so-called "fossil ivory" as well)

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: GUEST,Frank
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 10:28 AM

My favorite pick so far is the Pro-Plec from D'Andrea. It pulls a good tone out of my Martin. Mel Bay has 'em.

Frank

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: GUEST,Sandy Mc Lean (cookie lost)
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 05:09 AM

I use Dunlop nylon 46's on light guage strings. They last forever and don't break strings, especially the high G on my 12 string.
I like their light feel and sound for chording. I also find that I can bend them between my thumb, index and second finger to make them instantly a lot stiffer for runs or louder chords.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: GUEST,Clint Keller
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 02:38 AM

I was in the Army with Gene Loranger, a jazz guitarist, and he   used Ivory picks. He made them from old piano keys, back in the day.

I suppose an ivory pick would be fine enough that it should be called a plectrum.

clint

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Mark Clark
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 02:32 PM

Hold on a minute! I may have a new favorite flatpick. I started hunting around the Internet and discovered the new Tortis® Flatpicks. They are somewhat dear but I might order a couple just to have the experience. If they're as close to natural tortoise shell as they claim, they'll be the best sounding picks we can buy.

Has anyone else tried these picks? The Website will lead to dealer sites if you're interested.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: HuwG
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 02:19 PM

A friend of mine sometimes uses what must be potentially the most expensive pick ever; a Sharkfin shape, cut from a credit card.


Me; a Dunlop .73mm grey nylon for the acoustic. A variety of odd weapons for the SG on its rare outings, preferably a Dunlop 1.14mm, as it has a nice rounded edge which doesn't catch in the strings.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Mark Clark
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 01:52 PM

My all-time favorite flatpicks are natural tortoise shell. Of course they are no longer sold in the US so they're much like mooman's favorite—down inside the couch. Natural tortoise shell picks were inconsistant even in the same shape and grade so even in a large city like Chicago you had to spend one day a month or so just combing the city's music stores examining each pick and, with luck, ending the day with two or three new picks. I had a good collection of these that I kept in an old Sucrets box in my guitar case. They were stolen one day while our band was on stage as part of a big country/bluegrass show at Chicago's Aragon Ballroom. I was too pissed off and disheartened to start collecting again and eventually just learned to live with Fender heavy picks. About that same time, the 1973 Endangered Species Act made it unlawful to sell items made in whole or part out of “genuine” hawksbill tortoise shells. I really do want to help protect endangered species but I figure several large marine gastropods died for my D-41 and I sure do miss those tortoise shell picks.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: GUEST,Martin Gibson
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 12:47 PM

Standard shape Martin, Fender, or Gibson Heavy tortoise shell colored flat pick.

Thumb pick: Dunlop large white or tortoise shell colored.
Fingerpicks: metal Dunlop

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Cluin
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 12:28 PM

I like the Brain Picks with the cat's-tongue grip. Cheap and plentiful. For guitar, the .73 mm. For mando, the 1 mm at the moment. I seem to going thicker as I get older.

With plectrums, I mean.


I think.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: mooman
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 10:49 AM

...the one that's just disappeared down the back of the sofa of course!

I use Dunlop grey nylon .60s (very occasionally .73s) for nearly everything requiring a pick.

Peace

moo (I'm sure there are other threads on this topic...?)

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Mooh
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 10:27 AM

I've always (about 30 years) used a medium weight flatpick for guitar and lately it has been a Dunlop Ultex .73mm. They don't wear or chip easily and can be easily shaped if necessary. I use an Ultex 1.00mm for mandolin. For years I used the Dunlop Gators, but they'll wear and the edge will develop a burr which requires attention...but I like their attack.

For fingerstyle I use a Fred Kelly speed thumbpick and fingernails. Sometimes I'll use nail hardener, no particular brand.

For bass I'm fingers only with some bare thumb.

Years ago I thought Dunlop nylon picks were the ultimate, and once in a while I'll grab one for old time's sake.

Also in my collection are aluminum, rosewood, bone, and celuloid picks, but they all pale next to Ultex, imho.

Someone will mention Wegen picks, but I can't afford one!

(This is an old thread, isn't it!)

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Cluin
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 09:30 AM

Well, that's one (albeit myopic) way to look at it. But what do you do to avoid that annoying fingernail sound I've heard some fingerpickers make?

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: GUEST,Ankit Dhanjee
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 03:07 AM

fingers are definetely da best. All you neeed to do is take care of your nails. Also helps avoid that annoying plastic sound from the plectrum

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: BSeed
Date: 18 Oct 98 - 02:36 AM

The thread that refused to die--oh, well, some pick content: My favorite flat pick is Martin medium. The Martins, available in light, medium, and heavy--as are most, have effective built-in textured grips, concave on the thumb side, flat on the finger side. Very easy to control. Usually hard to find--only one of the many stores I regularly haunt carries them--and not too durable. Our hard-picking lead guitar player broke one in an hour, but they rarely break when I use them. When I couldn't find them for several years, I started putting velcro up under the thumb--this serves a double purpose, getting a good grip, of course, and they stick to the velcro patch I put on the back of the peg heads of my guitars. --seed

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 17 Oct 98 - 11:15 PM

I like Dunlop.020 in brass and a med national thumb pick{when I can find them} I like the feel of brass over nickle-steel or whatever they ar

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: BSeed
Date: 17 Oct 98 - 07:11 PM

I am absolutely astounded by the longevity of this thread (by the way, I could have mentioned Bill Monroe and David Grissman in the above posting). --seed

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: BSeed
Date: 17 Oct 98 - 07:07 PM

Right you are, Roger. I'd hardly call what Doc Watson and Tony Rice do with flatpicks "strumming." Or even what I do, most of the time. --seed

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 17 Oct 98 - 04:57 PM

Rosebrook,

If I use my lawnmower to make ice cream, it will probably still be called a lawn mower. Guitar picks are used to pick the strings. A flat pick can also strum the strings, but it is the same flat pick doing a slightly different job. And strumming is just one way to "pick" the guitar. Although it may not seem like it, the English language does try to avoid some confusion; like the confusion of using two names for an object just because it has two functions. English usually sticks with the primary function.

When I was camping in the Boy Scouts, we did not call toilet paper toilet paper. We called it all purpose paper because it served so many purposes (may your imagination roam freely!)

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: rosebrook
Date: 17 Oct 98 - 10:32 AM

This is as good a place as any to (continuously) flaunt my ignorance...and aquire some learnin' in the process. Most of my current to guitar players is as a rhythm keeper. As a non-string player, my question is: why don't they call those flat picks "strummers" instead of "picks" when the guitar player is strumming and not picking? (This is actually a serious wonder I have had, and would appreciate keeping the ridicule to a minimum....)

Rose

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Old Timer
Date: 16 Oct 98 - 11:53 AM

For an interesting thumb pick, check out the following web site. Look for the "Torti-Pick" http://www.acutab.com/Otheracc.html

OT

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Steve T
Date: 16 Oct 98 - 11:20 AM

Ooo boy. Lotsa interesting ideas out there. Thanks for the info., folks.

And for those of you who insist that fingernails are best...well, unless you're a mutant with extremely hard fingernails, you might try clear acrylic fingernails. I tried it once -- in a part of town where I hoped nobody would recognize me, I ventured into a nail salon and they put goop on your finger nails, about 1 mm thick -- it hardens quickly and zap! you've got real claws. They are noticeable (mostly because the colour match isn't exact and the tips aren't like real nail tips). They do require filling (every couple of weeks) at the root and filing at the tip. And if you want to take them off (actually, you're not supposed to be able to, but I did), you strip off the top layer of your fingernail at the same time which leaves you with really weak thin fingernails for a couple of months. But the serious fingerpickers I know swear by 'em.

And for those of you who would use unadorned fingernails, may I suggest a thumbpick? It changes the angle that your other fingers attack the strings and thus lets you get away with using shorter fingernails. :-)

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Einnor
Date: 11 Oct 98 - 01:45 AM

I have gone back to Dunlop and use the 1.0 MM and found that once you get used to it , the thicker picks are better.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From:
Date: 10 Oct 98 - 10:20 PM

I too like the green Dunlop 0.88's when flatpicking, followed by a Fender medium or heavy.

Fingers are best of all but lately I've been doing amplified and electric work where fingers just aren't always practical. A flatpick brings clarity and presence to amplified situations.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: BSeed
Date: 27 Sep 98 - 01:38 AM

Martin flat picks (I don't know if they are related to the guitars) have a built-in, textured grip, and are exceptionally easy to hold. The light and medium picks are a bit fragile if you're a hard picker, but they last me quite a while. The heavies are more or less indestructible. They are hard to find, but worth looking for. I've recently found them again, at Larry White's Thin Man String Co. in Alameda (California). --seed

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Dan Keding
Date: 27 Sep 98 - 01:16 AM

I like the feel and tone of my bare nails/fingers. I do use a thumb pick. I like the ones with the bridge on them. Golden Gates? I'm not sure but I know they fit. The more colorful the better. Hard to lose, easy to find when lost. I have a great collection of bizarre picks. One flat pick has the chord patterns for C, F, and G on it, just in case you forget. Any medium flat pick will do, they're all about the same to me.

Subject: RE: Guitar Picks - What's your favourite?
From: Frank in the swamps
Date: 26 Sep 98 - 07:11 AM

Jon W. If you're playing on steel strings with your fingernails, and your nails keep getting torn up (mine do) you can try clear nail polish on the edges and undersides. Doesn't show so much that people look at you funny. I tried nail hardeners also, but they never did me any good.

Frank i.t.s.