Alaska finger picks

Subject: Alaska finger picks
From: Cindy
Date: 08 May 04 - 03:33 PM

I hope I've got the right name for these. I mean picks with a cylindrical frame which fits over your finger and with an end section which flicks underneath your own fingernail. Does anyone know where I can get these in the UK, preferably somewhere I can try them on for size? I've found a number of USA outlets but they don't seem to do mail order to Britain. I can get to Liverpool or Birmingham most easily. Otherwise anywhere which does mail order to the UK. Many thanks

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 09 May 04 - 05:44 AM

Sounds like you mean standard fingerpicks, Cindy. Most musical equipment shops should stock them, metal or plastic. To get a better fit the metal ones are easier to bend, but the plastic ones can be bent too, if you put them in hot water first.

For mail order try Dtrings Direct

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 09 May 04 - 05:45 AM

Sorry - Strings Direct

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: s&r
Date: 09 May 04 - 01:13 PM

Steve Noon at Eagle Music has them here.

stu

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 09 May 04 - 01:21 PM

As you'll see from the picture, El Greko, they are a bit different from the standard finger pick, feel very different, and work a lot better (except some people hate the way they feel). There's a metal version which I think is worth getting.

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: Marion
Date: 09 May 04 - 01:26 PM

Hi Cindy. Their exact name is Alaska Piks, if that helps. I've tried them out, but I found that you need to have a respectable fingernail just to hold them on securely, since the way you hit the strings with them tends to push them off. And the lack of respectable fingernails is the reason I wanted fingerpicks in the first place. It's a neat concept, though, and if you have better nails than me it might work for you.

El Greko, the Alaskas are actually a different idea from standard fingerpicks: the picking surface is on the nail side of your finger, not the fleshy side. You could almost think of them as detachable falsies.

Marion

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 09 May 04 - 01:27 PM

This one keeps coming up Cindy - I've tried every kind of finger pick and for me the Jim Dunlop standard plastic ones worked best. aLaska piks are no better or worse than any others and it seems a bit perverse to me to use a plastic pik that requires you to have a reasonable length of nail for it to work properly!

Best bet is to get down to your local beauty parlour and get the gel and silk overlays (or even fibreglass) - no pratting about with little tins, or dropping a pick on the floor and having it trodden on by some herbert carrying too many pint glasses for his own good and, best of all, you can't forget to take them with you! I have mine done once a month with the silk and gel and it costs about the same as a set of decent strings. Never broken one or had one come off in two years. Bargain!

Johnny :0)

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: GUEST,Grab
Date: 09 May 04 - 06:57 PM

Strings Direct sell Alaskas too, I think. Don't forget to get a spare (or two) for when one drops off and someone stands on it...

Be warned, the plastic ones aren't that well finished - a fair bit of flash left, which is uncomfortable, plus the edges are quite sharp. Use a file (nail file works) to smooth them off, and they're a lot more comfy.

Johnny's right about them needing a reasonable length of nail to start with. They do give you a bit more volume and a different (plectrummy) tone though. If you're in a noisy folk club without an amp, it lets you get away with fingerstyle instead of being limited to strumming for the volume.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 09 May 04 - 07:09 PM

I think different people have nails set at different angles - with me they stay on well enough provided there's as much nail on my right hand as on my left, fretting hand. I think that's probably rather less than would count as "reasonable" length. The metal ones stay on better, because you can mould them better to the finger (or thumb).

I'd advise anyone who has never been able to feel comfortable with normal fingerpicks, but who would like to use picks, to have a go with these.

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: Ebbie
Date: 09 May 04 - 11:58 PM

Here in Juneau, Alaska, we have a finger-picking bluesman, Pat Henry, who doesn't use picks at all. Believe it or not, he paints his right hand fingernails with Super Glue. They keep growing and they never break. When he taps his guitar Pat's nails sound like clip-clopping horses.

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 10 May 04 - 02:55 AM

A word of warning if order aLaska Piks via the internet for delivery in the UK. I ordered several different sizes, in both metal and plastic, with enough spares to cover the inevitable loss down the back of the couch.

Before they were arrived I got a note from the Royal Mail telling me that I had a package to collect that could not be delivered, as there were outstanding charges. A special trip into town revealed that the UK Customs and Excise had demanded duty and, to add insult to injury, the Royal Mail had included a handling charge greater than the duty for collecting it. I ended up paying an additional 60%


I agree with the comments that you have to have decent nails to use them. I couldn't get on with the metal ones at all as I never seemed to be able to mould them to the shape of my fingers and they either slipped or hurt.

I use standard picks and get all the "feel" I need.


Doug C

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: Willie-O
Date: 10 May 04 - 10:30 AM

I was really into them for a few years, picked up a new set every time I went to the States. I am one of those people who never got onto regular fingerpicks.

First I used the plastic ones, then I switched to metal cause they're more durable and you can bend them to fit your fingers better (slippage can be a problem). String noise can be a problem with the metal ones, I switched back to plastic for awhile then gave up entirely. I think I'd have another go at them if I wanted to do the serious fingerpicking route. I think they are a really good concept that last time I checked hadn't quite worked out all the bugs...

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 10 May 04 - 10:51 AM

I also tried ProPiks, which some people swear BY but I just swore AT! They fit under the finger-end, like standard Dunlops, but they have a 'hole' in them which is meant to allow the pad of the finger-end to make contact with the strings and give a mellower sound. They still sounded metallic to me and obviously had all the disadvantages (loss/falling off/damaged by big feet etc.) of any other kind of finger-pick.

I ended up using the brown plastic Dunlops mostly, and sometimes National nickel/silvers if I wanted a more strident sound. I messed around with various finger-picks for about ten years until I plucked up the courage to go to the beauty parlour. Once I stopped feeling like a big girl's blouse it was OK, and the falsies are wonderful - plenty of volume and tons of 'feel' (now then, now then!!).

Doug - they got me with the duty bit as well when I bought a bag of Herco thumbpicks by mail order from the US. Ouch!!!

Johnny :0)

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: Mr Happy
Date: 12 May 04 - 11:19 PM

Refeshing for Cindy

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: GUEST
Date: 14 May 04 - 08:45 AM

I received an Email from Rachel at Eagle Music telling me my order is processed – so watch this space !!!.
I have been playing using fingernails or flatpick for over 30 years – could never use those ordinary finger picks (and I'm as envious as hell of those people who can).
I'll give them a full test – and give you an honest review.
I've only ordered plastic ones – I can't believe that metal-to-metal would be a good idea for me. Let's see – it could be the end of a nightmare for me.

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: Cindy
Date: 18 May 04 - 03:03 PM

Many thanks all those who helped with my finger pick search. Just for interest to connect with a few comments made, I wanted them because I actually have quite good nails which I use for playing classical guitar on nylon strings where the form and care of your nails is paramount. Trouble is I also spend hours in clubs playing my metal string acoustic and literally wear the nails away. That's why I thought Alaska would suit. I've tried conventional picks but never felt happy. Thanks again

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: Betsy
Date: 24 May 04 - 10:59 AM

Sorry, I posted this on a similar ( wrong ) thread , a brief review as promised on the 14th May above.
Trying to find this original thread, I came across some pictures of the picks, and I must say the ones I received don`t look as fancy as the originals - perhaps the ones I got are made under license in the UK.

Just put 3 picks on - plastic ones.Needed bit of waggling about `cos my nails are in pretty good nick - for once.
Used `em for 15 mins - hardly made any mistakes in 3 types of tunes including a ragtime - bit more practice just to make them feel OK on my fingers and I think they`ll be the best thing to natural nails I`ve ever tried.
They`ve solved the big problem with thumb angle - but as someone said could be a problem with down stokes.
Compared to anything else I`ve tried - these could be a genuine "starter" as it`s the first time in many times of trying that I`ve been able to enthuse about the prospect of playing with finger picks, but, like many ,I wish I had eternal , decent fingernails.

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: mooman
Date: 24 May 04 - 11:29 AM

I don't use fingerpicks at all because I just don't like the feel of them. I used to suffer from nail wear and breakage and tried various things. But what works best for me is keeping my picking nails a little shorter than before...in fact so they just "peek" a little above the finger pad. This way I get a satisfactory combination of finger pad and fingernail sound but with very little nail damage or wear...even when picking blues quite heavily on my resonator guitar.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 24 May 04 - 11:35 AM

There are three sorts of Alaska Piks - the metal ones, which I'd recommend getting; then there's one with good quality white plastic which are ok, once you've filed them down to whatever length fingernails you need; and a version made out of transparent plastic, which is very brittle - I think this was the first version to be made, and they tend to break, especially if you ever stick them in your pocket.

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 24 May 04 - 12:49 PM

Just incidentally, the name is not "Alaska Piks" or "aLaska Piks", but "A-Laska Piks".   That's what it says on the product.

I tried them for frailing. No good. The frailing/clawhammer action pulls them off.


Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 24 May 04 - 01:22 PM

It says "aLaska Pik" on my packet.


Doug C

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: C-flat
Date: 24 May 04 - 01:37 PM

I've got a set of PROPIK finger-picks going free to a good home. Like Strollin' Johnny above, I just can't get away with them.
If anyone wants them just let me know.
C-flat.

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: C-flat
Date: 24 May 04 - 01:39 PM

In case you don't know, they look like http://www.guptillmusic.com/propik/fingertone.html

C-flat.

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: C-flat
Date: 24 May 04 - 01:40 PM

.........try again.........

this.

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 24 May 04 - 07:00 PM

I don't pay any heed to Capital Letters imported into the middle of words. They don't belong there, and the practice shouldn't be encoiraged.

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: Cindy
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 07:00 PM

Update. I used the Alaska picks at the Chester Folk festival for the whole weekend and found them great for playing in sessions. They've certainly solved my problem and I was getting better volume. I had to take them off to play anything remotely intricate though but perhaps this won't be necessary when I get more used to them.

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: breezy
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 07:16 PM

If anyone comes to St Albans on a Friday or Sunday please bring some to show me.
although I'm more than happy with my nikel silvers

btw tonight its Harvey Andrews at the Duke of Marlborough

Sunday at the Legion

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: GUEST,Betsy
Date: 11 Jun 04 - 09:50 AM

I'm well pleased with the plastic ones - providing you still have a tiny bit of fingernail to help them stay in place.

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: Cindy
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 04:25 PM

I used my Alasks Pics all through Bishops Castle Folk weekend and am now finding that I can keep them on for some more complex accompaniments. I'm delighted with them. The only thing I wonder about is whether they go big enough for guitarists with larger hands. I've got fairly small hands. I ordered small, medium and large. I found I needed medium on my fingers and large on my thumb.Some of my male friends have tried them and found even the large one too small for their fingers. I know there's an extra large size but I doubt that this would be big enough for a thumb pick for some men. However, anyone else out there who uses fingerstyle and has nail problems, do try them. They've relieved the wear and tear on my nails terrifically. Glad they've helped you too Betsy.

Subject: RE: Alaska finger picks
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 07:54 AM

Cindy I'm well pleased, I'm over the moon, been looking for these for 35 years . As for big-enough, I have massive hands and they are no problem - I ordered large (plastic)and just adapt them to suit.
Honest, honest, honest, - I have no connection with the company - but I cannot stop recommending them to my friends.
As you imply Cindy - sods law - now I've got them my nails are in good condition - if my nails were always in good condition I wouldn't need picks - but for once we can win both ways !!!!.