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Pick your Pick

I'm probably in the minority, I like a really light pick.  I use Dunlop Tortex .50 mm, or Fender light weight.

When I first started playing I used mostly medium weight Fender picks.  Somewhere along the way I changed to light weights.  It gives an unusual tone, and there is almost a delay effect as the pick flexes across the strings.  

When I play lead I hold the pick with only a tiny sliver sticking out from my fingers, so that in effect stiffens the pick and allows me to play faster than you nornally could with a light pick.  But when strumming chords I'll often hold the pick higher up, showing a lot more of the pick to the strings.  I feel this gives my rhythm playing a distinctive sound as the pick is so flexy across the strings.

The best thing is that no one steals my picks because most people I've met don't like the light weights.
 
i use the dunlop tortex blue plectrums (1.0mm)
they last me forever, as in i bought a multipack and i'm still on the 1st one 3 years later.
 
I've used a lot of different picks over the years, but finally settled on the Dunlop "Tortex" picks back about 20 years ago, and for the last couple have been using Dunlop's "Ultrex" picks, both in the .8mm to 1.0mm range. I tend to hang onto picks, although I still buy them in bulk after starting with Fender's Tortoise picks back 100 years ago. You had to have a lot of those around, because they were just consumable. They'd wear, chip, or break with almost no encouragement. The plastic Dunlop uses seems to take an incredible amount of abuse for an unusually long time while still being flexible and maintaining a "satin" finish. You can use a single pick for weeks or even months.

Not that I'm trying to save money on picks, but they're important to have so I like to keep close tabs on them, and consistency is a Good Thing.
 
Dunlop Jazz III.  I used the nylon ones for years and recently tried the Ultex.  I like them even more.
 
Jazz III's in nylon, or fingers. Or both.

On a side note, of the three guitarists I know who actually PLAY jazz guitar, none use jazz picks...
 
I used the Pickboy 1.0 ceramic picks for a couple years and thought I would never use anything else.
The bumps really make for a tight grip...

               
Pickboy10CeramicPic.png


Then out of pure chance I tried the Dunlap Big Stubby 2.0 and have not used anything else since.
They have a great feel, grip very well, and I love the 2.0 stiffness...

               
DunlapStubby20.png



                :rock-on:
 
ErogenousJones said:
I swear by those black 1.0 mm Dunlop Nylons. The thickness is just right and the textured face makes 'em nice and grippy. They're perfect once they get a little worn and rounded. I've tried to get into Jazz IIs and IIIs, but I just can't; they're too small for my big stupid fingers.  :laughing7:

I think those are the ones I prefer. Most of mine get chewed up by yours trully after a session or two of playing. (I put the pick in my mouth while flipping sheets or setting up recording etc.)
 
My pick choice has changed with my string gauge.  I used to like light strings and heavy picks, but now prefer heavier strings and lighter picks, if any.  I use fingers more than anything lately.

My first was a red Ernie Ball.  Don't remember the gauge.  I used it for 2 years, as it was my only pick.  It eventually rounded off the triangular picking end and was lost.
 
Currently ... Dunlop .46mm but I always point them with sandpaper. The "in use now" has got a few days on it. When I point them they're really pointed.
I like them slightly smaller because I like to be able to easily get some skin on the string at the same time when I need to.

picks.jpg


... been doing it (the pointing) for decades. I used to use Fender lights and then Guild lights until I found Dunlop making them in gauges.
Sometimes, depending on the track, I'll use Dunlop nylon .46mm ( white ) because they're slightly flappier and bend around the string.

Way back, in the late 60's early '70s it was fender mediums and I was sharpening them on the sidewalk.

I do have quite a variety on hand, .88 nylons, fender mediums to name a few but only use them to break the monotony, never for anything serious.

I also go to fingers quite often on clean tracks for pulling chords and also for solos.
 
These, in .80 mm thickness:

picks1.jpg


By far the best picks I've ever used. Three points and sturdy material give them a long life, and the shape is much better for me than regular pointy ones. I'd like to try their Ultem and Spike versions too, but they're impossible to find around here.
 
Dunlop Jazz IIIs if I'm doing a lot of lead.  Dunlop Tortex thins if I'm strumming a lot of chords.  I used to buy all kinds of different picks so I could experiment with them, but now I just have a whole bunch of those two kinds all over the house.  
 
OzziePete said:
ErogenousJones said:
I swear by those black 1.0 mm Dunlop Nylons. The thickness is just right and the textured face makes 'em nice and grippy. They're perfect once they get a little worn and rounded. I've tried to get into Jazz IIs and IIIs, but I just can't; they're too small for my big stupid fingers.  :laughing7:

I think those are the ones I prefer. Most of mine get chewed up by yours trully after a session or two of playing. (I put the pick in my mouth while flipping sheets or setting up recording etc.)

Ozzie just reminded me of a pick a friend of mine showed me.  It was an all natural wheat-pick, white in color, but really got chewed up in a few uses.
 
I have a wheat pick.  Someone gave it to me at the NAMM show.  I don't use it much because I didn't like the shape though.  It was a little too round at the tip.  

The same company made drumsticks out of wheat as well.  Pretty crazy. 
 
kboman said:
These, in .80 mm thickness:

picks1.jpg


By far the best picks I've ever used. Three points and sturdy material give them a long life, and the shape is much better for me than regular pointy ones. I'd like to try their Ultem and Spike versions too, but they're impossible to find around here.
when I could use picks, these were the shiznit, I do not think I ever found a pick I liked as much as a clayton
 
Kyler (JamesL) said:
You carry pennies in your wallet?

I carry pennies in my wallet so that it has some weight to it (can't afford to weight it down with Benjamins). That way, if it isn't in my pocket, I can tell.
 
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