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Post by quarry on May 20, 2006 9:42:53 GMT -5
Just thought I'd start a light discussion of plectrums... Here's a pick-ture  of a few of the many picks I've collected over the years...  I find myself using the white one, on the bottom row, the most. I think its a Gibson Medium, like the black one next to it. I also like the clear one, just above and to the left. It has a hole in the middle to help stop slipage... What do you guys favor??? |
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vroom
Meter Reader 1st Class
Posts: 64
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Post by vroom on May 20, 2006 10:29:35 GMT -5
I can't say I've been through as many, but I'm currently auditioning one of each color Dunlop Tortex. I've been using the orange ones (mediums) but will be upping the thickness accordingly.
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Post by quarry on May 20, 2006 10:45:42 GMT -5
 The pick used by top musicians worldwide. Tortex® picks are carefully designed and manufactured to give the characteristic maximum memory and minimum wear that made original tortoise shell famous. Dunlop's Tortex® picks are available in a variety of shapes and gauges. Tortex® gauges correspond to these millimeters/colors unless otherwise noted: .50-Red, .60-Orange, .73-Yellow, .88-Green, 1.0-Blue, 1.14-Purple, 1.35-Black, 1.5-White. |
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Post by spitfire23bc on May 20, 2006 11:41:12 GMT -5
Criminals have been convicted for less... On a lighter note, I used a pick once when I was first learning a few chords on a naff acoustic guitar and haven't touched one since (3 years-ish). Mainly it's just because it felt so awkward, and playing with my fingers/nails felt (and still feels) so good. Also, it makes me cooler  |
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Post by RandomHero on May 20, 2006 11:44:15 GMT -5
I use Fender Heavies, those gigantic equilateral triangle picks. They've got a -lot- of gripping surface, a very precise attack which is excellent for tremolo picking, and the wear pattern on them seems to leave them with a useable tip for much longer than you find on teardrop picks...
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Post by quarry on May 20, 2006 13:10:19 GMT -5
RH, which one are you referring to, the kind on the right, or left?  I've used the kind on the right before... I liked using them when playing bass... But the one's on the right are too pointy for me. I like using a smaller pick 'cuz I find it easier to hit those pinch harmonics! |
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Post by Ripper on May 20, 2006 15:33:42 GMT -5
When im using my Strat I either use my fingers or a Jim Dunlop " Big Stubby" 2.0mm
When im in my 12 string state of mind again, its my fingernails or one of those big thin triangle type picks.
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Post by dunkelfalke on May 20, 2006 15:57:51 GMT -5
tried green tortex, hated them. i mostly use gewa heavy picks  a bit too slick, otherwise perfect. |
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Post by quarry on May 20, 2006 17:33:10 GMT -5
I'm trying to use as many visual aids as possible... ;D   Hey, dunkelfalke - thanks for the picture (of the gewa)!!! |
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Post by JohnH on May 20, 2006 19:40:24 GMT -5
I'm also a finger picker.
Why waste half your fingers trying to hang onto one little scrap of plastic, when nature gave you five of your own that you can use all at once?
It's the same reason you dont find birds flying aeroplanes - they dont need them.
John
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Post by quarry on May 21, 2006 7:10:19 GMT -5
You'll get no argument from the Queen!  |
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Post by RandomHero on May 21, 2006 8:31:50 GMT -5
Mine would be the one on the left, Quarry. Those Big Stubbies come in a triangle version too, I like the 1.5s of those. I have a buddy who shreds picks like no one I've ever seen; he used to have one of those Fender rounded triangles on the right. By two weeks with him, it was just a circle! He's afraid of celluloid picks now because he was playing with one once and it got too hot to hold comfortably; he's sure it was about to burst into flames! XD
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Post by quarry on May 21, 2006 9:04:53 GMT -5
Sheesh! Do you guys use barbed wire for string???  I can use the same pick for years! In fact, that white one in the first picture used to have printing on it... it just got rubbed off over time... Then again, I can't play fast enough to heat up a match head, let alone a pick!  |
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Post by Ripper on May 21, 2006 10:23:40 GMT -5
I tried using a polished stone as a pick. I found not only did it wear out quickly but it also turned my strings black.
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Post by quarry on May 21, 2006 11:39:02 GMT -5
I suppose that has something to do with the kind of stone that's used... I see, on this site, for example, that many different stones can be made into picks... |
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Post by ux4484 on May 21, 2006 13:54:33 GMT -5
I use whatever is on sale . but Seriously.... I have a bunch of Tortex, I like the durability, but they flip out of my fingers too often, so I prefer my old standard Jimmy D nylons (varying thickness). Not only are they easier to grip, but you can reverse them for a great grinding twang. Back in my Bass-only days, I had quite a stash of ridged felt picks....mostly used on my Kingston Hofner copy with the black strings. I used to spray the tips with silicone sealant to get them to last longer. |
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Post by quarry on May 21, 2006 15:09:17 GMT -5
I find that brand is less important than size and shape... I also prefer the plastic (or cellulose) picks, because of the sharp attack you can get with them. On the other hand, its nice to have a variety, so that you can choose one for the particular need at hand... I'm surprised at how many seem to have just one brand/type that they use... I started this topic because I found that with all the picks I have, one seemed to get the most use - I almost subconsciously "picked" it... so I was curious how others chose their picks. I believe, for me, its the most overlooked piece of "equipment" I use... |
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Post by sumgai on May 21, 2006 16:27:30 GMT -5
deep, I'm concerned over what you must be doing that you could wear out rock by merely rubbing it against metal for a few weeks or months. And it should never have turned your strings black. If your own fingers didn't sweat enough to do that, then I'd be suspicious of what that material really was. Now, for my submission...... Any of you recognize this:  Hint: It's just what quarry ordered, sharp, almost ear-splitting attack, on demand! (I left the image rather large on purpose, I wanted to show the details like ridges, edges, etc. Sorry, dial-uppers, ) sumgai |
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Post by quarry on May 22, 2006 3:27:48 GMT -5
I believe that's what's called a "Cymbolic Guitar Pick", made from fine cymbal brass... Always wanted to try one of those (though, apparently not enough to actually buy one)... Do I win one for guessing??? |
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Post by mike on May 22, 2006 6:24:10 GMT -5
I use many. Fender mediums, Fender Thins, Fender Heavy's, Dunlope clear green's, D'addairo Thins and mediums.
Doesn't really matter what I'm picking to determine the gauge, just how my hands feel when struming or picking the strings.
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Post by Runewalker on May 22, 2006 20:33:44 GMT -5
I use an extra heavy, but loose so many I am not brand loyal. One comes in mm and 1.2mm good.
The think probably a little unusal, or maybe not, is I use the conventional shape rounded triangle with one shaper point, but always use the rounded 'points'. more meat against the string.
I have also belt sanded the ridges off quarters and used those. pretty durn sturdy.
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Post by sumgai on May 23, 2006 3:30:28 GMT -5
I believe that's what's called a "Cymbolic Guitar Pick", made from fine cymbal brass... Always wanted to try one of those (though, apparently not enough to actually buy one)... Do I win one for guessing??? What the hey, I've got a couple of 'em, sure. ;D PM me with your particulars. I've never seen them for sale. I got mine from a drummer friend that's also a car and motorcyle customizer (and a mighty good one at that). He 'found' a broken Zildjian cymbal a few years back, and decided to make something out of it for the shop. I asked him to make me a couple of picks (I had one many years ago), and he decided to chop up the whole cymbal for a bunch of them! Gave 'em to his friends, no money wanted. It's good to have friends like that. sumgai |
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Post by quarry on May 23, 2006 14:42:56 GMT -5
Sumgai, I'm forever in your debt (or at least 'til my wife kicks me off the computer)!  I'm not worthy! |
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Post by Ripper on May 23, 2006 15:58:14 GMT -5
I have a Gerry Garcia limited edition pick...its has a picture of a hand missing a finger on it.
I was never a Grateful Dead fan, but ill keep this plectrum just the same.
How do you guys post a picture on the thread??....I mean one that shows up without a link?
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Post by sumgai on May 23, 2006 17:05:13 GMT -5
deep, Simple, just use the IMG tag. There's a button on the menu above the message box, fourth one over from the left, on the lower row. Clicking that will give you ![]() [/img]. Put the url of your image inside those two tags, et Voila!, you're golden! sumgai |
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Post by Ripper on May 24, 2006 1:08:05 GMT -5
Sumgai...
You should have been a teacher! ...thanks buddy.
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Post by bam on May 27, 2006 10:14:28 GMT -5
I like Dunlop .73 gauges.
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Post by lawrencedesigns on May 27, 2006 10:59:01 GMT -5
My choice for years has been Cool Picks. Hard to find, but also hard to drop.
They come in various thickness, but have a great texture that keeps it in place. I can only find them at Elderly Instruments...I order them by the case!!!
Keeth Lawrence
lawrence designs
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Post by quarry on May 27, 2006 13:37:36 GMT -5
Keeth, I read that cool picks use a sand-texture to make them "non-skid"... Here's a pic of some I found. Which one(s) do you use?  |
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Post by lawrencedesigns on May 27, 2006 15:05:54 GMT -5
I use the one pictured in the lower left. The texture is inside of the blue circle. It is made up of very small little bumps in the plastic, not at all like sand. More like very very minute "bubble-wrap" or something.
It does tend to wear down after a period of time, but that's why I buy a lot of 'em! They still work fine after that period, they're just not as "sticky"
Keeth Lawrence
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of a few of the many picks I've collected over the years...
