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Post by kuzi16 on Aug 14, 2007 10:01:29 GMT -5
for electric guitar i use fender medium. This is mostly due to the fact that i like a heavy string on my electric as well. On accustic and 12 string i use fender thin. Both of these are tear drop shapes not the triangle. I buy in bulk and dont worry about wear or losing them. For bass i use my fingers. I dont know or understand why people use picks on the bass but i guess it could have some advantages. My brother who used to play bass used an eraser (you know, the little rubber thing used to erase pencil) that he would trim down to the right shape. He said he liked the tone but i think it would be too thick. ...that freak
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Post by dunkelfalke on Aug 20, 2007 3:43:15 GMT -5
I dont know or understand why people use picks on the bass but i guess it could have some advantages. less strain for the fingers, more defined sound.
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Post by kuzi16 on Aug 20, 2007 8:08:42 GMT -5
les claypool, flea, and bootsy collins all have a very crisp clean sound. its very defined. there is no slop at all.
none of them use a pick.
i know there are others that do, but the way i look at it is if im not holding on to a pick then i have potentially 5 "picks" on that hand. (in reality for me its more like 3 but you get my point) with the wider space between the strings and less "strumming" a pick seems like a nice way to play less notes.
If i could get my big ol' fat fingers between the strings id play guitar that way also.
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Post by dunkelfalke on Aug 20, 2007 8:49:32 GMT -5
sure, but you still can hear the pronouncing difference between pick playing and finger playing. check pink floyd's money out, then you'll understand.
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Post by kuzi16 on Aug 20, 2007 18:50:46 GMT -5
i am very familiar with that song.
when i play it i still dont use a pick. i turn the tone up some. i turn up the trebble up a bit and i pluck hard.
iduno. again its just my poinion but i dont like the tone of a picked bass.
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Post by ux4484 on Aug 20, 2007 20:15:35 GMT -5
Back in my bass-only days, it depended on the song. When I went through learning every McCartney bass line from the Beatles, a pick was (almost always) required. I tried many picks, but ended up with something hard to find these days: Felt picks. The linked ones are by Grover and are more similar to the ones I used to use. There are Dunlop's available now that are a bit more durable. Felt picks are quite messy, but do muffle the clicking that often accompanies playing a bass with a pick (or just turn down the tone control ). For a while, I was using a stone pick, but once the polish wore off it, it was useless (you can "resurface" them by putting them in a rock polisher....too much maintenance for a pick). I phased out of pick playing during the end of my wedding band days, mainly because It's hard enough to sing and play bass, and using my fingers requires less processing (but I did the same as you Kuzi16; plucked harder and upped the treble). These days, there are gobs of pick choices for bass (well...online...not always in your local shops), but If I get a hankering to use a pick on my bass, I use the ones Digitech sent me with the "free" gig bag offer on my pedal. They are Digitech named, but are about as thick as two Fender Heavy's together, but are very soft (is there a hardness scale for plastic?) and don't have much "click". I don't know who made 'em, but they are perfect for bass.
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Post by mr_sooty on Aug 21, 2007 5:34:35 GMT -5
I use Dunlop Jazz 3's (black only - the red ones seem too glossy). I'm not really a jazz player, more blues and rock, but they feel right to me. Everything else is too soft. I strum pretty hard, and yes, I break alot of strings. I use my fingers alot too. I'd rather play with no pick than with an unfamiliar type of pick.
I sometimes use a pick for bass, mainly because I'm not a regular bass player and my fingers get either blistered or tired or both, so I resort to a pick when that happens. I prefer to finger pick on bass, but my fingers aren't quite as keen sometimes.
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Post by sumgai on Oct 31, 2007 2:03:28 GMT -5
Found this on craigslist......... Latest offering smuggled from the former Soviet Union, this pick utilizes old Russian nuclear laser technology. Strap on the convenient Velcro micro-unit, plug into any 1200 Watt power supply, and aim the solar panels directly at the sun and dial in the guitar style of your choice. From Chet Atkins to Duane Allman, guitar hero-dom is literally at your fingertips. The micro sensors process the bass and drum beats and submit a series of small electrical shocks directly into your nervous system causing you to involuntarily crank out searing leads. A word of caution: actual electrical discharges my vary, and side affects could include erratic blues face, trembling of the hips commonly known as Presley syndrome, drooling and involuntary anal discharge. In extreme cases, you may be mistaken for a drummer. Local sales only. Cash only. Contact your health care professional if erection last more than 6 hours. No scammers please. I'm picking up my unit this evening! ;D sumgai
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Post by Ripper on Oct 31, 2007 14:16:56 GMT -5
Sumgai.... You know, for a moment I thought this was true!....My word I need rest.
also...If you have to " pick up your unit"...you must be popular with the ladies! ;D
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Post by Teleblooz on Oct 31, 2007 20:01:29 GMT -5
+1 on felt picks for the bass (when needed).
Back in my bass-player days I played with fingers 95% of the time, but there were always one or two songs where the effect I wanted was only possible (for me) with a pick. Regular plastic picks were just too bright, but felt autoharp picks were perfect.
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Post by sumgai on Nov 1, 2007 17:48:36 GMT -5
deep, My policy: Don't ever tell nobody nuttin'! Probably explains why I'm still married, eh? sumgai
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Ibanez Guy
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Post by Ibanez Guy on Dec 20, 2007 16:41:05 GMT -5
I use the 2mm Dunlops because I love how fast you can pick on lead breaks when the pick doesn't bend.
I've found them to be slick though, especially when sweating, and have resorted to roughing them up in the gripping area using a Dremel tool. That makes them a lot easier to hang onto.
Most guys I know who can really pick fast and/or sweep are using big heavy picks of some sort like these.
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newswede
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Post by newswede on Mar 27, 2008 7:38:07 GMT -5
Easy. For my Strat I use Fender 351 Heavy Picks (the standard Fender pick) - now in moto red.
For my 12 string and acoustic I use Fender 351 Medium Picks (also the standard Fender pick).
I've been trying out the Dunlop Tortex .6 (orange) and 1.0 (blue) picks lately but haven't been converted. Their tone is different - a bit more muffled. They lose their grip after time and become slick and easily dropped. In addition, they get sharp and jagged edges after use. One thing you have to remember, the Pros that use these (john frusciante and others) have new ones for every show...sometimes every song...and get them free. I'd use 'em if they were free, but I don't think they're worth it.
You might be surprised to see how simple most pros keep it. Eric Clapton: Ernie Ball Heavy Keith Richards: Fender 351 Heavy Picks Pete Townshend: Fender 351 Heavy Picks U2 (Edge, Bono, Adam): Herdim Nylon (Blue) Dave Gilmour: Fender 351 Heavy Picks, Dunlop Jazz...actually he uses quite a few. Mostly the Fender though. Take a look at his mic stand sometime. There's about 4 different picks mounted to it.
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clr
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Post by clr on Mar 28, 2008 19:56:28 GMT -5
les claypool, flea, and bootsy collins all have a very crisp clean sound. its very defined. there is no slop at all. A resident Frusciante fan, and RHCP in general, flea does use a pick, more noticeable on Don't Forget Me. However, he also uses his fingers. It's not so black and white, sometimes a song calls for a pick, sometimes it doesn't.
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Post by ashcatlt on Mar 28, 2008 21:41:58 GMT -5
I much prefer the heavy stainless picks. I will use the tortex in blue or purple, but I prefer the delrins like so: The point being that I don't want the thing flopping around all over the place. Truthfully though, if I start a song with a pick, I'll likely end without it. So I play with my fingers more often than not.
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Post by lpf3 on Mar 28, 2008 22:43:33 GMT -5
Fender medium . And only the red , white , blue ,& black agregate color , you can see 'em on a black amp in a dark bar . I use a pick & fingers technique ala Arlen Roth (and others). Don't usually break them or drop 'em Well , I dont really play out much anymore so the dark bar isn't a thing , but the color has become one of my cliches. lpf3
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Post by cynical1 on Mar 29, 2008 17:15:09 GMT -5
I've played bass for a long time, and just used my fingers. On very rare occasions I've used a felt pick...I still have one laying around... One thing I used to use "back in the day" were plastic finger picks. I used them to basically hammer the strings on the fretboard rather then pulling the string. It gives you a very aggressive growl and you can play much faster runs. You can also make it sound like a poor mans popping technique. Styles change and I haven't used them in a long time. I think my cat ran off with them... Happy Trails Cynical1
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Post by newey on Mar 30, 2008 18:13:13 GMT -5
I use this one, hoping some of the mojo will rub off onto me . . .
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Post by frederickthe8th on Apr 1, 2008 18:29:47 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 mlrpa on Apr 8, 2008 11:57:40 GMT -5
Uhhh, pick? Que es pick?
Seriously though, I started with Tortex 2mm, went to a 1mm, then decided whatever is available, I'll use. Mostly I rely on my fingers. (Falling back on the days I played bass I guess.)
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newswede
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Post by newswede on May 19, 2008 5:40:04 GMT -5
I should post some of my "famous" picks. Maybe I can take a picture tonight. The one I'm thinking of is Keith Richards' pick from this past Rolling Stones tour. My girlfriend (now wife) got it when he threw it after about the third song. Totally shredded! I can play a pick for a week straight and still it wouldn't look that bad!
I noticed later that the pick was screen printed with a date and show that was cancelled the year before because of his head injury. I wonder how many of those "old stock" picks they had laying around.
PS. White Fender 351 Heavy screen printed on both sides. (Tongue on one side, date on the other)
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Post by lpf3 on May 19, 2008 7:45:10 GMT -5
My wife & I saw the Stones at Dodger Stadium a couple years back , and I managed to throw a couple of my picks ( with my old band name ) onto the stage . Keith saw me doing this & actually watched one of 'em land on the floor . Why he didn't rush right over , pick it up & read it is completely beyond me ;D BTW , before seeing this show I would've said that I wouldn't walk across the street to see the stones but now I am a convert ..... these guys rock, & it was one of the nicest times me & the Mrs. had in a long time ..... -lpf3
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Post by lpf3 on May 19, 2008 16:46:42 GMT -5
Speaking of picks - I can't believe I (almost ) forgot about this . ( my wife had to remind me .... ) Anyway , the wife made our wedding cake & used commemorative guitar picks for flower petals . Great gal, yep . -lpf3
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Post by cynical1 on Nov 2, 2011 23:33:09 GMT -5
Being relatively new to using a pick I've managed to go through about a dozen different styles, sizes and types...and never found one that felt right. I stumbled on the V-Pick site a few weeks ago and finally decided to pull the trigger on a $3.95 pick...yeah, I know...Dr. Feldergarb's Unobtanium rides again... But I got it off of eBay and saved the frieght from buying direct.. I have to say, though, these things are everything they claim to be... Here's the one I picked up: At 2.75mm this is far from the fattest pick they make. And they really do stay put once your fingers warm them up. The extra thickness and the acrylic they're made from really beefs up the attack and the tone if you have a light touch Just thought I'd wake this thread up after 3-1/2 years to pass this along. Happy Trails Cynical One
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Post by gumbo on Nov 3, 2011 5:31:19 GMT -5
Hey C1 ...we can see through what you're up to here....
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Post by asmith on Nov 3, 2011 9:01:16 GMT -5
I use these: ... But when my supplies run low, I have some of these high-grip ones on standby. V-Picks look interesting. I've read some reviews that scream about them. What's actually better? Is there some kind of "gel" grip feel about them? Not sure about the price. Also I can't say I always have trouble seeing through my plectrum to see what I'm playing, and if you do drop a V-Pick, heaven forbid, how are you going to find it on a dark stage floor? Unless they come with one of those key-whistle things?
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Post by cynical1 on Nov 3, 2011 17:46:00 GMT -5
V-Picks look interesting. I've read some reviews that scream about them. What's actually better? Is there some kind of "gel" grip feel about them? No, there's no gel on them. According to the developer it's the acrylic resin used that makes it stick to your fingers once it warms up. And it does just that. All it takes is a very light grip and the pick is staying put. And there is honestly an improvement in the overall attack and sound of the plucked string. I had my doubts too, but I figured if it didn't work I could always use it for digging out hooves. Actually, they come in colors... ...and they even have ones that glows in the dark. No whistles included. Happy Trails Cynical One
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Post by JFrankParnell on Nov 3, 2011 22:33:23 GMT -5
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Post by asmith on Nov 4, 2011 5:31:02 GMT -5
...and they even have ones that glows in the dark. Sold.
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Post by JohnH on Nov 4, 2011 14:08:07 GMT -5
This my best one, and I've had it since 1979 when I spent an afternoon carving it out of a lump of perspex: Its very rigid, with a fine tip so it can be very precise. It doesn't get used much these days though, but it lives in my guitar bag as a memento and for good luck. Normally, I play with finger tips, or a 0.6mm Tortex. cheers John
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