Plectrums

[shobet]

What kind of pics do you lot use?

I've been a Dunlop Tortex 1.0 Standard user for many a year. I've been up and down through the gauges but I've been fairly consistent with my choice. However of late I've been trying all sorts of different materials, shapes and gauges and have found that some of them alter the way I pic and can have in some cases a drastic effect on my sound. Have the rest of you come across something similar or is it all in my head?

[Fourth Feline]

Definitely not just "all in your head " Shobet .

Playing all this chord melody stuff , absolutely clean - and with very revealing pickups ;  I can honestly even hear a noticeable difference in which way the pick faces. When doing the recent Forum sound clips ; I had to try a few of the same type / gauge of pick to get the smoothest , slightly duller one(s) - then try turning it round, to avoid getting the sharper of the two moulded edges.  

I usually use B.K.P 1.14 mm (?) picks .  Planet Waves celluloid 1.1mm are the nearest ( but stiffer sounding ) - then for feel, added accuracy and  a brighter attack, those little 'dull black' Bakelite looking Dunlop Jazz 205s . I only wish the little 205s sounded as warm as the B.K.P picks .   :)

[Andrew W]

After years of using regular shaped Tortex .73 mm picks I have just started trying out the same gauge but in the teardrop shape like this.  I've been consciously trying to use my fingers more to pluck the strings and the slightly smaller shape of the teardrop makes it easier to do that so for now I'll persist with them.  I haven't experimented with different materials or thicknesses for years though: I think I'm too set in my ways and anything else sounds and feels weird.

[dave_mc]

i use 1.5mm gator grips (dunlop)... mainly because I can grip them slightly better, and they don't wear out too quickly.

[DavidRees]

Dave I didn't realise that there was anyone else out there using 1.5 gator grips as they are an unusual choice - but me too - to me they definately do add something and seem easier to control - regards David

[phlip]

I played tortex pics for years in 1.14 guise. One day I forgot my pics and the parctice rooms only had uber thick 2mm gators or 1mm Dunlop Nylons.

I've been using the 1mm Nylons ever since, they just work for me. Unbelieveably I don't know anyone else locally who uses them.

[Twinfan]

Ultex Jazz IIIs for me.  I've been using them ever since they came out and I love them.

[Fourth Feline]

Ultex Jazz IIIs for me.  I've been using them ever since they came out and I love them.

Is there any 'click' and scr@pe on the strings with the Ultex ones like the 'usual' black and red types ? I thought they looked interesting for what I do, but  suspect that they may be as bright and percussive as the older type.  The Dunlop 205 are nice, but it's always worth knowing what undiscovered treasures are out there !  :)

[Twinfan]

They're quite bright Derek - quite twangy.  I don't like too smooth a raw note as I play quite aggressively.  I can't imagine they'd be great for Jazz, lovely for rock and roll though  ;)

[Ratrod]

dunlop Nylon .88's for me.


Untill I find that pick of destiny.

[Oli]

BKP picks of various sizes, think i'm using the 1.3mm at the moment, which i'm gonna pick up a few more of, as they're fantastic! Also the Dunlop Tortex 1mm (the blue one) is my all-round go-to pick-- bought a bag of 72 of them a few years ago, and still got loads left :) I've tried some of the thicker picks (2mm+), and I just can't get used to the size, I can't get any finesse with them, so i'll stick with the BKP for the most part :)

[Philly Q]

I always feel a bit unhip using non-specialised picks, but I'm happy with Fender Heavies.  They don't specify the gauge, but it's about 0.9mm.  Any heavier than that they feel too rigid, I like them to flex a little.  And I like the feel of transparent gel type picks, rather than nylon, tortex or whatever.

What Derek said about turning the pick round - I sometimes like to use the rounded corners rather than the point, which definitely gives a smoother, less pingy sound.  Especially on the 339, which is a bit "snappy" acoustically.  I believe that's what Robben Ford does... it's nice to have something in common with him.  :lol:

[Dazza1004]

I use Red Bear No.9's in extra heavy gauge (1.65 - 2mm) with grip holes and the spead bevel  :lol:

I am not going back to ultex or tortex or what ever

[shobet]

I've opened a can of worms here, doing a little research around the subject and there's $%&#loads of information out there.

With all the posts here about guitars varying from cheep ones to custom shop credit card melters, I thought I'm skint at the moment, how can I change my sound without spending a lot of money. I think the humble pic is a somewhat overlooked factor in what gives you the sound your after, or are striving for, and lets face it they don't break the bank. 

Some sites I've stumbled across in the last few days.

For collectors! - http://www.pickcollecting.com/
D'Andrea's role in the creation of the modern pic - http://www.dandreapicks.com/about.htm
The American Guitar Institute's guide for what the different gauges and compositions give you, feel and sound wise - http://www.americanguitarinstitute.com/pick.htm

Some of the manufacturers, I must admit I'd never heard of some of these.
http://www.davapick.com/
http://www.dandreapicks.com
http://www.steveclayton.com/
http://store.daddario.com/category/146399?language_id=1&currency_id=1
http://www.rotosound.com/plectrums.html
http://admin.fender.com/uk/products/search.php?section=accessories&prod_prodSubType=Picks&num_per_page=50
http://www.jimdunlop.com/index.php?page=products/picks&cat=6


Arghhhhhh too much choice!

[Fourth Feline]

I always feel a bit unhip using non-specialised picks, but I'm happy with Fender Heavies.  They don't specify the gauge, but it's about 0.9mm.  Any heavier than that they feel too rigid, I like them to flex a little.  And I like the feel of transparent gel type picks, rather than nylon, tortex or whatever.

What Derek said about turning the pick round - I sometimes like to use the rounded corners rather than the point, which definitely gives a smoother, less pingy sound.  Especially on the 339, which is a bit "snappy" acoustically.  I believe that's what Robben Ford does... it's nice to have something in common with him.  :lol:

This is going to sound very O.C.D of me Philly, but I actually meant ( in the case of BKP picks ) turning the lettering to the front, then to the back. 

Nurse ! ... :roll: