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Picks/plectrums

MagicBus

Member
Joined
May 13, 2017
Messages
56
I was wondering what everyone is using, don't think it's been discussed in a while. I'm currently using Ultex standard . 88 or 1mm or a Hero Holy Grail for most things but have bought a couple of Chicken picks to have a go with.
 

bursty

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 25, 2012
Messages
544
I have been using a 0.8 mm stainless Pick Boy for nearly ten years; as long as I never lose it I will never need another pick, ever

I do have a backup supply of Fernandes 0.8 mm stainless, just in case
 

J T

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 20, 2005
Messages
10,501
InTuneGP

Custom made for you.

I used heavy celluloid printed with my custom design. Those guys save your design and can print them up whenever you need them. They are so cool. The heavy weight really gives me control and lets me dig in when I want.

BUT I've been finger picking lately and got more used to the faster finger style.
 

Thundermtn

Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2016
Messages
548
I used to play an Ultex, now I'm on .73 or .88 Dunlop Primetone's. Same ballpark as ultex but a little different bite/attack with texture dots for amazing grip even when you're sweating.
 

MagicBus

Member
Joined
May 13, 2017
Messages
56
Up until a year ago I'd been using 1mm Dunlop nylons. I then embarked on a pick exploration journey which has been fascinating and worthwhile :hank
 

The Shifter

Active member
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
3,397
Green Dunlop Tortex Sharps.

I tried to quit 'em but I kept coming back.

Sometimes HercoFlex 75's.
 

Don

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 1, 2001
Messages
5,732
Fender 358 extra heavy. These are the little dime size picks.
 

sonar

New member
Joined
Jan 10, 2003
Messages
3,589
Dunlop Tortex Standard .88mm. “The green ones.”

They are a constant and superfluous item mixed amongst pocket change.
 

MagicBus

Member
Joined
May 13, 2017
Messages
56
Uh oh, I've got some Planet Waves heavy celluloid and Dunlop extra heavy celluloid coming now. Decided to have another go at celluloid because I found this and it sounds really good with my R8 :hank
bDaT66.jpg
 

Wilko

All Access/Backstage Pass
Joined
Mar 11, 2002
Messages
20,854
Orange Tortex for electrics.

Home made tortoise like materials for acoustic. sourced from ebay jewelry pieces that were very popular tourist items up into the 70s.
 

JLee

Member
Joined
Nov 27, 2010
Messages
89
Been using the Tortex Jazz M3 for years. Started using them when I first started to learn and have used them ever since. Tried other picks and it’s never long before I come back to the Tortex. Probably have enough to last me till I die, but I can never find them when I sit down to play.
 

jrgtr42

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 24, 2005
Messages
2,308
I mostly use Dunlop Tortex .73 - the yellow ones.
I do have a ton of picks that I've accumulated over the years, from extra thin to 3.0 stubbys.
Over the past couple years I have made more of an exploration into different thicknesses and materials - .2mm carbon fiber, metal, stone, glass, wood, faux-tortoise, and so on and so on. I've determined that within a given stiffness, the materials sound much different on acoustic guitar, slight differences on clean electric, and all but unnoticeable on distorted electric.
All that said, 'home' is still those Tortex .73s.
 

Iguana

Active member
Joined
Aug 22, 2018
Messages
108
For electric it’s mostly been classic red Dunlop Jazz iii picks but a few months ago I tried a 1.5 mm Jazz iii tortex. I find the 1.5 gives me an even smoother rounder attack which is what I like. For acoustic I prefer a celluloid with the typical “Fender” shape. Medium or heavy works for me.
 

reswot

Active member
Joined
Jan 22, 2004
Messages
3,295
Green .88 Tortex for most things.

Tried the blue 1.0 mm picks, but find them too heavy, in general. They’re great, though, for a dread strung with .013s.
 

toxpert

Active member
Joined
Jul 2, 2005
Messages
3,068
Hotel key cards for me. My son gave me a Pick Punch several years ago.
I ask for 3 card keys at every hotel stay. Each card makes 4 picks. Medium-hard stiffness in a typical 351 style shape.

I have hundreds of picks now. Picks are pouring out of my gig bag. They are all over the house. I leave a pick debris field behind at every gig....

The punch leaves a sharp, sheared cut to the edge which is perfect for my picking style and the tone I want.

If I drop a pick...no problem...there always another 15-20 within reach.
 

sonar

New member
Joined
Jan 10, 2003
Messages
3,589
Hotel key cards for me. My son gave me a Pick Punch several years ago.
I ask for 3 card keys at every hotel stay. Each card makes 4 picks. Medium-hard stiffness in a typical 351 style shape.

The punch leaves a sharp, sheared cut to the edge which is perfect for my picking style and the tone I want.

If I drop a pick...no problem...there always another 15-20 within reach.


Hotel key cards? Intriguing... are they generally stiffer than credit cards?

I was also given a Pick Punch for Xmas years ago (think I still have it?) but I don't go through that many expired credit/bank cards to make it worthwhile.




I have hundreds of picks now. Picks are pouring out of my gig bag. They are all over the house. I leave a pick debris field behind at every gig....

Ha!

They end up everywhere! Not only shows and practice, but random friend houses, the office, the CTA L... I actually saw a faded green tortex pick in the parking lot of a hot dog stand I frequent.
 

MagicBus

Member
Joined
May 13, 2017
Messages
56
Thanks everyone who responded, pick choice is personal and very diverse. I had a eureka moment at my last band rehearsal when I tried a Dunlop Heavy celluloid pick. In contrast to the Fender Heavies I'd previously tried out, the Dunlop lasted the whole rehearsal, felt good on the strings and sounded really, really good.
 
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