I have been playing (just for fun) for about 15 years. During which I have tried countless different types of guitar picks.
Recently I’m gravitating towards really thick picks, like the well-known Jazz III or Big Stubby 3.0mm. I’ve noticed I can play fast alternate picking and triplets much easier with these.
What types of picks do you use, and why?
I’ve been using the Dunlop tortex picks for years. I generally go with .73mm, .88mm, or 1mm. I’m not sure they have any impact on the sound but I like the texture, it isn’t just a matte finish, it’s almost velvety.
Yeah I also love the feel of Tortex picks. It’s what I started with when I first picked up guitar. But once I got into technical fast playing (thrash metal etc) I noticed thick picks have a big advantage in playability. I still don’t really understand why but it works for me.
Tortex also wears down really fast
I like the Flow picks which for me has a tip somewhere between Jazz and triangular but the size of traditional. I ostne use thinner or medium picks even on bass because it can act like a natural compressor which I can “switch off” by simply holding closer to the tip (hence why I want a traditional sized instead of the small Jazz size)
I like the thicker boutique picks. V-Picks are good, and Chick’nPicks are awesome.
I’ve been playing around 35 years now and have almost exclusively used Dunlop Jazz picks. Always Jazz III equivalent, but I’m not sure the pick had that name in the early 90s. I was on Amazon about to order some more but noticed they had another pick listed as being popular with Jazz III users. The Ernie Ball Prodigy mini, it’s amazing. I’ve never felt more accurate and precise as I have until now. There is something about its size and angle on the tip that make the difference. I’ll link to the Amazon listing, read the reviews, people love them.
Ernie Ball Prodigy Guitar Picks, Mini, Black 1.5mm, 6-pack (P09200) https://a.co/d/c0QSHfF
That Prodigy Mini pick looks interesting, I’ll have to give it a try someday.
FWIW what really surprises me is how many fast, precise, technical pickers (cough Hetfield) use regular sized ~1mm picks. Do they just hold it so there’s only a small bit of pick exposed? Or do they just have godlike technique so it doesn’t really matter what they use and they could shred with any piece of pointy plastic…
Yes I’m always surprised when I see that too. I often wonder if their angle of attack on their strings doesn’t require the sharp edge that the picks I rely on offer.
So I happen to have both sitting on my desk here. I just can’t get used to the sharp edge of the pic, as you can see based on my usage lol
Ah yes, those are the green Tortex picks I used forever until my switch about 6 months ago. Took a little getting used to, but I personally can’t go back now. I literally thought I’d never switch from Tortex picks, but part of growing is trying new things. I guess they aren’t for everyone though.
thumbs
How thick in mm? 😄
About 1cm. (10mm)
There’s another dedicated pick, but it’ll hurt if you use it
I’ve used so many picks over the years, but fairly recently, I’ve switched to the 1.5mm Classic Standard pick from Gravity Picks.
I bought a GHS Pedal (the Bonsai), and they shipped a Gravity unpolished standard pick with it. For some reason, I used it on whim, and I was hooked. I ended up buying custom picks from them, and always the Classic Standard 1.5mm unpolished. There’s something about the unpolished edge which gives me just enough bite, on either my acoustics or electrics.
Of course, as I’ve gotten older, I no longer like particularly flexible picks, which I used to favor as a younger player. As my picking technique has improved, I’ve found that non-flexible picks just work better for me, and the tone I like. And Gravity Picks just give me that. If you haven’t used them before, they’re worth trying, if you like thicker, less flexible picks.
Yes, they’re expensive. But, so worth it. Well, works for me, anyway. Cheers.
I’m normally drawn to 1mm or so tortex but I’ve recently been loving the John Petrucci jazz picks.
Jazz III, Max grip or Ultex generally. I used Dunlop Nylon and the similar Ernie Ball for a really long time since they were tough and easy to hold on to.
I use different picks for different guitars, but they’re all Dunlop. The Tortex standard .88-1.14 are my general purpose gotos. I’ve dabbled a bit recently with the TIII picks in the same thickness, usually go back to standard though. For my more shreddy guitars and tunes a nylon Jazz III. I’ve tried the Stubby Jazz a few times, but inevitably back to the nylon III. For acoustic I’ll often do either celluloid for chords or finger picking.
Dunlop Tortex Jazz III 0.88 gang!
I’ve been using brass picks for the last year. Dunlop Tekpick. The acoustic tone is amazing and I find they’re great for speed picking. I like to file a slight rough edge on them to get some brightness to the attack.
Ultex .88, occasionally tortex .73 or .6 for more strumming/acoustic. The longer I’ve played my picks have slowly gotten thicker.
I really like using normal size triangular picks from Blue Chip. I like the shape because the angle against the strings is flatter, which means I can get good warm tone without having to move my hand towards and away from the body as much. I like the Blue Chip material because it seems to last forever and I never have to decide if it’s time to replace a pick or not or deal with it changing over time.
I love the star picks. Usually a medium weight depending on what I’m trying to play. I’m just a simple at home noodler and I primarily play bass and finger pick. Most of the time I play my guitar finger style, but I use a pick sometimes depending on the style I’m trying to get at.
I use the red max grip version of the Jazz III. I definitely don’t even think about using larger picks anymore, except on bass where I prefer a standard medium pick when playing pick style.
I had used Bog Street picks for about a year before switching, and I still like them quite a lot.
