Favorite Picks and Gauge

[UnderTheFlame83]

Do you have a favorite or does any pick work for you?

When I first started playing guitar I always used Dunlop .88 nylons. The nylons was my go to pick for years and last forever. Tried many different picks and gauges since then. Used Dunlop Tortex for many years after in all gauges for awhile until I tried Star Picks. Star Picks 1.0 are my favorite now and feel perfect to me. I seem to play better with them, too, and I like the tone I get from them. Cool picks.

 

[Mincer]

I use custom Delrin 1mm Jazz III shape. They were just as inexpensive as non-custom ones, so I ordered them.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

I tried these recently and they're pretty good.

 

[beaubrummels]

I change size, weight, thickness, material based on the music - tempo and part I have to play. Same thing I do with drum sticks on the drums.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I like Dunlop purple Tortex Jazz III's. I prefer the tone of thinner Tortex picks, but I prefer the feel of thicker standard Jazz III's. Purple Tortex III's are the happy medium.

 

[FuseG4]

I used dunlop delrin for a long time, 1.14 regular shape, still like em. I like the way they slip on the strings a little, and comfortable to hold, last forever
I have no idea who turned me on to these lol

Couple years ago I got a couple V Picks fusion picks
Like a jazz iii shape but maybe a little bigger
But they are hard acrylic and have a bright sound that takes getting used to but now I love the articulation and yes, they are difficult to drop, as advertised, and these last an insanely long time if you're not a pick abuser
Three picks have lasted me like two years

 

[Aceman]

I'll play any guitar, but THIS is my pick.

 

[JOLLY]

 

[superpete]

red jazz iii

 

[formula73]

 

[Bogner]

Ultex 1.14 and those led me to the Ultex Black Fang 1.14 which led me to the Ultex 1.14 White Fang which are perfect for me. Slightly different shape and they have an awesome grip to them. They sound great, last a long time and work for me for a lot of things. They are also aces for the chug.

For acoustic playing I use fingers and Ultex .73 and sometimes rotate them to the side for the rounder edge if I want a softer attack.

 

[Mincer]

Also, I use 1 kind of pick for everything. I really hare having to switch picks for different circumstances.

 

[JamesPaul]

Since 1986, I've used the Dunlop Yellow 0.73mm Standard Tortex for my electrics. Definitely my favorite.

For my acoustics, I'll switch between the Yellow, Orange 0.60mm and Red 0.50mm depending on the style.

For what little bass playing I do, I use the Purple 1.14mm if I need a pick.

 

[PS412]

Dunlop
Nylon
.88

 

[Snake Aces]

Well, I was using some Dunlop Tortex picks before moving to Greece in 2013. They were not always easy to acquire while living in Greece back then. I really miss living there, but it changed me. I now play just regular Fender heavy picks, but, ever since Prince died, only purple ones. I can find them in a lot of places.

 

[hamerfan]

They made me laugh

 

[Lewguitar]

I've started using these Eric Johnson picks. They're smaller than a Fender Medium, heavy and I think they're Jim Dunlaps. They're textured so they're easy to hold onto. Took a while to get used to them but now they're all I use.

 

[Erlend_G]

Ah hello!

This seems to be the place to share my "secret tool"- the *wooden pick*

For 17 years of playing, I only used various plastic, nylon- "ordinary" picks. The green and black (1.14 and 2mm) Gator's were my favourite. They had a slight gritty texture to them, that gave me more of the sound I wanted.

Then, I bought two small gift cans of "Timber Tones, 4 assorted wooden picks", one for me, and one for my guitar playing uncle. Wow, what a difference!

These picks are rather thick (1,5-2mm), so they have no flex or give. But the sound is something special. It's thick, warm and natural- and has none of the "click" you can get with synthethic materials. Only problem is that they are expensive, and wear out very fast. And I'm afraid some of them are made from... exotic trees, that I'd rather not have chopped down.

I got a "wish" wooden pick from my mother, this one is thinner, has a sharper edge- and seems to be made of wood soaked in some resin? It has already lasted twice as long, as any of my "timber tones". It has a slight indentation on one side, that helps holding it. I've asked mother to buy me 4 more of these "no name" wooden picks from Wish, as they are my current favourite.

I tried a "bone pick", that was very hard and smooth. It had a warm tone, but I didn't like that it was so smooth.

Someone on Facebook are making various stone picks, but again I like rough picks, that attack the string sorta like a "bow"... not smooth ones.

Metal picks are also to be had, but- I've never tried one. I think they will give a very bright and metallic sound .

Rock on \m/

-Erlend

 

[Synapsys]

Dunlop Big Stubbys 2 and 3 mm. Been using them for 20 years, playing from Death Metal to New Age stuff.

 

[AniML]

I have tried dozens and dozens, but nothing can unseat the humble Herco Holy Grail - especially on acoustic. It is labeled "Flex 75" but is really ~1mm. Maybe I've convinced myself, but notes seem to jump off the strings differently than with any other pick. The only ones that come close are very different - Primetone Sculpted .73 and Dunlop Petrucci Trinity.