New pick recommendations

butnut

butnut

New member
I was a Fender med user for decades. The past 4 years, I've used a Dava Flex pick...loved it. But lately, I think they have changed their plastic as it's a different color, and I always start each gig with a fresh pick. By the 3rd set, it feels soft...too soft. I don't throw 'em away as they are about 75 cents, so the old ones end up on my mic stand in case I drop one. Last nite, I was pissed that the pick went soft, so I grabbed a used one...felt way better than my new one. I think it's time to move away from this flex thing and go simple. I'd like something that 'gives' like a medium, has the nylon 'feel', NOT hard plastic, AND had some good grip to it. Traditional shape, like the Dava...please give specifics as I wanna check out a few...thanks
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Re: New pick recommendations

i just went on a recent pick buying bender to try and find one i really like so now i'm well versed in lots of different picks.

for traditional shape (Dava isn't actually traditional, it's more pointed), medium thickness, good grip and nylon feel/tone i'd try the new Dunlop Max Grip .73...

http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/max-grip-nylon-standard

or

herco flex 75s...

http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/herco-nylon-flat-picks

or

the good old Dunlop Nylon Standard...

http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/standard

all of them have good grip areas and come in a medium gauge (.7X) are traditional shape like the fender M you used to use and are made of nylon not hard plastic.

the tortex, ultex and carbon fiber stuff may all feel a bit hard and plasticy to you and even at a thinner gauge won't have the same feel/give of nylon. I know exactly what you mean there. i don't like ultex i find it way too stiff and plasticy, tortex doesn't have enough grip for me etc etc.
 
Re: New pick recommendations

Thanks bro! I'll check those out today...they look like what i need.
 
Re: New pick recommendations

Every year or so I try out different strings and different picks..... I always go back to these:

To address your problem, I think the more they are used the more they heat up...this causes them to soften up as well..... by leaving them alone for a while, they cool back down and regain their rigidity (you old one from the box)
I warm up wear a pick out in a song or two and just keep a pile right on top of my speakers to grab a cold one....

DunlopSNylonPicks.jpg
 
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Re: New pick recommendations

Those stubbies look a bit different than what i have. Mine have a big indent on each side that I hate, so I never use em. They also feel and sound very plasticy. im not sure if the ones I have are made from lexan like those, but if they are, they dont feel much at all like the v-picks I have that are also made from lexan.


These might also do thie trick if you still want a pointed pick with good grip.

http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/sharp
 
Re: New pick recommendations

Dunlop Jazz IIIs.

They have many different types. I personally like the satin feel of the Eric Johnson models but the Max Grips and Std. are really good too...
 
Re: New pick recommendations

I've been digging 2mm Stubbies for a while. The "plasticky" aspect, to me, simply enhances upper harmonic content and pick attack. I used to be from the floppy/flexible pick school, but since my technique has improved and using the sharp Stubby pick, I find that strumming is actually EASIER than with the nylon picks I used to prefer. To me (and this is just my personal feeling) floppy picks helping strum, is laziness in technique since you rely on the pick flexing out-of-the-way in order to strum upward after going down. To me, you get a much more solid "graze" of the strings with a thick, sharp pick which, to me, improves tone. Since I've been using them for a while, when I go back to a "normal" pick, I can't play nearly as fast or accurately and feel like I'm using a credit card. :)

I might try the nylon Stubbies for situations where I want a lighter, less bright attack. I also like how small they are, because I dig doing pinch harmonics and it makes it waaay easier for me.
 
Re: New pick recommendations

Thanks guys...the store I went to only had a few choices...lame. But I did find 2 Max Grip 88s...I like the feel, they had a lot of the thicker ones, was hoping for a 73 which is prolly a lot closer to my Dava. The Dunlop nylons did'nt feel good to me...and I think 80s Metal is right about the heat factor. We break for 15 minutes on the hour, but maybe that's not enough to cool the pick off, it does get really hot on stage. Well I'll give the new picks a try..I grabbed a Pickboy, had a lot of holes on it, felt OK other than it's more plastic...
 
Re: New pick recommendations

I've gone through more picks than I care to remember, the ones I like all tend to have one characteristic, tortex color.

Now, I won't be too quick to say that they are, in fact, made of a type of shell (actually, cellulose most probably) but it wouldn't surprise me either, Martin&Co being my favorite by far:

Wear WAY too fast though...

Ernie Ball feel good too (definitely cellulose though!):
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Another I found to have very similar properties (although not quite there) is the Pickboy Classic, I prefer the Luminous kind for obvious reasons (i.e. I am constantly looking to find where I put it :D).
imperialguitar_2146_68537713
 
Re: New pick recommendations

IanBallard said:
To me (and this is just my personal feeling) floppy picks helping strum, is laziness in technique since you rely on the pick flexing out-of-the-way in order to strum upward after going down. To me, you get a much more solid "graze" of the strings with a thick, sharp pick which, to me, improves tone. Since I've been using them for a while, when I go back to a "normal" pick, I can't play nearly as fast or accurately and feel like I'm using a credit card. :)

I might try the nylon Stubbies for situations where I want a lighter, less bright attack. I also like how small they are, because I dig doing pinch harmonics and it makes it waaay easier for me.
Click to expand...

I used the 3mm Big Stubby's for years and years. I still have a batch somewhere. I recall that I changed because on the tone I got from strumming with them - a little dull if I recall. Also, the attack used to constantly pull the string out of tuning.

I've gradually used thinner and thinner picks. Now Im down to dunlop tortex purples and sometimes blue. Thick enough to pick fast - whihc isnt a common thing for me! But with a little flex which makes chording sound more natural.

The only thing is they are VERY slippery when wet (:beerchug:)
My solution is to rough up the sides using a diamond file. THEN I notice that played with the scored surfaces produces a very discernable attack which is even better.

Most of my favorite used picks look like crap but I just cant play with the untouched new ones!!!
 
Re: New pick recommendations

ryUK said:
I used the 3mm Big Stubby's for years and years. I still have a batch somewhere. I recall that I changed because on the tone I got from strumming with them - a little dull if I recall. Also, the attack used to constantly pull the string out of tuning.

I've gradually used thinner and thinner picks. Now Im down to dunlop tortex purples and sometimes blue. Thick enough to pick fast - whihc isnt a common thing for me! But with a little flex which makes chording sound more natural.

The only thing is they are VERY slippery when wet (:beerchug:)
My solution is to rough up the sides using a diamond file. THEN I notice that played with the scored surfaces produces a very discernable attack which is even better.

Most of my favorite used picks look like crap but I just cant play with the untouched new ones!!!
Click to expand...

Honestly, maybe MY technique has become lazy, as far as speed-picking goes... I suppose if I started using the .88 Nylons or yellow Tortexes more, I could manipulate them better. I'm just used to the sharp edge and point.
 
Re: New pick recommendations

I just got a new pickup from BG Pups and Bryan included an engraved V-Pick as a "business card"

I never used one before and it was revolutionary to play with the V-Pick. I ususally use Tortex red (.50 mm) or orange (.60 mm) - the v-pick has got to be as thick as 5 or 6 of the Dunlops. For such a big wedge of plastic (arcylic) I am amazed how articulate and precise it is.

I keep A/B'ing and comparing it to a "traditional" pick and am really liking it. A V-pick costs as much as a set of strings but even so, I just may need to try out some of their other designs
 
Re: New pick recommendations

EFLz.jpg


I like these A LOT. They are small like a Jazz pick but they have a nice texture to help you grip. They are not as smooth and slick as a lot of the Jazz pick's I have tried. I like the material they are made out of. They aren't as bright as a lot of pick's I've used, which I like. They aren't dark either....more neutral. I've also never had one wear smooth on me, or get slick. That's a big bonus.

They of course come in different gauges, or whatever you call it for picks. I like either the .88 or 1.0. Since they are smaller they don't need to be as thick as some other picks to achieve the same stiffness at the tip. Fairly cheap too.
 
Re: New pick recommendations

xssive said:
i just went on a recent pick buying bender to try and find one i really like so now i'm well versed in lots of different picks.

For traditional shape (dava isn't actually traditional, it's more pointed), medium thickness, good grip and nylon feel/tone i'd try the new dunlop max grip .73...

http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/max-grip-nylon-standard

or

herco flex 75s...

http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/herco-nylon-flat-picks

or

the good old dunlop nylon standard...

http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/standard

all of them have good grip areas and come in a medium gauge (.7x) are traditional shape like the fender m you used to use and are made of nylon not hard plastic.

The tortex, ultex and carbon fiber stuff may all feel a bit hard and plasticy to you and even at a thinner gauge won't have the same feel/give of nylon. I know exactly what you mean there. I don't like ultex i find it way too stiff and plasticy, tortex doesn't have enough grip for me etc etc.
Click to expand...


+1

dunlop max grip!!!!!
 
Re: New pick recommendations

LOVE the traditional Jazz III...but...picked up these today!

TortexPitchBlackJazzIII-11.png
 
Re: New pick recommendations

The Max Grip feels good, but the tip is a tad too round and it's non shiny surface sounds a little 'dull'...the pickboy feels good too, but it really makes my tone a LOT brighter due to it's 'plastic' feel. I keep going back to the Dava and it feels perfect...maybe I'll have to keep some picks on ice!:cool: I'll keep looking, maybe the tortex is worth a try...
 
Re: New pick recommendations

AniML mentioned the V pick. I tried and bought a few....it's crazy, you can really pick faster and more precise...amazing really. But for rhythm work, it sounds plinky. I play a passage where I have to do some alternate skip picking, I tend to muck it up, so I used the rounded side of my pick and it became easier. I tried it with the V pick and it was cake...so effortless. So I'd have that pick on my mic stand and grab it when that song came up, worked great. One night, i forgot to switch and had my Dava in hand, I played it perfect...the Vpick must have 'trained' my hand to do what i thought was tricky and now, I don't use the V at all...they come in a kool ruby clear red and glow in the dark:smokin:
 
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