Picks for a warm tone - your tips please

Re: Picks for a warm tone - your tips please

SixStringSales said:
I'll bet that I can hold 3 different picks with the same grip and same picking dynamics and you would not be able to tell the difference in a clear recording.
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This is NOT entirely true.

Each pick has a different way it attacks the string; despite it's user. All you have to do is listen to the notes being played and listen to the overtones it produces, if not the overall dynamics -- hard vs soft. It'll take a couple listens, but that's how it is. I mean, if you take a Dunlop Tortex, Dunlop Gator, and Dunlop Nylon of the same gauge, and played with them the same, you may not be able to, in a clear recording, hear the dynamics so distinctly or readily -- though up close and personal, they all sound different. If you take a Dunlop Tortex, Dunlop Delrin, and Dunlop Ultex of the same gauge, these should be relatively apparent in a clear recording; their differences.

Take a Dunlop Tortex, Fender Celluloid, and Everly Star (mix of Tortex and delrin) of the same gauge and the way they each sound the string should be even more noticeable.

These are just some examples using picks of the same gauge. Not to mention using dfferent guages.

Picks of different makers and sometimes within the own company, differing materials can vary in weight, sound, density, etc; within the same exact gauge. Add in sound, attack, and dynamics, it can be a world of craziness. Trust me, I know. Been there, done that. (Though the madness never truly ends.)
 
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Re: Picks for a warm tone - your tips please

The picks definitely have a great impact on sound (And John Christ is a terrific player!, one of my favourites). When I switch between my two favourite picks, the Fender medium celluloid, and the Dunlop Tortex 2mm pick, there is a drastic difference that anyone, player or not, should be able to hear imo. Hell, even my drummer could hear it! That said, the Dunlop Tortex 2mm is my choice pick for fat warm tones.
 
Re: Picks for a warm tone - your tips please

Well I could be wrong or it could be an individual thing. I always hold the pick very close to the tip and the difference I notice most is in feel. It affects the sound but not to the degree I hear described in this thread. I still think there is a much bigger difference in how close to the tip one holds a pick.

This is a good debate! I will experiment this weekend and post the results.
 
Re: Picks for a warm tone - your tips please

Jackson Distortion said:
Each pick has a different way it attacks the string; despite it's user. All you have to do is listen to the notes being played and listen to the overtones it produces, if not the overall dynamics -- hard vs soft. It'll take a couple listens, but that's how it is
Click to expand...

This.

I've found Nylon picks to give the warmest tones consistently. But I hate the feel of the Dunlops Nylons. When I use Nylon, I use Wedgie brand Nylon XT-.60-.88 depending on the particular guitar.

These along with a Dunlop medium gauge classic celluloid pick (these feel much better to me than Fender brand) are my absolute fave picks.
 
Re: Picks for a warm tone - your tips please

Johtosotku said:
The picks definitely have a great impact on sound (And John Christ is a terrific player!, one of my favourites). When I switch between my two favourite picks, the Fender medium celluloid, and the Dunlop Tortex 2mm pick, there is a drastic difference that anyone, player or not, should be able to hear imo. Hell, even my drummer could hear it! That said, the Dunlop Tortex 2mm is my choice pick for fat warm tones.
Click to expand...

i made the same switch, same difference. the fenders sound nice, but they lack durability....
 
Re: Picks for a warm tone - your tips please

If you can't hear the difference between a Fender xtraheavy, Tortex and say, a stubby Jazz or whatever I'd suggest a box of Q-tips or better, a visit to the ear nose & throat for a cleaning...

Of course... if you play with way too much gain you might not hear any difference...

I'll plug three different strats or whatever in a Lame6 box and they all sound the same... but that's why I don't play or own any Lame6 gear!
 
Re: Picks for a warm tone - your tips please

J Moose said:
If you can't hear the difference between a Fender xtraheavy, Tortex and say, a stubby Jazz or whatever I'd suggest a box of Q-tips or better, a visit to the ear nose & throat for a cleaning...

Of course... if you play with way too much gain you might not hear any difference...

I'll plug three different strats or whatever in a Lame6 box and they all sound the same... but that's why I don't play or own any Lame6 gear!
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Yes it's my ears! They are too dirty. I play with way too much gain too! Thanks so much for teaching me. For the life of me I cannot hear what pick John Mayer using on Continuum or which Trower used on Bridge of Sighs? I'm such a newb!
 
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Re: Picks for a warm tone - your tips please

SixStringSales said:
Yes it's my ears! They are too dirty. I play with way too much gain too! Thanks so much for teaching me. For the life of me I cannot hear what pick John Mayer using on Continuum or which Trower used on Bridge of Sighs? I'm such a newb!
Click to expand...

What is being argued is that if you DID know what he was using and he switched, you would probably be able to hear some difference.

I used to used Dunlop Tortex 1.14s for the longest time. I switched to Gator 2mm a few years back and IMMEDIATELY heard a difference. The sound wasn't as bright. It was a bit thicker and a bit heavier. Surely not the difference of switching between a clean and a overdriven channel but a tonal difference none the less.

More recently I decided to check out the Dunlop Jazz III 1.14s and while they're great for articulate runs and stuff, they leave a bit of low end to be desired.

Take any five picks of different material and gauges and without adjusting your EQ, play the same lick over and over. You WILL hear SOME difference.

As for the OP's question, Dunlop 2mm Gator.
 
Re: Picks for a warm tone - your tips please

Check out a Vpick. Warning: they are THICK, probably the fattest pick I've ever held, but they sound great and release very well off the strings. Very smooth playing. I bought a "medium rounded" set to try and they sent two picks - a pointed triangular and a very rounded triangular. I'm hooked.

http://www.v-picks.com/
 
Re: Picks for a warm tone - your tips please

On a related note, I was a bit inspired by this thread and decided to get back into experimenting with picks again. I have also used unconventional items and experimented with homemade picks but I decided to take a trip to Guitar Center on my lunch break and grab an assortment. Holy $%^*@! What a rape job! I paid $13 dollars and walked out of the store feeling like Charlie Brown on Halloween. Here's what I got:

1-Small bag of assorted picks (approx. 8 in bag)
1-Finger pick for thumb
2-Finger picks for fingers

What has this world come to? Maybe I was wrong for walking in there in the first place but that just seems a little crazy to me. Sorry guys. just venting. I'll go back to making my own.
 
Re: Picks for a warm tone - your tips please

I have experimented with a lot of picks and for me, what it comes down to is to get the attack I want without sacrificing tone and feel in my hand. When I play electric I use the Dunlop Tortex .88 picks, when I play acoustic I use the .77's. They are a little crisper due to them being thin, but I should also point out that I play acoustic more with my fingertips than I do with a pick. I get the most warmth in my tone with my natural fingers. I also feel more connected to the strings because I am touching them with my fingers. As with all things guitar related it is all a matter of what works for you. There is no one way to do it.

What I also find good about the Dunlop picks are when they wear down some the tone gets a little warmer, although I prefer a new pick, I rarley replace them. I can use one pick for many months before I feel I need to replace it. Years back when I was using the Fender medium picks, I could barley go a day before I broke the tip off of one.
 
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Re: Picks for a warm tone - your tips please

I use a quarter for most. I will adjust it accordingly such as the edge being used only or the use it like a typical pick. Turned sideways it has an interesting sound to it.
 
Re: Picks for a warm tone - your tips please

I use Dunlop nylon .88's. They're textured to keep from slipping out of my fingers, and they have sharp, tapered edges so I get a nice biting sound with them. Just enough flex to be responsive, and yet stiff enough for speed. Since I like warm tones, I need a pick that cuts through with a little added treble. For solos I love a sharp, aggressive attack with pick noise. For my style I don't like a soft, muted attack. The right pick is essential for my playing. The late 1960's British blues/rock players are my mentors for tone & style.
 
Re: Picks for a warm tone - your tips please

I've found Nylon picks to give the warmest tones consistently
Click to expand...
Agreed for me they give enough attack and warmth. I can't use anything other then Dunlop .60 Nylons the lightish grey ones. I find thicker picks too clunky clean (sharp rhythm stuff like Arctic Monkeys or Bloc Party). I think .60 at least with nylon is quite versatile as you can play very lightly and get a soft sound and hit the guitar hard and make it bark so they are quite dynamic.
 
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