Picks

[Hsb]

Ive been using the Fender Heavy 358 picks for years and thinking about a change. I prefer smaller picks so Im guessing the Jazz III picks would be the route to go as the standard size picks feel too big. What Jazz III picks should I be looking at. I believe the Fender Heavy picks are 1mm but could be wrong. Id be ok going up or down just a little bit, just not sure exactly where I want to go. There are so many different options within the Jazz III arena and I guess I could get a couple different versions and see what I like best.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Picks

Go somewhere that has the big display of Dunlop picks, and get 2 or 3 each of the regular red and black, Ultex, Carbon Fiber, Tortex .88, Tortex 1.14 and Tortex 1.35. Might set you back as much as $7.

 

[Hsb]

Re: Picks

Whats the difference between the red and black?

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Picks

They're all good to use. They all work great for fast, accurate picking. Differences are pretty minor, and I'm happy to use any colour Jazz III that happens to turn up in the couch cushions.

I find the regular red ones sound nice, but get really slippery when you sweat a bit. I solved the problem by taking a pen knife and scuffing the plastic up a whole bunch. The black ones are pretty much the same as far as I'm concerned, maybe a tad bit stiffer (this has never made a difference to me when picking really fast though, so maybe I'm imagining it).

Jazz IIIs Ultex are my favorite. They're grippy enough that they don't slip in your hands, they sound great (maybe a touch brighter than the red ones?), and they're cheap. However, when you drop them on the floor they turn invisible, so buy a bunch.

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Picks

If you have problems gripping your pick (as I do), I suggest the Cat's Tongue pick from Cool Picks. Both gripping surfaces feel exactly like a cat's tongue (the teeth stick out), and it won't turn or slip from your fingers. Many times I have to throw it down after playing.... I use a black .88mm...
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41vbMtI88KL._SL500_AC_SS350_.jpg

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Picks

Whats the difference between the red and black?

Red are nylon, black are stiffo.

Blacks are a bit less floppy and have a very slightly brighter attack.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Picks

I wouldn't call the red Jazz IIIs floppy.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Picks

^ Agreed. Also, I think both red & black are nylon.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Picks

I wouldn't call the red Jazz IIIs floppy.

Yeah, I'm not calling them floppy either. I guess what I meant to say is they're supposed to be less stiff.

^ Agreed. Also, I think both red & black are nylon.

Yes, but Dunlop call the black ones "stiffo" because the process they use to dye the nylon gives them a different feel and tone.

I wouldn't say there is a night and day difference between both, TBH, but there is supposed to be one.

 

[Open lane]

Re: Picks

I have a bunch of the red ones, and they’re good. I really prefer jd205s, though. They’re my fav.

 

[Jacew]

Re: Picks

Ive been using the Fender Heavy 358 picks for years and thinking about a change. I prefer smaller picks so Im guessing the Jazz III picks would be the route to go as the standard size picks feel too big. What Jazz III picks should I be looking at. I believe the Fender Heavy picks are 1mm but could be wrong. Id be ok going up or down just a little bit, just not sure exactly where I want to go. There are so many different options within the Jazz III arena and I guess I could get a couple different versions and see what I like best.

I've been using these Fender heavy celluloid ones (Boston, UT and Curt Mangan brands but exactly same) recently, because my store and supplies of Fire & Stone picks run out and I haven't been able to find that kind of softer way better sounding celluloid ones anywhere.:rant:

 

[Mincer]

Re: Picks

Also try the Jazz III shape out of delrin, or Tortex. Those are my favorite. I dig the shape, but always hated the nylon and relief of a normal Jazz III.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Picks

I have never been a fan of any of the Jazz picks. I like regular sized Dunlop Tortex better, and you can also get the smaller "Teardrop" size in the Tortex line in any thickness from .5 to 1.14

https://www.jimdunlop.com/product/423r-7-10137-00151-0.do

Sometimes Ebay sellers have "trial packs" of picks that have one of each thickness.

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: Picks

My Dunlop jazz 3 black picks are carbon fiber, the red ones are plastic. Carbon seems a bit warmer in sound, red ones are a tad brighter.
Both play very well.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: Picks

Go somewhere that has the big display of Dunlop picks, and get 2 or 3 each of the regular red and black, Ultex, Carbon Fiber, Tortex .88, Tortex 1.14 and Tortex 1.35. Might set you back as much as $7.

+1

You can't go wrong doing this. Personally I started with Jazz II and then gradually came to the red and black III, then Tortex Jazz III (purple which I think is 1.14?)

Now I go between the Ultex Jazz III and Jazz III XL, Brain Picks (nylons but very grippy and sound good to me), and more recently Gravity picks. The latter is a bit pricy but worth it IMO.

I can't really get back into the tiny size Jazz III anymore as my style has changed a bit but still pick it up once in awhile

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Hsb]

Re: Picks

So I did go to my local shop, needed new strings, so I picked up a few red and black Jazz III sharps. The blacks sound very much like the Fender ones Im using, the reds are a bit warmer than the black ones. Have to plug the guitar into the amp to see which sounds better that way. Unplugged, I actually prefer the red picks.

Thanks guys, appreciate the help

 

[RorySquier]

Re: Picks

I have quite an assortment of guitar picks but one that I bought back in 1988 & I still have which is Teck Pick made out of brass. It has three holes for a comfort grip. It also as you notice has indented top corners for string scraping which is a nice feature. It takes a bit of practice but if you develop a light touch this pick will bring out some really sweet tones out of your guitar.

;>)/

 

[Nagisa]

Re: Picks

My brothers I am here to preach to you about the Dunlop Flow pick (Petrucci model).

I too was on the jazz iii bandwagon for 15 years, going from red to black to ultex to big petrucci back to ultex, to 2.0, to eric johnson, to max grip red, back to ultex.

Then I found the flow. The tone is unbeatable for soloing, just much more sound coming out. And while on day 1 I felt it was too big, on day 2 I realized I could play more effortlessly for fast runs. If you solo, try one out.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Picks

^^^^ they are too small for me.
I’ve tried almost every pick there is.
So far I can’t beat the Clayton Acetyal 351 size.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Picks

I do lose picks a lot, so I won't spend a ton of money on them, and I refuse to have a 'special' pick that I get attached to and will ultimately lose.