Using a coin instead of plastic pick

[MetalManiac]

Re: Using a coin instead of plastic pick

BIlly gibbons' quarters are "railroaded" so they have been squashed and stretched by being run over by a train. Brian may uses a sixpence. The aussie 5c piece is a good substitute for that but a litlle smaller.

Yeah..those are good picks, they put some pretty good stress on the strings but a regular coin will chew up your strings right quick.

 

[marcello252]

Re: Using a coin instead of plastic pick

I've never been able to play with coins, that slippery uneven border makes me sick with its 'zzziiing' sound.
The best pick I ever played with (actually the pick I currently use) is the Dunlop Ultex 1.14, next comes the Dunlop Tortex 1.00

 

[IanBallard]

Re: Using a coin instead of plastic pick

They DO make metal picks as well. So if you like the bright attack of metal, you can get it while also enjoying the advantage of a shape that actually works for picking strings. Personally, I'd LOVE a pick made of Zildjian cymbal bronze shaped like the 2mm Stubby that's currently ruling me.

 

[ademark]

Re: Using a coin instead of plastic pick

I use picks that I hand make out of different coins... I agree that using a regular coin is hard because of the round form, my solution has been to press the coin so that it has a long flattened round edge!

 

[Securb]

Re: Using a coin instead of plastic pick

I just cant do the coin thing. I play with Brossard picks made out of bone and horn that are incredibly thick. I have never found a coin that has worked well for me. I used the shilling that came with my Brian May Red Special pedal with little success. It was too small and had no point, I couldn't get into the groove with it. I also have a pick made from a quarter that was cut to resemble a standard pick. It is easier to play with than the shilling but still it doesn't have the warmth of the bone or horn.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Using a coin instead of plastic pick

It changes my technique and works best for single-note playing or 2-3 note chords, but can't work at all for strumming. I have to use a different angle and delicate pressure to make it work. I wanted to understand what Brain May got out of it, so I tried an old sixpence and every international coin I could find that is similar (since sixpence are harder to come by now). It's actually remarkable how just a half dozen coins of near-similar size but different thicknesses and edges requires significantly different picking technique.

One big thing this experience did change for me, however, is now I hold regular picks turned around, holding the point up in my hand and use the blunt round edge for striking the strings, and I strike at a 45 degree angle. Tremolo is so much easier and faster, and for chords and single note playing the attack is just the string sound and not the scratch of the pick.

 

[mrpinter]

Re: Using a coin instead of plastic pick

If a coin is an improvement over a plastic pick because of it's increased stiffness, you might want to try some of the V-Picks, in 2.75mm or even 4.1mm. I've always used thinner (less than 1mm) picks and when I tried a few of Vinni Smith's creations I surprised myself by taking right to them. They let you pick with a somewhat lighter touch. Now thin picks feel too "floppy" to me - except when playing acoustics, for which I still like a bit of flex.

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: Using a coin instead of plastic pick

When in a pinch I use a playing card folded in half. The coin is to thick, round and heavy for me (thasswha-shesaid), but I get a nice warm, dark thud out of a folded edge of a playing card. they don't last long, but you can get many, many plays out of a deck. Save the Ace of Spades for when Lemmy is in the audience.

 

[jimijames]

Re: Using a coin instead of plastic pick

If I run out of picks I just use my fingers. I've tried coins before but meh. With the raised edges it never really seems to work as far as US currency is concerned. Brossard picks look very interesting though.