What gauge of pick do you use? + Is this linked to pick attack

[nuntius]

I've got a theory here I want to test out...

Is there a link between pick attack and pick guage/rigidity (since some materials are stiffer at lower gauges) in your case?

Or

Do you use a heavy pick with a light attack/vice versa?

Include your style of playing also... I used to think I needed a thick pick to pick 'fast'... I've used everything from Jazz IIIs to 3mm stubbies before, so I want to see if that holds true for others who play a more 'frantic' style

I'm talking in general here... as most experienced players learn to vary pick attack for dynamics, but that doesn't stop some picking harder/softer than others





Recently I've been focussing on lightening up my playing technique, and I've found during the transition my 'pick of choice', a 1.14 Dunlop Ultex, feels way too stiff.

I've now switched to Dava Control picks, which I've used for ages on acoustics but used to find too soft a gauge for electric when I start pretending to be Paul Gilbert, even when held at the tip.

With a lighter touch though, they work fine... which is great, because sometimes I pretend I'm Hendrix too, and I find lighter picks work nicely for chordy rhythm work...

'now I can switch between either, on one plectrum!'

:laugh2:

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: What gauge of pick do you use?

Re: What gauge of pick do you use?

I use different picks for different styles tor better said ,soloing is with 1mm ibanez hikizume or Paul Gilbert easier and more percussive.OTOH ,if i play riffs ,i prefer the JAzzTones 205!Thick ,stable and nice sweeping pick!Stronger but rounded downstroke tone.
But my search never ends.Maybe an ultex jazz style would be the best pick.Or maybe a stone/woos one.I don't know.i just try out!

 

[Baltar]

Re: What gauge of pick do you use?

Re: What gauge of pick do you use?

depends on the music style ..
i use most of the time dunlop jazz iii.
if i want it straighter, darker, heavier i use fender heavy (those big brown).
sorry, dunno the gauge

 

[MikeS]

Re: What gauge of pick do you use?

Re: What gauge of pick do you use?

The blue Dunlop Gator Grips... 1.14 mm? Every now and then I find myself using one of the black ones (2mm). I also have some red ones (.58mm) that are primarily used on acoustics.

I tend to have a fairly heavy right hand and my quick lead work generally uses many hammer/pull-off combinations because I think heavy right hand really screws up my coordination. Also, I feel sloppy with thin picks on electrics (like I have too little control over the pick).

Stylistically, I levitate around a "heavy-blues-rock" and occasionally dabble in everything from blues to thrash.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: What gauge of pick do you use?

Re: What gauge of pick do you use?

Me, I use heavy picks for electric playing and medium for acoustic. Usually I prefer the dunlop nylon (black) heavies but I've also used Tortex picks (the thick bright one) and this other dunlop pick that's called the Bright or something. I just feel like a heavy pick has more definite feedback and bends the least, which I prefer so that I know where the pick is and what string I'm picking. I can't stand light gauge unless I'm playing acoustic.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: What gauge of pick do you use? + Is this linked to pick attack

Medium and heavy. My attack depends on what's needed, but I usually really whack the strings. I usually use light picks for acoustic guitar.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: What gauge of pick do you use? + Is this linked to pick attack

1.14 Dunlop Tortex....the purple ones.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: What gauge of pick do you use? + Is this linked to pick attack

I use Jazz IIIs almost all of the time . . . but for the occasional strummer on acoustic, or for some funk songs I like to break out the very light picks though. It really lets you smack the strings hard, which can be fun once in a while.

 

[ElUnoAstuto]

Re: What gauge of pick do you use? + Is this linked to pick attack

99% of the time, Dunlop Jazz III's, for acoustic and the wild hair, I've got a couple thin gator grips laying around...

 

[ErikH]

Re: What gauge of pick do you use? + Is this linked to pick attack

Either the blue tortex, 1.0mm or the purple tortex, 1.14mm. I can get a pretty light touch with either of them or get a nice heavy attack.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: What gauge of pick do you use? + Is this linked to pick attack

i use the Dunlop thicker bubble gum ones and lighter Pink ones.... anything closest to a Fender Medium really.... i find the thinner ones do nothing but flip flap over the strings.... i could get away using a thicker one, but medium picks seem to be the right balance between the stiffness and the give.....

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: What gauge of pick do you use? + Is this linked to pick attack

I use Dunlop Jazz I's or III's for everything, acoustic or electric, jazz to hard rock.

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: What gauge of pick do you use? + Is this linked to pick attack

Dunlop nylon 1.5mm. I don't hit the guitar really hard, so it helps beef things up a bit. Plus I find I get greater control.

 

[Tom M]

Re: What gauge of pick do you use? + Is this linked to pick attack

I use either the green (.88) or the blue (1.0) Dunlops, and I play on the lighter side of things.

 

[Brow]

Re: What gauge of pick do you use? + Is this linked to pick attack

On Acoustics I use either the Orange (0.66mm) or the Yellow (0.76mm?) Dunlop Tortex pics.

For Electrics I use Celluloid 0.96mm or 1.14mm pics for everything. I wouldn't say I whack the strings, but I don't tickle them neither

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: What gauge of pick do you use? + Is this linked to pick attack

100% Dunlop 2mm Stubbies. They have perfect rigidity and the perfect taper to kick the pick out a little to save you some of the work of pulling it out yourself. A heavy pick gives you a bigger/wider tone and allows you to play faster because a pick that has give to it is like trying to hit a baseball with a flapping bat.

I tried the 3mm Stubbies first but they're a little TOO round. Like trying to pick with a pingpong ball.

 

[RW James]

Re: What gauge of pick do you use? + Is this linked to pick attack

Am I using too light of a pick?

I generally play a nylon Dunlop .60mm (Lt Grey). We're playing a new song that has a lot of thrashing and I found these picks to be too flexible, so I went with a .70mm (Dk Grey) and had a lot better control.

But after reading all your responses, I'm think that maybe I should explore something a little heavier.

 

[J Moose]

Re: What gauge of pick do you use? + Is this linked to pick attack

The material and thickness of the pick TOTALLY affects tone.

That's why I call 'em "25 cent equailizers"





For gigs I use either green or blue tortex....

In the studio I'll use whatever. I've got two or three pickup boxes that are filled with picks of various materials, shapes, sizes & thicknesses.

 

[nuntius]

Re: What gauge of pick do you use? + Is this linked to pick attack

The material and thickness of the pick TOTALLY affects tone.

That's why I call 'em "25 cent equailizers"

In the studio I'll use whatever. I've got two or three pickup boxes that are filled with picks of various materials, shapes, sizes & thicknesses.

Lol, yep... I've got a LOT of picks myself... from 5mm rubber Wedgies, Awe in ones, pickboy edges, copper ones, steel ones, thumb picks, those big triangle ones, most of the dunlop range from .88 upwards in many of the various styles... the list goes on :chairfall Definitely useful for recording

I've still tended to settle for one pick for normal playing though

 

[stonabus]

Re: What gauge of pick do you use? + Is this linked to pick attack

dunlop nylon .60mm. thats all i have used since i started. i have played some super thin ones that can be fun on an acoustic.