Does this make any difference whatsoever?

[CyanJaguar]

Thanks for the advice people. I went to the store and tried out thicker picks. As you guys said, they made a HUGE difference. I bought the 1.14 mm Tortex and the 2mm gator grip. So far I love both but for my beginning hands the 2mms are easier even though I prefer the sound of the tortex. I also wanted to pick up some big stubbys but the only had them in 3 mm and 1 mm.

Anyhow, my alternate picking is now a reality and not a dream and fast picking is also a reality. I went back and tried the free GC ones just for kicks and I could not believe how frustrating alternating picking was and dont even mention fast picking cause there was just too much flex for them to be of any use.

THanks again for the advice.

 

[Sloan]

I tend to favor lighter picks for strumming and thicker picks for electric/lead work.

The lighter picks help get rid of the plucking sound a little more while the harder is easier for me to do fast stuff like tremolo picking and all that jazz(shred)..

I've never actually bought picks (for 5 years!) until last month.
I just always got them for free from one of the music stores I buy strings from!

So far these are my favorites:

 

[ibanezrocks]

The Dunlop ultex picks really do seem like an improvement on the tortex picks in my opinion, if you're looking for something new, try those.

doesnt anyone out there agree with me on those!?

 

[SteveK]

Dunlop Jazz III's for electric and single note acoustic lines, and thin Martin picks for acoustic strumming. Have used this combo for the past 15 or so years...pick choice definitely influences tone and playability.

 

[Zona Mona]

For me, the pick I use makes a HUGE difference. I always play with JIm Dunlop/USA Nylon picks of either .73mm or .88mm. If I play with other picks, I am more awkward.

I like these because they have the textured part and it helps me hang on, although I use the 1mm size

 

[spoonie g]

I had gotten used to using a really worn down dunlop tortex yellow (it's all I use) and my bass player gave me a brand new one at practice the other day. It took me way too long to readjust!

 

[Wireneck]

I dig the Ernie Ball Heavy picks or either the Fender Heavy's. They are pretty close to the same design. One thing I like to consider is not only how well they feel in your hand but also how they feel in your mouth.

 

[Chrisjob]

I use a British tupence when I wanna pretend I'm Brian May.

 

[CyanJaguar]

I bought a clayton white 1.52 and I really like it. It is not (yet) as smooth picking as the gator grip but it is much wider so it fits much better between my fingers.

 

[setabkcin]

I agree with everyone else who has replied. Picks make a difference. I absolutely cannot play unless I'm using a Jim Dunlop Jazz III. That goes for acoustic, electric, and as strange and as it sounds, bass, when I actually use a pick for bass, which isn't often.

 

[sile2001]

For me, the pick I use makes a HUGE difference. I always play with JIm Dunlop/USA Nylon picks of either .73mm or .88mm. If I play with other picks, I am more awkward.

I like these because they have the textured part and it helps me hang on, although I use the 1mm size

I use the .73's all the time, but instead of hanging on with that textured part, I flip it around and use the pick backwards. The texture gives a really nice sharp and raspy attack that can be very useful with a bit of compression.

 

[foo]

Dunlop Jazz Ones.

Small and very hard.
Easy to move around quickly and always retains it's shape.

Not so sure whether they make any difference to the tone themselves, but they facilitate my playing which certainly affects the tone.

 

[cwr89]

for me, I must have a good ole fender extra heavy 1.14 mm when playing electric.

but getting back to the roots, for acoustic I like the Dunlop .35 mm

thats just my personal touch

~Casey

 

[Dani Pace]

Not only does thickness make a difference, but also the size and shape affect the sound too. Just avoid those huge triangle things, I don't know how anyone can play with them. Smaller rounder picks work great for those licks where you chime off the edge of the pick and your thumb. Think thickness and materal for sound, shape for comfort and playing style.

 

[CyanJaguar]

I bought some Dunlop Jazz iii picks (because that is what petrucci uses) and they are too small. For now I have settled on a 3mm dunlop big stubby. It works well for me

 

[SteveK]

I bought some Dunlop Jazz iii picks (because that is what petrucci uses) and they are too small. For now I have settled on a 3mm dunlop big stubby. It works well for me

Work with the Jazz III's a little bit everyday...they do become easier to use as they are a bit more accurate. Just IMHO

 

[ButchP]

I used to be so picky about my pick .I could only use Jazz II's for years1 Then I had to play without one...Got use to a regular one in one night,,,,then couldn't play those little ones......recently just about any heavy (Except those stubbys )

But i do i have a new addictions(10 years) I have to have a shapened pick(the dig better!!). ..and I have to sharpen it.(do they sell them like that now?)......if you haven't done it I think it works well and is worth checking out. I show it to all my students and the majority all sharpen their picks.

if you don't know the method here's mine.(I think I got it from Paul Gilbert).....

use an experiment pick.it takes a few times soemtimes to get it right.



1 hold the top "edge" of the pick with your index close to the tip(i.e the absolute "wrong way to play!)
2.hold the sides (flat) with your thumb and 2nd finger on opposite sides
3. Now find a carpet prefereable low pile
4.Place pick on it's "bottom" edge on the carpet
5.Press firmly into the carpet
6.now "swipe" the pick quickly backwards ONLY on the carpet 2-3 times
7.checkout the pick botomm by rubbing ...it the carpet should have "sliced a little off
8.If not give it a few more swipes
9.CAUTION if you do it to many times in a row it comes off faster because it heats up.
10.you should see it "pointing up after about 5-6 swipes.
11. reverse pick
12.repeat until even

The advatage to me is I only use the very tip of the pick when i pick fast .I make small circles on the string.It is less of a path and seems like there is less resitence .

Thats probaby why some guys like triangle picks it has the sharp tip..it's just to clumsy to me (Santa uses one)...
Anyways it's not for everyone (except my students!!) but it works for me.

Butch

 

[PiRequiem]

One thing I like to consider is not only how well they feel in your hand but also how they feel in your mouth.

me too. i think its because i'm a smoker.

 

[CyanJaguar]

I used to like really heavy picks but for artificial harmonics a lighter pick is easier. I've tried every kind of dunlop pick, as I am a huge dunlop fan, and nothing even comes close to their ultex picks, by far the best feeling and sounding pick ever. I use them for my acoustic and for my electric (heavier gauge on my electric)

I finally got those and even though I have not settled on a permanent pick, they are the ones I have been using exclusively for the last week. They feel right.