picks

[unccrombie]

i use plastic picks (fender) and they tend to slip a bit. i know there are picks out there made from some other material, but it feels too weird for me. so is there any way to help stop them from slipping?

[cj4258]

There are picks with textured grips - Martin used to make them, now I can't really find them anymore.

One solution is Gorilla Snot, usually available anywhere. It's a tacky goo that you rub into your fingers and pick before you take to using them. We used to use it when I was on the drumline in high school so that we wouldn't drop sticks. Pretty good stuff.

[unccrombie]

does that stuff wear off quickly? or come off your hands easily, so you don't have sticky fingers all day

[cj4258]

From what I remember it stays pretty tacky as long as your fingertips are dry of sweat and other things when you apply it. It should wash off with water.

[winglet82]

use a hole puncher and punch a hole in your pick

[unccrombie]

Originally posted by winglet82
use a hole puncher and punch a hole in your pick

but they're pretty :lol i'll probably use the tack

[Stuntcheeks]

There are picks w/holes in them already. Little stars n' things.

There are pick holder type things, too. If you're interested, I'll find the link again.

I use Dunlop Tortex picks and find them not to slip at all. Yes, they're plastic, but not slippery. You may want to try that out instead of dunking your hand in maple syrup before you play. Ewww.

[unccrombie]

Originally posted by Stuntcheeks
I use Dunlop Tortex picks and find them not to slip at all. Yes, they're plastic, but not slippery. You may want to try that out instead of dunking your hand in maple syrup before you play. Ewww.

ok, thanks, i'll run down to the music shop later on and give 'em a go

[pelamelo]

ok....here's a cheap and easy tip....use some sand paper and rough them up a lil in the middle....does the trick just fine;)

[unccrombie]

it doesn't make the surface uncomfortable?

[pelamelo]

Originally posted by unccrombie
it doesn't make the surface uncomfortable?

don't dig too deep into it, but it's fine....adds "texture" to it and that allows you to grip it better...just go over it a couple times and see how you like it...

[Stuntcheeks]

A note on the Dunlop Tortex picks. I like the .50's (the red ones) on songs that all I do is strum, but I like the .60's (orange ones) when there's notes to be picked along w/strumming.

Dave uses Tortex .60's if anyone cares.

[unccrombie]

i find it kinda hard to strum with .50's, i like .46/.43 for strumming but those lack with picking, so i settle on .50's, and ill try everything suggested and see what i like best.

[Haiku Jimi]

Originally posted by Stuntcheeks
A note on the Dunlop Tortex picks. I like the .50's (the red ones) on songs that all I do is strum, but I like the .60's (orange ones) when there's notes to be picked along w/strumming.

Dave uses Tortex .60's if anyone cares.

Those just seem to damn thin for me, dunno why. Especially if you have to pick, not strum

[unccrombie]

.50's are too thin for you? wow...i would think you need some flexibility...

[Haiku Jimi]

Originally posted by unccrombie
.50's are too thin for you? wow...i would think you need some flexibility...

Its more that they make my gutar sound way too bright rather than being too thin

[unccrombie]

hmm, anything higher than .50 and i feel like im going to snap my strings playing a song like crash, but if it's an all picking song i'll bust out a 1.0

[halloween21]

I have dunlop jazz 3 picks and those are great. Never slip

[The Floodzone]

How thick are the yellow dunlops? Those are the ones I use.

Chris

[DreamingTree34]

D'Andrea picks are sweet...thats all I use...never have any problems with them..they have like a film on them that lets you grip em better good stuff

[@WarWithTheMoon]

I use Fender Heavy's most the time.

[unccrombie]

Originally posted by @WarWithTheMoon
I use Fender Heavy's most the time.

i use them for picking songs, but they're impossible to strum well with without snapping a string for me

[Mongoose]

tim uses 1.0, I have either the green tortex or .60

[pr0ud3stm0nk3y]

orange tortex (.66) mostly, occasionally the greenies (.88 i think)

[DaveMBFan]

i use fender heavy picks i dont know y but i cant play w/ nethin that bends. but if u guys really want 2 keep from dropping ur picks i have one piece of advice for u...... duct tape solves everything!!

[dmb16]

Originally posted by unccrombie
i use them for picking songs, but they're impossible to strum well with without snapping a string for me


Youre getting too much pick on the strings. It only takes just a fraction of the pick to make the strings sound. I think your problem with the thick ones is that youre holding them up real high and getting like 1/2 inch of it on the strings. Hold down lower on the pick. And if you still have trouble turn the pick slightly so you hit the strings more with the round part. Then you can strum up and down faster and without getting stuck.


As far as not dropping it goes, I say Tortex all the way. Feels like there powder on the outside or something. I'd say Fender picks are the worst. That is unless youre playing electric, I kinda like them for that. Lots of people say use tape or sticky stuff or put holes in it. I would have to say that being able to move the pick around is a very important tool. Real important for tone and everything. Like if you want a scratchy sound turn the pick so youre holding it basically on the side of your thumb. Or if you want snappy chords hold low on the pick and push more into the strings. Light chords, hold it on the end and let the whole pick brush up and down the strings. I wouldnt be able to play for a shit if I had my fingers stuck in place.

[Haiku Jimi]

Originally posted by dmb16
Youre getting too much pick on the strings. It only takes just a fraction of the pick to make the strings sound. I think your problem with the thick ones is that youre holding them up real high and getting like 1/2 inch of it on the strings. Hold down lower on the pick. And if you still have trouble turn the pick slightly so you hit the strings more with the round part. Then you can strum up and down faster and without getting stuck.


As far as not dropping it goes, I say Tortex all the way. Feels like there powder on the outside or something. I'd say Fender picks are the worst. That is unless youre playing electric, I kinda like them for that. Lots of people say use tape or sticky stuff or put holes in it. I would have to say that being able to move the pick around is a very important tool. Real important for tone and everything. Like if you want a scratchy sound turn the pick so youre holding it basically on the side of your thumb. Or if you want snappy chords hold low on the pick and push more into the strings. Light chords, hold it on the end and let the whole pick brush up and down the strings. I wouldnt be able to play for a shit if I had my fingers stuck in place.

Yeah...I was gonna ask him how hard he hits the strings lol...

Guess I decided not to. I mean I've tried playing with a damn quarter before, didnt snap a single string...

[dmb16]

Originally posted by Haiku Jimi
Yeah...I was gonna ask him how hard he hits the strings lol...

Guess I decided not to. I mean I've tried playing with a damn quarter before, didnt snap a single string...


I think its possible that when he says he snaps strings he really just hits them real hard so they are two loud, or hes getting his pick stuck on them and basically ripping them off with each pluck. I definitely think hitting the strings with less pick is the key.

[unccrombie]

i think i'm using too much pick, i hold it so i'm right about in the middle, so it's low and all, but then it slips and creeps higher, and i end up hitting harder for some reason

[Stuntcheeks]

Originally posted by DaveMBFan
i use fender heavy picks i dont know y but i cant play w/ nethin that bends. but if u guys really want 2 keep from dropping ur picks i have one piece of advice for u...... duct tape solves everything!!

Wow, your post was incredibly difficult to read.

[CWMCALL]

Originally posted by Stuntcheeks
There are picks w/holes in them already. Little stars n' things.



Here is what I use....

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=030723132941204119031103358584/g=guitar/search/detail/base_id/85825


they seem to work well.

[melsrvec]

If you use the triangle shaped picks (larger than teardrops) you can drop them in a pan of boiling water for a minute or two. Then carefully fish it out with a slotted spoon. drop it on a towel, pat it dry, then quickly pick iy up like you would when playing an squeeze really hard for thirty seconds or so. The pick ends up slighty conformed to your finger and thumb. It helps keep it from slipping. I did it a few years back with about ten pics and still use them today.

Matt

[BreadForMyuz4k]

Medium Fenders are great.... They dont slip really... for me, the only time I'd ever lose one if is i just got clumsy and let my hand get loose... but they arent too thin (i hate thin picks) and arent as hard as a Heavy pick....so its the best of both worlds pretty much!

[bstorey]

I've used the same pick for 3 years. The tip has been warn down from constant playing. It's one of those odd shaped ones, but through use it looks normal haha. I went to buy a backup one in case I lost my precious and compared the lengths--a good quarter inch difference. I took a file to the new one to try to make it look the same =).

[artflo807]

take a razor and cut slashes onto both sides of your pick...kinda make a bunch of x's