POLL: Please Vote: What Thickness Pick Do You Play?

[roylor4]

I play 1.0 and 1.14 exclusively right now.

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Despite being primarily a strummer, I've come to prefer thicker (>1.0mm) picks for the drive, definition, and volume they offer.

My three favorites are:

1. Dunlop Primetone Triangle with Grip 1.4 (1.4mm)
2. Blue Chip TP50 (1.25mm)
3. Wegen TF120 (1.20mm)

The Primetone has recently moved to the top of the list for me (and it is by far the least expensive of the three)! It feels, plays, and has the brightness of a much thinner pick, yet it also offers the drive, definition, and volume of a 1.4mm pick. It's the best all-arounder for me (just edging out the TP50).

[paullouisf]

This needs an 'other', or '< 0.50mm'.
I usually use my finger nails, however thick they are. When I do use a plectrum, I use a Fender Thin (0.45mm), or a Clayton 0.38mm.

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Originally Posted by paullouisf

This needs an 'other', or '< 0.50mm'.
I usually use my finger nails, however thick they are. When I do use a plectrum, I use a Fender Thin (0.45mm), or a Clayton 0.38mm.

Via Google search: "the average fingernail thickness for males as 0.384 mm and for females as 0.346 mm".

So, your plectrum choice is right on!

[SFCRetired]

I play in the 73 neighborhood.

[Long Jon]

Scott, your poll is going to be a bit skewed you know, owing to overlap in sizes.

eg. As a 1.5 user I could have voted in two different places, I went with the 1.25 - 1.50, but I could have gone 1.5 - 2.0

Also, no "pizza" option is a bit of a disappointment ...

[OhioBelle]

Interesting poll. Like many here, I enjoy using a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials. I'm sure it's because I'm still in the early phase of my guitarical development. This probably explains my latest bout of GAS, too!

Perhaps the poll should be titled "which pick do you use MOST?"

[noledog]

I have custom made celluloid heavy equivalent to a Fender celluloid heavy because I like the stiffness and smoother/phatter tone across the strings. I think they sound the most natural to me as well...I go through tho, I'll shred one in jus' one of my sets. In fact I broke one in half last nite at gig!

I have these made in different colors by Custom Guitar Picks in Australia...nice dude named Gus does 'em for me...I also hand out at shows, kids love 'em!

.60 Dunlop Nylons! The only way to fly. . . . .

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by saxonblue

OK, was all in jest .

Anyway probably just as crucial is the type of material used. i.e. I tend to use the celluloid style ala Fender as a benchmark. Some plastics are stiffer & others are flubbier.

Also the size, if I'm using the heaviest picks for electric, esp. for jazzier stuff I like the small teardrop shapes best whereas I prefer standard shape for everything else. 1mm probably still my limit.

I suppose they're topics for another poll .

Looks like that bell curve's taking better shape too.

Saxon, no offense taken, good buddy. You nailed my butt LOL.

I must say, though, that I'm always puzzled by folks who play thin picks -- in a good way. I literally can't play them, cuz I got used to thicker picks my first year or two of playing, and I've now been playing more than 40 years.

I do think strumming is a special skill within the art. I wonder what thickness super strummers use. Anyone know? The first three that come to mind for me are Pete Townshend, Anne Wilson, and Richie Havens.

I DO like your idea of a "materials" poll, so I'll file that away for later reference.

sm

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by Mark Stone

.60 Dunlop Nylons! The only way to fly. . . . .

Really, Mark, that's really thin, and that is super flexible material. What kind of guitars do you play with those picks?

Thanks,
Scott

[Br1ck]

1.2 Wegen picks, Bluegrass and Dipper. The Dipper is my favorite right now, with the asymetrical shape.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by OhioBelle

Interesting poll. Like many here, I enjoy using a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials. I'm sure it's because I'm still in the early phase of my guitarical development. This probably explains my latest bout of GAS, too!

Perhaps the poll should be titled "which pick do you use MOST?"

Belle, hi. I like the poll thing too, and that might be a good suggestion for a future poll.

However, in terms of shape, the standard Fender 351 easily accounts for 50% of all picks sold, maybe as high at 80-90%. I don't think anyone's done an official scientific poll.

sm

[HHP]

My usual are 1.26 Claytons in celluloid and Acetal in both 351 and 346 shapes. I do add speed bevels to them which vastly improves performance.



.

[gfspencer]

My picks are on the thin side but since I make my own picks out of water buffalo horn and tortoise shell I don't know exactly how thick/thin they are. Besides, thickness is just one of the factors to consider when you make your own picks. (Other things to consider are material, overall shape, bevel, and the shape of the point.)