I Might Finally "Get" Thick Picks

[riverrummed]

I play a Blue Chip with a speed bevel and probably can never go back to anything else. The thing about thickness, for me, is that there is no deflection of the pick upon string contact so accuracy is more precise. When you are beginning you typically aren't too accurate anyway as you're trying to find the "target" so to speak, but once you get some time in you begin to realize why thick is the way to go.

[EighthAveLocal]

I too worked my way up from thin picks to thicker ones (1.14mm at the moment.) The control and tone is unmatchable.

[dan daniels]

reading this and i'm starting to feel like i'm missing out on never using a pick in my nigh on twenty years of playing!

[Gypsyblue]

Originally Posted by Willie Voltaire

So, thick pick users -- why do you like them? Any tricks or tips I should know about?

I played Fender Mediums at first. Never have liked Thins - even when I was a beginner.

These days, I usually use Fender Heavies.

I like the feel and sound of regular Fender tortoise style picks. I like the smoothness of the edges too, compared to those gray nylon Jim Dunlaps.

But sometimes I'll go back to a Fender Medium - especially for strumming.

Did a gig last night and for whatever reason was using a Fender Medium - it tore right in half in the middle of one song!

[PinkLine]

Originally Posted by HHP

Might try putting a sharp or a speed bevel on the edge. So far, every one I have tried was much improved by this change.

Preach it, HHP! Seriously, his thread on pick carving got me digging through my rejects. Turns out a different edge can really breathe new life into picks I had discarded as useless. Especially the thick ones.

[GHS]

Someone posted a saying here awhile ago."The longer you play bluegrass or jazzgrass the shorter and thicker your pick will be" They were right.

My favorite picks, the thinnest being about 0.060" (1.5mm).

[Mouthy1]

What are the picks in the picture Todd? I know the BC but not the others.

[Dirty Bill]

I am starting to like my V-Pick screamer.....didn't like it at first.

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by Dirty Bill

I am starting to like my V-Pick screamer.....didn't like it at first.

Surely a brand name like "Screamer" can only apply to something aimed at electric guitar shredders?

[Silly Moustache]

I am finding that whilst I have a TAD40 and TAD 50 for each guitar, I'm tending to use the 50s more.

However as a flat-picking kinda guy, I feel,that there is a poit at which a pick is too thick - and that is when you lose all attack sound, and the tone is focused on the bass and not the treble.

It occurs to me (personal revelation moment) that the ideal pick for any guitar is the one that with subtlety accentuates any perceived shortfall of balance in the instrument, but does not over accentuate its stringer points.

In other words, for an overly bassy guitar, don't use a very very heavy pick, but for an overly bright instrument - use a heavier pick, and for a perfectly balanced guitar, use an intermediate thickness tat give both initial attack and good midrange follow-through.


So form my 12 fret dreads - a 346 shape of about 1/5 m/m but a heavier one (.060") for my 12 string, and a slightly lighte3r one (.050) for mando.

I feel that there must be some flex in the pick- albeit imperceptible.

........................... Ya think?

[Vindaloo]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

Your mileage will vary dramatically depending on your personal style and the resonance and balance of the instrument you are playing.

Couldn't agree more. Pick choice tends to be a matter of habit mostly, but the instrument itself, the strings and one's technique no less will eventually determine what sounds best.

I can't say I favor thick picks for my acoustic, although I keep around all kinds of picks. They do come in handy from time to time.

[iim7V7IM7]

I mostly play with thicker picks. Here are some that I use...

[bitraker]

Wegen 1.00

http://www.stringsandbeyond.com/webl...ite%201.4%20mm

[mr. beaumont]

D'Andrea pro plec here, 1.5mm

I can get any sound I need with a thick pick. Can't stand thin ones. No precision, no volume, and tons of "click" when they hit the strings.