Do you use you pick as a tone knob?

[Gibson1990]

Hey guys, just got a J45 and I never had a guitar that changed tone so differently with pick thickness.

Basically a .50 pick is like tone knob at 10

.60 is like 9

.70 is like 8

.80 is like 7

I actually settled on liking the .70 but I’ve never had a guitar that changed so much tone based on a pick. Is is maybe because the J45 having a pronounced upper mids, means the pick has a big impact on its sound?

I’d love to hear if others have had this experience with other guitars

[Monty Christo]

I use the pick's location relative to the soundhole like a tone knob.

[mr. beaumont]

Originally Posted by Monty Christo

I use the pick's location relative to the soundhole like a tone knob.

Yes, more like this.

But to the OP, you're definitely seeing that there's no quicker (or cheaper) way to change your sound than changing your pick!

[Jaxon]

pick location to soundhole true or fingers...never used anything but a heavy pick approx 1.5mm forever, no big strummer or banger

[Gibson1990]

Yeah I guess having different picks for different songs makes no sense, but I love how I can hone in on a sound and feel just with the pick choice. As one’s ears evolve you can adjust accordingly. Doesn’t work that way at all on electric. Pick choice is 95% feel/comfort on electric.

[CharlieBman]

Never thought of different pick sizes as a tone knob, but I use a number of different pick sizes, even on the same guitar, to get the sound I'm after on a particular song. Also, like others, I instinctively use the pick position relative to the sound hole to get a different sound...usually many times within the same song, depending on how I'm feeling the playing.

[L50EF15]

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Yes, more like this.

But to the OP, you're definitely seeing that there's no quicker (or cheaper) way to change your sound than changing your pick!

Same. I have used the Fender 351 Extra Heavy celluloid since 1991; before that, I used the same shape in the Heavy gauge. I find that I can change the tone not only by where I play along the strings, but by changing the angle of the pick.

[Steve DeRosa]

I keep no fewer than four different-gauge picks in my pocket for just that reason - between that and playing at various points on the string I can get just about any tone I'm likely to need...

[Glennwillow]

Do you use your pick as a tone knob?

Well, I certainly use different flat picks to modify the tone coming off my various guitars, yes! Absolutely! Like a tone knob, yes...

And welcome to the AGF!

- Glenn

[Cameleye]

Between the angle of the pick as it hits the strings, pick location relative to the bridge and palm muting one can change tone across quite a spectrum.

[Silly Moustache]

Well yes, kinda. I remember being approached after a gig by a couple of chaps who asked me to explain about how I moved my picking between the saddle and north of the soundhole to get different tones.

It surprised me because I hadn't realised that I did it. I don't think I do it so much , bat after all these years, my hands play my guitars more than I do - if you get my drift.

But as far as the thickness of picks -

I use Bluechip TAD 40, (1 m/m) and TAD50 (1.25m/m) and occasionally a TAD 60 (1.5 m/m) and all sound different - in that the move the EQ slightly but (IMHO) noticeably.

My rule 0f (sore) thumb is generally TAD 50 (1.25, for medium strings (Collings dreads and my Santa Cruz Jumbo) and TAD 40 with light gauge strings for 000 and smaller.

FWIW I also use Wegen TF120 (1.2 m/m) and TF 140 (guess what!) and can't tell the difference, although I prefer them for my 12 strings and archtops.

I made this comparison of three Bluechips a while ago :

[robey]

Yes, I use different thickness and materials of picks as well as change the angle of the strike and distance from the bridge to change the tone of the guitar. But usually only change up picks when recording and use a green Tortex for general mucking about with pals or when writing.

[Bowie]

I thought everyone did.

[Guitars44me]

Location, location, location. Like real estate! Haha

I never use a flatpick, but usually use a Dunlop Large thumbpick, and a Fred Kelly reverse fingerpick on my index

Like others above I often move my picking hand all over the place. I am often astounded by folks who play way better than I but never vary their picking location! I find I want as much tonal variation as I can get!

Cheers

Paul

[cliff_the_stiff]

Originally Posted by Gibson1990

Hey guys, just got a J45 and I never had a guitar that changed tone so differently with pick thickness.

Basically a .50 pick is like tone knob at 10

.60 is like 9

.70 is like 8

.80 is like 7

I actually settled on liking the .70 but I’ve never had a guitar that changed so much tone based on a pick. Is is maybe because the J45 having a pronounced upper mids, means the pick has a big impact on its sound?

I’d love to hear if others have had this experience with other guitars

“… in another moment down went Alice after it, never once considering how in the world she was to get out again.

The rabbit-hole went straight on like a tunnel for some way, and then dipped suddenly down, so suddenly that Alice had not a moment to think about stopping herself before she found herself falling down a very deep well.”

Thick picks and speed bevels… The angels we strike the strings will have an impact.
Your observation is something you can’t unhear and as Scott from Charmed Life Picks once said… “ now you are tone seeking”.
I like CLP and BC picks with a speed bevel. I polish them a bit more once I get them to get the tone I’m after.