Alaska Fingerpicks - Trial Summary

GTC · September 2019

I normally use a mixture of nail and fingertip for my steel-string fingerstyle playing but get the occasional split or chip issue (particularly on my middle finger) despite my nail strength having been greatly improved by the use of Barielle Nail Strengthener Cream.

I was recently struck by the clean sound that American jazz guitarist Eric Skye (see my recent forum posting "The Last Days of Summer") gets from Alaska fingerpicks. I did try them quite a while ago and wasn't impressed - but it appears that I hadn't adjusted them correctly. This seems to be a common mistake if you look at user reviews.

So - I've decided to give them another try and have ordered a range of sizes from Strings Direct to experiment with. (Note: sizing, fitting and adjustment instructions and tips are provided on the manufacturers website http://www.alaskapik.com/ .

I wondered if any other forum users had any experience with this type of fingerpick.

Jimbro66 · September 2019

The Alaska picks are a very good idea as long as they are fitted properly and the fingernails maintained at the correct length. The latter point is important because if your nails are too long they might extend beyond the Alaska picks but if your nails are very short the Alaskas will not be firmly held. For folk with very short nails, e.g. those practising martial arts or even fingernail chewers the ProPik Finger-Tones might be a better option.

It’s a bit of a faff fitting the Alaskas. There’s a very good YouTube video that demonstrates the process very well. The demonstrator is German (he speaks very clearly if you understand German) but don’t let that put you off because it is a very clear demo. Fitting commences at around 5.30:

https://youtu.be/JJlnL-cpJV0

Roland · September 2019

Let us know how you get on with them

earwighoney · September 2019

I tried them but couldn't get used to them, it felt really weird having the pick under my fingernail.

I might be alone but I prefer the Dunlop style fingerpicks, in particular the brass ones.

Fingerpicks/Thumbpicks are a very YMMV thing, I'd recommend buying a fair few different options and find the one which might suit you the most and sticking with that particular option.

GTC · September 2019

Thanks for the information everyone. I'll update this posting with how I get on.

I'd really like to be able to just rely on fingertips and nails but it is always nice to have something to fall back on in the case of mishaps.

I may even try the ProPik Finger-Tones that Jimbro66 mentions as I have never heard of them before - but I'm a bit sceptical about metal picks.

malcolmkindness · September 2019

earwighoney said:

I tried them but couldn't get used to them, it felt really weird having the pick under my fingernail.

I might be alone but I prefer the Dunlop style fingerpicks, in particular the brass ones.

Fingerpicks/Thumbpicks are a very YMMV thing, I'd recommend buying a fair few different options and find the one which might suit you the most and sticking with that particular option.

You are not alone, I also prefer Dunlop metal fingerpicks.
Like you, I tried the Alaska picks but couldn't get used to them at all. I prefer bare finger tips with a little nail, but when more volume is required, the Dunlop picks work for me.

VimFuego · September 2019

pretty sure I've tried these, along with the pro picks mentioned above. The thing I've found, and this may just be me, is that I can get to a point where I find them OK to use, but it takes a while and if I stop using them I go back to square one. It's an all or nothing with me. I still find them harder to use than just fingers.

Jimbro66 · September 2019

VimFuego said:

pretty sure I've tried these, along with the pro picks mentioned above. The thing I've found, and this may just be me, is that I can get to a point where I find them OK to use, but it takes a while and if I stop using them I go back to square one. It's an all or nothing with me. I still find them harder to use than just fingers.

I think that is the issue. Most finger style guitarists don't really want to use finger picks all the time. They are useful as a 'band aid' in the event of a broken nail but even then they solve one problem but cause another in uneven picking response.

I've never really liked using finger picks for guitar and have generally avoided them. I've used them continuously in the past for steel guitar and square neck resonator guitar but that is the norm for those instruments.

I see finger picks like the Alaskas, Finger Tones and other Dunlop/ProPik types as being helpful for guitar players with weak nails. Otherwise they're just an unnecessary hindrance IMO.

GTC · October 2019

Roland said:

Let us know how you get on with them

I've given these a try after ordering a selection of sizes. I also tried ProPiks and National brass picks.

In summary, none took much getting used to. I didn't particularly like the ProPiks or National brass because of the sound of the metal on the strings. National Brass were mellower.

I've got quite small fingers and I found for the Alaska Piks the best fit were L for the middle and index finger and M for the ring finger. Untrimmed they worked OK but felt clumsy. Once I'd trimmed the tip back to about 1.5mm wide so it sat just a little above the nail it felt much more comfortable. The tone was strong, bright and natural with no "clacky" string noise. They generally felt comfortable - but felt a bit clumsy when plucking adjacent strings, particularly in fast chord movements (e.g in a classical arrangement of Delibes "The Flower Duet). Trimming only took a few minutes for each one (nail cutter and file)

I tried the XL size on my thumb and this was OK once I tried it trimmed longer on the side nearest the guitar. However, I thought the tone was more balanced using my thumb nail with the fingerpicks.

I also tried just putting one on my middle finger whilst using my usual fingertip and nail for the others - to see if it would work in an emergency nail split or chip on my middle finger, which tends to be most prone to damage. This worked really well with a balanced tone. I soon forgot I was wearing a pick on my middle finger.

Overall, the Alaska picks are the best I've come across- but I still prefer the convenience, comfort and tone of my usual fingertip / nail. However it is good to know that if a nail disaster happens I have something I could reasonably happily turn to.

That's what I think - but I think others will have their own favourites to suit their playing style and preferences.

Jimbro66 · October 2019

That's really useful feedback @GTC. Thanks for taking the trouble. Based on that I'll get a few Alaskas to use when experiencing occasional nail damage. For the most part my nails hold up well on steel strung guitars and, like you, I prefer to avoid fingerpicks except in emergency.

GTC · October 2019

Jimbro66 said:

That's really useful feedback @GTC. Thanks for taking the trouble. Based on that I'll get a few Alaskas to use when experiencing occasional nail damage. For the most part my nails hold up well on steel strung guitars and, like you, I prefer to avoid fingerpicks except in emergency.

For small spits and chips around the tip of the nail I use Orly Nail Rescue. Just paint the adhesive over the chipped area of the nail, dip it in the powder, blow off ( no jokes here, please) the excess and when dry (after about 5 mins) sand / file to suit. The instructions say do the whole nail but that is really only necessary if you are worried about appearance.

It is far easier and quicker to use than the tea bag / superglue type of repair. The product can be found on Amazon and other sources.

BigLicks67 · October 2019

I looked at these a while back, but then changed from clipping my nails to filing them and as a result I've not broke a nail for a couple of months now. Touch wood.

GTC · October 2019

BigLicks67 said:

I looked at these a while back, but then changed from clipping my nails to filing them and as a result I've not broke a nail for a couple of months now. Touch wood.

Since using Barielle Nail Strengthener my nails rarely give a problem unless I've subjected them to physical abuse (like when I was recently putting a fence up) or if I let them get too long. Small chips / splits can be dealt with using Orly Nail Rescue as mentioned above. The middle finger is the only one I've had occasional issues with since using Barielle - apart from a while ago when, ironically, I was impatiently opening a box containing a new guitar and tore my index fingernail which I'd let grow a bit too long.

Yes, regularly filing the nails helps as well, particularly to keep them to length and to remove any tiny chips or splits which could develop into something worse if given the chance.

IMO, I don't think you can beat the convenience, feel and tone of nail / fingertip. However, if this isn't possible, the Alaska fingerpicks, properly fitted and adjusted, are the best alternative I've come across.

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Alaska Fingerpicks - Trial Summary

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