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UNPLANNED DOWNTIME: 12th Oct 23:45
Plectrums aka Picks
Every couple of years I re-evaluate my choice of plectrums. (Picks to other countries. Plectra to pedants.)
For the last couple of years I’ve been using cheap “carbon” picks. I’ve no idea what the “carbon” refers to, but at 1.0 or 1.5mm they’re stiff, and cheap. At the Guitar Show I picked up a couple of Ernie Ball plectrums in different thicknesses, just to try. Last month I bought some alternatives, and of course my plectrum tin if full of others. Recently I’ve been swapping between picks when practicing, and at rehearsal.
What are your thoughts?
For the last couple of years I’ve been using cheap “carbon” picks. I’ve no idea what the “carbon” refers to, but at 1.0 or 1.5mm they’re stiff, and cheap. At the Guitar Show I picked up a couple of Ernie Ball plectrums in different thicknesses, just to try. Last month I bought some alternatives, and of course my plectrum tin if full of others. Recently I’ve been swapping between picks when practicing, and at rehearsal.
From top left:
Dunlop Ultex Jazz III. I like Ultex. The Jazz III is easy to use for single note runs, but I find them too small for heavy strumming. Previously I’ve used larger Ultex picks, but found that even they were too small.
Tusq 1mm, which I bought on here. Nice sound on the upper strings, but a bit thin on the lower strings, but IMO too light for the 10-52s I use on 25.5” guitars. I’m finding it difficult to move the E and A strings. Maybe 2mm would work better?
Standard 1mm “carbon” pick. I’ve got some red ones too which are easier to see on a dark floor. The three 3mm holes were drilled to improve grip. They work. I’ve been using then for a couple of years. When they get rough I’ll tidy the edge by wiping on the carpet, but once they start to wear down the go in the bin.
Gravity pick. I bought this to see what the marketing fuss was about. They work, and are slightly larger than the standard. The sound is quite bright, and the attack is smooth I can see why some people might like this, but I can get already that sound without paying Gravity prices.
Dunlop Ultex Jazz III. I like Ultex. The Jazz III is easy to use for single note runs, but I find them too small for heavy strumming. Previously I’ve used larger Ultex picks, but found that even they were too small.
Tusq 1mm, which I bought on here. Nice sound on the upper strings, but a bit thin on the lower strings, but IMO too light for the 10-52s I use on 25.5” guitars. I’m finding it difficult to move the E and A strings. Maybe 2mm would work better?
Standard 1mm “carbon” pick. I’ve got some red ones too which are easier to see on a dark floor. The three 3mm holes were drilled to improve grip. They work. I’ve been using then for a couple of years. When they get rough I’ll tidy the edge by wiping on the carpet, but once they start to wear down the go in the bin.
Gravity pick. I bought this to see what the marketing fuss was about. They work, and are slightly larger than the standard. The sound is quite bright, and the attack is smooth I can see why some people might like this, but I can get already that sound without paying Gravity prices.
Ernie Ball Everlast 1.5 and 2.0mm. These, plus some thinner examples, came from the Guitar Show. I’ve drilled holes for grip. There’s something about the attack which I don’t like. If I were using heavy overdrive then it wouldn’t be a problem, but I’m not. Having said that, a touch of EQ would probably sort it out.
Dunlop 2mm Delrin. Also drilled. Sounds like the Ernie Balls, but slightly smaller to hold. I would prefer it to be that bit larger.
Dunlop 2mm gator grip. Drilled. I really like the sound of this one. I’m surprised that it should be so much of an improvement over the Delrin.
Pickboy 1mm. I used to use these, but haven’t been able to get them for several years. This is my last one. They feel stiffer than all the others.
Dunlop Primetone, 3mm, pointed and rounded. Great for loose strumming, particularly with an acoustic sound. The central dent makes then easy to hold. Useless for tight picking. We play Don’t Upset The Rhythm by the Noisettes. These picks are ok for the strummed parts, but don’t have the tightness needed for the picking parts. Since I’m not going to change picks between songs these aren’t going to see much use.
Lastly, this is a real tortoiseshell pick. I bought up a shop’s stock about the time in the 70s when tortoiseshell was banned. The attack is beautiful. It’s what guitarists have been looking for ever since. None of the other plectrums here can touch it, although the Gravity comes close.
Dunlop 2mm Delrin. Also drilled. Sounds like the Ernie Balls, but slightly smaller to hold. I would prefer it to be that bit larger.
Dunlop 2mm gator grip. Drilled. I really like the sound of this one. I’m surprised that it should be so much of an improvement over the Delrin.
Pickboy 1mm. I used to use these, but haven’t been able to get them for several years. This is my last one. They feel stiffer than all the others.
Dunlop Primetone, 3mm, pointed and rounded. Great for loose strumming, particularly with an acoustic sound. The central dent makes then easy to hold. Useless for tight picking. We play Don’t Upset The Rhythm by the Noisettes. These picks are ok for the strummed parts, but don’t have the tightness needed for the picking parts. Since I’m not going to change picks between songs these aren’t going to see much use.
Lastly, this is a real tortoiseshell pick. I bought up a shop’s stock about the time in the 70s when tortoiseshell was banned. The attack is beautiful. It’s what guitarists have been looking for ever since. None of the other plectrums here can touch it, although the Gravity comes close.
I’m going to continue the evaluation, and try some of them at a few gigs.
What are your thoughts?
Tree recycler, and guitarist with https://www.undercoversband.com/.
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Comments
D'you ever forget to take one to a gig?
Tortex is for nonces; they have no grip and end up curving around my thumb/finger.
For the longest time I just used bog standard Gibson medium. Then discovered that for acoustic Jim Dunlop Nylon .73 is a bit more mellow, and a 1.5mm Gravity pick gives me better results for electric.
Fingers for bass.
Soldiers to ukuleles.
https://www.stringsbymail.com/guitar-accessories-2/guitar-picks-360/
(I've ordered classical guitar strings from Strings by Mail in the past with no issues. They have a nice selection of Pickboy plectrums too)
As for "when am I ready?" You'll never be ready. It works in reverse, you become ready by doing it. - pmbomb
Out of the "usual" brands I use the Dunlop Americana - problem is they sound pretty muffled compared to the above. Dunlop primetone sound better but the shape isn't quite right and it annoys me.