Let's talk about picks

[C1-ocaster]

I've been looking into different types of picks besides the standard ones most of us have tried and can readily find in music shops.
I started looking after I read an article on premiere guitar online, IIRC.
The reviewer talked about some $25 pick that he claimed was amazing and improved his playing and that it lasts a very long time.
But, he didn't say what the pick was or who made it.

Lately I've been using the small Dunlop Jazz III the red ones. Then I found a Clayton tear drop and really like those more.
I tend to like the typical Fender "heavy" pick, but I'm not sure what the mm that is.

The oddball's I'm really curious about are the Pykmax, Surfpick Lignum Vitae wood picks, and Orbit ZeroGravity picks.
Any experiences with any of these?

Post any other picks worth considering too.

 

[glip22]

I've been stuck on the Redbear classic II for several years now. They last months and months and sound great.

 

[C1-ocaster]

I've been stuck on the Redbear classic II for several years now. They last months and months and sound great.

Very interesting.
LOTS of different shapes.
The classic II is on my list to try. I like that they are just a bit smaller than regular classic picks.
Think I'll also get a few of their Jazz style to try as well.

What do you like about the tone of the those picks material?
I've never played with a real tortoise shell, so I don't know what they do to tone.

 

[Steinmetzify]

Gravity. 4mm. Awesome.

 

[C1-ocaster]

Gravity. 4mm. Awesome.

Would you mind writing a little bit of what you like about them in terms of tone, feel, wear, etc...?
Thanks.

 

[bwgintegra]

My newest favorite is the dunlop Petrucci pick, perfect size and shape.

 

[Rich7620]

^ same here been using the JP picks pretty regularly and Really digging them. Also liking the TIII 1.5mm Dunlops

 

[jsp]

Dunlop Ultex Sharp for me. I like the hardness/snappiness, the grip, and the sharp tip.

 

[searching]

http://www.plectrum.ch/

 

[HRC51]

I like the Dimension (4.1mm) and the Screamer (2.75mm). Lots of variety and they don't slip in your fingers.

http://v-picks.com/picks.php

 

[Steinmetzify]

Gravity. 4mm. Awesome.

Would you mind writing a little bit of what you like about them in terms of tone, feel, wear, etc...?
Thanks.

They're acrylic so they don't really wear, I dig the thicker ones for rhythm, they just seem to add some chunk to palm mutes. I've tried different brands including V Picks, but the Vs make a weird chirp sound. Not really so noticeable under high gain but for solos it bugs the fuck out of me, especially on recordings. One of my favorites is an unbuffed Snake; the edges are scratchier and I dig that.

Chris at Gravity has made me some custom picks, including some that are 6mm and bigger and I like Gravity a lot. Great service, no annoying chirp either. He does what he calls a 'Master Finish', which is an unbuffed edge. These two are my current favorites:



The yellow one is about the same size as a regular Fender pick, but it's 4mm. The black one is about the same size as a JP or a Jazz III, but it's 4mm too. Little bit spendy, but they're good picks and I use 10-52 and play metal, so I can chew through a regular pick in about an hour. I've had these for months and they still look like new. These are great for rhythm and leads too.

 

[glip22]

I've been stuck on the Redbear classic II for several years now. They last months and months and sound great.

Very interesting.
LOTS of different shapes.
The classic II is on my list to try. I like that they are just a bit smaller than regular classic picks.
Think I'll also get a few of their Jazz style to try as well.

What do you like about the tone of the those picks material?
I've never played with a real tortoise shell, so I don't know what they do to tone.

There's something about they way it interacts with the strings that's pleasing. Similar to the difference a bone nut makes on a guitar. Guthrie Govan has found them and uses them now. He uses a special shape Jazzer. I get mine heavy with the grip holes.Classic II plus. Monica and Dave are cool people also. I tried a couple of the ones listed above but these are it for me. Expensive but they do last a long time.

 

[Skrapmetal]

Dunlop Ultex Sharp for me. I like the hardness/snappiness, the grip, and the sharp tip.

Me too. I gave these a try last year and haven't gone back, all of my other pics are gone.

 

[marshallmel]

 

[Shawn Lutz]

I use basic Fender Heavy's. I have tried others an even went to Jazz III's for a while. I really like them but they are a bit too small for me got galloping rhythms like the trooper or I don't know. I suppose I could get used to them but I just went back to the Fenders.

 

[Ventura]

That good ol' Lil Red Jazz nylon pick

Everyone knows the one... No sense posting a pic.

 

[jammin1]

^ same here been using the JP picks pretty regularly and Really digging them. Also liking the TIII 1.5mm Dunlops

+1 on the Tlll 1.5mm Dunlops Great picks!

 

[FrankTheThird]

I started with Dunlop cellulose standards, I don't like standards, then I found the Jazz III and I love them and so far the best Jazz III I've found is the max grip carbon fiber kind of. I say kind of because along with those I ordered the John Petrucci signature Jazz III which I freaking LOVE they are a bit bigger then a regular Jazz III, and to me look and feel like they have a more pronounced sharper point, I wanna say they are ultex material but I'm not completely sure, and with the tip being a shiny gloss black rather then the normal ultex feel they glide across the strings. I also tried the tortex sharp and those things take some precision. But I'll definitely be using the JP Jazz III until I pick up some gravity picks, then I'll decide which to keep using, I like finding what works and stay with it, I experiment to a point but don't over do because there are simply way to many options to try them all.

 

[Metlupass2]

Going to a regular pick after using the sharps for maybe a year now feels so different.

 

[stratotone]

I go back and forth between regular picks and stainless steel ones. If you want to get your picking smoother, try a stainless steel pick, it will show any picking weakness pretty quickly. Also have some thicker picks (1mm) made of brass, they are pretty neat too. Had a couple of V-Picks, incredibly thick but felt and sounded cool.