Hey everybody !

I have been playing with small picks almost a year...



I used to play with bigger ones but I read somewhere or someone suggested to use smaller ones. Especially those dunlop jazz picks.

I have been practising lot of ap picking lately in Ben's Bushido @ here Gmc and felt that I can't do those exercises as good as I wanted to. But today I tried with bigger pick. And I felt that I can ap better. It's like I don't have to kinda "reach" in string skipping or when moving up/down on strings.

What about you ? Which size do you use ?

I love it.. there's so much scope for silliness in this thread !

Size matters.. Picks (just one letter out).. used to play with smaller ones...

I use Dunlop Tortex 1.14mm, the Purple One. I think Adrian used to use them too and possible Gabriel as well ?

What's the exact size in mm of the pick you're using now Ville ?

I have to go and measure...Oh wait it's printed here

1.14 mm the same pick size like yours Ben !!


(oh wait )

I tried a small one, but I simply can't get used to it . You can see in my lessons that are bigger,feeling is much better and also gives me more control when playing.

Well I started off small and grew from a Jazz III to a Jazz III XL, much improvement there!
Ended up mostly a Dunlop Sharpie which is around the same size, but a bit more pointed and less flex, it's quite hard.

I'm a fast player, but slow to finish, currently building up stamina/endurance techniques for those long hardcore rocking nights.

(ps. you guys have sick minds, what you think i was talking about! lol jks)

I am using tortex 1.14 sharp
I like them very much! I use to use 2mm once but switched a few years ago!
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No way !! I didn't realise they made sharp versions of the 1.14mm. I've been sharpening the myself all this time !!!

I have to admit I thought something else ...

thickness:
I use big ones for rhythms and small ones for leads.

size of pick:
gotta have plenty of a point.

larger the size, better the hold. obvious!

Yeah man! They do! I didn't know and had to sharpen them for a while as well!

BEN! I thought I told you about the Sharpie tortoise ages ago when I found them? I knew you played the regulars and that you were sharpening them by hand. Did I forget to mention these? I"m always bringing up vendor sharpened picks in chat

Here are two tortoise sharp in 1.14 (a tad thin) and 1.35 (still a bit thin) I was stoked to see all these vendors FINALLY SHARPENING THEIR PICKS!

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Here is the JAZZ 3 XL that AZZA is talking about. I tried them as well. Bigger than the Jazz Three, but still a Nylon pick so it didn't work for me. But to each his own!

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And finally one of my FAV picks of all time, my custom VPICK (Switchblade Buffed!) Vinnie Buffs and sharpens the crap out of them before shipping them off. They FREAKING RAWK! But they are not cheap at 4 bux each.

http://v-picks.com/productdetails.php?q=214&page=picks

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Very interesting! Can you explain what is the difference in between V-pick and regular Tortex?

Still using a Jazz III XL red (1.38mm). I've tried the dunlop sharpies years ago, and didn't like them as they were slowing me down too much. Realising that I was probably dropping my pick too much in between the strings back then, I'm going to get my hands on some more sharpies ASAP - likely to be the black one.

I've just ordered some ! 2x 1.14mm, the same thickness I'm used to and I'm also trying out the 1.35mm and the 1.5mm

I use 2.0mm picks, Dunlop Gator Grips, love 'em

I use the Dunlop Jazz III, got used to their size when I just began learning how to pick.
The only downside about these picks is that I lose them to often.
Each time I need new strings I also buy hugh stocks of these picks.
Used to like the black ones better, but they were always getting lost ontop of my amp (Invisible picks! Black on black).

I did the same thing for years Ben, but with the .88mm "green". VERY recently (this week) I started using the v-picks. I'm still in the process of finding my "perfect" match, but I really like what the v-pick did for my tone, versus my trusty Dunlop. I gigged last night with the v-pick, but didn't sweat much. I'm still waiting to see if they get really slippery when playing a sweaty show. I suppose I'll always have a green dunlop sharp on deck for backup!! As well as a pack of strings on my pedalboard.....If not, you're SURE to break one during a show!!






I just got my v-picks this week.....the biggest difference, in my opinion, is the tone and "attack" of a v-pick vs. a Dunlop.

Also, I ordered 3 diff v-picks, each one gives me a different tone. The "Screamer" was added to my order for free to try out. I never would have tried it, but I LOVE it and it's what I might end up using for EMULATOR, but not for my funk band. The edges just roll right through strings. So smooth, great tone.

I'm ordering Todd's "Switchblade Buffed" today, because I got a Switchblade and a Venom. Both GREAT picks, but not quite what I need. Venom was too small, and Switchblade needs to be.....well, buffed! So great call on that custom model Todd!! The switchblade regular has just a bit too much resistance when playing through the strings. I imagine the buffed has slightly less "twang" on the tone also. Excited to get that one!!

What great timing for "pick talk", since I just switched from Dunlop Pointed to v-picks!! Also, I didn't know the sharp ones were so popular!! I felt like I was the only one in portland using them, but all of you were hip to them as well!! Great minds think alike....

At the moment I'm using these 'Jason Vorhees' Glow-in the-dark specials!!!!
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Wow this looks like Jason from Halloween movie!

That's exactly what they are Alex!!

LOL

Good question! The main difference is the material. I've never been able to work with nylon based picks. But to each his own. I finally found CLAYTON brand picks (full disclosure I"m endorsed by them) and fell in love with the 1.5 which I would sharpen to a fine point. CLAYTON are made from ACETAL POLYMER which means at 1.5mm there is pretty much ZERO flex/bend so they make a very precise pick. But not very sharp from the factory! Lovely tone with Acetal! Bright, punchy, love it!
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VPICKS (full disclosure I worked with Vinnie to design my own custom Switchblade picks) are made from acrylic and at 1.5 also have pretty much zero flex/bend. What makes the SWITCHBLADE and some of the others so cool, is that Vinnie Sharpens them! He buffed my switchblades (they typically are unbuffed) and then sharpened them at the factory. Incredible speed and precision. But, they do "chirp" a bit if played improperly.

http://v-picks.com/productdetails.php?q=214&page=picks






Can't wait to hear what you think and hear you play! When I switched to pointy picks, my AlTERNATE PICKING seemed to pick up amazing velocity on it's own almost. It's easier to use only the tip and choke up on the pick it seems using pointies.

Todd



Awesome! Let me know what you think about the SWITCH BUFFED I'm a big fan of em as you might guess. I thought the same thing as you when I first played the switchblade. This should be Buffed! And pointier!

Todd

Me neither ! They should turn up today

No wonder Vinni said they are "selling like crazy".... MY Switchblade (and Stilleto) buffed should be arriving any day as well!!

Have either of you tried the "Screamer"? They sent me one as a bonus, and though I can't use it full time for every style, it is a really cool and fast pick that I never would have tried!! Switchblade non-buffed was.....too non-buffed!! It's slightly too big, not sharp enough, and the non buffed edge slows my picking and "grabs" the strings. I think Todd's version will solve all of those problems.

Yet again an interesting topic covering a very important subject ! I like smaller picks as I feel that I can adjust them to the right position more freely.
After trying out several picks I chose the Ibanez PA 16 HS,1mm and made of polyacetal with sandgrip. They are thin and pointy, perfectly suited for AP in my opinion. The only downside of these picks is that they don't last long : after about two week of practicing GMC lessons the pointy tip isn't that pointy anymore !
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These swichtblade buffed picks looks great ! Do they sell it worldwide somewhere ?

You totally reminded me that I used to have a load of Ibanez picks and I loved them. Perfect size.. wide but with a pointy tip.

You're right that they didn't last long though !

Blue one in the lower right corner

Wow I have never seen picks like that! Interesting!