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Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Feb 12 2007, 05:56 PM

Here's a quick question...

I've been using the Dunlop .46 forever - good for acoustic strumming and rhythm work - but now I am moving onto speed picking its a little light. Can anyone recommend a great pick for alternate picking, sweep picking etc?

Thanks!

Posted by: Steelkonsum Feb 12 2007, 06:41 PM

Not sure really. I'm using Dunlop 1,5mm for most stuff and Dunlop 2,0mm for extra heavy attack.

Never really thought about it. I usually just grab a bunch when Im at the store.

Posted by: moorkop Feb 12 2007, 07:20 PM

I started with 1mm, but now i always use 1,12 dunlop
1,5 and 2 are too heavy for me, i'm always scared i will break my strings
the 0.76 are not stiff enough and just doesn't do what i want it to
i find that 1,12 is enough for even the heavy stuff

btw.. always use pink, they're way easier to find back

Posted by: MickeM Feb 12 2007, 08:06 PM

I alternate my picks aswell as my picking :-)
I mostly use 1 mm Jim Dunlop or slightly thicker, never thinner, but sometimes also 3 mm jazz kind picks.

Posted by: j78 Feb 12 2007, 08:18 PM

Hey Andy, (if I may call you so)

I know how you feel. I have always played with Dunlop 0.46 and have been quite comfortable with it. Heck, I even played 0.38 for a while.
But recently I tried to change the thickness of the pick just to see how it felt with a thicker pick.
It felt strange in the beginning, but nowadays I prefer to use slightly thicker picks. It helped me a lot with my alternate picking, which I found very difficult with the thinner picks.

I still find the really thick ones a bit uncomfortable, so I am currently using 0.88 picks. Works great!

/J78

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Feb 12 2007, 08:36 PM

Of course you can, and can I call you "j" ?

Thanks for your advice - and thanks MikeM, Moorkop and Steelkonsum - From your combined comments I figure I probably need to work up to the heavier picks, but heavier is a good way to go. Dunlop Delrins are only $4 for 12 so I bought a dozen of each size to see which I like best

Posted by: Liam Feb 13 2007, 12:04 AM

I always lose my picks

Anyway I use 1.5 mm Dunlop picks .
purple colour.

pretty good for speed .
the purple makes you go faster

Posted by: Pavel Feb 13 2007, 12:16 AM

4$ for 12 picks?? That's cheap!! Here in Croatia the price is like 1.5$ per pick.

I use 1.4mm, but when i was starting playing my picks where very very thin. Later i moved on 1.4mm (Peavy, Fender, Dunlops....doesn't matter) BIG STUBBYs are also great - 2mm, but here where i live they are way too expensive.

I think 1.14 to 1.4 are actually the most popular picks among guitarists. They allow you to play all kinds of music.


Btw. pink color rulez! hahahaha Especially when looking for it on the floor (as someone mentioned - hahahahaha)

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Feb 13 2007, 12:35 AM

$1.50 a pick - wow, you must be dedicated! And you don't even use purple picks to play faster like Liam does

Posted by: Guitar Master123 Feb 13 2007, 02:09 AM

Picks here in Washington are $.33. I use Dunlop 1.14 and .71 (pink!). They are both good but .71 is better for power chords and stuff. If you play bass with a pick it usually has to be really heavy like 2mm.

Posted by: Pavel Feb 13 2007, 02:12 AM

Ok - picks are VERY CHEAP there! I think i am moving to USA so i can buy cheap picks and have lessons with Rusty!

No really guys - you can really buy stuff cheaper then we here in Croatia. Damn this country is expensive.

Posted by: brainlesswonder Feb 13 2007, 02:58 AM

the only rule I have on picks is not to buy ones that blend in with my carpet,

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Feb 13 2007, 03:42 AM

Does that work? All my picks seem to have chameleon like capabilities, and the ability to migrate to any place where I will never look ...

Heh, I was browsing and found http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Golden-Touch-14k-Gold-Pick?sku=110211&src=3SOSWXXK, a gold pick if you can believe it, $120!



There is no way I'd ever get one - I'd lose it in 15 seconds ...

Posted by: Zee Deveel Feb 13 2007, 02:43 PM

I played an outdoor gig in the middle of winter a while back, it was so cold (and I was very, very drunk) I couldn't feel my fingers. I lost 5 picks and finished the gig using a ringpull from a beer can.

Posted by: ezravdb Feb 13 2007, 05:54 PM

LOL

anyway I always use Jim dunlop 3 mm STUBBY's !!! I like them the most and im used to pick with it

Does it also feel strange to you guys when you play with a different pick than the one you always use?

to me it does! my playing also gets worse with playing with other picks

Posted by: Zee Deveel Feb 13 2007, 06:31 PM

Different picks don't bother me too much as long as they're fairly new and fairly hard. I much prefer used picks though, ones that are slightly bent as I can grip them a lot better.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Feb 13 2007, 07:16 PM

Yeah ! rock'n'roll!

Posted by: kevin-riff-after-riff Feb 13 2007, 10:43 PM

a dunlop 1.0 lucky number 13 thing? X-H transparent thing? or the wedge?
they are all great, have a nice and thick plectrum for speed picking

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Feb 16 2007, 08:02 PM

And the result is ...

1.14

At least for the time being. It feels comfortable, helps a lot with feel on the speedpicking and surprisingly really helps my pinch harmonics. I think I could go thicker though, maybe I'll work up to that

Thanks for all the input guys!

Posted by: xtrmn8tr Feb 24 2007, 12:50 AM

"dunlop 500 series" 2mm thick...and dunlop big stubby 2mm thick...and i want to try the dunlop stubby jazz 2mm thick

Posted by: yell03 Feb 28 2007, 07:13 PM

I have a TON of assorted picks laying around my house, Dunlops, Fenders, etc....

The only ones I ever use are Fender Heavys (348 style I believe).

I'll have to expand my horizons and try some others.

Howard

Posted by: Climate Feb 28 2007, 08:05 PM

I used 1.38mm (I think) Dunlop Jazz III's.

Best I've used so far

Posted by: Eat-Sleep-andJam Feb 28 2007, 09:01 PM

Yeah i like fender heavys. Cheap at this one music store i go to for like 25 cents a piece. I always lose my picks though but now ive found a little jar that i put all of my 44546546544r26343867675423134454252452452 picks,

Posted by: fkalich Mar 2 2007, 01:00 AM

My preference, although I might go to the 1.5 someday. Never thinner. Get the ones with the alligator picture. I think dunlop makes others. Those seem to be more crisp. I get them 3 for a dollar locally.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Mar 2 2007, 03:30 AM

I like the delrins .... and I just got 1mm and 2mm stubbys to try

Posted by: buckjones Mar 2 2007, 04:58 AM

andrew -

i just picked myself up a pack of dunlop 1.14 gators and man they are fantastic... i also got a set of dunlop jazz III which force you to use just the tip of the pick which is a great way to practice... but i have to say the gators are most definitely the best picks i've owned...

nate

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Mar 2 2007, 02:45 PM

Everyone has their favourites - I'll try them all eventually - next order to Musicians Friend I'll stick in an order for gators and Jazz !

Posted by: bitwise Mar 2 2007, 11:30 PM

I'm using some thick Eddie Ball's the dude at the shop gave me but I just ordered one of these along with a theory workbook.

http://www.amazon.com/Dava-Mstr-Cntrl-Steel-Sng/dp/B0002GOK08/ref=pd_bbs_7/102-5819219-2761728?ie=UTF8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1172868816&sr=8-7

I won't be able to give it a good workout but I'll let you guys know what I think.

Posted by: yell03 Mar 5 2007, 12:35 AM

I expanded my horizons and tried the Dunlop 500 in .96, 1.14, and 1.5.

I ordered 10 of each right away.

I can't decided which one I like best, but I amleaning towards the 1.5s.

Howard