Metal Pick

[Xaositecs]

Hi! I have a question, i'm going to buy a symbolic pick necklace but the seller told me that it can be used for playing, the pick comes in a lot of materials:
-Silver
-Gold
-Stainless Steel
-Copper
-Bronze
Wich one would be the best (Or less destructive) for playing?
Thanks =)

[tangentmusic]

I don't know which would be best, but I wouldnt use a pick made of gold.
It's a very soft metal, and one would probably cost you $89.50

[Dub Wood]

Metal on metal is generally a bad idea. That is why we put motor oil in our cars and valve oil in our brass instruments. Basically, when Metal rubs against metal one metal piece has to give in some way. Seeing as strings are like 25 bucks for 4. I'd say just keep the metal pick around your neck and spend ten cents on a plastic one.

[Xaositecs]

I've been reading that metal picks are very used in hard rock and heavy metal and it's supposed to not being destroying instruments, anyway i'm just asking :P

[CopperheadLXXIX]

Metal picks are perfectly safe and usable-I used some copper ones a few years back and still use a Jellifish pick a lot which has metal twines. They have no more adverse effect on strings than regular picks.

[PazzoBasso]

Eddie Van Halen doesn't like metal picks. On account of it gave him mouth cancer?

But I do think they are the best picks for metal.

[R. Laevinus]

I often use a metal pick on bass and guitar, and used to use one exclusively for guitar.

For your purposes, OP, I would suggest stainless steel, as it is hard enough to take the abuse - unlike bronze, silver, gold, and copper, which are very soft; won't start stinking, as do copper and bronze; and won't tarnish, as will silver.

[dozicusmaximus]

Ice Pix Stainless Steel Guitar Picks - 3 Pack and more Picks & Pick Holders at GuitarCenter.com.
Run a string through it and there is your necklace.

[anonymous122511]

Originally Posted by CopperheadLXXIX

Metal picks are perfectly safe and usable-I used some copper ones a few years back and still use a Jellifish pick a lot which has metal twines. They have no more adverse effect on strings than regular picks.

You're more likely to damage the finish on your instrument than your strings. I've used thin copper picks on and off for years with the same set of TI flats with no damage whatsoever to the strings.

[Xaositecs]

Ok, thanks guys =)

[R. Laevinus]

Originally Posted by jeff arddun

You're more likely to damage the finish on your instrument than your strings. I've used thin copper picks on and off for years with the same set of TI flats with no damage whatsoever to the strings.

True.

You'll find though, that if you use a copper pick aggressively with roundwound strings - particularly steels or Rotos - that you'll carve right through your pick in a couple of jams.

[TinIndian]

I don't use a pick on bass "normally", but when I play guitar I do have a couple of copper ones that I use sometimes. I prefer a plastic one though.

Billy Gibbons used to use picks made from Peso's. To each his own I guess.

[zephyr_words]

A bunch of bass players used to use quarters for picks.

Anyway, you're going to get a different tone depending on what metal you pick. Based off of what I've read, brass is said to have more of a bell tone, copper is a sharp attack with warm tone, steel has a sharp attack with more sustained deep tone.