Question About Picks

mikeoliverio · #1 03-31-2010, 10:30 AM

Hey Justin,
I'm not sure why, but I've really been geeking out on different pick materials and gauges as of late. It's really been eye-opening going through so many different kinds - comparing attack vs. thunk and low end. I've been asking pretty much every player I know what they use, just for the hell of it. (It's kinda interesting to learn what kind of pick is used to get that rad LCD Soundsystem/DFA bass tone, or whatever.) I figure'd I'd ask what you are using these days? Are you still using the Tortex 1.0's? Are you using a range of different picks? I thought I read somewhere you were using a thinner pick for the NIN tour, which would make sense.

Anyways, thanks for the time you put into this forum. It's greatly appreciated.

Best,
Mike

jmjbassplayer · #2 03-31-2010, 03:47 PM

I use Tortex 1.0's, they feel the best. The acoustic guitar player for the Dixie Chicks gave me some crazy $25 pick one time that had holes in it, made of some mystery material. I must admit, it sounded great. A fatter tone. I might have it still, but I wish I knew what it was called so I could buy more.

Broadbent · #3 03-31-2010, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmjbassplayer

I use Tortex 1.0's, they feel the best. The acoustic guitar player for the Dixie Chicks gave me some crazy $25 pick one time that had holes in it, made of some mystery material. I must admit, it sounded great. A fatter tone. I might have it still, but I wish I knew what it was called so I could buy more.

Those were speed holes. They make the pick go faster.

JimmyM · #4 03-31-2010, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broadbent

Those were speed holes. They make the pick go faster.

my principal in middle school had a paddle with speed holes in it.

stoolpigeon · #5 03-31-2010, 08:51 PM

Dunlop M3 if I have to use one.

casio · #6 04-01-2010, 08:52 AM

I go with the green tortex, yellow if I'm doing something more punk oriented.
In the studio I've had similar experiences to what JMJ mentioned - getting those tecpick metal things with holes in them, wooden picks, though I must admit I did a recording once with a bone pick that was wicked thick and it had unbelievable highs and lows, so that would be cool to get again!

Though it does depend. I usualy try to use different picks to get different sounds, and then go back to the green tortex because my fingers are most used to it!

mikeoliverio · #7 04-01-2010, 12:21 PM

Thanks for the input, everyone. Much appreciated. I like the way the Tortex 1.0's feel in my hand, but sometimes I think they don't quite cut enough. A lot of people love those .88's, but I feel like the string is moving the pick more than the pick is moving the string. The Tortex Gator .96's have a little more edge to them, but they are smaller and can be a little trickier to hold. Wow...life is hard.

I gotta say, I love the Fender Heavy celluloid pick. It sounds awesome if you are going for that 60's Carol Kaye sound. It has a click on the front end of the attack that sounds like those old Scott Walker records and whatnot. (The tone on "Lady Came from Baltimore" KILLS me). Problem is that celluloid gets slick and really hard to hold. Try them sometime, though, if any of you haven't. They sound pretty friggin' cool.

On a semi-related note, while reading up I saw this on Carol Kaye's site:

" I always used a Fender Precision with ALWAYS medium-gauge Fender flatwound strings on (never changed strings, but did wipe them all the time after a record date, always changed basses about every 2-3 years -- when the strings started going bad....no time to change strings)."

Thanks again.

Mike

GhettoBrassGuy · #8 04-01-2010, 01:35 PM

Dunlop felt pics! I don't like the clanky sound...

winston · #9 04-01-2010, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeoliverio

Thanks for the input, everyone. Much appreciated. I like the way the Tortex 1.0's feel in my hand, but sometimes I think they don't quite cut enough. A lot of people love those .88's, but I feel like the string is moving the pick more than the pick is moving the string. The Tortex Gator .96's have a little more edge to them, but they are smaller and can be a little trickier to hold. Wow...life is hard.

I gotta say, I love the Fender Heavy celluloid pick. It sounds awesome if you are going for that 60's Carol Kaye sound. It has a click on the front end of the attack that sounds like those old Scott Walker records and whatnot. (The tone on "Lady Came from Baltimore" KILLS me). Problem is that celluloid gets slick and really hard to hold. Try them sometime, though, if any of you haven't. They sound pretty friggin' cool.

On a semi-related note, while reading up I saw this on Carol Kaye's site:

" I always used a Fender Precision with ALWAYS medium-gauge Fender flatwound strings on (never changed strings, but did wipe them all the time after a record date, always changed basses about every 2-3 years -- when the strings started going bad....no time to change strings)."

Thanks again.

Mike

IMO the Dunlop Delrins are midway between Tortex & celluoid--not slippery, and firm with just enough give. For me the .71 pink Delrin (guitar) and .96 (magenta, for bass) get out of the way and let me focus on making music. Also I use the rounded ends as much as the pointy tip--they give a warm sound with minimal click.

redstrand · #10 04-01-2010, 02:24 PM

I love this pick. The big fattie is great, you don't grip as hard and my hand is more relaxed...and yes it sounds fat.

http://v-picks.com/picks/36

JimmyM · #11 04-01-2010, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeoliverio

Thanks for the input, everyone. Much appreciated. I like the way the Tortex 1.0's feel in my hand, but sometimes I think they don't quite cut enough. A lot of people love those .88's, but I feel like the string is moving the pick more than the pick is moving the string. The Tortex Gator .96's have a little more edge to them, but they are smaller and can be a little trickier to hold. Wow...life is hard.

I gotta say, I love the Fender Heavy celluloid pick. It sounds awesome if you are going for that 60's Carol Kaye sound. It has a click on the front end of the attack that sounds like those old Scott Walker records and whatnot. (The tone on "Lady Came from Baltimore" KILLS me). Problem is that celluloid gets slick and really hard to hold. Try them sometime, though, if any of you haven't. They sound pretty friggin' cool.

ya, i think you're discovering that just because someone you really like uses something, that isn't necessarily going to translate to you. i've bled justin for info about specific gear occasionally, but me not being a rocket scientist like he is, i would be completely lost if i patterned my rig after his, and i would probably end up having major arm surgery if i used the strings he uses

btw, i once got a good tip about how to make celluloid picks easier to hold from rick derringer...take a pin and heat it up with a lighter, then poke it through the pick a few times and it'll make holes that make the pick easier to hold.

winston · #12 04-01-2010, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

btw, i once got a good tip about how to make celluloid picks easier to hold from rick derringer...take a pin and heat it up with a lighter, then poke it through the pick a few times and it'll make holes that make the pick easier to hold.

Ah, the "hotknife hash" technique...

N.F.A. · #13 04-01-2010, 03:00 PM

I like the Carol Kaye picks or thick graphites. Sometimes I use the Dunlop Jazz too. No holes though...

mikeoliverio · #14 04-01-2010, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winston

IMO the Dunlop Delrins are midway between Tortex & celluoid--not slippery, and firm with just enough give. For me the .71 pink Delrin (guitar) and .96 (magenta, for bass) get out of the way and let me focus on making music. Also I use the rounded ends as much as the pointy tip--they give a warm sound with minimal click.

Thanks, Winston. I'll go buy a few on the way home today and check 'em out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

btw, i once got a good tip about how to make celluloid picks easier to hold from rick derringer...take a pin and heat it up with a lighter, then poke it through the pick a few times and it'll make holes that make the pick easier to hold.

I'm gonna have to try that. Thanks, Jimmy.

Skyblue977 · #15 04-01-2010, 04:22 PM

How about Dunlop Stubbie's in 3mm? Add a Ric and man oh man!

gillento · #16 04-06-2010, 01:45 AM

I used to play Dunlop Stubbies (1mm), but now I really like the Dunlop ULTEX .73!

nic salsus · #17 04-06-2010, 02:06 AM

Buy a bunch of different picks....they's cheap.
Use them all and you'll
a) figure out what you prefer (I'm about 50/50 between Dunlop .009 Hotlicks and Ultex 1.14mm)
and
b) learn to be comfortable with damn near any pick that's in yer hand.

Don't obsess too much over it...you can get used to anything that's not too light.
Too bad Justin's not responding and you gotta put up with the peanut gallery's opinions

pnut166 · #18 04-06-2010, 02:21 AM

I like a variety of picks - depends on what I`m playing. However, the best pick I have currently is one I found on the floor after a Metallica show. Obviously one of Trujillo`s - no brand name on it - had a band logo, but has since rubbed off. It`s my go-to all around pick right now !

SwamiRob · #19 04-06-2010, 03:17 AM

I use .88 dunlop nylons for bass, using 3 fingers only a few mm is stiking out anyway so that means it flexes alot less anyway, any thicker and I can't play fast when I need to and it just generally sounds a little too clanky.

I used to use .73s and play with my bass lower, picking closer to the bridge and more with my arm then my wrist, but I've adopted a much more Carol Kaye esq style of picking now, although probably not all that similar but probably a little healthier. All in all it sounds deeper and with more controlled power in my picking, awesome in a rock mix too with the right setup elsewhere and feels alot better on my arm.

wonderjosh · #20 04-15-2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmjbassplayer

The acoustic guitar player for the Dixie Chicks gave me some crazy $25 pick one time that had holes in it, made of some mystery material. I must admit, it sounded great. A fatter tone. I might have it still, but I wish I knew what it was called so I could buy more.

Moshays, perhaps? They aren't $25 each, but $20 a dozen is still a lot for a nylon pick. (I haven't used them, heard good things though.)

http://moshaypickcompany.com