Felt Picks

[camacklin]

I've always played with a pick just because it felt more natural to me and I could play faster rock/punk songs with one but there are times i play slower songs with fingers and I enjoy the sound my fingers make much more. I've always used a plastic pick but I just read something about felt picks and how they make bass guitar sounds more finger like, which I would thoroughly enjoy. Has anyone used one or have an opinion about them?

[bassinplace]

Never tried it, but it seems like it would get the desired effect you're looking for. I don't play with a pick for the exact same reason, too sharp of an attack and I just don't care for it. I like a real round tone. I'm gonna try the felt. Maybe I can build me up some plectrum chops. Couldn't hurt, good idea.

[MalcolmAmos]

I tried a felt pick on some dixieland banjo. Did not like it. It'll cost you $1 to find out.

[KrisH]

I used a felt pick several decades ago, for a short while. They do have a less sharp attack, like using your fingers. After a while, I thought "why bother" and just went back to using my fingers. I suppose if you're looking to do some speed picking there would be some good use for a felt pick. I've seen picks made of some kind of hard rubber for sale for the same purpose ("sounds like fingers") but I've never tried any.

[nysbob]

One thing about felt picks - they wear down right quick.

Your fingers, on the other hand (sic), will sport lovely callouses that will last as long as you keep playing.

[WalterBush]

I've tried both felt and the rubber Wedgie picks. I couldn't get past how thick they were; both made playing the bass feel unnatural. The rubber picks are awful, they grab roundwounds ever so slightly, but it's enough to throw my timing off.

The felt picks still clicked against the string ever so slightly, too, though it's buried by the time the band comes in. If you want a softer sound without using your fingers, I'd recommend your thumb over a felt pick any day.

[plangentmusic]

Use your fingers.

[dls59]

I used felt picks about 30 or 35 years ago for some tunes. They had their place. Just another tool. Give 'em a shot. You might like them. They will wear down after a while, so get a few. You won't have quite the speed that you would with fingers or a hard pick, but for many ballads, you won't need it anyway.

Also, you might consider dialing more high end out of your sound when using a pick on ballads. That should get rid of most of the "sharpness" of the pick attack and give you more of a rounded tone.

[SurferJoe46]

There are different kinds of felt picks too.

The big black-ish fluffy type are really very soft and they DO wear out fast!

The white ones are the best for what I use. They seem to wear a lot slower and even last for months if I don't use them 100% of the time.

I currently have 5-6 of them right now - I also keep a couple in every bass case for when I want to use one. They will soften at the tip after a while and then they get really good! They thump and have a nice attack.

I can get really fast speed out of them and they always have the back side for the sharp attack when/if you need it.

[Gawd]

Does anybody have an audio clip or a video of a felt pick being used?
I've never used one, I don't know exactly what they sound like but I have an idea. I was thinking that a felt pick may help me get an Oud like tone on my fretless.

[JumboJack]

I play mostly finger style but when I do use a pick I only use felt picks.I love'em.

[TL5]

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

There are different kinds of felt picks too..

They will soften at the tip after a while and then they get really good! They thump and have a nice attack..

Agree, I prefer them after they've worn just enough to be soft. I'll spin mine around and wear down all three corners.

[alexwittscheck]

One warning. Since they do wear out pretty fast, the felt has to go somewhere. That somewhere is usually all over your bass. Haha. So, if you don't mind giving your bass a wipe down if you use one for a whole set, then go for it.

They do sound like fingers (pretty much), so if I can get a pattern I want with my fingers, I use them. However, we have one song, and possibly some in the future, where the feel of the bass line is not one I can replicate with my fingers, and I cannot do double thumbing like Victor, so I use a felt pick.

Get one, if you like it, use it. If you don't keep it close, because you may need it one day in a pinch.

[Craig630]

Too thick IMO/IME/ETC/BBQ

[SurferJoe46]

Originally Posted by Craig630

Too thick IMO/IME/ETC/BBQ

One might get that problem if one has a bass guitar with -oh, say - two dozen strings or so.

Really - like anything else - it's practice and technique. I found a white felt to be a very good (and thin) way to get the effect I want and at a lot of good speed too.

[Xierion]

I sort of have the same situation, I can finger pluck, but i find it easier sometimes to use a pick.

Today I had a thought about cutting the pick shape I use out of a cheap mousemat from work. After testing, to me it sounds the same as finger plucking, but with the feel of an albeit thicker pick.

Its a cheaper option as you could cut a fair few pick shapes out of a $1.50 mousepad with the fabric pulled off

[Atoz]

Originally Posted by JumboJack

I play mostly finger style but when I do use a pick I only use felt picks.I love'em.

This.

[DLKasim]

I regularly use wedgie rubber picks and love them. I used to make my own felt picks out of regular plastic picks plus stick-on felt from the local Hobby Lobby. It's 50 cents for an 8.5 x 11 sheet, which makes a bunch of picks. However, I prefer the rubber and have switched over to that. I also use standard plastic picks, and fingers depending on the song.

[JimmyM]

hate 'em. i'd rather use fingers than felt or rubber picks. but that's just me.