have a question about pick playing..

Jominun · #1 10-08-2011, 05:30 AM

when I play with a pick
sound of pick scratching the string
is harsh to the ear.

problem is that I prefer playing with a pick.

Is it because the volume is so low?

I need your help...

throbgod13 · #2 10-08-2011, 05:51 AM

find another pick material.. delrin picks have less string noise.. i just started playing with Gravity Picks and they are made of a lucite type material, and they have a reduced string noise.. there are felt picks and rubber picks..

some roundwounds have a rougher finish and contribute to string noise..

it could be that you're hearing more pick/string noise because you play low.. if your amp allows, use headphones...

other than that, get used to a pick..

jabsys · #3 10-08-2011, 05:52 AM

You need to hit the string at 90 degrees if you want to avoid the scratching, personally I don't mind the scratching and it tends to get drowned out by the other instruments anyway.

AmadeusXeno · #4 10-08-2011, 06:32 AM

I don't use a pic much, but when I do I have found that using a thinner pic helps stop the scratch noise some. Try pics of different thicknesses and find the thinnest one that still works good for you. I use a green tortek pic which I think is .88 for the thickness. As jabsys said the angle you pic this string at will have an affect too.

NOT · #5 10-08-2011, 06:42 AM

What kind of pick are you using?

90% of the time, I use a pick. But while unplugged, I play fingerstyle.

BTW, Your bass settings (Bass, Treb, Mid, Gain, ect.) might have a part to play in this situation.

Mister Ed · #6 10-08-2011, 06:46 AM

A quick and free experiment you can try to determine if the pic material is the cause of the noise...wrap one of your pics with a single layer of electrical or duct tape. If the noise is gone, or mostly gone, its likely the pic that's causing the noise. If not, its either technique, or the strings causing the noise. I use flatwounds exclusively (GHS Precision), almost always play with a pic, and have almost no string noise to speak of.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #7 10-08-2011, 06:56 AM

Your first paragraph
It is almost a haiku
Thread moved to Technique

darkstorm · #8 10-08-2011, 10:53 PM

Use regular heavy gauge pick and either of the two more rounded ends instead of the single pointy one. Also if your scratching the strings for anything other then pick scrape sounds like with guitar, your not useing the pick against the strings right. Go for more of a strike. Also as jabsys says, your angle of attack makes a diff between scrape/scratch and strike. Both can be musically useful of course. Lol.

FaithNoMan · #9 10-08-2011, 11:01 PM

Make sure you're hitting the string at a right angle, and not dragging it, causing a "scraping" sound. A perfect right angle would be a "click" more than a "scrape"

Sometimes I think Justin Chancellor plays this way...I hear scraping sounds from him on some songs.

pietrocefa · #10 10-09-2011, 01:59 PM

Material does matter. Check Steve Swallow, COPPER picks (very thin) and the warmest and smoothest you can hear.
Try different picks, gauges and material, they are not expensive, fortunately.

Waterpilot · #11 10-09-2011, 03:19 PM

Material does make a difference in sound for sure. The majority of time I hear a "scratching" sound though, as others have already said, tends to be the angle in which the pick contacts the strings. Physically watch your angle and see how that translates to the sounds you're hearing.

soulman969 · #12 10-10-2011, 04:41 PM

Other's have emphasized it as well. You're most likely dragging the pick or scraping the edge of the pick along the string. Make sure the pick is perpendicular to the string. How you hold the pick and how your wrist is positioned can affect that.

Lighter guage picks can reduce string noise and the material can as well. Softer picks like Dunlops should cause less string noise than hard material like Fender tortise shell picks but any pick will create some string noise is it's dragged or scraped along the string.

And the permanent solution is to replace the round wound strings your playing with flat wounds.

tekdiver500ft · #13 10-10-2011, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

Your first paragraph
It is almost a haiku
Thread moved to Technique

Well played.

Rockin Mike · #14 10-10-2011, 05:01 PM

If you're used to hearing finger sound and the pick sounds too trebly, back off the treble control some.

MEKer · #15 10-10-2011, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockin Mike

If you're used to hearing finger sound and the pick sounds too trebly, back off the treble control some.

That, along with all the others above, is some good advice. And if you do not like flat wounds, go to half wounds. Rounds definitely can add to any "pick sound". I have virtually no pick noise using gray .73mm Dunlop nylons. They are a bit more flexible than .88's (and the Tortoise series are pretty stiff with almost NO flex) and IME I find the stiffer the pick the more chance of pick-strike-noise. But then, settings and volume can usually deal with it anyway. YMMV.

anonymous122511 · #16 10-10-2011, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pietrocefa

Material does matter. Check Steve Swallow, COPPER picks (very thin) and the warmest and smoothest you can hear.
Try different picks, gauges and material, they are not expensive, fortunately.

Steve does a huge mid roll off. He also has a phenomenally precise touch he's worked really hard for. I tried for several years but I could never make those copper Hotlicks picks sound warm like he does. I've settled on a Blue Chip TPR50.

Also a super light, flexible grip is essential to maximum control of your sound even if you're playing hard. Really try to feel the strings through the pick.

grendle · #17 10-10-2011, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkstorm

Use regular heavy gauge pick and either of the two more rounded ends instead of the single pointy one. Also if your scratching the strings for anything other then pick scrape sounds like with guitar, your not useing the pick against the strings right. Go for more of a strike. Also as jabsys says, your angle of attack makes a diff between scrape/scratch and strike. Both can be musically useful of course. Lol.

+10

pietrocefa · #18 10-11-2011, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff arddun

Steve does a huge mid roll off. He also has a phenomenally precise touch he's worked really hard for. I tried for several years but I could never make those copper Hotlicks picks sound warm like he does. I've settled on a Blue Chip .

...So, Totally agree with you, Swallow pick tecnique is a statement of pure perfection, I cant'find copper picks and I tried a lot of different stuff, wood...bones...steel.
Blue Chip site should be an interesting place to go, let's check.

anonymous122511 · #19 10-11-2011, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pietrocefa

I can't find copper picks

The last ones I got came right from Dunlop. They're out of production but at that time (three years ago?) they still had some in stock. I suspect they might do very limited runs still for Steve. It would be worth an email to them to see. .009 copper Hotlicks are what to ask for. There is no other pick I've used that is at all similar...and like you I've experimented with lots of them.

If Dunlop is out PM me. I have the heavily worn one I've used for years but I probably have another one somewhere you can have.

aidzf · #20 10-11-2011, 03:40 PM

how about using the 5mm Wedgie rubber picks? any feedback?