losing grip on pick.... help!!

panazza · #1 12-09-2004, 10:15 AM

I have serious grip problems with picks... no matter what kind of pick I use, they always start to slip after some minutes of playing...

I don't lose the pick but I don't like it to move in my hand while I am playing...

only jim dunlop tortex picks doesn't slip... but I don't like their sound very much...

I love fender celluloid pick but they are so slippy to me...

does someone encounter the same problem??

any tips??

I found a product called "gorilla snot" on the web... it should stick the pick to your hand... but I find ridiculous that I can' play without such an help...

suicas · #2 12-10-2004, 04:05 AM

Hi, I'd do a search for this in either here or in the Miscellaneous forum, I remember this coming up before:

slippery pick

panazza · #3 12-10-2004, 06:03 AM

thanks!!

Nuk3m · #4 12-10-2004, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panazza

I have serious grip problems with picks... no matter what kind of pick I use, they always start to slip after some minutes of playing...

I don't lose the pick but I don't like it to move in my hand while I am playing...

only jim dunlop tortex picks doesn't slip... but I don't like their sound very much...

I love fender celluloid pick but they are so slippy to me...

does someone encounter the same problem??

any tips??

I found a product called "gorilla snot" on the web... it should stick the pick to your hand... but I find ridiculous that I can' play without such an help...

ummm let go?? and then start playing with your finger!!!!

panazza · #5 12-10-2004, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuk3m

ummm let go?? and then start playing with your finger!!!!

I was waiting for such an answer...

well, I used to play with fingers, but I prefere using picks... since I started studying good pick technique, I had never used fingers again...

bassist4ever · #6 12-10-2004, 03:12 PM

take some fine grit sand paper.. and rough up the surface of the pic, and use some gorilla snot (look at a local music store, it does exist) ought to help

tkarter · #7 12-10-2004, 03:19 PM

I was taught a long time ago too tight a grip on the pick makes is come loose and move around. Just as anything proper technique once learned seems to solve the problem. IMHO

tk

kearney · #8 12-10-2004, 10:00 PM

i use and only use these clayton picks, really good grip and they dont hurt your fingers at all

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...se_pid/110419/

and i dont know if this happens to other people but i hold picks with my thumb on front-middle and my index and middle on the sides of the back, and end up concaving picks reall nicely and these concave and then keep their concave and makes it even easyier to keep a hold of, like your not struggling, i use .63s or .80

lowrez · #9 12-10-2004, 10:24 PM

I don't play with a pick, but I have seen one guy who drilled a hole in the center of em for the same reason... cheap fix, prolly works..

LoveThatBass · #10 03-05-2005, 12:15 AM

Using a small Drill bit, I drill approximately 5 holes in the center area of the pick. This helps me quite a bit.
Gary

Matteran · #11 03-05-2005, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kearney

and i dont know if this happens to other people but i hold picks with my thumb on front-middle and my index and middle on the sides of the back, and end up concaving picks reall nicely and these concave and then keep their concave and makes it even easyier to keep a hold of, like your not struggling, i use .63s or .80

i hold it like that too, but i use 2MM picks, so i don't get no bending.

Mine can slip after a few hours of practice, i just tolerate it, and calm down on the rocking out for a bit.

The_Ryst · #12 03-05-2005, 05:52 AM

IMO whatever can be done with a pick can be done with your fingers, plus some. Picks cost money anyway, and we're poor musicians so...

BassGod · #13 03-05-2005, 07:01 AM

Get Dunlop Ultex picks. They grip more as you sweat more. Really great picks, but I just wish they came in Triangles.

Graeme

BassGod · #14 03-05-2005, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim99

http://www.wegenpicks.com/

Up to twenty-five dollars for a pick?! That's insane. I don't see what could possibly justify the price of those picks.

Graeme

Petary791 · #15 03-05-2005, 08:48 AM

I have some advice, don't use a pick!

But anyways, try taping your fingers or the picks. I remember when I used to play with some Dunlop Gator picks or something like that and Tortex, i'd lick it then play with it.

travatron4000 · #16 03-05-2005, 08:52 AM

Panazza,
I use Jim Dunlop's Nylon picks. Though the thickest they make it is 1mm and you said that you use 2mm's, the texture on them is better than the tortex. I find that if you need extra grip on these or any pick, take as small peice of pointed steel like a tine of of dinner fork or an ice pick, and then heat it up in a candle and melt little craters into the surface. it creates a small divit with a ridge around it. I also find that the nylon picks are incredibly durable. they last forever and are as cheap and any other pick.

~trav

BassGod · #17 03-05-2005, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim99

I realize that even though this stuff is pretty simple economics and even though it is taught in many basic school courses it is still difficult for many people to grasp.

If your personal psychology includes the fear of being taken or a hate of business, this may be so strong as to overpower any simple math logic.

Where this is really funny/sad here on talkbass, is the people who somehow think that the custom shops that sell handmade items for what we believe to be lots of money seem to think that these items are "not worth" the cost. This is usually connected to thinking that these makers are just making lots and lots of profit. If this bothers you, you are insane. Because it is the Fender Music company that is selling thousands of basses and millions of picks for discount prices that is making the big bucks, not the small business that is making a few items day by hand in their basement.

Well then I'm insane. I'd rather have 10 lesser quality picks than a $25 pick that I'm gonna end up losing in a week. Besides, I have no 'hate' for small business, and I am not ignoring 'simple math logic'. Let's say I buy twenty triangle picks from that website, and twenty standard Dunlop picks.

20 Triangle 'Wegen Picks' = $400
20 Triangle Dunlop Picks = $20 (at 50 cents per pick)

On average I lose or wear out about a pick per week. I'd much rather be out 50 cents at the end of this week, than $20 for a pick, which is a technique I use in only 25% of my playing. Plus, I have to wait for these picks to be shipped to me. In my situation, it's simply not worth it. I understand that you feel the need to defend this business, but your condescending replies are not needed. No hard feelings by the way.

Graeme

stompfrog · #18 03-29-2005, 04:54 AM

i use 2mm picks (purple ones) they are very shiny and slippy.
chew your plectrum (hard) at every opportunity and it willl get tiny grooves all over.

i more instant result can be obtained by scoring several lines across the plectrum with a craft knife. this works really well.

2mm picks can take a lot of abuse and will never bend

spudmaster34 · #19 02-26-2006, 09:06 AM

sandpaper does work well, as does drilling. but i drill 3-5 small holes near the top instead of one near the middle.

jasper383 · #20 02-27-2006, 11:50 AM

dAndrea makes picks called Brain Picks, and they have a textured surface like a cat's tongue. The orange ones, I have found, are excellent for bass (1.14 mm). I got them at Sam Ash.