Those who use fingerstyle and pickstyle: which picks to use?

[Fuzzbass]

Hey all,

I've been a fingerstyle-only player (and some slap) for decades. Mostly out of laziness: I've nothing against pickstyle, it's every bit as valid as fingerstyle and slap.

Now that I'm playing some modern rock and punk I've actually been using a pick for a few songs. It all started with "Slither" by Velvet Revolver... it just sounded better pickstyle. I've been trying to use all downstrokes because it does sound better (on this particular song) than up/down.

For awhile I've been using picks made of some pearloid material -- I bought them from MF because they were heavy gauge and had hula girls printed on them. Last week I bought a gross of extra heavy (1.14 mm) Fender Delrins because they were MF's stupid deal of the day.

At first I was disappointed because these extra heavies have less attack than the hula girl picks, or others I own for that matter. I'm not sure whether this is due to the material or the thickness. It does seem that thinner picks have a sharper attack, but of course they bend more and I'm not sure that's a good thing. On the upside, the lessened attack of the Delrins means that my pickstyle tone would be closer to my fingerstyle tone.

So -- finally -- my question is, to those of you who use fingers and pick, what picks are you using and why? What are your primary considerations: tone, feel, "grippability", etc? Anything else I should consider? Tx!

[nysbob]

I'm primarily a finger player, but when a pick is called for I use Dunlop delrin .73 (it's pink ) - the delrin is pretty durable, has enough backbone that you can play pretty fast, but enough flexibility to give a nice little snap.

I tried a lot of different picks before settling on that one.

[Phalex]

When I use a pick I prefer "medium" gauge. Not sure what the MM measurement is. I've tried the big stubby's but I like a pick with a little bit of flexibility. When ever I am playing with a pick in my hand, I always have one in my mouth too. It sucks when you flip you pick across the stage and just kind of stare at your empty hand for a beat or two.

[jrduer]

When I pick, I use Dunlop 1mm nylons (the black ones). They're small enough not to get in the way, but easy to keep a grip on. They also have just enough stiffness to get good attack, but enough flexibility to allow for smooth up/down picking, when needed.

My kid uses enormous, rounded-triangular, 3mm picks, made of plastic. He's known for breaking E strings...

~John

[Rickett Customs]

Not much on picks either, but i use 'em when it calls, Tortex 88mm, Dunlop (gators) 2.0mm Gauge and any light pick I can find.

[cnltb]

I use both and my sole consideration is tone.
Any difficulties in handling the pick can be overcome with practice.
I like fairly thick ones most of the time as they allow me avery soft and open tone where you hardly percieve the attack.It's just the note.
I have used thin ones as well and found them to sound...well, thinner.
Copper, aluminium, plastic , all sound different.
I am just about to get a 2mm or 2.5mm wooden plectrum to see what that does but 2-2.5mm is the thickness I tend to like.

[Fuzzbass]

Hey, thanks for the speedy responses. Nice variety of opinions and perspectives. When I was younger I always heard "bassists use heavy picks", but I'm not surprised that there are plenty of exceptions.

So far I'm leaning towards tortex/delrin picks. As noted, I just got extra heavies... the Fenders are purple, which go nicely with my hot rod bass. But appearance ain't exactly top priority, so I think I'll try some slightly lighter gauges. For now, I like the idea of a little more bend and the snap (in tone) that seems to go with it. That might well change after my skill improves. Also, I might not want to be frustrated by a big difference in tone when switching between fingers and pick, so that might lead me back to heavies.

Thanks again... more opinions welcome.

[David Lansen]

I like the feel of Tortex, too, as opposed to nylon. I bought a whole bunch of different thicknesses to try, and I like the 1.14 mm.

[funkalicious101]

I really like the tone of celuiloid picks. I find its much darker, compared to the other treble heavy pick sounds. Thos really thick (maybe 3 mm?) small ones seem to get really good tone too.

[Fuzzbass]

Originally Posted by David Lansen

I like the feel of Tortex, too, as opposed to nylon. I bought a whole bunch of different thicknesses to try, and I like the 1.14 mm.

Cool. So, what made you settle on the 1.14? Tone, feel, flexibility, other?

[Lucas G]

i have been loving on the dunlop 1.14mm for a long time now. i used to play only pick, now i mostly play fingerstyle, but when i go for a pick it's one of those.

[otis_thick]

I used to use a light pick that had both a smooth surface and a rough surface. Now, I play mainly finger style with longer finger nails and when I go into "Pick Mode" I use the nail on my index finger.

[Ampeg SVT]

generally i use 1.0mm by Dunlop, they seem to be the average thickness

[ShirazBop]

Long time ago in a land far away,.. I had used one of those thicker compressed FELT picks. They're still available. You might want to check 'em out...

[mr pablo]

Dunlop tortex 1.14mm or Ultex 1.14 mm, tortex ones cause I think they sound a little less bright than others I have used and the Ultex when I want a bit more bite

[1954bassman]

I use the same pick I use on my Hd28:

Cool Pick, heavy

[Infernal Affair]

I started using V-Picks, which I like. However, I'm not sure if I'd just prefer something cheaper with the same shape as it's the shape that I'm sold the most on. There's a big thread about them.

[Gambisk]

Yellow Dunlop tortex .73's Which i think makes me the player with the lightest gauge pic yay! I started using them on G**tar years ago and i thought they where a Ideal thickness perhaps a little on the heavy side, then I switched to bass and stuck one under the pick guard and haven't looked back. 95% of the time its cosmetic but when I do use it its flexible but not too floppy and for 25p it cost me 5 years ago I'd say its great value for money too

[PocketGroove82]

Hey Fuzz,

It's funny cause I've been in the same boat as you for a while. I've always used only finger style, but the rock band I'm now in does tunes like Slither, P.O.D.'s "BOOM", and a bunch of tunes that just need pick tone. I've really enjoyed learning how to use one and the tone has grown and grown on me! There is something really great in the sound of 2 dimed out jazz bass pups and a pick!

Anyways, I've been doing some experimenting with picks and I think the reason why I never liked using them before was because I always thought a bass player pick has to be 2mm thick or bigger. Those huge ones never really inspired me, so I started with 1.5mm Gator Grips, and now I'm really liking the .96mm Gator Grips. They have a little flex, but have the right amount of rigidity.

I used some of those perloid, "flaky looking" fender picks because they were expensive and looked cool, but I kept breaking them since they are built in layers like fiber board or press board. Really Sucky.

As for Slither, I like light downstrokes on the verses and very a staccato fretting hand, then when the hammer-ons kick it up a notch, I alternate down/up. Since I'm still a pick newbie, I have to focus like crazy on the chorus to make sure I pick the A string (and only the A string...hehe) and hit my attacks right with my drummers kick drum.
There is something very primal and powerful about slinging your bass down to your knees, dropping down to 'D', and playing 95% of a song on your lowest string! Makes me feel like a (bass) Guitar Hero!

Matt

p.s. ...now if only I could play Matt Freeman's solo on "Maxwell's Murder"!!!! PICK BASS INSANITY!

[BassBob185]

Forget all the wierd material and shapes and their high expense, I've tried em all and always go back to a Fender heavy. A $20 pick I heard about...NUTS!