Tommorow I'm buying picks, need help

energyj · #1 12-03-2005, 05:40 PM

I'm playing metal songs, so what kind of picks you recommend? I heard its best to get thick ones. Also, there are 'gel' picks, what good does it do? Is it worth the extra dollar? Also, I'm getting picks because my fingers are getting blister from playing -- I practice too much >_<

Hmm yeah so do picks break? Or should they be able to last me a very long time?

Godhead'sLament · #2 12-03-2005, 05:47 PM

i recomend dunlop Jazz 3 picks.. very good for fast metal.. they don't break.. they will wear out eventyally thoug.. but they are easy to loose..

energyj · #3 12-03-2005, 06:05 PM

I'll never lost mine!

Anyway, what is the purpose of the gel picks? is it any better then the non-gel ones?

smo · #4 12-03-2005, 06:07 PM

i usually use Dunlop 1mm or even 2 mm for really fast brutal playing.
Good luck

BlacktotheBlind · #5 12-03-2005, 06:17 PM

i also recommend dunlop picks, i use the 1.14 tortex picks. i wouldn't bother with the gel picks for now, you might not like playing with a pick.

Discgraham · #6 12-03-2005, 06:30 PM

I like heavy pics. I'm currently using Dunlop Gels for bass and guitar. I use the Heavy for bass and the M-L and Medium for guitar. They are very durrable and don't break. However, they can get a little slick when sweaty. I used the Dunlop Gator pick for a while and they were much more sticky. I don't remember the difference in tone though, but it's probably not huge. The Gators did break, so that's no good.

FaithNoMan · #7 12-03-2005, 06:35 PM

My recommendations are the rounded triangle picks, in 1.26mm, on this page: http://www.steveclayton.com/acetal.html

...they have thicker ones, but they seem to slow me down too much...and really, the 1.26's are strong, as I find they last very long(I lose them first)

....and I used to swear by Dunlop Tortex 1.14mm rounded triangle, but I think I like these even more.

ESP-LTD · #8 12-03-2005, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FaithNoMan

My recommendations are the rounded triangle picks, in 1.26mm, on this page: http://www.steveclayton.com/acetal.html

I like .85's myself, but have used heavier. These wear very well.

edwinhurwitz · #9 12-03-2005, 08:29 PM

I like the Adamas Graphite picks. They are 2mm thick, but are very light and absolutely do not bend at all. Everyone uses something different, so try a bunch and see what works for you!

I hear that Steve Swallow uses copper picks and he has a very deep smooth sound.

Edwin

lemur821 · #10 12-04-2005, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwinhurwitz

I like the Adamas Graphite picks. They are 2mm thick, but are very light and absolutely do not bend at all.

Those are nice picks. I try not to use anything less than 2mm.

JimmyM · #11 12-04-2005, 03:24 AM

Wow, I was really interested in those Adamas graphite picks, then I saw that they're 75 cents apiece! As much as I lose picks, I think I'll stick with the Musician's Friend heavies that cost $2 a dozen!

purfektstranger · #12 12-04-2005, 06:27 AM

Forget the picks....your blisters will harden and then you'll have natural picks.....calluses.

FaithNoMan · #13 12-04-2005, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purfektstranger

Forget the picks....your blisters will harden and then you'll have natural picks.....calluses.

Hey, I'm a picker, but this guy has a really good point.. is it just because your fingers are blistering?

....rest for a week, then go back and see how much your callouses, and playing have improved!

Philbiker · #14 12-04-2005, 08:55 AM

Rounded triangle Fender "HEAVY" picks have always been perfect for me.

BlacktotheBlind · #15 12-04-2005, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FaithNoMan

My recommendations are the rounded triangle picks, in 1.26mm, on this page: http://www.steveclayton.com/acetal.html

...they have thicker ones, but they seem to slow me down too much...and really, the 1.26's are strong, as I find they last very long(I lose them first)

....and I used to swear by Dunlop Tortex 1.14mm rounded triangle, but I think I like these even more.

I've tried those rounded triangle picks before, they were just too wide for me. I couldn't get a comfortable hold on them. But I've seen a few other people swear by them too.

FaithNoMan · #16 12-04-2005, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlacktotheBlind

I've tried those rounded triangle picks before, they were just too wide for me. I couldn't get a comfortable hold on them. But I've seen a few other people swear by them too.

That's funny you said that, because they were the only ones around one day, and I got really used to them....and they seem to have more to work with for a big bass string...

JimmyM · #17 12-04-2005, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purfektstranger

Forget the picks....your blisters will harden and then you'll have natural picks.....calluses.

I would rather not get into another weekly pick vs. fingers argument. There's enough of them once a week to last a lifetime. This conversation is for those of us who use picks sometimes. I do plenty of fingerstyle work BTW, thank you.

iamlowsound · #18 12-04-2005, 03:46 PM

i like light pics, about .48 alice pics are what i am using now.

lowsound

steve21 · #19 12-04-2005, 04:47 PM

The purple or black Dunlop Jazz IIIs, and Fender Extra Heavies, are the only picks you will ever want to play (IMO).

PickyRickyMike · #20 12-04-2005, 05:22 PM

Ive used the large triangle nylon picks for years, they absorb and provide several attacks, as a matter of fact I have used the same one for several years (hope i dont loose it!). If you want a softer sound move your fingers away from the edge, for a more aggressive attack "choke up" on it.