Black Picks = Bad idea!

[essentre]

I just started using a new type of pick, Clayton Ravens. I really like them but I haven't gigged live with them yet. So this past Saturday I had my first show and here's a heads up...

When you drop a black pick on stage, you can kiss it goodbye!! It is virtually impossible to find once you drop it. I lost more picks in this one live show then I have since I started playing! In the end though I did find it amusing

[M0ses]

You couldn't get that once the show is over and the lights are on? I wouldn't be bending over to find them during the show either way, that would look silly and slow down the show.

[essentre]

Didn't try to find them during the show but I'd glance around and try to pick them out to no success. Usually if I drop one I can at least see it on stage as I'm still playing. With these... nothing! And yes, even with the lights on it was tough.

[ahbassman]

Learn to play with your fingers

Haha in all seriousness though, I know your pain. I have butterfingers, so when I use a pick I'm always dropping them. Finding them on a stage covered in cables can be annoying.

[Spraeg]

I used to use the dark purple transluscent ones, those are a pain to find also. I started puting a little dot of white-out in the middle of the pick, the coloring over it with highlighter. Makes them real easy to find if there's a blacklight around.

[Phalex]

My guitar players picks are sterling silver. He kinda freaks out when he doesn't see where one he drops lands.

[jazzblade]

Silver Sharpie markings might help.

Besides you need one to sigh autographs right???

[edot3021]

My picks are attached to my right hand. Although if I did lose one during a show I would totally freak out.

Seriously though, when I do use a pick I use Dunlop Big Stubby picks, 3.0 MM. They have a great grip, so I usually wear them down before I lose any.

[Axtman]

I RARELY play with a pick, but when I do I use fluorescent or brightly colored picks for that very visibility reason.

[nitrofix]

Get a pick holder that goes on a mic stand, load it up with a bunch of picks drop one grab another one and then collect the ones you dropped after the show...

[walker rosewood]

I also use 'those dark purple translucent ones' aka 'Dunlop Big Stubby picks, 3.0 MM'

Agree, awesome grip, but I sweat so much they still slip out. The mic stand pick holder is a good idea, but the big stubby's don't fit. So I keep a couple on top of my rack and switch out for a dry one every song or two.

The sharpie/highlighter idea is good, but it's probably easier to just not use black picks.

[JimB52]

I use these. Big, easy to hang onto, have three picking sides, and they're easy to see in the dark.

Fender 346

[brickerenator]

Don't play in the grass with green picks

been there, done that.

[SMILEYSIXX]

I use an old set of heavy fender picks I found in the case for the bass I got at the pawn shop. They are hot pink. I've never lost one yet.

[dminer]

I've always used the Black Dunlop 1MM Nylons...they have that kind of sandpaper type grip at the top and I guess I've got a pretty tight grip on it as well because I've only dropped a couple in the last 20 yrs and almost never during a song...Although, I agree that they're almost impossible to find until the end of the gig and the house lights are on. I do always keep at least three in the "pick pocket" of my jeans as backups.

[dmusic148]

Umm, yes this can be a problem. Which is why I use white ones. Or Day-Glo orange or yellow...anything but black. Black picks are 'Studio' picks. lol....

[NickInMesa]

I NEVER play with a pick, but when I DO I put my extra picks in between the strings on the headstock.

Or you can invest in one of those idiotic stick-on pick dispensers.

[john_martin_sai]

Dark Stage floor?

All you need is here ------> http://www.stringsbymail.com/store/i...panvh0pqkq1150

[Chowowbus]

Whats so idiotic about a pic dispenser?

I use a pick pretty much all the time, I stash them everywhere because I drop them or grind them down. I go through about 2 picks per show.

[totallyfrozen]

Originally Posted by ahbassman

Learn to play with your fingers

HA HA! or don't drop your pick.


I hardly ever use a pick on bass, but when I do I use these. I think if you drop one of those, you really DO have butterfingers.