So whats the deal with wooden picks?

WavyGravy · #1 01-12-2013, 04:59 PM

I've recently come across the concept of wooden picks. Read it in a magazine that some players use wooden picks as opposed to traditional plastic composite for certain tones.

My question is, who has actually tried wooden picks, or done comparisons between the two? I'm very interested here.

VitalSigns · #2 01-12-2013, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WavyGravy

I've recently come across the concept of wooden picks. Read it in a magazine that some players use wooden picks as opposed to traditional plastic composite for certain tones.

My question is, who has actually tried wooden picks, or done comparisons between the two? I'm very interested here.

I've actually never heard of wooden picks before.

WavyGravy · #3 01-12-2013, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VitalSigns

I've actually never heard of wooden picks before.

I read about it in bass player mag this month and it got me interested

phmike · #4 01-12-2013, 05:21 PM

Wood and my fave -hard very thick leather - are fine options and were used long before plastic was invented. They wear down fast but are free/cheap and give a bit different sound than fingers or plastic. If you have sore finger tips then switching to a pick for a while will let you play pain free until your finger tips heal.

WavyGravy · #5 01-12-2013, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phmike

Wood and my fave -hard very thick leather - are fine options and were used long before plastic was invented. They wear down fast but are free/cheap and give a bit different sound than fingers or plastic. If you have sore finger tips then switching to a pick for a while will let you play pain free until your finger tips heal.

Yes but how was the tone? How did the tone differ from traditional picks?

millsbass5 · #6 01-12-2013, 05:32 PM

I'd say it's tone is probably similar to a felt pick. Unless it's made from an ultra hard wood.

Teacher · #7 01-12-2013, 06:30 PM

I've read about ebony pics. I cannot imagine spending that kind of money on something so brittle.

**mjac28** · #8 01-12-2013, 06:39 PM

I read that also it looks interesting I use rubber picks and love the thump on my Hofner.

hieronymous · #9 01-12-2013, 06:43 PM

I have a couple - I think they were included when I bought a pick made of woolly mammoth tusk off of etsy.com. I haven't used them much - I tend to pick very hard and was afraid I would destroy them! But maybe it's time to do some sound clips. My personal favorite right now is graphite - I've also used the Wedgie rubber picks, stone, and bone...

seang15 · #10 01-12-2013, 06:45 PM

What's a pick?

Oh, and he said wood. Uh, huh huh....

**Ric5** · #11 01-12-2013, 06:51 PM

I have plastic, derelin, metal, and felt ... but no wood picks.

PWRL · #12 01-12-2013, 07:00 PM

I once made a rubber pick out of hard rubber glazier's shim material. I rarely use a pick, but now I may have to try wooden picks.

JamesGoodall · #13 01-12-2013, 07:07 PM

If I pick, I use organic material picks. Wood, horn, shell, bone. They just have different sounds. Ebony is warm, the denser woods are bright, bone is very tinny, I had a mammoth tusk pick once, and that was by far the best sound ever. Very rich and harmonic. In close second is Abalone. Not quite as good, but cheaper.

Yes, they're expensive, but they make great b-day/Christmas presents and you're much less likely to loose them.

Munjibunga · #14 01-12-2013, 07:21 PM

They're made of wood rather than plastic.

Scott in Dallas · #15 01-12-2013, 08:04 PM

Just be careful what kind of wood picks you get. Maple picks give you a more crisp high end, and mahogany picks give you a warmer tone.

Epidrake · #16 01-12-2013, 08:12 PM

I love experimenting with different picks. It's amazing the tonal differences you get with changing pick material and size and thickness.
I am surprised at how much I'm liking graphite. It's so much warmer than I thought it would be. Never tried wood. Can't wait to try it.

FretlessMainly · #17 01-12-2013, 09:04 PM

I very rarely use a pick on bass, but I have a set of John Pearse Handfull of Picks in various wood, bone, horn and shell styles. I use them on guitar primarily. Not cheap, but great if you can splurge for them. I've had my set for well over five years. The tone varies from very warm to very bright.

fjadams · #18 01-12-2013, 09:11 PM

http://www.stoneworkspicks.com/list-...ts-landing.php

These guys make some pretty impressive picks.

Rokoko · #19 01-12-2013, 09:15 PM

i grabbed a john pearse pick collection, and I actually prefer the feel of the rosewood and ebony picks to other materials (such as plastic). The sound is slightly less high end'ish, but most of all the feel is nicer... i know ...not the most thorough review.

phmike · #20 01-12-2013, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WavyGravy

Yes but how was the tone? How did the tone differ from traditional picks?

Trying to describe sound with words always leads to more questions. It's "different"

A piece of scrap 2X4 or other wood can be cut to size/shape (which is not critical) easy enough and free. Give it a try and see what you think.

If you want to try leather find a Tandy leather store or shoe repair shop. Ask for a small 1 inch square of the thickest, hardest, toughest leather they have. Most places will give you a small piece of scrap for free. It should be close to 1/4 inch thick (or more if you get lucky, 3/16 is OK) and it does not matter if it's rough or smooth. I've glued (almost any kind of glue works) 3 thin (1/8 inch) pieces together to make a leather pic 3/8 inch thick and used it several times a week for a month. It wears to a taper as you use it and gets shorter until it's too short to use.