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10 different picks comparison

llmk

llmk

Jan 11, 2018
118
333
Bucharest, Romania
#1
Hey guys,

I recently started a quest to find the perfect pick and in doing so I found a few that I really like. I just recorded 10 of them in a row so I can compare them without playing. Here they are in case anybody is curious.

Bass: Cort B4 AS RM
Pickup: EMG J neck position, tone, and volume 100%
Strings: Flats, Fender 9050L, about a year old
Recorded through a NU-X MG-30 with a big compression.
I did my best to play consistently, it's not perfect, but it'll do. Cheers!

The picks:

Dunlop Tortex Flex 0.88mm
Dunlop Tortex 0.88mm
Dunlop Ultex 1.14mm
Dunlop Ultex 1.0mm
Dunlop Ultex 0.88
Ibanez Rubber Grip Medium
Gravity Stealth Standard 1.5mm
Master 8 Infinix 1.0mm Hard Grip
Master 8 Infinix 1.0mm Hard Polish
Unknown Stainless steel
picks.jpg


The differences are quite subtle, my favorites are the Master 8 Infinix and the Dunlop Ultex (especially the 1.14mm), they all play and sound great.
 

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#2
Based on many years here at TB, I predict that (1) nobody is going to listen to all these clips and (2) countless people will post to say what kind of pick they prefer. This will include every kind of pick ever made by anyone.

When I first started learning to use a pick I had a couple dozen or so that I had accumulated from various sources, and I experimented with all of them. In the end I wound up with a few that I liked the best but, perhaps more importantly, I came away from this feeling confident that I could comfortably use any pick at any time.
 
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#4
Lobster11 said:
Based on many years here at TB, I predict that (1) nobody is going to listen to all these clips and (2) countless people will post to say what kind of pick they prefer. This will include every kind of pick ever made by anyone.

When I first started learning to use a pick I had a couple dozen or so that I had accumulated from various sources, and I experimented with all of them. In the end I wound up with a few that I liked the best but, perhaps more importantly, I came away from this feeling confident that I could comfortably use any pick at any time.
Click to expand...

To be completely honest, I don't have any expectations from this topic. I recorded the soundbites for myself to see if I hear big differences between the picks then posted it here in case it would interest anybody. If peeps want to talk about their favorite picks, great.
After listening to the recordings I came to the conclusion that the differences are so minute that I will just go for what feels more comfortable to play with.
After playing just one single type of pick for about 26 years, I recently felt the need to change and I'm glad I did.
I feel way more comfortable with the ones I use now.
 
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#7
I agree that to the ear the difference is quite subtle. But it seems logical with regards to the picks list. It's all roughly in the same "area" of the pick landscape, right around 1mm. As proposed above, try significantly different thicnesses, and see what it does?
 
#8
Yes, the sound is important. But for me, the feel of the pick is even more critical. I used to be mostly fingers only, and this was familiar and comfortable. When I decided to learn how to use a pick, it was unfamiliar and uncomfortable. During a focused process, I tried lots of picks and settled on one that felt and sounded the best. My picking is getting much better lately, and most of it relates to the comfortable feel of the process. Relaxed = good! So continue to experiment, but don't let the sound be your only criterion.
 
#10
I have several of those picks and yea they sound similar but i use Micks Picks the thick stiff felt type that are easy to hold onto plus i sanded the edges down to get less attack and it sounds way different than a stainless steel pick i have.

As suggested try a much thicker pick like i mentioned or a thick Dunlop Primetone as mentioned. I play pick a LOT btw!
 

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