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Attn. pick users ! Requesting info and opinions.......
- Thread starter Brocephus
- Start date
If anyone is trying to remain close to the finger sound with a pick, try leather. Leather makes for a great pick.
I am not picky at all--I've used a quarter in a pinch (horrible), but I got a dunlop variety pack for Christmas (not sure which one) and I've got to say I thought I knew what I would like, but there is a small relatively hard green one I actually like that I never would have picked. They all work for me, but I tend to think it's worth trying some you wouldn't think you would like. The variety packs are only like 4 bucks, fwiw. I have a genuine hatred for the rigid insistence that you have to use a super thick pick on bass.
I've found a lot of songs require a pick, and I've also found some that don't require it sound surprisingly good picked, if you mute right.
Playing bass with a pick is like playing guitar without one? What the frick fingerstyle knopfler jeff beck paco de lucia?
I've found a lot of songs require a pick, and I've also found some that don't require it sound surprisingly good picked, if you mute right.
Playing bass with a pick is like playing guitar without one? What the frick fingerstyle knopfler jeff beck paco de lucia?
Picks are just another flavor, and one I didn't think I'd enjoy. Then, I started listening to some amazing players who only used picks, and playing their songs, and picks became a useful addition to the recipe. 
It's cool if you don't, but, it's cool if you do, too.
It's cool if you don't, but, it's cool if you do, too.
I tried the search feature, but in typical internet forum fashion, I got everything but what I was looking for.
I'm just beginning to learn the bass, but have played guitar for decades (or what some might call my approximation of guitar playing!), and at this point in life, I'm just not gonna reinvent the wheel, and ditch my picks. I'm comfortable and reasonably proficient with them, and starting from scratch with my fingers would be like trying to learn to play left handed, and it just ain't happening.
I've long been a fan of the nylon Dunlops, and have a stash of them in 73, 88 and 1.0 mm, and have been using the black 1.0 on the bass. I like the nylon over something like celluloid, but am open to other materials.
But, if I could pick and choose (ha! see what I did there !), I'd have something a tiny bit stiffer, and a tiny bit larger. I can find stiffer gauges, but not seeing anything similar, that's a tiny bit larger ( but don't want to be manhandling some monster pick that's the size of a silver dollar!)
So anyway, you get the idea, I was hoping for any info,opinions, experiences,advice, warnings,recommendations, amusing anecdotes, etc. that you guys feel would be relevant and helpful (other than, "ditch the pick, and learn to play with your grubby fingers!")
thanks.......
I like the grip on Dunlop’s. Grip for me is an issue since I primarily finger pick, the end of my index finger is smooth as a baby’s behind, and unless there is a grip on the pick, it will slide all over the place.
I embrace a little click. If I want it to sound like fingers, I use fingers. I forced myself to learn both fingers and pick. I was working on slap until I hurt my elbow doing so. I'm a BIG proponent of putting as many tools in your box as possible.
On Topic: I like Tortex because it does split the difference between celluloid and nylon for any given thickness. On guitar I love the Herco Nylons because the ridges put on for grip actually give a little "scritch" to the attach very much like Brian May using a coin as a pick.
Horses for courses and every player's gotta find their own voice and expression.
Mugre
On Topic: I like Tortex because it does split the difference between celluloid and nylon for any given thickness. On guitar I love the Herco Nylons because the ridges put on for grip actually give a little "scritch" to the attach very much like Brian May using a coin as a pick.
Horses for courses and every player's gotta find their own voice and expression.
Mugre
+1 on felt picks. Not as much noise with these.
When needed, I dig the Dunlops... love their Ultex line... and I've always liked their Stubbies, just wish they made them in bright colors or had some light-colored striping on them; that dark purple in the dark is invisible.
When needed, I dig the Dunlops... love their Ultex line... and I've always liked their Stubbies, just wish they made them in bright colors or had some light-colored striping on them; that dark purple in the dark is invisible.
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Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I tried the search feature, but in typical internet forum fashion, I got everything but what I was looking for.
I'm just beginning to learn the bass, but have played guitar for decades (or what some might call my approximation of guitar playing!), and at this point in life, I'm just not gonna reinvent the wheel, and ditch my picks. I'm comfortable and reasonably proficient with them, and starting from scratch with my fingers would be like trying to learn to play left handed, and it just ain't happening.
I've long been a fan of the nylon Dunlops, and have a stash of them in 73, 88 and 1.0 mm, and have been using the black 1.0 on the bass. I like the nylon over something like celluloid, but am open to other materials.
But, if I could pick and choose (ha! see what I did there !
So anyway, you get the idea, I was hoping for any info,opinions, experiences,advice, warnings,recommendations, amusing anecdotes, etc. that you guys feel would be relevant and helpful (other than, "ditch the pick, and learn to play with your grubby fingers!"
thanks.......
I prefer these picks …
Link Removed
I like the triangle shape and 3 picking corners
you might like these
For more bite and attack try this one
They come in various thicknesses I prefer 1.14mm
Invalid Link Removed
I've used the orange for years without realizing they were only .60mm. I still use them, they have a sound I like...
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Yep,thanks for the reminder, those grabbed my attention when someone posted them earlier, I almost popped on a 12-pack, but figured I'd wait and see what else was suggested. Plus, I just found that I'm kinda digging a slightly thinner pick (now the 88mm Dunlop nylon, over the 73mm), but i haven't played with them long enough to say for sure. I could easily bounce back to the thicker 1.0mm+ picks.
But the larger semi-triangle shape of these really appeals to me (as does the funky purple color!
)
When I use a pick, I always use the "Wedgie" hard rubber pick. They are available in several hardness/thicknesses. They sound a lot like a finger, but a bit sharper and do not have the click of a plastic pick. Because they are hard rubber, I find they give me a little more control, as well.
Here's a good comparison -
ALSO - you should find a watch Carol Kaye's discussion of how to use a pick properly so you don't damage your arm and wrist.
Here's a good comparison -
ALSO - you should find a watch Carol Kaye's discussion of how to use a pick properly so you don't damage your arm and wrist.
Another vote for Dunlop tortex, standard size. I used the triangle ones for years but standards seem to give me a little more control at faster tempos. I also went from green ones to the slightly thinner yellow and it's the happiest medium for me. I prefer the orange ones on guitar, but using them on bass I wind up putting too much force into the pick in order to hit the strings hard enough.
My view (of course personal view and can be wrong for any another player) is that:
-Floppy picks "slap back" to the string, releasing energy when you don't want it to happen.
-Medium picks are better, but can give the same problem above when you play some notes with more accent.
-Thicker picks than mediums (without exaggerating); are good and give total control on notes, but still with a bit of pleasant elasticity.
-Too much stiffness, instead, feels like using bricks to knock a door. Too much is always too much.
-Floppy picks "slap back" to the string, releasing energy when you don't want it to happen.
-Medium picks are better, but can give the same problem above when you play some notes with more accent.
-Thicker picks than mediums (without exaggerating); are good and give total control on notes, but still with a bit of pleasant elasticity.
-Too much stiffness, instead, feels like using bricks to knock a door. Too much is always too much.
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Inspired by this thread, I just went through my picks and found a surprising lot I don't care for;
I like the Tortex, but, not the Ultex- a shame, as I have a lot of Ultex picks from the first Bass Player Live, but, don't like 'em.
I'm good up to 1.0 MM, after that is too thick.
The Wedgie picks, rubber picks, and the ones that are plastic are, also, not for me.
Thanks, OP- Now I know exactly what I like, and I have a bunch to get rid of.
I like the Tortex, but, not the Ultex- a shame, as I have a lot of Ultex picks from the first Bass Player Live, but, don't like 'em.
I'm good up to 1.0 MM, after that is too thick.
The Wedgie picks, rubber picks, and the ones that are plastic are, also, not for me.
Thanks, OP- Now I know exactly what I like, and I have a bunch to get rid of.
I use the Graphtech Tusq. I like the .088 thickness but your tastes may vary. The Tusq sound is somewhere between nylon and plastic. I like the grip because it has raised letters. I've never cared for picks with a grid of raised dots because if they ever do get out of position, it's hard to get them back into position on the fly. The Tusq picks have just enough grip to resist movement but not so much you can't adjust them when needed.
But if you're looking for something that sounds like fingers then nothing plastic, nylon, or Tusq will do. The guys that suggested leather and rubber are right in that those are much closer to the finger sound. I just don't care for them because they are super thick and lack flexibility. I want a pick to sound like a pick - like Chris Squire on "Roundabout" or the opening like on the O'Jays "For The Love Of Money". Flexibility really helps there.
But that's just me.
Invalid Link Removed
But if you're looking for something that sounds like fingers then nothing plastic, nylon, or Tusq will do. The guys that suggested leather and rubber are right in that those are much closer to the finger sound. I just don't care for them because they are super thick and lack flexibility. I want a pick to sound like a pick - like Chris Squire on "Roundabout" or the opening like on the O'Jays "For The Love Of Money". Flexibility really helps there.
But that's just me.
Invalid Link Removed
I like Dunlop Ultex. It is harder than nylon and tortex, so it feels stiffer at the same thickness. I play the teardrops in .90mm on everything including bass, guitars, and mandolin. It's a happy medium and saves me from constantly chasing different picks.
They make it in a triangle 1.0mm.
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/acc...MI9JeUyaLl5AIVichkCh37aAGQEAQYAiABEgKQUfD_BwE
They make it in a triangle 1.0mm.
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/acc...MI9JeUyaLl5AIVichkCh37aAGQEAQYAiABEgKQUfD_BwE
I’m still on my own pick journey. Learned with my fingers, along the way realized I like the sound and vibe of a pick sometimes. I’ve tried quite a few of the different styles, the big triangle ones, thick ones, thin ones... have pretty much landed on the standard Dunlop Tortex picks, from green (.88) to purple.
Settling more on the green ones lately. I always thought the thicker picks made sense, but have personally found the medium sizes give more of the pick attack sound I’m after, and I also find them easier to play, with the thicker ones for whatever reason I want to grip them and play hard closer to the bridge, which leads to some awful cramping, which leads to me dropping the pick and switching back to fingers mid song. I don’t have that problem as much with the medium picks.
Settling more on the green ones lately. I always thought the thicker picks made sense, but have personally found the medium sizes give more of the pick attack sound I’m after, and I also find them easier to play, with the thicker ones for whatever reason I want to grip them and play hard closer to the bridge, which leads to some awful cramping, which leads to me dropping the pick and switching back to fingers mid song. I don’t have that problem as much with the medium picks.
