A couple of the picks mentioned in this thread caught my eye: the Dunlop 208 Jazztone and the Wedgie rubber pick. I ordered them to try, and thought I'd give a report.
I've played the bass for over 40 years, and was a guitarist for several years before that. I've always primarily played the bass with a pick; using my fingers only when the bass line really needed the softer attack, and my speed allows. I used a Fender medium celluloid pick on guitar, and just used the same when transitioning to the bass.
Playing mostly rock, it was never an issue for me; but, a year or so ago, I started playing more R&B, and wanted an attack with more thump and less click. So, I've been experimenting with a few picks, and settled on Mick's felt picks because they give a really nice thump attack. Also, they are exactly the same length and width as the Fender pick; so, they feel comfortable.
As everyone knows, felt and leather picks deteriorate; so, the Wedgie rubber pick seemed a comparable, but more durable, alternative. The attack I get from the Wedgie is nicely thumpy, but a little too soft and muted. I find that I want to play harder. The Wedgie is 5mm thick, but tapers to the rounded tip. It is the same width as the Fender pick, but about 1.5mm shorter in length. This, combined with its rounded edge made me feel that it would be easy to improperly pick, or even entirely miss picking a string. I like its sound, but it feels stubby and inaccurate.
The Dunlop Jazztone 208 was an interesting suggestion because it is more of a "normal" pick. Indeed, it is intended also for jazz guitarists. The suggestion that it "eliminates pick noise" seemed grossly over-stated. The size of 208 is nearly identical to the Fender pic, except that it has a pointier tip, and is about 3x its thickness. It is a very hard and rigid pick, and also has a somewhat rounded edge. Though the attack it has is not as thumpy as the Wedgie, it does dramatically reduce the pick sound as compared to the Fender pick; and, due to its hardness the resulting note is punchier and more full-bodied than that of the Wedgie. Additionally, the pointed tip seems to add some degree of picking accuracy.
From my comparisons, I will be going forward with the Dunlop Jazztone 208. With a little roll-off of the tone pot, it reduces the pick attack enough for me. The resulting tone is a good compromise between soft attack and solid sustain. Its form factor is very familiar and comfortable in my hand (
and it fits in my wallet). Its hardness and durability makes me think I will only be replacing them due to loss, versus wear.
I hope this helps folks who are considering alternatives; but, more, I hope it inspires folks to consider alternatives. 40 years of using a Fender medium pick... Who knew there was something better??
), 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!)
)
Good luck finding what works best for you!
