I used those for years before I finally broke down and learned to play with my fingers. Yup...blisters occurred...
I disagree. This may be true for you, but not me. Personally I use Dunlop Tortex .73mm.
Yep, 'sharpies' FTW.
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Bass pick different than guitar pick?
- Thread starter sedan_dad
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Yep, 'sharpies' FTW.
What I use on guitar and what I use on bass are different, thicker sharpies for trem picking. Thinner more rounded on bass so it's not as bright of an attack.
This right here ^^^
I think there's a lot of merit to that statement (I've seen the video too) and it also puts an exclamation point on the part where music is literally open for interpretation by everyone and you are free to do whatever the ...... you want. You want to use a thick honking pick? Do it. You want to use a thin flimsy pick? Do it! There's no "right" way to make music, there's only "your" way.
Funny you should ask, I do reverse the picks and hold the pointed part, been doing that since the 70's- force of habit I guess.
JeezyMcNuggles
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- Feb 23, 2018
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I would personally use a bit of a heavier gauge for guitar and lighter for bass. With the strings being thicker and heavier on a bass, it makes more sense for me to have something that can strike through the string with less resistance. I've seen videos of pro metal players that use picks like Nolly say that they use light gauge picks as well for this reason.
I've found that, since bass strings offer more resistance than guitar strings, the grip of the pick is much more important on the bass. For example, I really like the Dunlop Flow John Petrucci for guitar, but the surface isn't grippy enough and when I use it with bass, it starts to get out of position within my grip unless I grip it harder, and that makes you tire faster. One of my favorite picks for bass is the Dunlop Tri-Stubby 3mm, but I find that one a little too big for the guitar.
The pick that I've found that I can use for both is the Dunlop Flow 2mm. That's thick/hard enough for bass and guitar, and it has a rugged surface (unlike the Flow JP) that gives me a better grip on it for bass. Although I've never tested it live (where I pick with a lot more energy than playing sitting down at home).
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All picks can be used on all instruments, depending on the player's preference. On the occasions I use picks, I tend to use Fender 451 mediums when playing guitar as the default; Dunlop nylon .73mm when a softer tone is desired on guitar or take the edge off the articulation; JustStrings picks on my graphite guitar to take the hard edge off but not damp the tone; and for added security on bass, Fender 346 thick whatever bass I am playing.
There are actually some types of guitar picks like little jazz picks that I don’t care for using with bass. But I’m sure someone likes them.
I don't always use a pic but when I do, I use the Dunlop Ultex Triangle (1.14mm).
What I like: It's made out of a stiffer plastic-like material which doesn't flex much. The material also has a nice grip. It's bigger meaning there's more surface area to grab. The equilateral shape is a must for me as I can use any corner, and not worry if the pick twists in my hand.
The only thing I don't like about it is that it is translucent dirty yellow. Good luck finding it if you drop it on a dark stage. I wish they came in bright neon colors.
What I like: It's made out of a stiffer plastic-like material which doesn't flex much. The material also has a nice grip. It's bigger meaning there's more surface area to grab. The equilateral shape is a must for me as I can use any corner, and not worry if the pick twists in my hand.
The only thing I don't like about it is that it is translucent dirty yellow. Good luck finding it if you drop it on a dark stage. I wish they came in bright neon colors.
Fender heavys work for me. I've tried 2mm picks but I didn't like them at all. I've also tried mediums and those didn't work for me either. I have a bunch in the standard "kinda teardrop" shape since they're easy to get, but I always like the big triangular Fender picks (their 355 shape) because if I wore down one corner too much, I could just rotate it and use one of the other corners.
That being said, there are only 1-2 songs I use a pick for with my current project. Still, I like to practice my pickstyle playing just so I have that skill in my toolbelt when needed. But if I had my choice, I would play with my fingers 100% of the time. I can do more with my fingers than I can with a pick.
That being said, there are only 1-2 songs I use a pick for with my current project. Still, I like to practice my pickstyle playing just so I have that skill in my toolbelt when needed. But if I had my choice, I would play with my fingers 100% of the time. I can do more with my fingers than I can with a pick.
I usually use Dunlop Tortex 1.14 for bass, Tortex 0.6 for electric guitar and Tortex 0.5 for acoustic and 12 string electric.
I could never figure out the most ergonomic way to hold those giant Fender triangle picks. The big stubby was almost too stiff.
I’m not sure how I managed to miss this post earlier, but that is awesome.
About four years ago, I started using the non pointy or round end. I couldn’t believe how much of a difference it made on guitar and bass.
I do that too - but on occasion have a catastrophic nail failure like last week
even using a nail hardener. It will be anther week before it grows back enough to use - hence my interest in picks. I got in a 6 pack of the Dunlop Tri Stubby 3mm - they seem easy to hold onto and work OK on flats.
D
