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Best material for a pick?

Bassman316

Bassman316

May 27, 2008
845
115
Longs, SC
#1
Sorry if this has been discussed before- I tried searching but no dice. I've been a fingerstyle player from the beginning 8 years ago, and I'd like to develop an ability to play with a pick as well. Not that I want to emulate them for every aspect of their sound, but I listen to a lot of Phish, Grateful Dead, Widespread Panic, and even stuff like Yes and Pink Floyd, and I love the attack that a pick can bring to the sound, and I'd like to try to shape my sound a little differently in my never-ending quest for "the sound". I've always just used the run-of-the-mill Fender celluloid guitar picks I have laying around, but what pick material would you consider best for bass? While poking around, I found these:

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Dunlop-Standard-Felt-Pick?sku=110302

The reviews say these are pretty good for bass... just looking for any kind of input/suggestions. Thanks guys!
 
#3
I'd say just head down to the store and buy a whole bunch of them as singles. Probably about 5 cents a pop. You won't know what you'll like until you try it.

That said, I find that it doesn't really matter what brand or thickness pick I use (except felt), I still sound like me. I do find that thicker picks give a deeper sound but that's about it.
 
#12
Slax said:
I'd say just head down to the store and buy a whole bunch of them as singles. Probably about 5 cents a pop. You won't know what you'll like until you try it.

That said, I find that it doesn't really matter what brand or thickness pick I use (except felt), I still sound like me. I do find that thicker picks give a deeper sound but that's about it.
Click to expand...

yes. +1

I have used Dunlop .88 for guitar for years. Occasionally use them for bass, but mainly I'm a finger player. recently I tried DAVA control (the blue ones). there are several gauges in one pick. but I'd recommend getting a whole bunch and see what works for you.
 
#16
This happens to be my fave. Stash pick classic, 1.0mm.
Real nice meaty fell. And you gotta love the graphic.
 

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#18
Depends what you are looking for the pick to do.

I use the gray nylon Dunlop .73mm exactly because I get great tip flex off it and can get it going tremendously fast for sweeping or just plain really fast work. Can I do it with a thicker pick, well, yes, because I have been using pick since '72 so its natural for me. But the .73mm's, for me, are effortless and on the other hand, as needed, I can dig in hard just as well as using it for the light-fingered speed use.

Definitely stay away from the guitar-style Fender picks outta that celluloid or tortoise shell stuff as they crack and chip and don't do well on heavy bass strings for very long at all.
 

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