Hate ‘em. If I use a pick, it’s gotta be the Tortex purple ones or similar.
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Felt pick
- Thread starter meisi
- Start date
I bought some and liked the sound and effect on approach, but the felt dust everywhere, including my music/astronomy room (which has optics in it) that I keep all my stuff in, bothered me to the extent that I stopped using them and eventually decidedly threw them away (they just keep [very, very slowly] disintegrating even just as they sit there, at least the ones I got). But it is a sound that cuts through, placing itself in a mix similarly to how pick playing does but without an overly sharp attack or clicking. Could be a good tool or even part of one’s main sound, depending on one’s taste and style, etc.
Way back in the '70s I had a really big felt pick. I used it occasionally, but it disappeared and I never worried about it. I use my fingers mostly and a plastic pick on most songs that originally used a pick. However, a while back, I bought some felt picks for my ukulele and have used them a few times for bass. It's a nice option to have.
Just FELT I had to add something, hopefully not too PICKY!
Just FELT I had to add something, hopefully not too PICKY!
Ok, had a longer session today with the felt. Paid attention to the muting effect. Yes. That’s what I’m doing without realizing it.
Gives a great thump.
Playing some old pick songs and am wondering how many producers pull this out as a trick in the studio. The same way there is a tube growl there is this felt growl to the picking i can’t quite put my finger on it. Lol.
What. You didn’t grow up with an autoharp in your house?
I probably spend 80 to 90 percent of my bass playing is using fingers with 10 to 20 percent pick. I do use picks for guitar most of the time. So I have tried lots of picks over 40 plus years of playing. And I use conventional and non-conventional picks. My favorite regular pick is the Dunlop Jazz III. I do have some felt picks but not a big fan.
I actually like to cut my own picks from coins with US 50 cent, British 1/2 penny and other coins. I occasionally use a Rock/Agate pick and several wood picks. All have different attack properties. I also like taking old records and making picks from them. They have a thick feel, and the tiny grooves feel good to hold. The down side of old records is that they wear a little faster than typical plastic picks.
I actually like to cut my own picks from coins with US 50 cent, British 1/2 penny and other coins. I occasionally use a Rock/Agate pick and several wood picks. All have different attack properties. I also like taking old records and making picks from them. They have a thick feel, and the tiny grooves feel good to hold. The down side of old records is that they wear a little faster than typical plastic picks.
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My son-in-law uses felt picks. I used to use them way back in the day, but haven't played with a pick seriously in decades. I snagged one from him and I'm really enjoying it.
Perfect description. My picking technique is really sloppy and rusty from non-use. I'm having to focus on how to properly mute when using a pick, and trying to get the right grip and motion so as not to fatigue quickly. Like everything, it just takes time, and I need to be patient.
That was going to be the next thing I try. I'll probably always be a finger player primarily, but being able to use a pick well is a technique I probably should have kept up. Sometimes there's just no substitute.
I can't tell you the number of times I have been in the studio and I end up using a felt pick. You still get the attack that you're after but it's just a little softer. I always have a few in my gig bag. The only thing about them that I don't like is that they shed all over the bass. Some folks have said that their felt picks last a long time but mine rarely last more that two sessions.
I'm not a pick guy, but felt picks sound and feel great to me. My only problems with them is that they wear out fast and they are not permanently attached to my wrists. If those drawbacks don't bother you, go nuts, they're great.
Been playing 30+ years. Never used a pick. This thread has me interested enough to drop the $6 on a set. I play fretless flats and there’s times when i feel like i can use one between my middle finger and ring finger taped together and palm mute. A variation on the claw. Does anyone else do this? It may fail spectacularly at the price of a Yeungling.
Tortex yellow are my preference for guitar.
When I punk rocked with a pick in my teens it was the orange ones. No wonder my thumbs were always cramping up.
Just ordered some onstage felts. Really enjoying the sound with headphones.
I usually don’t use a pick on bass unless the tune really calls for it and even then I may cheat with that finger nail/tips clack technique.
I really prefer these to felt. They make your bass look like it was attacked by a pencil eraser, though.
I tried one but it's still a pick. Softer but still not what I want and get from my fingers.
Yup. When I use a pick, and I do dependent on music, these are what I use. The 3.5 mm ones. The tone is thumpy with more attack then fingers.
