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felt picks

sonicnuance

sonicnuance

Supporting Member
Commercial User
Aug 30, 2003
1,479
457
California, USA
www.sonicnuance.com
Disclosures
Engineer & Owner, Sonic Nuance Electronics
#1
Anyone try these? I'm trying to emulate the meaty thump I get playing fingerstyle and am interested in the felt picks.

(I need to grow my nails for a classical guitar gig, hence the need)

When I use a pick I tend toward a Dunlop Delrin 2mm or a Fender triangle heavy.

I'm using a Stingray 5HH and a Fender P both with roundwounds

Thanks for your insight

P.S. I didn't know which forum to put this in, so if a mod needs to move it... by all means do so
 
#3
I play mostly fingerstyle, but when I use picks I prefer felt ones: thick 3mm Dunlops. It's for the same reasons that you want to try them: they best emulate fingerstyle, but with a pick-like attack, particularly with SS strings.

Only thing is, they wear out in about 10 songs. :hmm: So if you do try 'em, get a bunch of 'em. They're not easy to find in bulk.

As a backup, I have a few 2 mm rubber picks (I forget the make). They get slippery very quickly, though, and are basically unusable near the bridge for that reason.
 
#6
Just tried some felt picks last month.
Wanted them to work: to offer the speed of a pick with the tone of fingers but felt very akward to use.
Decided to practice right hand finger technicque instead.
 
#9
You might consider a compromise between fingerstyle and felt picks. Once company used to make rubber picks (maybe called "Wedgies"???). I can't remember, but somebody might.

They're not thick like felt picks, yet they're not as bright as regular picks. A lot of people really liked them. The biggest criticism of them was that eventually, the rubber would begin to crumble a bit and you might get little pieces stuck around your pickups. So if you get them, switch them out before they get too old.
 
#10
they sound great..amazing idea in concept..but mine always shred before i'm past the second chorus of the first song..then it's like playing with a handful of matchbook covers..floppy layers of shredded cardboard.

if they invent one that stays together,i'd love it..but I'd go through 1 per song otherwise..unless it's very soft,ballad stuff (which I use my fingers for anyway)
 
#12
I've read reviews on MF where people swear by the longevity. Thus I'm a bit surprised with the reports at how quickly they wear out. I guess I'll just have to try these myself.

Anyone compare felt to Surfpicks (they have a website - they're bassically wood picks)?

I have a handful of different picks at home and there is a large difference in tone based on material and stiffness. It is rather surprising I must say. Its kinda cool to come back to the pick after a long absence
 
#13
They just don't last. I'd just use a large heavy pick and EQ your instrument for a darker tone.

A large pick ought to let you get clearance for your nails. BTW, have you considered using your thumb "tug-bar/Brian Wilson style," or perhaps a thumb pick?
 
#14
Jim Carr said:
They just don't last. I'd just use a large heavy pick and EQ your instrument for a darker tone.

A large pick ought to let you get clearance for your nails. BTW, have you considered using your thumb "tug-bar/Brian Wilson style," or perhaps a thumb pick?
Click to expand...

For classical guitar, the thumb has a rather long nail. However, I have tried it and it kinda works. But if I have to change my technique drastically I'd rather use a pick (with I'm pretty good at).

I've tried thumb picks and they always felt strange to me. Plus it modified my technique just like I mentioned above.

Good question though.
 
#16
Jim Carr said:
A large pick ought to let you get clearance for your nails. B
Click to expand...

+1. I rarely use a pick, but when I do, I use those gigantic triangular Fender picks in medium or heavy. I can get a real good sound if I roll the tone knob back pretty far. That takes away a lot of the brightness you get with a pick. They're easy to hang onto, also! ;)
 

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