Just a curious question. What picks do you use?

[JDMcDorce]

Depends on what I am going after when I use a pick. My go to is a Dunlop Heavy (Red) Gel, experimented with a Dunlop carbon fiber Max-Grip Jazz III, which gave good results for what I was trying.

 

[zontar]

I use Graphtec TUSQ Picks, they come in three different tone types Bright, Warm and Deep and three different shapes Standard, Bi-Angle and Teardrop. They give added harmonics that other picks don't give you.I really like them.

When these came out the Canadian distributor gave away samples on a Canadian guitar forum--so I requested a sample.
I do like them, but not as much as I like other picks--but I can certainly see why people sue them, and would have no issue using one if that is what was available. (& I do have one still)

 

[AdamR]

I prefer light picks, 60 or 72mm. I find it does 2 things. 1 it gives you a more even, more compressed tone. 2 it doesn't strain my hand as much as the thinner picks do.

 

[spufman]

The Primetone sculpted 1.4 non-grippy large triangles work well on everything, for me. For mandolins especially, I prefer a Bluechip, but losing one of those would hurt. The Primetone is a good compromise. That said, on bass I nearly never use a pick.

 

[Lobster11]

Actually, my favorite pick is this one -- or what was left of it after Julie had shredded with it for a couple of hours. She even managed to squeeze an autograph onto it:

 

[Super25Smasher]

 

[J.Wolf]

V Pick Euro II. great meaty tone, super grippy. Just dont drop it on a dark stage lol

 

[Geri O]

Anyone ever tried using thumb picks?

I seldom need picks, but the last time I did, the fingers on my right hand began to cramp and hurt from holding the pick. So for this one occasion, I grabbed a couple of nice thick thumb picks. It worked okay. But it’s not very convenient to get on and off if that need is there.

That was over a year ago and I haven’t needed a pick for anything since.

 

[murmur70]

I have thought about using a thumb pick but have never actually tried it.

 

[bigtone23]

I'm not too particular with bass picks and like a garden variety of Dunlop Tortex. I use the green .88 on guitar and like them for bass, too. Often, a blue 1.0 or purple 1.14 gets more bass time, as does the Gator Grips that go up to a 1.5mm.
I have so many picks laying around that I usually just grab one and go. As long as it's not flimsy, it will work.
Dunlop makes a 13 pick variety pack of Medium/Heavy picks. It's a good way to try a variety of thickness and materials.

 

[Rockbobmel]

346 Heavy the best. I tried a bunch of other ones like graphite, tusq and and other synthetics. I always go back to these.

 

[JimmyM]

Been using Dunlop Max Grip 1.5 mm's, but I'm thinking seriously of switching to their Primetone Jazz 5 mm picks. It's super thick, but I'm digging it.

Think I'm going back to the Max Grips. I like the big thick Primetones for certain things, but not for everything.

 

[Solarmist]

I've been using Dunlop USA Nylon .73 picks for as long as I can remember with the tip rounded down via fingernail clippers & sandpaper.

 

[claudel]

 

[Rockbobmel]

I went back and forth with the Graphtec yellow dorito and also really liked it with the rounded corner.

 

[Bolsyo]

Dunlop Tortex for all-round use. Clayton Acetal for mellow stuff, they don't have that aggressive attack.

 

[getBAK]

Plan old Dunlop 1.14 or 1.25
Take a razor and scratch a crosshatch in the face for better grip

 

[Skybone]

Have you tried using your fingers as a pick (Bernard Edwards stylee).

Finger & thumb together like as you would hold a pick, and use the nail/tip of the finger as the pick.

 

[slowjam98]

Have you tried using your fingers as a pick (Bernard Edwards stylee).

Finger & thumb together like as you would hold a pick, and use the nail/tip of the finger as the pick.

I did this when I first started playing guitar/bass when I was a teenager. I had a hard time unlearning the technique—maintaining a proper grip on a pick was really hard. But when I transitioned to a pick, my playing improved a lot and the versatility in tone and style expanded for me. There could just be a casual relationship there, but I would not recommend the no-pick picking technique. If you want a pick sound, use a pick.

 

[Skybone]

Took me years to unlearn using a pick. My playing improved a lot, and the versatility in sound and style expanded for me.

If I do need a pick sound, I use my finger & thumb in a "pick hold".

Different strokes for different folks. What works for one person may not work for another.