OK, so Strange/Stupid pick question?...

[DanDBassist]

Whatever picks you choose, I have learned to keep them in a case of sorts. One like this has worked well for me. Try it out in person and make sure the snap is strong.

 

[spatters]

Sorry if these questions seem "nOoB" or silly, but I'm genuinely curious how you guys/gals ultimately chose your "weapon of choice" for picks, it seems that those who use picks are VERY specific with what they use, surely there must be a reason.

Here are the big variables:

-Does your technique depend on the pick bending (thickness <1mm) or on the pick not bending at all? (>= 1mm) Generally you can play faster with a pick that bends...but if it bends too much, your tone thins out and you need a death grip to get any volume. A rigid pick is easier to play loud, but harder to play fast.

-How scratchy of a pick attack do you want? Rounder point = scratchier attack. Sharper point = quicker, more articulate attack.

-How sweaty are your hands and the sorts of gigs you play? Tortex and Ultex grip best when wet.

 

[jdaunt]

Part of it depends on what kind of strings you play. I used to play mostly flats, and loved the Ultex picks for that, but then have gradually been moving to rounds and hate the extra zing and pick attack sound i get from the Ultex, so have been experimenting a but lately and am so far liking the Dunlop Primetones best.
And also, it’s been mentioned, but it’s just like when you were learning finger style, you just have to practice and find out the technique that works best for you.

 

[JohnnyBottom]

for me this right here... classic Fender 346. Rounded points get me my smoove sound when I use a pick

 

[Bent77]

Another tortex user

.88 or 1.14

I score them with a razor blade for grip

 

[Rick Brienzo]

I recommend just choosing one you like and dedicating yourself to it for a few years. You will be able to develop technique without the the hassle and confusion of ever changing tools. Dunlop Tortex are a great pick that are readily available. Yellow, green and blue are all great choices that you may end up sticking with for life.

 

[mikewalker]

Another vote for tortex (Orange 88)... I'm fingerstyle 99% of the time but I've done pick-only gigs as well.

 

[VoodooJazz]

Head over to v-picks.com. NFI. Try a few. This also supports GAS at a low level.

For bass, I like the Freakishly Large Round.
For electric guitar, the Snake is amazing.
For mandolin, the Jalapeño.

There’s a start. Your mileage WILL vary. Enjoy!

 

[Iristone]

I use the Dunlop Anniversary nylon picks, the heavy variety. Nylon picks give me the bright 'snap' I look for when I play with a pick.
I started with thumb, and then finger, and finally pick. At first I played with picks with a 'pinching' technique, which was agile but caused frequent pick slippage. Only later on did I gradually move to a more 'proper' technique.

 

[packhowitzer]

I'll use any pick as long as it's this one:

 

[Lowbrow]

This one. What’s so great about these is that tortex material wears evenly and you can’t turn this shape the wrong way. It’s like idiot proof.

 

[jmlee]

Playing with picks makes laundry day so much more fun!

 

[StringCanvas]

You'll want a heavier gauge pick for sure. I use the Tortex 1.0 mm (blue) picks for both bass and guitar. But grab a few different sizes (they're cheap) and try them out to figure out which one works best for you.

I'm not sure about the "for sure." It depends on both the player and the tone. In the punk genre, for instance, guys use picks little more than half that.

I use Dunlop 73s. I like the grip that keeps them from spinning around. That said, I’m pretty bad regardless of which pick I use.

Same-- I go back and forth between Dunlop 73 and 60, depending on my mood and feel. It has the right amount of grip for me, too.

In addition to "grab a pile and try them," try them out more than once. As your technique changes or you feel different day to day, you'll probably find a small range you enjoy.

 

[TNCreature]

I started with picks that were too heavy. I needed a bit of flexibility.
Went to Fender Medium, but they would grind down and snap.
I finally settled on Dunlop orange .60mm picks. I love them. The soften up a little in your grip. They don't slip. I actually get better snap because of their flexibility. The pick doesn't need to be super hard for a fast attack; just hard enough. I pick soft, hard, palm mute all with ease. They are what works for me.

 

[Ric5]

This is the pick that I use

 

[Ric5]

Should you play bass with a PICK? (let’s end this B.S argument for good) - YouTube

 

[Ric5]

I recently joined a SRV tribute band and the bass player for Stevie Ray Vaughn used a pick on several songs

 

[HelpImaRock]

Part of it depends on what kind of strings you play. I used to play mostly flats, and loved the Ultex picks for that, but then have gradually been moving to rounds and hate the extra zing and pick attack sound i get from the Ultex, so have been experimenting a but lately and am so far liking the Dunlop Primetones best.
And also, it’s been mentioned, but it’s just like when you were learning finger style, you just have to practice and find out the technique that works best for you.

Interestingly (or not), the Primetones are also made from Ultex.

 

[ChrisBowsman]

When you’re picking, pay attention to the angle it’s striking the string. Decades of playing aggressive metal rhythm guitar made my natural attack have a fairly severe angle, and I need to consciously flatten it a bit on bass.

That said, the only time I use a pick on bass is if I’m goofing with Tool songs. Otherwise I start falling into “guitar player playing a bass” tendencies. It’s also led to me playing guitar more with my fingers, too.

 

[jdaunt]

Interestingly (or not), the Primetones are also made from Ultex.

Right, but somehow it sounds quite different. To me at least.