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OK, so Strange/Stupid pick question?...
- Thread starter Turtle71
- Start date
Dunlop Purple Tortex 1.14mm, Fender 351 shape Heavy, prefer white ones and D'Addario felt Ukulele picks or something similar. The Uke picks have a slot in them that really makes them easy to hang on to. If I have to buy felts that have no hole, I use a piece of 1/4" OD brass tubing that i have cut pseudo teeth on it to punch two holes. That makes it as good as a D'Addario but I prefer to just open the four pack and dump them into my holder that's similar to the Ernie Ball and Dunlop keychain holders.
I switch between fingers, felt and celluloid(?) or Tortex depending on how much attack the song needs. And I have been known to use an Orange Tortex .60mm from time to time.
Almost forgot to add, I started out as a guitar player in the beginning so I used a pick exclusively in my formative years. I only started to use my fingers (& thumb!) about ten years after I began playing bass.
I switch between fingers, felt and celluloid(?) or Tortex depending on how much attack the song needs. And I have been known to use an Orange Tortex .60mm from time to time.
Almost forgot to add, I started out as a guitar player in the beginning so I used a pick exclusively in my formative years. I only started to use my fingers (& thumb!) about ten years after I began playing bass.
When I first started playing, I always used a pick. Then I started a new job that involved a lot of travel (about 70% of the year on the road) and I didn't so much as pick up a bass for about three years. For some reason, when I did start again, it felt really weird playing with a pick and I played exclusively with my fingers. Now I use both, but probably about 85% fingers, 15% pick.
I use Jim Dunlop Nylon Standard picks. I have a selection from .73 - 1.25mm, but I find my "sweet spot" is a .88 played on the rounded edges rather than the point.
I use Jim Dunlop Nylon Standard picks. I have a selection from .73 - 1.25mm, but I find my "sweet spot" is a .88 played on the rounded edges rather than the point.
I have always used picks, I just prefer the attack. I use whatever is being given away really, which is usually a medium - you know, the ones that come with a pack of strings when you buy online, the ones in the big jar on the counter of your music store with their name on them. And here is the part that you really need to know: use the rounded edge, and not the pointy part - this will give you a much fatter sound. and it will also be easier to use. Apart from that just practice alternate picking - up/down/up/down. Good luck, you can do this!
Heh, its the other way round here: I find picks all over the place, I think that they might actually be multiplying when the lights are off!
Right.
I start playing Guitar probably around 9 years old and it was with a pick and it was Mel Bay.
Three Mel Bay Books later and some Micky Baker chords and I was strumming on the bed with the radio.
Bass came at about seventh grade quite by accident...I got stuck on tuba ( from trombone) and the other tuba player was a really good electric bassist - he give me all the info I needed and even loaned me a bass, his older brother was a bassist as well. I learned using fingers because I was probably doing a bit of classical guitar instruction at that point . And of course the plec, but I developed a solid 2 and 3 finger style before watching some euro bassists employ their thumb a la classical guitar no doubt.
Then Came Wooten ... so inspiring and his dexterity with both hands merges the bass deeper into the rythmn section. Become part drum. Even with a plec.
Besides some pieces or sections absolutely call for a plec.
I use Dunlop Tortex purple, I have for years because I was told by a really good guitar player that you needed a plec that does not flex and I wasn't going to use the metal plec because of string wear, and the celluloid stuff just wasn't thick enough. Tortex hit the market and it was perfect for my needs and for a variety of stringed instruments.
I settled on purple without really trying any other color/gauge. I rarely lose plecs and have a few road warriers. Tortex does wear but I don't use the pointy tip exclusively.
I'm not a regular pick user, either on guitar or bass, but when the need arises I use the same picks for both, a Dunlop nylon .88, or a Dunlop maxi grip 1.14 if I want a pick that's a bit stiffer.
I recon it's all about flexibility, fingers, thumb, picks of different materials and thicknesses. Try some out and choose what works for you. There's no right, wrong, or best.
I recon it's all about flexibility, fingers, thumb, picks of different materials and thicknesses. Try some out and choose what works for you. There's no right, wrong, or best.
I started with Fender Heavy flat picks in the 70's for both guitar and bass, but switched to these Dunlop 1.14mm Tortex flats last year, on my kids recommendations. I've also started using them on my Banjos for Irish / Plectrum style music. They don't sound any different to me, but they do feel better.
I tried using my beloved National brass finger picks on everything, but that didn't work out very well on Bass.
Dunlop Tortex Standard 1.14mm Purple Guitar Pick - 72 Pack
I tried using my beloved National brass finger picks on everything, but that didn't work out very well on Bass.
Dunlop Tortex Standard 1.14mm Purple Guitar Pick - 72 Pack
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I've never tried this but I did see Nick Lowe use a thumb pick when playing bass.
Also, there are finger picks. Which would probably be more practical for up stroke plucking but double picking, up and down might be difficult but "where there is a will, there is a way".
Kind of funny, these finger pickups are............TORT!
D'Addario 4CSH4-5 Medium Finger Picks 5-pack
Also, there are finger picks. Which would probably be more practical for up stroke plucking but double picking, up and down might be difficult but "where there is a will, there is a way".
Kind of funny, these finger pickups are............TORT!
D'Addario 4CSH4-5 Medium Finger Picks 5-pack
Every pick sounds and feels different. I’d say don’t worry about tone as much as comfort and accuracy. It’s easy to hurt yourself using an uncomfortable pick and/or poor technique.
Give yourself some time to find what you like best. I prefer triangle picks but I also use other shapes. For me, a 2.0 Big Stubby triangle pick is both the easiest to use and best sounding. I also use a .73 tortex standard shape pick sometimes too. I’ve found that jazz and teardrop picks are hard for me to hold and hurt my thumb, but some people swear by them. I really do think that there is no one ideal pick or technique.
Give yourself some time to find what you like best. I prefer triangle picks but I also use other shapes. For me, a 2.0 Big Stubby triangle pick is both the easiest to use and best sounding. I also use a .73 tortex standard shape pick sometimes too. I’ve found that jazz and teardrop picks are hard for me to hold and hurt my thumb, but some people swear by them. I really do think that there is no one ideal pick or technique.
Years ago I was where you are. Now I’m primarily a pick player.
I prefer the yellow tortex 0.73 mm, but have tried many that were thinner and thicker. As others have said, get a bunch and try them out.
As for technique, well that’s just going to come with time. Just as your tone is in your fingers, same goes for picking. Just find your happy spot and keep practicing!
I prefer the yellow tortex 0.73 mm, but have tried many that were thinner and thicker. As others have said, get a bunch and try them out.
As for technique, well that’s just going to come with time. Just as your tone is in your fingers, same goes for picking. Just find your happy spot and keep practicing!
I've heard Chris Squire talking about these, and found out most legends used them back in the day, so I gave 'em a try, didn't look back, tried to experiment with different ones since, but these are still my absolute favorite for Electric Bass.
I used to only use the yellow tortex, but now it is mostly the green tortex.
Try the rounded edge rather than the pointy edge.
When I play faster lines, I like the yellow, but I find I get fatigued when I start to dig in too much. The green gives me a little more power with less effort.
Part of pick bass playing is muting with the butt of your picking hand sort of like a sustain pedal on a keyboard or piano. I apologize if you already knew that.
Try the rounded edge rather than the pointy edge.
When I play faster lines, I like the yellow, but I find I get fatigued when I start to dig in too much. The green gives me a little more power with less effort.
Part of pick bass playing is muting with the butt of your picking hand sort of like a sustain pedal on a keyboard or piano. I apologize if you already knew that.
You're not alone! I bet I've gone through dozens of different picks (size, shape, thickness and material). I finally landed one that I didn't even (previously) consider because of its large size. I like a brighter tone when using a pick so I went with ultex. Celluloid picks also get a nice, bright tone. I chose the Dunlop Ultex Triangle .73mm. If I go thicker then that I lose the flexibiI prefer. Ro each their own. Time for you to keep experimenting... ultimately, you'll find one or more that you like. Good luck.
Not sure what genre of music you’re playing but I think these concepts can translate to anything really:
the Nolly one was game changing for me and I really took it to heart. His concept on picks is to use a lighter gauge (specifically tortex .60) which allow you to push through the string on the pluck without completely bending it out of tune. The tone and attack also generally come from the impact of the string to the fretboard, basically like slapping.
the Nolly one was game changing for me and I really took it to heart. His concept on picks is to use a lighter gauge (specifically tortex .60) which allow you to push through the string on the pluck without completely bending it out of tune. The tone and attack also generally come from the impact of the string to the fretboard, basically like slapping.
As you’ve been doing, keep experimenting. I bought sampler packs and landed on the Dunlop .73, because I feel like thicker picks are less responsive and precise. That’s all personal preference though. I will say that I started trying some of the bigger triangle .73s and I love em. Anyway, they’re fortunately one of the things you can sample without breaking the bank.
As far as practice/technique goes, I like to work up my technique on tunes I have really dialed with finger style playing already. And I’ll try to pick some stuff with string skips to work on that. I think this approach helps me pay attention to my attack, timing, and muting with the right hand, since I know how it “should” sound/feel and my fretting hand can be on auto pilot.
As far as practice/technique goes, I like to work up my technique on tunes I have really dialed with finger style playing already. And I’ll try to pick some stuff with string skips to work on that. I think this approach helps me pay attention to my attack, timing, and muting with the right hand, since I know how it “should” sound/feel and my fretting hand can be on auto pilot.
Depends on what thickness you're using. A 3mm Primetone and .73 Ultex definitely sound different. There's no difference in sound between 1.14mm Ultex, 2mm Ultex, and 3mm Primetone, in my experience. It's all about feel.
I don't use a pick much but I always liked Dunlop nylon .60 or .73. I like the nylon ones because they don't shred into powder like the other plastic types I've used, and they don't sound as harsh as the plastic ones.
This is my go-to, mainly because it's the pick I use for guitar. I use the rounded corners as others apparently do as well.
I haven't spent much (any) time auditioning exotic pick shapes and materials.
