Pick or Fingers for Live Playing.

[superheavyfunk]

I like those big triangle ones when I'm using a pick. Usually blue or yellow.

 

[Claymore]

I love the sound of pick playing, especially funky syncopated stuff but I play fingerstyle almost exclusively cuz it just feels right for me. There is definitely a hybrid style that I'm trying to cop where you kind of emulate a pick during certain parts with your index finger bolstered by your thumb. Super-fun to do with ghost notes.

 

[TinIndian]

Both. Depends on the song. Sometimes even my pathetic slap.

I have some nerve trouble that pops up sometimes when I'm playing. I'll switch to a pick if it acts up.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Incorporate both. I'm in a cover band that does 80s, 90s and current pop and rock tunes. I started out playing bass 2 years ago and played everything finger style. Using a pick was kind of awkward. However, I soon discovered (IMO) that certain songs just sounded better using a pick. I practiced getting better at it and now I'm real comfortable using a pick. I like a bit of flex in my picks so I use Dunlop orange .60mm and recently switched over to the Dunlop .60 nylon Max-Grip (gray) because they don't slip or rotate while I'm playing. I like the "flex factor" because it makes it easier for me when doing alternate picking and 16th notes.

 

[Claymore]

I have gotten slack from other bass players about using a pick. I use picks, fingers and slap. But if for rock I mainly use a pick as the attack is there most of the time. I do not have a specific brand but I do like the pick to be medium to heavy.

And if you ever do come across a bass player that is against picks point them to Bobby Vega he does amazing stuff with a pick!

Thanks for the post OP

Bobby Vega is amazing.

 

[40Hz]

What battle?

I wasn’t aware there was a battle.

 

[klejst]

Use whichever you want and forget the loudmouth in the crowd who says real bassists should only play with their fingers.

 

[eddiebo]

Depends on the material like others have mentioned, but I also feel the instrumentation of the group you play with plays a big part. Phil Lesh, Mike Gordon from Phish, Tom Fowler from Zappa's band are all pick players because they have more to compete with: multiple guitarists, keys, horns - a busy keyboard player like in each one of these groups can fill up a lot of space in the same register and using a pick can help differentiate your tone to cut through. Check out Tom Fowler in the Zappa Roxy movie killing it with a pick on a P bass, you would be hard pressed to tell he uses one by listening alone. I am primarily a fingerstyle player having started out on upright but like to use the black Dunlop nylon 1MM picks depending on the situation and to change it up for practicing. Bobby Vega once filled in for Rocco in ToP using a pick to cop his percolating 16th note finger style, check out how funky Bobby is with a pick:

 

[Polka1]

I've always have been drawn to the sound of rock bass with a pick. I started using my fingers, but ended up being pick for pretty much everything.

Like finger style, it actually can be quite versatile with various techniques and over the years I've developed my pick techniques more than my fingers. Will still use fingers to back it down a bit, but otherwise the pick just works for me and most everything I would try to emulate - and most certainly to get to the tones that are predominately in my head.

Used a bunch of different picks over the years, but have settled into the heavy purple Dunlop Tortex standards. I generally prefer them with the edges slightly worn down more than new.

 

[Clark W]

There is always the pick vs fingers battle in the world of bassists, and I tend to use them interchangeably depending on the song at hand. I wanted to know which you prefer and if you prefer picks, what pics do you use. I use 3 pick types
1: Fender Large Thumb Pick (I won't drop them)
2: Dunlop Jazz III Pick
3: Dunlop Tortex Standard 1.114 Milimiter.
I like really heavy picks because I hit the strings with a lot of force, and am in general play heavy music that require forceful picking, so heavy picks dont bend (like fender mediums or lights touch my thumb when I use them) and require less force to hold.

I'm mainly a fingers player. But when I'm having to play for 3 or 4 hours I'll start using a pick as my fingers are getting wore out. Wish my pick skills were better than they are for sure.

 

[Ghook]

When I started playing bass, or should I say volunteered, I was already useing a pick and continued to do so. It's more a habit and understanding that the majority of listeners hear the groove and don't care how it gets there, pick or finger. R&B in the early 60's, my era, was good to go, either way. Come to think of it, in the absence of forums, I'm not sure the pick vs finger ever came up as a topic.

As far as picks, I have a some Carol Kaye' that she sent to my wife after missing an order for my B'Day. I also use some wood picks I found on Amazon. Felt are ok on my Fretless with LaBella Flats using the piezzo, not so much on the active eq circuits.

As far as the *great debate" ? I would gladly give up picks to play like Pino or fingers to play like Bobby Vega

 

[Resonance129]

When live, I tend to play with fingers, but definitely switch it up depending on the song. I'm still trying to develop proficiency with picks, but there's no denying I love that tone.

I like:
Dunlop Ultex Sharp 1.5s - Super smooth and even. No grip fatigue, and they stay in my hand even though they're fairly smooth.

Delrin DAVA - Incredible sound. Grippy, nice and clicky, but not overly so. Their thinness tends to make my hand cramp up after a while though, I'm assuming because I'm squeezing them too hard during play (?).

Big Stubby 2s - Heavy sound. Easy to grip although they tend to spin in my hand a bit after a while.

 

[BarfanyShart]

I've only rarely used picks, I'm just not that good at it. But I have noticed a lot more pick playing over the last decade in the music I like, so I am trying to emulate the sound and feel with my thumb and forefinger, thumb on the down stroke forefinger on the up. I think it's a good option for emulating the pick attack and groove when you are not really a pick guy.

 

[TexasEdition]

Fingers

 

[pcake]

i play fingerstyle, but i have acrylic overlays on the nails on my picking hand so they sound like picks. the few times i use a pick, i use a 3mm big stubby.

 

[juancaminos]

Both but 70% pick. I use Dunlap felt picks, the hard ones.

 

[digmeout]

I'm mostly a finger player, but when I use a pick it's a Herco Flex 75.

 

[Jrussblues]

Pingers

 

[MrLenny1]

Both. Use as needed.

 

[Cutter8]

I don’t use a pick all that often, but when I do it’s one that I’ve carved myself. These are a few examples: