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Pick Simulation Effect????
- Thread starter pshep68
- Start date
Such a pedal doesn't exist, and it doesn't surprise me. Think about it for a moment: there's no reason for a pick-playing simulation effect - a pick is just too inexpensive (10 to 25 cents a piece) to justify spending $50 - $100 on a pedal that imitates it.
EDIT: stedtale beat me to that point about price.
A fretless simulator is pricey and doesn't do a very good job, but I can understand why they exist - fretless basses are a whole different beast. But pick simulation is ridiculous, IMO - and this is coming from a person who plays primarily pickstyle. In a few minutes, you could nail the basics of pick playing. It's not hard - how do you think most guitarists play their instruments? After all, it's only a matter of retraining your plucking hand, not your fretting hand.
Now, once you get past the basics, it begins to get challenging - just like fingerstyle. But if you're only going to use the technique once in a while, you still might as well learn the basics - unless you'd rather not fork over a few coins for a simple pick.
EDIT: stedtale beat me to that point about price.
A fretless simulator is pricey and doesn't do a very good job, but I can understand why they exist - fretless basses are a whole different beast. But pick simulation is ridiculous, IMO - and this is coming from a person who plays primarily pickstyle. In a few minutes, you could nail the basics of pick playing. It's not hard - how do you think most guitarists play their instruments? After all, it's only a matter of retraining your plucking hand, not your fretting hand.
Now, once you get past the basics, it begins to get challenging - just like fingerstyle. But if you're only going to use the technique once in a while, you still might as well learn the basics - unless you'd rather not fork over a few coins for a simple pick.
I guess I should also mention...
If you do decide to learn pickstyle playing techniques, I'd highly suggest buying a variety of picks. Buy about $3 - $5.00 worth of different individual picks, and find the one you like best. Different picks sound and feel different, and using the wrong pick gets in the way of fast playing and/or good technique. Plus, it could be too bright/warm for whatever you're playing.
If you do decide to learn pickstyle playing techniques, I'd highly suggest buying a variety of picks. Buy about $3 - $5.00 worth of different individual picks, and find the one you like best. Different picks sound and feel different, and using the wrong pick gets in the way of fast playing and/or good technique. Plus, it could be too bright/warm for whatever you're playing.
I can sort of see where he's coming from. I can play much better with my fingers than with a pick, so a simulator allows me to keep my finger skill and means I wouldn't have to learn to pick properly...But I also started playing guitar recently. So the picking is carrying over from that.
Oooh, also. Once you find a pick you like...BE CAREFUL WITH IT. I lost my favourite guitar pick a month ago. Was really well worn in and had a nice thickness, would take a while to get a new pick back to how that one was. I did manage to find it again, it was in that useless pocket you have in your jeans...
Oooh, also. Once you find a pick you like...BE CAREFUL WITH IT. I lost my favourite guitar pick a month ago. Was really well worn in and had a nice thickness, would take a while to get a new pick back to how that one was. I did manage to find it again, it was in that useless pocket you have in your jeans...
If you don't want to have pick one up and put it down, use a thumb pick on your middle finger. That way you can use it whenever and not have to worry about it.
Then again, if you insist on doing it the hard way, get a Hartke Bass Attack Pedal. IMO it covers the main differences in sound between pick and finger style -- attack speed and EQing. You'll come closer than you would with pretty much any other tech, but you're still not gonna get the bite of actual pick playing.
Come on, it isn't hard. Even guitards can do it
Then again, if you insist on doing it the hard way, get a Hartke Bass Attack Pedal. IMO it covers the main differences in sound between pick and finger style -- attack speed and EQing. You'll come closer than you would with pretty much any other tech, but you're still not gonna get the bite of actual pick playing.
Come on, it isn't hard. Even guitards can do it
That's a lot of picks. O_O When I found my favourite, I did order it in a batch of 20, but I just played with one all the time and grew to like how it had worn in. When I lost it the others just weren't the same.This is why I order custom-batches of 100.
The pedal would have to artifically insert a sound instead of just altering a sound.
You are going to just have to go old school and buy some Dunlops.
You are going to just have to go old school and buy some Dunlops.
That's a lot of picks. O_O When I found my favourite, I did order it in a batch of 20, but I just played with one all the time and grew to like how it had worn in. When I lost it the others just weren't the same.
lol, all of these are the same...very cookie-cutter like
Steve Clayton only lets you order customs in batches of 100....
These are Acetal picks, with a thickness of about 2.0 mm....very good sound, practically indestructible.
These picks will outlive me O_O
Are you absolutely sure about that?
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Those photos remind me of why I don't use my nails as pick substitutes. 
Rubbing alcohol, gauze, bandages, and doctor's visits cost more than a pick. The pick wins.
And pshep... as far as I know, no pick simulator exists, and there's never been a motivation for someone to make one. Hence, why I explained that up-front.
If one does exist, I'd be pretty surprised if it sold any units.
Your other alternative (a poor one, IMO) would be careful EQ boosting in the high-mid and treble ranges. The problem? Tons of excessive finger noise. So while it could get some of that attack, it'll be noisy as heck. Plus, it'll lack the characteristic response and punch of a pick. So really, you're back to square one.
A squishy compressor could get some of that percussive punch, but it isn't picklike.
Rubbing alcohol, gauze, bandages, and doctor's visits cost more than a pick. The pick wins.
And pshep... as far as I know, no pick simulator exists, and there's never been a motivation for someone to make one. Hence, why I explained that up-front.
If one does exist, I'd be pretty surprised if it sold any units.
Your other alternative (a poor one, IMO) would be careful EQ boosting in the high-mid and treble ranges. The problem? Tons of excessive finger noise. So while it could get some of that attack, it'll be noisy as heck. Plus, it'll lack the characteristic response and punch of a pick. So really, you're back to square one.
A squishy compressor could get some of that percussive punch, but it isn't picklike.
I think your answer is, "no".
Even if there was one, it wouldn't come close to simulating it, IMO.
to get a decent pick sound you have to use a pick, there is no point or reason to try and use an effect to get this. picks work well and they can create some really cool sounds..
i find the green dunlop tortex picks to be my favourite..
i find the green dunlop tortex picks to be my favourite..
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