Picking: What kind of picks do you use?

[CauliColin]

Hetfield Black Fangs Ultex 1.14.
One alone has lasted well over 6 months against my aggressive style.
I plan on getting more tomorrow.

 

[facepalmmaster]

I don't get the joke

But anyway, as far I can see I'm not the only one using .88.
And they don't bend too easily, if you hold it close to the tip and only use the edge of the tip to pick.

Theres a brand of beer called Dos Equis, and their commercial is this guy who is called the Most interesting man in the world, and at the end he says "I dont always drink beer, but when i do, i prefer dos equis" and people made a meme out of it.

Anyway, its not just the bending either. My hands are pretty normal size, but i have somewhat large fingers, so i like the triangle shape. Also, something about the larger sizes just sounds good to me, i dont know.

 

[Gigabajillion]

I just ordered some tri-stubbies, i like the triangular kind, they fit my hands better

Haven't tried those, I'll check 'em out though.

 

[facepalmmaster]

Haven't tried those, I'll check 'em out though.

Me neither, thought id try them, i bought the very thick ones to see how i like them, they were pretty cheap, so why not. Ill tell you how they are when i get them

 

[bumperbass]

Another useful consideration is overall size of the pick. I used to pick with Fender "Heavy" (can't recall the thickness). This one was ok, but the pick is small and it was hard to relax my grip - otherwise the pick would slip at the worst possible moment. This was especially true playing gigs outside in hot/humid weather.

Last year I visited Gelb Music in Redwood City, CA. They have an excellent selection of picks. Ed, their resident bass expert, recommended a pick made by "Cool" that is "Heavy / 1.0mm." It's about 1/3 larger in size and has a rubber insert. This combination of features makes it very easy to grip, easy to pick, and nearly impossible to slip. I haven't looked back. So +1 to the "try 'em and see what you like" philosophy.

Hope I get a commission. Might try these myself!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cool-Picks-...897?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item27c9b7bae9

 

[dls59]

Fender medium, rounded triangle

 

[bigmuff113]

Dunlop Heavy Gels

 

[BKBassDude]

I played with fingers pretty much for 10 years, only really messing around with picks as a practice tool or to fool around with.

Was called into a project where the previous recording bassist had an extremely aggressive picked tone that I needed to reproduce and fingers just wouldn't cut it. Thought, I play bass, I should have big picks!

WRONG

Tried .96, 1.0, 1.14, couldn't come close to the dexterity or tone I needed.

Picked up a .60 Tortex off a guitar amp in my practice space and fell in love. It's the only pick I've played where I feel as comfortable as I feel with my fingers. I'm called upon to play a lot of unique strumming patterns, often in 3 or 6 that just didn't translate with a thicker pick. Even when just pounding longer notes I still like the control I have with the lighter pick. Remember, a light pick held in the right position can give the same attack as a heavy pick.

Just some notes from a recent convert.

I've also enjoyed the Ultex .60's and .73's, as well as the Gator Grip .58s. But that Tortex .60 keeps coming back to me.

 

[sadasar]

Tortex the green ones.

 

[TechDeath]

For a brighter sound on steels use light picks, I use my .50mm pick for brightness but if you want a finger sounding pick use a Big Stubby 2.0mm

 

[Groove Doctor]

I pick almost always.
Best for me has been Dunlop Nylon
1mm or .88mm
i just find with them i have more control and i dont get alot of clack and dont move around while playing.

+2. Nylons don't slip as much in my sweaty paws!

 

[facepalmmaster]

+2. Nylons don't slip as much in my sweaty paws!

I hear ya, i have some problems with my hands, very visible problems, with my veins, that i think make my hands sweat an abnormal amount...

 

[Duke21]

+2. Nylons don't slip as much in my sweaty paws!

You should then try the Herco Flex 75 which is also nylon and made by Dunlop

 

[Groove Doctor]

You should then try the Herco Flex 75 which is also nylon and made by Dunlop

Ha - I have one in my pocket right now!! Very grippy. Also have Dunlop Nylon 1mm, and a Dunlop Max-Grip 1.0. They all work well with my P-Bass + Sadowsky SS Flats 40-100.

 

[LeoSash]

My fingers are my picks! but seriously if i do use a pick i just use a thumbpick for grip and so i can switch from my pick to my fingers easily.

 

[groovaholic]

I'm partial to the "Snarling Dogs" picks in either red (.88mm) or black (1.0mm).

They seem easier to hold onto than any other pics I've tried, and as an infrequent picker, that's important to me!

 

[miiitch]

a felt pick on the UBass, no pick on my big E. I simply hold my fingers as if there was a pick inbetween.

Playing with one just feels silly on a bass guitar, but not on the UBass
"fingerpick" sounds very different though, naturally .. a lot less high-freq attack

 

[spaz21387]

dunlop sharps in .72 (yellow) or .88 (green)... Whatever sharp picks the store by the practice space has. I like the sharps Im less likely to accidentally hit the wrong string.

 

[hufe]

Planet Waves, medium (.70 mm)

 

[coldwar1977]

I pick almost always.
Best for me has been Dunlop Nylon
1mm or .88mm
i just find with them i have more control and i dont get alot of clack and dont move around while playing.

+1 on all accounts. I love those grey Dunlops.