TBers Who Use Picks

[mouthmw]

Wow, you all seem to use rather thin picks.
I use the same pick I used for my guitar (been a guitarist for 7 years before going bass).

3.0 mm Big Stubby, Jim Dunlop.

I can't go back to thin picks even for a guitar. Been using those thick picks for over 4 years, and thin ones just don't do it for me one bit anymore.

But yea, 90% of the time, I use fingers.

 

[becker4567]

Felt! Big, thick, felt! They don't last very long, but great, mellow sounds. In my early days, I would cut up leather belts and use the leather picks.

 

[ChrisBowsman]

In my early days, I would cut up leather belts and use the leather picks.

I'm gonna try that

Earlier tonight, I was bored, and folded a magazine subscription card a bunch of times, and used it as a pick. Best sounding pick I've ever used on bass.

 

[TortillaChip520]

Felt! Big, thick, felt! They don't last very long, but great, mellow sounds. In my early days, I would cut up leather belts and use the leather picks.

i've tried those before, i rather liked it. i also like the rubber picks.

 

[lunarpollen]

Wow, you all seem to use rather thin picks.
I use the same pick I used for my guitar (been a guitarist for 7 years before going bass).

3.0 mm Big Stubby, Jim Dunlop.

I can't go back to thin picks even for a guitar. Been using those thick picks for over 4 years, and thin ones just don't do it for me one bit anymore.

But yea, 90% of the time, I use fingers.

I used to use those 3.0-mm Big Stubbies, as well as the Stubby Triangles exclusively. They are still useful for some things. Often I use thinner ones though (but not the real floppy thin ones that you can bend). It really depends on the type of sound I am going for, the type of rhythm I am playing, the types of strings on the bass, etc. When I need a sharp bright attack I use a thinner one. When I need more of a thump I use a thicker one.

 

[DrSmaggs]

I use 1mm picks, but I like to change it up around the house once in a while.

I actually recorded a few songs fingerstyle on the new Versed in Grey record

 

[Eric Scholz]

.60mm Dunlop Tortex, Fender Mediums, or the Dunlop Big Stubby 2.0 mm

 

[sutarappa]

I absolutely agree, I would even go so far as saying I lose the feeling of the strings also, if you know what I mean.

i think i do... each string has a different tension, so a certain rigidity in the pick helps inform my muscle memory as to an appropriate technique on a particular string... it is a subtle thing... to me, it feels less precise as the gauge gets lighter, like i have to do extra work to move the string...

 

[Sliza]

Dunlop Tortex 1.00 for me (the little blue dudes).

+1

 

[krueckschloss]

I was using a pick when I started playing bass, coming from guitar. It took me about 2 years to learn finger picking good enough to gig with fingers only. I was using mainly DUNLOP FELT PICKs because of their soft finger-like attack - I never liked the aggressive attack hen using a regular pick. The only drawback on these felt picks was their wear... I would say one pick lasts about 2 hours of playing but that's not very bad - they cost about 10 Euros for a dozen here in Europe.

Later, I found the V-Picks and used the "Big Fattie" picks which got a good grip to them and you have better control over the attack because they are rounded. I then switched to Big Fatties because they did not wear out and they don't dust like those felt picks.

But now I'm using finger picking only...

 

[FenderGibson]

I use Clayton 1.26 mm
They sound pretty good on my Peavey.

 

[Steve!]

Wow, you all seem to use rather thin picks.
I use the same pick I used for my guitar (been a guitarist for 7 years before going bass).

3.0 mm Big Stubby, Jim Dunlop.

I can't go back to thin picks even for a guitar. Been using those thick picks for over 4 years, and thin ones just don't do it for me one bit anymore.

But yea, 90% of the time, I use fingers.

we use the same picks

 

[Eric Swaim]

It's rare when I use a pick, but when I do, I use a pick only when a song really needs that type of attack, and when I do its a Fender heavy pick, anything less is just "floppy" sounding.

 

[Lazylion]

When I used to gig all the time, I found more than enough picks on floors to supply myself with all the heavys and extra heavys I needed, as well as thinner picks for guitar. Lately I've bought some, and I still find some too.
My four current favorites:

upper left: Dunlop Big Stubby 3.0, bought. Hard plastic, bright & snappy.
upper right: Fender Heavy, found on floor at gig long ago, my #1 fave. Getting a bit rounded off now. Good all-around sound. Hey, I hadn't noticed that crack before! Better head out to the store!
lower left: Dunlop Nylon 1.14, bought. Softer for quieter songs.
lower right: The Gripper, found on floor at gig. It's pink!

 

[stratovani]

I generally only play with my fingers, but sometimes I like to fool around with a pick, and after trying different thicknesses I've found that I like thin picks the best. Anything thicker and I start hearing the pick clacking off the string, which I can't stand. Funny, when I play guitar I use as thick a pick as I can, but on bass it's got to be a thin pick!

 

[debassr]

Add me as someone who pays homage to the God of felt picks.

 

[Number27]

right now i'm using the blue gator grips, which are fine. mostly cuz i keep losing my hand whittled wooden picks, which are a pain to make.