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Thick Inflexible Picks.That's the way.
- Thread starter Watchootognbout
- Start date
I'm experimenting with the 3mm Dunlop Big Stubby on the bass. It's the same pick I use on my L-4CES and ES-125 archtops (flatwounds of course).
I like the way it slides/glides off the strings so smoothly. Akin to using the side of a calloused thumb on up and down strokes.
Speed for effort expended is tremendous. I just hate the pick sound on the bass.
I like the way it slides/glides off the strings so smoothly. Akin to using the side of a calloused thumb on up and down strokes.
Speed for effort expended is tremendous. I just hate the pick sound on the bass.
Have you tried stainless steel picks?
That's what I use when I use a pick (extremely rarely).
But you've got me curious about these stone picks. Wonder how the tone compares to the steel....
That's what I use when I use a pick (extremely rarely).
But you've got me curious about these stone picks. Wonder how the tone compares to the steel....
How thick are they?
I like these 3mm stone picks because the picking edge is rounded and it slips of the string.It's kind of like turning the pick 90 degrees and "Knifing"the edge.
Not flexing is one thing.If they are thin then they just hang up.
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I've been using these Dunlops because they're cheap (Amazon.com: Dunlop 46RF51 .51mm Stainless Steel Guitar Picks, 36-Pack: Musical Instruments) which are .51 mm. I switched from Fender because I didn't like the stamping or the price, but they come in a few different gauges - including Heavy which IIRC was a bit thicker than the Dunlops.
That being said, the edges are rounded and polished, and the natural low friction of steel means they slip around super easily.
That being said, the edges are rounded and polished, and the natural low friction of steel means they slip around super easily.
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Ordered a set of three.
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I like the 3mm Big Stubby as well, and IMO the nylon ones are even better. They're not as durable as the normal big stubby, but the tone is less harsh and clanky. I've also been trying out the Dunlop Primetone and Jazztone (both 3mm), and those feel and sound great, but I can't get through two songs without destroying one. The primetone is a little better in that regard, and it's very inflexible. For reference, this is with light nickel-plated strings.
The stainless picks came ten minutes ago.They are stiff.Yes.
But they are very scratchy.Noisy against the windings.
And,regretfully,I find that they feel just like thin picks.
They NEED the thick round tip of the Agate picks to slip off the string
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The green Agate pick came also.It's thicker than the red Agate and thinner than the swirled one.
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Sounds like you just explained a bone pick when talking about the agate. They're 3m thick some times more and are in the middle of a hard plastic pick and steel pick (sound wise). Bone picks are buffed leaving it feeling very slick but when you sweat it sticks to the bone for awesome grip.
I get them from my local Sam ash for about $20 for 5 but you can find them all over the web. I can't find them on Sam ash's website but they look just like 3 x Buffalo Bone - Natural Bone Guitar Picks | Reverb
I stopped looking for picks when I found the 3mm Big Stubby. I don't use them very often anymore, but I can't use anything else as easily as them. They are easy enough to find at local music stores so you're never far from a supply of them.
I've tried the very large (3-5mm?) felt picks but they lose stiffness really fast, sound almost like a really percussive finger. Also have tried 1.5 and 2.0 mm Cymbal brass picks and they are exactly how you describe the stainless; scratchy on the windings, except zero flex (would probably use those with a really overdriven/distorted sound to get more bite and crunch).
I've tried the very large (3-5mm?) felt picks but they lose stiffness really fast, sound almost like a really percussive finger. Also have tried 1.5 and 2.0 mm Cymbal brass picks and they are exactly how you describe the stainless; scratchy on the windings, except zero flex (would probably use those with a really overdriven/distorted sound to get more bite and crunch).
They're certainly bright and clanky, but I use flats so I've never noticed "scratchiness."
Where do you get your stone picks?
Unique Agate Guitar Pick Beautiful Picks Skull Tones Gem Art Frequency Stone | eBay
1 Agate Guitar Stone Pick from Stokes Stones | eBay
Timber Tones Agate Tone Guitar Pick Crazy Lace Agate Single Pick | eBay
As I posted earlier,I prefer the thickest Agates.I find that they slip off the string easily.
Especially when doing fast sixteenth notes.
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I like the Big Stubby because they do the deed.
And they are cheaper than the Agates.
But there's just something about the thick Agate picks.
I have a stainless pick very similar to the ones you got, and I agree 100%. Just don't care for them for those exact reasons. No matter how flat against the strings I play, there's always a little scratchiness.
Agates sound like they'd be cool, but the way I lose picks on a gig, no way I could ever use them.
Anyone ever use those gypsy jazz picks that are like 5 mm thick?
