To Pick or Not To Pick?

[organworthyplayer337]

... That is the question...

Do you use picks? If so what brand/gauge/style?

For me personally when I use a pick I use Dunlop JazzIII's or .88s. Sometimes T3 .88s

I'm always open to trying something new, though.


Cheers

 

[ZenG]

I like DAVA....

 

[madbanjoman]

I use a pick, 5mm. yes 5. forced to switch to a pick when finger style was causing too much pain.

 

[GKon]

I have no problem using a pick, if the song calls for it, or if it causes pain in my finger picking hand
to use my fingers (songs with non-stop fast rhythms. I have an issue with a tendon in my hand).

I actually enjoy using a pick because, for me, it's a new tool I have just learned to use in the last
two years, after 26+ years of only finger picking. Necessity got me to using a pick, and now I love it
as something new I can do

I've been using rather heavy picks, 1.2mm thick, but my next batch I'm going a bit thinner to .96mm.
It gives me more feel and allows me to pick more quickly. Any thinner and I tend to break the picks.

I buy my picks from a company that makes custom picks, so that they can print my band logo on them.
They are made of celluloid. They also offer picks made out of a material called G-tex.

 

[Capt.Obvious]

If you use a pick on the bass guitar you run the risk of looking like an ex guitar player that got bored/thought bass would be easier.

Basses should be played with a bow, first and foremost and then maybe fingers if the music says 'pizz.'

The pick sound on bass guitar just sounds artificial and thin. It is however a fairly iconic sound for some music. Ultimately it's of the devil and an abomination of muscianship.

 

[Rob22315]

I've used both but prefer fingers to picks. The pick adds too much treble to the note. I only use a pick on bass when I grow my fingernails long for guitar playing. I can't effectively use my fingers on bass when the nails are long. The extra clack sounds bad.

 

[fearceol]

OP, why the need to know what others do ? If you (and the music) feel the need for a pick on some occasions and fingers on another,
then go ahead and do what YOU feel is right for the song.

No need to waste your time on silly polls.

Besides, the question has been asked a million times before ....like in this thread :

http://www.talkbass.com/threads/to-pick-or-not-to-pick-that-is-the.224578/


As for what type of pick to use....that's been done to death too :

http://www.talkbass.com/threads/what-kind-of-pick-to-get.1120886/page-2#post-16717510



A quick glance over the first page of the forum would have thrown up these threads.

 

[BazzTard]

some songs sound right picking, others using fingers, different sounds,tones,attack etc. It's all about variety. Just started using my thumb ala Sir Paul too. And using all 4 right hand fingers too. Never too old to learn new tricks. I've used a coin to get the Chris Squire sound too.

 

[FA108208usat2]

I never used a pick during a performance before, I'm afraid that I'll get too dependent on picks and my fingers will get weak, I'll probably use it in the future if the songs call for it, I like using my fingers so I can show how strong and fast my fingers are especially to the girls, jk lol .

 

[Rob22315]

I'm going to give rubber picks a try to see if that will get rid of the clank.

 

[Mortom27]

Ultimately it's of the devil and an abomination of muscianship.[/QUOTE
He must to be on crack when he made that statement!
here is a list of some of the most famous bass player that use picks from classic to modern Rock:
Roger waters
Chris Squire
Joe Osborne
Paul McCartney
Phil lesh
Anthony Jackson
Allen woody
Lemmy K
Jason newsted
Justin chancellor
Mike dirnt
Greg kriesel

 

[Mortom27]

Ultimately it's of the devil and an abomination of muscianship.

Really!!!, playing with a pick is an "Abomination of musicianship"??? Do you want to tell this guys that??
Roger waters
Chris squire
Joe Osborne
Paul McCartney
Anthony Jackson
Allen woody
Lemmy k
Matt freeman
Dave hope
Jason newsted
Justin chancellor
Mike dirnt
Greg kriesel
just to name a few,

 

[organworthyplayer337]

fearceol,
Is it a crime to be interested in other's techniques? Isn't that how the greatest players learn? Or they got to their level of awesomeness by not asking questions?

 

[Pilgrim]

Learn both. They're tools.

And I say that knowing that my pick technique really stinks and needs more work.

 

[Capt.Obvious]

Really!!!, playing with a pick is an "Abomination of musicianship"??? Do you want to tell this guys that??
Roger waters
Chris squire
Joe Osborne
Paul McCartney
Anthony Jackson
Allen woody
Lemmy k
Matt freeman
Dave hope
Jason newsted
Justin chancellor
Mike dirnt
Greg kriesel
just to name a few,

Of the devil AND abomination I say! So are distortion pedals and low B strings! All will burn in hell!

Oh ya, I'm also just trolling a little.

But ya in seriousness, I have only heard of like 3 of those bass players you listed. I understand it's another tool in the bag but it's a stupid tool.
Once played with an 80's cover band until the BL asked me to play everything with a pick, regardless if the original tune called for it or not, he just liked the sound better. I quit that night. His last bass player was a washed up guitar player and he must have got used to that thin, crappy, boring sound and assumed that's how all "rock" bass players play bass.

 

[fearceol]

fearceol,
Is it a crime to be interested in other's techniques?

No...... but it is down right laziness not to try a quick search first.

As I pointed out, there are at least two threads (one with an identical title) covering this very topic....on the first page of the forum.

 

[friendlybass]

I'm going to give rubber picks a try to see if that will get rid of the clank.

Mick's picks are amazing. Never break and its a really meaty sound. Check out all the bobby Vega videos on youtube he makes a pick really funky

 

[Winfred]

I play in cover bands.

If it sounds like the original bass line was played with a pick, I use a pick.

If it sounds like it was played fingerstyle, I play fingerstyle.

If it sounds like slap, I slap.

If it sounds like someone beat on the bass with a socket wrench, I don't do that.

 

[tedious1]

If it sounds like someone beat on the bass with a socket wrench, I don't do that.

Basses should be played with a bow, first and foremost...

For me these are one in the same!

I actually get better mileage using the bow as a pick, except I can never decide between the frog and the screw for plucking and the stick and hair for holding.

 

[Capt.Obvious]

For me these are one in the same!

I actually get better mileage using the bow as a pick, except I can never decide between the frog and the screw for plucking and the stick and hair for holding.

Poppycock!

The bow is just too useful with the multiple textures it can illicit. I can jab the drummer in the ass when he starts dragging causing him to yelp, often in key, and also find the groove again.

Use a bow, not a pick. Can't cause enough damage with such a little plastic thing.