Maybe from an old belt or shoe. You might have to double up the layers with something stiffer in between the pieces, even something like an extra light plastic pick.
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Try a leather pick.
- Thread starter AboutSweetSue
- Start date
Maybe from an old belt or shoe. You might have to double up the layers with something stiffer in between the pieces, even something like an extra light plastic pick.
It’s absolutely possible to make your own leather picks using the most basic of craft skills. My buddy gave me far too pliable leather that I soaked in alcohol (hand sanitizer) to increase its stiffness. A $10 sheet made about ten, all of which I gave away to students except for the one in the picture bending paper clips.
I went downtown here in Nashville (Legend’s Gifts) on the search for a replacement to my old one in the OP. They no longer carry them. So, I’ve been trying to figure out how to truly recreate it...as of yesterday.
What I can figure is that its likely 6 or 7 oz. leather (somebody joked about 12 oz. leather earlier...which led to me discovering leather is measured in thickness by ounces). You’d want to find a highly stiff leather, which I’ve yet to figure out how it is classified except for the term “temper”. I’ve read full-grain leather may be a candidate. Also, which animal? I’ve had bison leathers in the past for wallets, and they are much too soft. A stiff, strong leather is needed. A guy mentioned kangaroo...which is expensive. But, there is a guy selling kangaroo samples for $1.50, enough for three picks. I’m guessing cow hide is more than adequate.
Anyway, I’m obviously fixated on this. One small sheet of leather should last me a long, long time. I’ve used all types of materials regarding picks. Leather is just a nice addition to the variety.
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I've tried rubber picks. Too much contact noise, which surprised me.
I've tried V-Picks. Way too much contact noise. Click, click, clack.
I've tried felt picks. Such a soft, muted sound I don't find it useful.
But leather, hmm, need to try.
[My go-to pick is a Fender Medium celluloid.]
I've tried V-Picks. Way too much contact noise. Click, click, clack.
I've tried felt picks. Such a soft, muted sound I don't find it useful.
But leather, hmm, need to try.
[My go-to pick is a Fender Medium celluloid.]
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How about no!
If I wanted to sound like I am picking with my fingers I'll actually pick with my fingers.
However I want my pick play to sound like I am actually using a pick.
That glorious snappy emphasis on the attack that only a proper pick will give you, and which I assume a leather pick would kill off completely.
I have a hard time seeing the point of using a pick to sound like if you were really using your fingers, unless you suffer from some kind of injury or medical condition that leaves you with no other options.
If I wanted to sound like I am picking with my fingers I'll actually pick with my fingers.
However I want my pick play to sound like I am actually using a pick.
That glorious snappy emphasis on the attack that only a proper pick will give you, and which I assume a leather pick would kill off completely.
I have a hard time seeing the point of using a pick to sound like if you were really using your fingers, unless you suffer from some kind of injury or medical condition that leaves you with no other options.
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Your fingers don’t move like a pick. The ledge of the pick also creates a more distinct tone than the soft rounded-ness of fingers and thumb. Also consider density and you have a completely different animal.
Now, if you use a very flexible leather, it’s not too far off from fingers and thumb (and is a pain for alternating strokes), but a stiff, yet flexible leather is completely different. Different variables affect the outcome, I suppose.
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If you for some odd reason really find some watered down pick tone that's neither or attractive then why not just use the faux pick finger picking technique where you press your thumb and index finger together, as if you were holding a pick, and strum, as if using an actual pick, with the edge of your fingertip/back of your nail?
(Mod voice)
Once again.....
If a company is selling something you don't appreciate, you don't have to buy it. If someone posts something here that you don't see the point of, you're not required to respond. Questions? Fine. Oh that's interesting / I never knew? Fine. Interesting but probably won't work for my playing style? Fine. Hey I might try that? Fine. But posting simply to crap on somebody's thread is not fine, even when it's accompanied by overused memes. If something offends you or doesn't interest you or doesn't apply to you, feel free to simply move along.
Once again.....
If a company is selling something you don't appreciate, you don't have to buy it. If someone posts something here that you don't see the point of, you're not required to respond. Questions? Fine. Oh that's interesting / I never knew? Fine. Interesting but probably won't work for my playing style? Fine. Hey I might try that? Fine. But posting simply to crap on somebody's thread is not fine, even when it's accompanied by overused memes. If something offends you or doesn't interest you or doesn't apply to you, feel free to simply move along.
I think that was pretty much the point of my last reply, from a self-ironic point of view.
But seems like my message was somehow misinterpreted as quite the opposite, so here it is in plain old English:
I do apologize for sounding like a donkey's behind there, wasn't exactly one of my brightest moments I'll freely admit.
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I get bags of scrap leather from Hobby Lobby. You can get different types of leather. A typical leather scrap bag I get has different thicknesses. I have also gotten one that has different upholstery leathers.
Try it. Cut into the shape of a pic. Dry it out with alcohol. One of the greatest advantages is that it has a superior grip to likely near all other materials.
It is odd that people are so against this idea as to mock what I see value in without themselves having any experience in the practice. Says a lot about those people.
Met an artist who was sculpting a styrofoam statue for an exhibit in Nashville with a butter knife. Maybe I should have mocked and ridiculed her...then explained how dumb she is in a meme. I would have felt so cool, especially with my hip use of a meme.
Met an artist who was sculpting a styrofoam statue for an exhibit in Nashville with a butter knife. Maybe I should have mocked and ridiculed her...then explained how dumb she is in a meme. I would have felt so cool, especially with my hip use of a meme.
Some don't want a snappy attack.
At least not all the time.
That's why there are big thick Gypsy Jazz and rubber picks.
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