Any significant differences between Tortex and Ultex? Does one 'grip better'? Thanks.
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What picks are you using?
- Thread starter Faldoe
- Start date
Any significant differences between Tortex and Ultex? Does one 'grip better'? Thanks.
I've never had problems holding the pick, so I can't speak to that. Ultex is a stiffer material than Tortex, which is stiffer than nylon and celluloid. Since the post you quoted, I've switched to 3mm Dunlop Primetone picks on bass. They are also made from Ultex. My only recommendation is play a whole buncha stuff and use what works for you. Just don't get caught up in expensive picks. They're made from the same stuff as the cheap ones, just with bougie marketing.
I went through a pick evaluation process recently. Bought three or four "sampler" bags, tried a bunch of weights and sizes and shapes. Might cost $25 or $35 but it's worth it to learn what works best for you. The advice and photos here are what's right for other players. You might be surprised at what works best for you, so keep an open mind and have fun with the journey!
Suggestions? Just what several others have said - try different ones, and you'll find the one (or more than one) that you like. I've been playing bass - mostly with a pick - for a long time, and I'm still experimenting. For many years, I've played mostly with a celluloid Fender Heavy 351. But, I also like the Dunlop 8012 Standard Felt picks an awful lot. They last quite a while for me; mainly because the bass lines I play with them are pretty simple, and almost all my basses wear flats. They give me an almost finger style tone that I sometimes like - but with more clarity and... attack, I guess. But, they definitely wouldn't be my first choice to use with rounds; I doubt they'd last very long at all... I was trying out some Dunlop 3.0mm Big Stubby's last month. I'd like them - if they were noticeably bigger than my thumbnail. But, they aren't - so I don't. I've also been experimenting with the 3.8mm Flex-Tex Uke 2 rubber picks, and the Graph Tech Tusq 1.0mm Deep picks. I'm liking the Uke 2's a lot; tone is somewhere between the Felts and the Fender Heavy 351s; very useful for a lot of what I play. The Tusq picks? They're the brightest, crispest picks I've ever tried. I really like the size and shape, and so far, they work very, very well - especially playing my Thunderbird and a couple of active basses I have. Who knows? They might even replace the Fender 351s... But, I doubt I'll ever stop trying new picks. Who knows? Maybe some day I'll find the perfect one; and, maybe I won't. But, it's fun to try them out...
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I used .73 triangular Ultex for a few years. That’s actually quite stiff. I recently tried an orange .60 Tortex and I love the attack. I’ll have to try some thinner Ultex picks to see if those are even snappier.
Herco Flex 75 (when I use picks, which isn't often)
I’m terrible with a pick but need to learn coz arthritis features in my future given family history!
Dunlop Tortex triangles for me: if I want crunchy downstrokes 1mm, for the end of the night Johnny B Goode Medley at 300bpm (it’s probs not that fast, but feels it!) then 0.6mm
Dunlop Tortex triangles for me: if I want crunchy downstrokes 1mm, for the end of the night Johnny B Goode Medley at 300bpm (it’s probs not that fast, but feels it!) then 0.6mm
For me it’s Fender heavy, Tortex .73 or heavier and Pickboy .75 or heavier.
I generally use regular, pear-shaped picks. I don’t use larger picks for bass.
I generally use regular, pear-shaped picks. I don’t use larger picks for bass.
I came across the Dunlop Delrin 500 picks and they have beat out all the other ones I've used in the past. I like the .96 in hot pink. Different material than the ol tortex and seems to work really well for me. I don't really like super thick picks and settled on standard shape a long time ago. If you are already a Dunlop user I'd say they are worth trying.
- Apr 22, 2016
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Been using these for the past year. They feel super comfortable to me, and are stiff enough without being too thick.
I really like these picks. They make them today with a nice grip: PRIMEGRIP® DELRIN 500 PICK .96MM
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I tried these ones first and liked the sound/response of them but couldn't decide whether I liked the grip texture or not. That lead me to find the pink ones and they just stuck.
I've always wondered what the difference is between Tortex and Delrin because Tortex is Delrin, but Dunlop keeps both kinds in production.
.81 Alice in yellow.
Usually have to buy a variety pack to get them
Alice 40 guitar picks + 1 box case
But easy to find in black
12x Alice Guitar Picks - 0.81mm
Cellulose (oft called ABS like)
Usually have to buy a variety pack to get them
Alice 40 guitar picks + 1 box case
But easy to find in black
12x Alice Guitar Picks - 0.81mm
Cellulose (oft called ABS like)
I think tortex is harder. It seems to be brighter anyway. Delrin seems to sound a bit thicker. It’s hard to tell because the two don’t come in the same thicknesses.
I only use thicker picks, and those thicknesses tend to be the same between them. It seemed to me that the Delrin 1.14 picks I've used were the "shiny" version of the dull finished Tortex 1.14 picks. I didn't really explore them past that though.
Copy from Dunlop's site:
Delrin 500 Picks have a super smooth surface with a specially designed beveled edge that glides across strings with little resistance. With a warm organic sound that produces little clack, using one of these picks is almost like plucking the strings with your fingers. Rigid but not inflexible, Delrin 500 Picks will give as much as you need and then snap right back into place.
They are shiny vs Tortex matte, and do have a different kind of sound/feel as they pluck the string.
Delrin 500 Picks have a super smooth surface with a specially designed beveled edge that glides across strings with little resistance. With a warm organic sound that produces little clack, using one of these picks is almost like plucking the strings with your fingers. Rigid but not inflexible, Delrin 500 Picks will give as much as you need and then snap right back into place.
They are shiny vs Tortex matte, and do have a different kind of sound/feel as they pluck the string.
75 percent of our songs I play on fingers, but the ones I don't I use Herco Vintage 66 "Light" Picks. They are really more of a "medium". Great for bass. I use a pick for some of the pop-punkier songs in our set like All The Small Things (Blink 182), 99 Red Balloons, Sugar We're Goin Down (Fall Out Boy), Everlong, Taking Back Sunday, etc. Some nights we don't play any of those songs, sometimes we play a ton.
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