How to buff finger picks?

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 24 Jul 2002 6:05 pm

As a response to Jim Milewski, I noticed the difference in the thumb and finger pick sounds many years ago. My solution (rather than trying to "fatten up" the finger pick sound) was to switch to the small blue Herco thumb pick. It's very thin and "pointy". This gives me a nice sharp attack with the thumb, and I can then fatten that up with the tone controls on any good amp, resulting in very similar sounds from all my picks.

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 26 Jul 2002 10:30 am

Here's something else to add to this mixed discussion! Last band I was in, I switched instruments constantly, and was unable to do some things on my 6-string with my fingerpicks on, so i modified the index pick. Took 2 Dunlap .015 picks and cut the "finger-grippers off one of them. Then i soldered them together at the tips with silver solder. So I had one pick with two picking surfaces, one on the fleshy fingertip, and the other on the nail side of the fingertip.
I can brush across strings on the steel, but i can also grip my index finger sorta like I'm holding a pick and do all the things on 6-string that I would normally do with a flatpick! Works well, and sounds a little "thicker" to my ears on the steel.

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 27 Jul 2002 10:39 pm

My old friend Chris (Columbus) brought me a pair of National and Dunlops and I've used them for some twenty years now without any difficulty or problems.
The Dunlop, quite by accident, has proven to be MY preference. They are somewhat rigid/stiff while the set of Nationals that I use, are softer and bend easier.
I've never buffed, sanded, ground, polished or anything else to my finger picks.
Never owned a crokin' cloth or whatever.
I've noticed that my picks tend to wear down/off at a slight angle. When worn, and while looking down at my finger nail, I can see the right hand side of the pick, from just about the center of the pick.....is worn away.
I've never had any complaints about my TONE
and never once had to analyze my picking angle or attack to play.
Some folks don't like me....but my tone will hold its own and I do attribute that to my medium (very little bend) tough picks.
I've seen more technical questions asked about guitar picks and other misc. stuff here on the Forum in just one week, than I've ever encountered in more than 40 years of steady pickin'. I'm not complaining or being critical of anyone, but at times, I do have to wonder, if more practice at the instrument would be more constructive than all of the in-depth disecting of virtually every aspect of the steel guitar.

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 28 Jul 2002 4:24 am

Gee, Ray, you had to come up with that, now I feel self-conscious about asking whether a right-angle plug sound better coming out of my guitar, than a straight one would. And, BTW, does the handle on my pac-a-seat face my steel, or away from it. These are the things Jeff Newman doesn't teach!

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 28 Jul 2002 7:07 am

Steve,

And, by the way, the right angle plug is to be avoided. The tone has to make a 90 degree angle and that slows its path to the amp, so you can't play as sweet or as fast. Also, if you use a pak-a-seat with a back on it, it's best to have the handle facing forward.

Now you know the REST of the story.

(also, I've never buffed a finger pick in my life and wouldn't waste the time -- just my own personal opinion -- go buy another one when one wears out)

------------------
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 28 Jul 2002 8:49 am

Great Larry! The pak-seat handle MUST face the guitar for two very good reasons:
1st..The "EMMONS" logo is clearly visible to the audience this way and shows that you have good taste by clearly "matching" the fine guitar with the excellent pak-seat.
2nd..I was told "the handle" makes a definite
contribution to the overall tone of the guitar..........even if your steel isn't an Emmons.
And you're right on about those "angled" guitar cord plugs. The tone is definitely
compromised by the sound having to make that rapid deceleration as it negotiates that 90 degree turn enroute to the amp. Certainly an item all guitarists should want to avoid at all costs. It also has an adverse impact on the outcome of all speed picking runs; something to be avoided at all costs.
You've got to Trust Larry! He knows of what he speaks and I merely wanted to throw my support behind his technical ideas and words.
But seriously now: Are the rainbow colored plastic thumb picks better for ballads or Hawaiian or western swing pickin'?
I've been torn between one of those and/or one of the plain, clear plastic picks. I do want to invest wisely in my equipment.

Post by **Joey Ace** » 28 Jul 2002 11:07 am

"The pak-seat handle MUST face the guitar"

I saw (insert name of Steel Great here) playing with the seat handle facing the Steel.

Great TONE!!
So I always keep my handle facing the Steel.

Besides, my GFI seat has a backrest and it's very difficult to use if it's facing the other way.

[This message was edited by Joey Ace on 28 July 2002 at 01:40 PM.]

Jim Bob Sedgwick · Post by **Jim Bob Sedgwick** » 28 Jul 2002 12:28 pm

Turn the pac a seat around and use the back to hold in your stomach. That way the girls won't say the "keyboard player is fat"

Post by **Joey Ace** » 28 Jul 2002 12:40 pm

Tone is more important than impressing the girls, Jim Bob!

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 28 Jul 2002 4:53 pm

NOW I GOTTA WORRY ABOUT THUMBPICKS? OK, serious question--I mean really----no kidding----In the Mel Bay guitar book, on page 7, where the guy is wearing a tuxedo, and the caption says,"THE PROPER WAY TO HOLD THE GUITAR," is that a rented tuxedo?

jim milewski · Post by **jim milewski** » 31 Jul 2002 2:29 am

So if I have one amp with straight plugs and a second using 90 degree plugs I should get a delay, right

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 11 Sep 2002 8:38 am

who can tell me who manufactures showcase 1941 picks?
We like to ship a lot to Holland...

JJ

Greg Simmons · Post by **Greg Simmons** » 11 Sep 2002 9:03 am

Johan;

here's what's on the label I've got:

Showcase
PO Box 1660
Rowlett, Texas 75030
972-475-0633

------------------
Greg Simmons
Custodian of the Official Sho~Bud Pedal Steel Guitar Website
shobud.cjb.net

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 11 Sep 2002 9:25 am

Thanks, Greg!!
Johan

Dave Seddon · Post by **Dave Seddon** » 11 Sep 2002 10:01 am

Bill
You must have Welsh in your blood, I'm off to Wales tomorrow for a few days, anyway if you want to get rid of the rough edges on your picks, rub the rough bit on your car tyre, yes I'm serious. I've had this problem and my brother gave me the Idea when he used to rub the rotor arm (in the distributor) to get the car going, and it never failed. it really polishes your picks up great. I hope you understand what I mean, as you have different terms for things in the States.
Cheers
Dave.

Kenny Yates · Post by **Kenny Yates** » 11 Sep 2002 5:59 pm

Hmmmm...so that's where that rubbery smell comes from when I try to fast pick.