finger picks

Larry Welter · Post by **Larry Welter** » 31 Oct 2014 8:42 pm

wondering if anyone has a problem of finger picks coming loose? I played pedal steel back in mid 80s and don,t remember it being a issue,,now that I started playing again my 2 Dunlop picks always seem to want to slid off,,not thumb pick the other steel picks,, I tried using eye glass nose pads,, that helps but does not solve it,,any ideas?? thanks

Dale Rottacker · Post by **Dale Rottacker** » 31 Oct 2014 9:07 pm

Try www.sticky-picks.com Made by steel guitarist Wayne Hobbs...Great Stuff

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 31 Oct 2014 9:49 pm

I use clear nail polish on the insides of my picks.

Scott Duckworth · Post by **Scott Duckworth** » 31 Oct 2014 10:48 pm

Lick your finger before you put them on... no joke...

Larry Baker · Post by **Larry Baker** » 1 Nov 2014 5:26 am

Just be mindful of where your fingers have been before you lick them!!

Carl Kilmer · Post by **Carl Kilmer** » 1 Nov 2014 5:54 am

I started using Heat Shrink Tubing back in the 80's and
that's all I've ever used and still use it today. Very easy
to install with a hair dryer, and it usually lasts 2-3 years.
It makes the picks stay on, and feel very comfortable.

Dale Rottacker · Post by **Dale Rottacker** » 1 Nov 2014 6:02 am

I used fingernail polish remover for years...you get it in a little tub with foam and polish remover filling the entire inside of the little tub...it removes the oils from you fingerâ€™s and works pretty well, until you take them off and forget and lick your fingers...The Sticky Picks works really well and if you do take your picks off and then re-lick your fingers to put them back on, it sort of reactivates and they still â€œStickâ€ to you picks and fingers really well.

Hamilton Barnard · Post by **Hamilton Barnard** » 1 Nov 2014 8:35 am

I take a rat tail file and ruff up the inside, making sure to make scars that are 90Âº to the direction of your finger.

Dave Magram · Post by **Dave Magram** » 1 Nov 2014 9:48 am

Larry Welter wrote:wondering if anyone has a problem of finger picks coming loose? I played pedal steel back in mid 80s and don,t remember it being a issue,,now that I started playing again my 2 Dunlop picks always seem to want to slid off,,not thumb pick the other steel picks,, I tried using eye glass nose pads,, that helps but does not solve it,,any ideas?? thanks

Larry, Everybody's fingers are shaped a little differently. I've always spent a few minutes reshaping the bands of new fingerpicks with a needle-nose pliers so that they fit each finger like a little glove. Doing just that helps them stay on better and make them more comfortable.

I then attach two halves of an eyeglass nose pad on the inside of each pick, right where the pick-band crosses over my fingernail grooves. This prevents inflammation, allows the pick-band to fit very comfortably-- and keeps the picks from sliding around.

Personally I don't like Dunlops because I've found that the flared tops of the pick-bands bump into each other, and loosen the fingerpicks. I used to flatten the flaring, but finally just switched to "Roy's Own" fingerpicks (made from the same alloy used by the legendary old Nationals), and available online for only about $10 a pair. Better tone and crisper than any other fingerpick I've tried.

-Dave

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 1 Nov 2014 10:34 am

in my opinion you shouldn't have to modify a pick to make it work. dunlops and propiks are comfy but not strong enough to grip tight for battle. heavy
nationals, jeff newman's (jf) and the ones with the year (1984??..haven't seen them for awhile)) are the best for solid gripping. you have to clamp them down tightly and then play alot to get used to them. then they are fine.
steel playing isn't for sissies!

Roger Francis · Post by **Roger Francis** » 1 Nov 2014 10:48 am

I havnt had a problem since i started using JF picks, i have to to pull them off when im done with them cause they are on that good. The old nat i have i could turn my fingers upside down and bump them with my thumb and and they would just fall off. No licking fingers for me.

James Taylor · Post by **James Taylor** » 1 Nov 2014 11:38 am

Just as Chris says and I use Jeff Newman's picks and there is no problem with them at all; in fact they are styled for good picking . JAMES TAYLOR

Larry Welter · Post by **Larry Welter** » 1 Nov 2014 2:00 pm

just want to thank you guys for some great info regarding finger picks,,,

Tommy White · Post by **Tommy White** » 1 Nov 2014 8:06 pm

1941 Showcase cobalts. The best for tone, no slip, slick finish, fit and comfort. They last forever. Exspensive but worth it. I purchase mine from Elderly Instruments on the net.

Craig Baker · Post by **Craig Baker** » 1 Nov 2014 8:30 pm

Coat the inside with contact cement and let it dry. Polish the playing end with some fine jewelers rouge and a Dremel buffer.

(my second-favorite buffer incidentally.)

Best regards,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 2 Nov 2014 6:05 am

Every time I use rouge on a Dremel buffer, I burn the rouge. I don't know if that's a problem, but it damn sure turns burnt black.

Marco Schouten · Post by **Marco Schouten** » 3 Nov 2014 3:02 am

I just squeeze them real tight. Walk around with them for a few days, as many hours as possible. After a few day it won't hurt anymore

Geoff Noble · Post by **Geoff Noble** » 3 Nov 2014 4:02 am

I like the heat shrink option. Here's a couple of pics of Dunlops with heat shrink. I swapped to Nationals last year and use the same technique with heat shrink on them, but without the join in the middle.

It's more comfortable over time and they don't slip.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 3 Nov 2014 9:00 am

I bought a dozen set of picks with powder coated sleeves from Andy Hinton before he passed.

Doug Rolfe is making them now.

Bill Cunningham · Post by **Bill Cunningham** » 3 Nov 2014 4:12 pm

Tommy White wrote:1941 Showcase cobalts. The best for tone, no slip, slick finish, fit and comfort. They last forever. Exspensive but worth it. I purchase mine from Elderly Instruments on the net.

Nice to see I am doing something right. I have been using these for years and also get them from Elderly.

Ron Scott · Post by **Ron Scott** » 8 Nov 2014 3:41 am

I live about 40 miles from Elderly music and go there for stuff sometimes . It is an old school house converted and is great to look around in. Be careful you might see lots of things you can't live without

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 8 Nov 2014 5:23 am

Lane Gray wrote:Every time I use rouge on a Dremel buffer, I burn the rouge. I don't know if that's a problem, but it damn sure turns burnt black.

That's black's not the rouge, it's actually particles of the metal you're polishing. The abrasive removes particles of metal that are too small to reflect light, so they appear black. Therefore, any metal you polish with an abrasive polishing compound (even gold) produces the same black residue. Many players think this is just "dirt" coming off when they're polishing their endplates as vigorous hand polishing produces the same black residue.

Ralph Donahue · Post by **Ralph Donahue** » 8 Nov 2014 3:36 pm

I've used national picks for over 30 years,these are quite thick,about 25 thousandths I believe and I do not have a problem with loose picks.
Jeff Newman always said if your finger picks hurt then they are on just right,works for me.

Tim Sergent · Post by **Tim Sergent** » 8 Nov 2014 8:22 pm

I also use the Showcase 1941's like Tommy said. Never had a problem with them slipping. Feel great, sound great and can't see any wear at all.

Or you could ask your fiddle player if you can "look" at his cake of rosin.

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