keeping picks from slipping off fingers

Ron Sodos · Post by **Ron Sodos** » 12 Feb 2005 12:16 pm

There have been many posts regarding how players keep their picks from slipping off their fingers. Well I have been struggling with this for 25 years. I read how guys wet the fingers. I read about foam pads inside the picks. I even tried a small grinding tool to rough up the inside of the picks which actually helped a little. Well my daughter suggested that I use fiddle rosin. Guys "IT WORKS"! I bought a little chunk of rosin at the local fiddle store and used my pocket knife to scrape the powder off the block. I then put a little of the powder on my fingers where the picks go. Well after a couple of songs I had to pull the picks off my fingers. They were stuck like glue. Holy Mackerel! Such a simple fix for a lifelong problem. Try it guys,it will amaze you how it works.............

[This message was edited by Ron Sodos on 12 February 2005 at 12:18 PM.]

Al Udeen · Post by **Al Udeen** » 12 Feb 2005 2:33 pm

Ron: Every time this subject has come up I have tried to say that, Fiddle Rosin is the only way to go. believe me, I've tried everything! I scrape the rosin onto the inside of the picks & I'm set for the nite! au[This message was edited by Al Udeen on 12 February 2005 at 02:34 PM.]

Lyle Clary · Post by **Lyle Clary** » 12 Feb 2005 2:51 pm

Seeing how I have been accused of screeching around on a fiddle now and then I always have a supply of coliform. Look it up in the dictionary.

------------------

Jim Bates · Post by **Jim Bates** » 12 Feb 2005 3:48 pm

First, if you are using any kind of hand lotion on your hands (in the soap or just the lotion), it can cause your fingers to be too slippery. I always washed my hands with Lava soap (no lotion in that) before and during a playing job. Never had any pick slippage.

Many years ago, when I was playing in western Oklahoma, we would wash our hands with the clear alum chunk that you could get at local drug store. This kept our hands dry.

Thanx,
Jim

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 12 Feb 2005 4:13 pm

Lynn Owsley carries a pack of chewing tobacco and asked me if I wanted to dip my picking fingers in it. He uses that to keep the picks from slipping off.

jim milewski · Post by **jim milewski** » 12 Feb 2005 4:19 pm

when I see a spruce tree I look for oozing sap, most of the time it is already hard, I boil it to a liquid, strain it and let the hot sap harden and pulverize it to a powder, put it in a 35 MM film container and wet my fingertips and stick my fingers in the container. I used fiddle rosin but this has a little more tack to it[This message was edited by jim milewski on 12 February 2005 at 04:20 PM.]

Bob Hempker · Post by **Bob Hempker** » 12 Feb 2005 5:15 pm

Curly Chalker used to soak the tips of his pick fingers in a glass of coca-cola, then put his picks on. I guess the sticky, sugary, syrup sort of acted as a bonding agent to his fingers. I've not tried it, but I guess it's sure worth a try.

------------------

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 12 Feb 2005 5:17 pm

Try a product called (believe it or not) Gorilla Snot. It's a "pasty" material that looks a lot like an ointment of some kind (actually, it's a biodegradable rosin) and it comes in a little plastic jar. A lot of large music stores carry it. Musician's Friend has it for $2.99. Just touch one of your fingers to it and rub your fingers together. An application will last through a complete gig, and it washes off with a little soap and water. A jar of it will last months -- maybe even years -- depending on how often you play.
Musician's Friend: Gorilla Snot

------------------
Visit my Web Site at RoysFootprints.com
Browse my Photo Album and be sure to sign my Guest Book.[This message was edited by Roy Ayres on 12 February 2005 at 05:32 PM.]

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 12 Feb 2005 7:41 pm

Ralph Mooney uses hair spray. Jody.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 12 Feb 2005 9:43 pm

I would take that cloth medical tape,
and put it on the inside of the picks, then trim it,
Feels fine and has a nice grip.

I also have some pics from ISGC that have plastic heat shrink tubing from electronics work on the grip parts, this seems to work well too.

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 13 Feb 2005 12:16 pm

I use "Pick Stuff" from John Pearse Strings, which is a bit like fiddle rosin- it does the job of keeping your picks on brilliantly.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 13 Feb 2005 5:15 pm

Actually just licking your fingers before you put the picks on does the same thing. Try it.

Charlie Campney · Post by **Charlie Campney** » 13 Feb 2005 5:42 pm

Your local bowling alley should have little jugs of pro-grip. That is what I use. Keeps the bowling ball on my fingers too.

Jerry Maranville · Post by **Jerry Maranville** » 13 Feb 2005 7:13 pm

I use John Pearse Hi-Riders and have never had a problem with picks coming off, even on a warm evening. They set higher on the finger than the finger tip style I used to use. JM

Michael Johnstone · Post by **Michael Johnstone** » 13 Feb 2005 8:53 pm

What I've been doing lately is get a lemon or lime wedge from the bartender and rub it on your fingertips before you put the picks on. Works as good as anything else.

Brendan Mitchell · Post by **Brendan Mitchell** » 14 Feb 2005 11:24 am

I've always used spit.Always handy,always worked.
Brendan

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 14 Feb 2005 12:19 pm

spit, bow rosin and a hint of lime juice... yum!

tried 'em all

bow rosin & spit together are the most reliable

but the lime juice tastes better...

"put the lime in the coconut, drink 'em both together..."

for a while I was looking for that tacky stuff NFL receivers allegedly used, in a spray can, but I never found any. Or the stuff bikini models allegedly use to keep scant garb in correct locations...[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 14 February 2005 at 12:22 PM.]

Ron Sodos · Post by **Ron Sodos** » 14 Feb 2005 12:27 pm

I have tried to use spit and it works for a song or so. Then they slip off again. Ever since I started using rosin it works for the entire set.....

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 14 Feb 2005 12:54 pm

Spit works pretty well for me. I don't have any Gorilla Snot but I do have a pretty bad cold.....

------------------
Howard, 'Les Paul Recording, Zum S12U, Vegas 400, Boss ME-5, Boss DM-3
http://www.Charmedmusic.com

Gene H. Brown · Post by **Gene H. Brown** » 14 Feb 2005 10:44 pm

Go to your local sports store and buy a bag of resin that baseball pitchers use, does the same as fiddle resin, it comes in a bag about the size of a hardball. The only problem with it is that it is white and you don't want to wear dark pants and wipe your hands on them.

------------------
If You Keep Pickin That Thing, It'll Never Heal!

Gary Ulinskas · Post by **Gary Ulinskas** » 15 Feb 2005 6:23 am

I work construction doing a lot of concrete work and tile grouting, so I have to constantly put lotion on my hands to keep the skin on my fingers from cracking. Very bad for keeping finger picks on. On an earlier thread on this subject someone suggested ELMERS School Glue Stick. Is about the size of my steel bar & works great.

Michael Holland · Post by **Michael Holland** » 15 Feb 2005 6:42 am

I you want to add comfort to that security, try the pick pads. They're eyeglass nosepad cushions and are available at Walgreen's.

Curt Langston · Post by **Curt Langston** » 15 Feb 2005 7:31 am

Just try the John Pearse High Riders. Give your self a little time to get used to the feel. You will wonder why you went so long before trying them. Truly innovative. IMHO.

Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 15 Feb 2005 8:09 am

I like that eye glass pad idea. Picks really hurt, especially fist thing in the morning[This message was edited by Chris Schlotzhauer on 15 February 2005 at 08:14 AM.]

Chubby Howard · Post by **Chubby Howard** » 16 Feb 2005 9:07 am

I have been reading about this problem and my dad Chubby Howard has the answer the Chubby Howard no slip picks and they will not fall off!!! no sponge or rosin. they are $6.00 a pair mailed they are national or kyser picks. call 937-746-4444. or e-mail me.