Just a follow up on the discussion of Perfect Touch Picks from a little while back. After having listened to a few people express their appreciation for them I decided to order a pair. I’ve had them about a week and I thought I’d share my impressions.
About me. I’m new to lap steel, about 3 years in, but a long time guitar player. I try to get in an hour or so practice each day and I’m starting to get a feel for a few things.
I’d tried a couple of different pick brands and for comfort reasons had settled on brass ProPiks. I’ve been pleased with how they feel and sound. My interest in trying the Perfect Touch picks was based on a comment someone made about having seen a noticeable improvement in tone.
The Perfect Touch picks have an interesting design. The part that wraps around your finger has a substantially different configuration for the forefinger and the middle finger. They were attempting to eliminate the clicking sound picks make when the wrapped portions touch. They have been very successful with this.
I ordered medium brass picks. I used needle nosed pliers wrapped with electrical tape to do the shaping. They recommend this in their instructions. It works well and doesn’t scratch up the picks.
I liked the way my ProPiks contacted the strings so I used their profile as a target as I shaped that part of the pick. I then spent a long time adjusting the parts that wrapped around my fingers looking for a good combination of comfort and snugness. I had my lap steel close at hand and frequently tested the tone I was getting to make sure I was pleased with the sound. I also looked to see that there was a balance between the volume I was getting between the two fingers.
Bottom line is that I’m very pleased. I’m getting a richer tone and, interestingly, improved volume. Everyone’s looking for small adjustments in gear that’ll step up their game in terms of tone and technique. I think these picks, at least for me, fit the bill.
Customer service is also excellent. After they’d received my order, from Ottawa Canada, they got in touch with me. They were concerned I would be dinged for customs charges at the border. They offered to cancel my order and suggested an online outfit in Canada where I could purchase their picks. That was pretty classy... I kept my order with them and lucked out at the border with no addition costs.