Thumb pick help needed!!

James Venverloh · Post by **James Venverloh** » 16 Feb 2020 2:36 pm

I just started playing again after an 8 year hiatus. Standard Dunlop "thumbscrews" have cut into my skin and are very painful. I'm hoping that someone on the Forum knows of a type of thumb pick that was not designed by Torquemada. I appreciate any advice. JV

Kevin Fix · Post by **Kevin Fix** » 16 Feb 2020 2:40 pm

Blue Herco thumb picks or a National thumb picks. Both plastic. b0b sells them on the Forum.

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 16 Feb 2020 2:44 pm

Where in Texas are you? I play all over and I'll give you a Fred Kelly speed pick to see if you like them.

Charlie Hansen · Post by **Charlie Hansen** » 16 Feb 2020 2:48 pm

Fred Kelly picks are great.

Ian Rae · Post by **Ian Rae** » 16 Feb 2020 3:26 pm

When I started playing I used a Dunlop size L because it was all I could find that stayed on. It was not very comfortable, being of a rather hard material (although it wore down quite quickly). Later on I did try some softer picks but I found they slipped round on my thumb.
Eventually I found the ProPik all-metal thumbpick and I've never looked back. Try one.
They also do one with a plastic blade which I haven't tried but should just as comfortable if the idea of a metal blade doesn't appeal (although to me it's quite logical).

Thomas Sabatini · Post by **Thomas Sabatini** » 16 Feb 2020 4:52 pm

Fred Kelly Jazz Bumblebees changed the way I play 6 strings. They're fine for PSG, too.

Gene Tani · Post by **Gene Tani** » 16 Feb 2020 8:02 pm

any picks that aren't polycarb, ultex or delrin, the band can be dipped in near-boiling water and expanded with pliers. You can't make them smaller but you can take up the play with tape

https://web.archive.org/web/20170701075 ... it-of-tone

Barry Coker · Post by **Barry Coker** » 17 Feb 2020 4:10 am

Fred Kelly Slick Pick most comfortable I have found.

Barry

Marco Schouten · Post by **Marco Schouten** » 17 Feb 2020 5:10 am

John Pearse thumb picks are very comfortable. Great shape and tone as well.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 17 Feb 2020 8:33 am

Ever since my grandson broke my old National thumb pick I've been using a Golden Gate thumb pick and am very satisfied.

Erv

Michael Stephens · Post by **Michael Stephens** » 17 Feb 2020 8:46 am

One more up-vote for Fred Kelly thumb picks. I've tried a bunch of others but keep coming back to these, both for dobro and pedal steel. They just don't seem to wear out! Pretty inexpensive as well.

Fred Treece · Post by **Fred Treece** » 17 Feb 2020 11:50 pm

Maybe you just need to get the large size pick. Iâ€™ve always thought the Dunlop was a very comfortable pick, with that wide band. I use the Fred Kelly â€œSpeedâ€ pick now. Very comfortable, good tone. I love the tone and feel of the John Pearse, but I couldnâ€™t keep the band from catching on the strings for some reason.