Seriously need help -- falling finger picks
Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn
Seriously need help -- falling finger picks
I'm having a heck of a time with my picks. The edge of one pick catches the edge of the other and flicks it off. I got my first steel in 1973 and never had this problem before. They are the same set of vintage Nationals I've always used, bent the way Jeff showed us at class in 1977. But now that I've come back to playing, I cannot keep the darn things on. Pictured are some "1941s" which are the same thing as the old Nationals.
Any advice, humor or vague insults welcomed...
Any advice, humor or vague insults welcomed...
I need an Emmons!
-
- Posts: 815
- Joined: 23 Apr 2004 12:01 am
- Location: Columbus, Georgia, USA
Finger picks
Use some fiddle bow rosin on the fingers, helps me, Shorty
-
- Posts: 379
- Joined: 18 May 2009 10:19 pm
- Location: Henrietta, Tx
- Erv Niehaus
- Posts: 26797
- Joined: 10 Aug 2001 12:01 am
- Location: Litchfield, MN, USA
-
- Posts: 2061
- Joined: 4 Apr 2005 12:01 am
- Location: Sugar Land,Texas USA
-
- Posts: 21192
- Joined: 16 Feb 1999 1:01 am
- Location: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
-
- Posts: 657
- Joined: 13 Nov 2001 1:01 am
- Location: Greeneville, TN, USA
- Dave Hopping
- Posts: 2221
- Joined: 28 Jul 2008 4:18 pm
- Location: Aurora, Colorado
- Contact:
- Carl Williams
- Posts: 3105
- Joined: 27 Sep 2004 12:01 am
- Location: Oklahoma
Death Grip
I’m with Dave on the Landis “Death Grip” picks. A little pricey but well worth the money. I have a complete set: Thumbpick and Fingerpicks. Been pickin’ since ‘74 and these are the best I’ve had. IMHO of course
- Rick Campbell
- Posts: 4283
- Joined: 8 May 2006 12:01 am
- Location: Sneedville, TN, USA
- Joseph Carlson
- Posts: 860
- Joined: 22 Apr 2005 12:01 am
- Location: Grass Valley, California, USA
I had a similar issue where my picks would sometimes click together when I was playing.
I got a set of these and haven't had any issues since
https://www.perfecttouchpicks.com/
I got a set of these and haven't had any issues since
https://www.perfecttouchpicks.com/
- Kenny Davis
- Posts: 1370
- Joined: 10 Apr 1999 12:01 am
- Location: Great State of Oklahoma
Re: Seriously need help -- falling finger picks
"Any advice, humor or vague insults welcomed..."
Here you go - I've used Nationals for many years. If you will form those bands (with the small holes) to fit your fingers tightly, you shouldn't have to worry about all the remedies you'll hear about.
I've never had to lick, glue, tape, shim or anything to keep picks on. Maybe if you tighten until you lose the feeling, then loosen until the feeling returns???
If your picks are coming together,maybe put a small piece of foam between them?
Here you go - I've used Nationals for many years. If you will form those bands (with the small holes) to fit your fingers tightly, you shouldn't have to worry about all the remedies you'll hear about.
I've never had to lick, glue, tape, shim or anything to keep picks on. Maybe if you tighten until you lose the feeling, then loosen until the feeling returns???
If your picks are coming together,maybe put a small piece of foam between them?
Last edited by Kenny Davis on 3 Mar 2022 7:21 am, edited 1 time in total.
Best lyric in a country song: "...One more, Moon..."
- Erv Niehaus
- Posts: 26797
- Joined: 10 Aug 2001 12:01 am
- Location: Litchfield, MN, USA
-
- Posts: 379
- Joined: 18 May 2009 10:19 pm
- Location: Henrietta, Tx
-
- Posts: 416
- Joined: 4 Dec 2008 11:45 am
- Location: Nashville, TN.
Finger Picks
I agree that, it looks like you might want to tighten the outside band by bending it into the finger slightly. and; NO JOKE, I use white out on the inside of my picks. Gives them a some what rough surface without hurting you fingers. As the saying goes, mileage may vary!!
-
- Posts: 2235
- Joined: 17 May 2010 9:27 am
- Location: West Virginia, USA
I know where you are coming from. I use Classic 1941 picks.
My right hand has lived a rough life, Especially my RMF.
I have to file and polish all rough edges inside and out before fitting. I then form the Classic 41's around a 3/8" drill shank, With a small hammer, Very careful without any sharp bends in the holes of the wrappers.
I use a piece of leather to pad the pick point and small vice-grips to hold the pick so I can form the wrappers very smooth to a perfect oval that fits my fingers perfect.
The 2 picks on the right are my formed set.
The set in the middle are JF Newman diamond hole picks, Given to me, I am afraid to try to rework them.
My right hand has lived a rough life, Especially my RMF.
I have to file and polish all rough edges inside and out before fitting. I then form the Classic 41's around a 3/8" drill shank, With a small hammer, Very careful without any sharp bends in the holes of the wrappers.
I use a piece of leather to pad the pick point and small vice-grips to hold the pick so I can form the wrappers very smooth to a perfect oval that fits my fingers perfect.
The 2 picks on the right are my formed set.
The set in the middle are JF Newman diamond hole picks, Given to me, I am afraid to try to rework them.
-
- Posts: 12505
- Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
- Location: Spicewood TX 78669
- Contact:
Incorrect, Erv. As well as Paul F. Jr., Jernigan wears his thumb pick lower as well. Much easier for fast playing.Erv Niehaus wrote:And you're wearing your thumb pick too far back on your thumb.
Erv
When you consider the base of the thumb as being the fulcrum of the lever (thumb), the closer the pick is to the fulcrum shortens the distance needed to achieve the desired results. Shorter distance equals less travel, which equals faster results.
Same thing as speeding up the action on a pedal pull by changing the rod position on either the bellcrank or the changer finger closer to the axle or crossbar.
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg?
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg?
- Erv Niehaus
- Posts: 26797
- Joined: 10 Aug 2001 12:01 am
- Location: Litchfield, MN, USA
- Carl Williams
- Posts: 3105
- Joined: 27 Sep 2004 12:01 am
- Location: Oklahoma
-
- Posts: 193
- Joined: 15 Jan 2018 8:45 pm
- Location: California, USA
-
- Posts: 12505
- Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
- Location: Spicewood TX 78669
- Contact:
Catt, are you referring to liquid rosin that's used for hurdy-gurdies? I'm having a problem with my index fingerpick flying off in the heat of battle.
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg?
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg?
-
- Posts: 2061
- Joined: 4 Apr 2005 12:01 am
- Location: Sugar Land,Texas USA
- Erv Niehaus
- Posts: 26797
- Joined: 10 Aug 2001 12:01 am
- Location: Litchfield, MN, USA
-
- Posts: 2061
- Joined: 4 Apr 2005 12:01 am
- Location: Sugar Land,Texas USA
- Marco Schouten
- Posts: 1866
- Joined: 30 Mar 2000 1:01 am
- Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
True, but I believe that one should start out with the "standard" way. Later on it is time to see if different ways work better, but not when starting.James Sission wrote:Paul has a really good video on picks, including using flat picks. But he basically surmises that each player has to decide what works for himself. Same philosophy with blocking.
----------------------------------
JCH SD-10 with BL XR-16 pickup, Sho-Bud Volume Pedal, Evidence Audio Lyric HG cables, Quilter Steelaire combo
JCH SD-10 with BL XR-16 pickup, Sho-Bud Volume Pedal, Evidence Audio Lyric HG cables, Quilter Steelaire combo