finger picks

Dick Sexton · Post by **Dick Sexton** » 2 Nov 2006 4:15 pm

I've been having this problem too, picks wont stay on. Thried all of the above and they did work to some degree. Here's what fixed it, but use at your own risk. Find some of the cheap fiddle rosin, put some alcohol on a cue tip and rub it on the rosin then rub the cue tip on the inside of your picks. Let it dry. Wala, that'll do it. But don't do what I did the first time. I rubbed the cue tip on the rosin then rubbed my fingers on the rosin and put my picks on. When I was done practicing an about an hour later, I had to peel my picks off my fingers. Thought the skin was gonna come right off. Better then spit, better then snot, giver a try. DS

Jim Bates · Post by **Jim Bates** » 3 Nov 2006 4:46 am

Note to Michael H. concerning spraying piano keys with hair spray. DO NOT DO THIS!! Possibly the 'piano technician' either mis-spoke or was joking. Plastic covered keys will be become permanently etched with the lacquer hairspray. Any ivory covered keys will have a buildup, and possibly more discoloration due to this.

I have been a piano tuner in the Houston area for 36+ years, and regularly tell people how to clean the piano keys.

TGhanx,
Jim

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 3 Nov 2006 3:29 pm

Wrap some electrical friction tape around the back of the pick. Not only will it keep the picks on, but will make it more comfortable on your cuticles.

Dr. Hugh Jeffreys · Post by **Dr. Hugh Jeffreys** » 3 Nov 2006 4:04 pm

Carpet tape!......j........

Bill Duve · Post by **Bill Duve** » 5 Nov 2006 4:46 am

I read Doug Rolfe's idea and my picks were killing my crooked arthritic fingers sooo,
I didnt want to wait for his so I got out a can of LIQUID ELECTRICAL TAPE (ace hdwe) and painted the inside real thick and hung them upside down on a wire thru the hole to dry till putting them on formed the shape of my finger..The results are a smooth roll edge and they feel wonderful, they also stay on ........

Jim Bob Sedgwick · Post by **Jim Bob Sedgwick** » 5 Nov 2006 6:14 pm

Pro Picks sound better than Nationals or Dunlops. Now if they would only make them black or red.

Bryan Daste · Post by **Bryan Daste** » 7 Nov 2006 11:51 pm

Bill, I tried the liquid electrical tape idea and it works great!

Bobby Johnson · Post by **Bobby Johnson** » 8 Nov 2006 12:46 am

I often wondered about somthing. I work as a electrician and they make a rubber dip for dipping handles of plyers and side cutters and such to sheild from getting shocked. it dries rubber like liquid tape but much more durable. That might could work as well. Have to try it i guess. Can't hurt. They sell it at hardware stores.[This message was edited by Bobby Johnson on 08 November 2006 at 12:47 AM.][This message was edited by Bobby Johnson on 08 November 2006 at 12:49 AM.]

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 8 Nov 2006 5:50 am

Backing up Jim Bates - I read that post about spraying hairspray on piano keys and about fell over! Lacquer/solvent on ivory OR synthetic keys is a REALLY bad idea.

Fred Shannon · Post by **Fred Shannon** » 8 Nov 2006 11:10 am

Paddy Long, we keep a gorilla tied to the music trailer and when we need it we just go out and "kick the snot out of him". Oh Wow! I cant believe I wrote that, but it was so tempting I couldn't resist.

on Topic: I know Bobby Bowman and I both used the cheapest hair spray you could buy... If the room was very cold I went to the "G Snot" for safety.

Phred

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"From Truth, Justice is Born"--Quanah Parker-1904

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 8 Nov 2006 2:42 pm

I must be fortunate, I've got these two dents that have formed in both of my fingers beside the fingernails. Caused by fingerpick squeeze since 1963. Picks don't come off at all, I have to pull them off. Like the detent was intended by HIM...[This message was edited by Ray Minich on 08 November 2006 at 02:44 PM.]

Bill Duve · Post by **Bill Duve** » 8 Nov 2006 2:56 pm

That Liquid electrical tape is also good for other things like a bigol dob of it where to stabilize where the ground wire breaks at the reverb tank RCA jack and other minor repairs, Do not however use it for houshold wiring as its insulation value is unknown and it has no thermal rating.....

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I have kicked computers out the back door for less..

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 9 Nov 2006 6:53 pm

This topic goes back many years and always pops up from time to time.

Here's my fix: Open up the pick enough so you can lay in an oversized "T" shaped piece of plumbers shine cloth - the waffle type works very well.

Get some flensing(sp) glue that archers use to glue feathers to arrow shafts from a sports store.

Glue-in the T piece making sure good contact is made on all 3 sides of the pick - use a proper size cork to wedge in, if needed.

Give it a good 24 hours to cure.

Trim off the fat with an X-acto knife or one-sided razor blade, re-shape the pick to fit your finger[s].

You're ready to go. Do this, too, with the thumb pick.

I too, have used violin bow rosin. You can buy a small matchbox-size at any quality music store. It comes as one solid chunk. Simply grind it finely, put in an old 35MM photographers film case and you've got a 2 years supply, or even longer - depending on gigs.
[This message was edited by CHIP FOSSA on 09 November 2006 at 06:55 PM.]

Bill Yoder · Post by **Bill Yoder** » 11 Nov 2006 6:55 am

Well,I,ve come up with one solution that really works.i cut a small piece of carpet tape(2 sided).just big enough to lay on my fingerail,slip the pick on the nail,voila,it stays.you can pull the piece of tape off and use it many times.if if wears out,you cut a new one.works well for me?

J Hill · Post by **J Hill** » 11 Nov 2006 9:38 pm

Super glue works great. I tried it two years ago and the picks still haven't fallen off.

Gil Berry · Post by **Gil Berry** » 12 Nov 2006 7:01 am

Bend 'em right. I used to have picks fly off all the time, especially if it was hot and my hands were sweaty. But I found that if you take the time to bend the picks properly (tapered wider away from the finger tip) and get them fitting just right, they just don't come off - unless you make a big oops and hang the back edge on a string. Done that a few times - like shooting an arrow. Also, you have to wear the picks "deeper". Mine set deep enough on my finger that I have to keep my nails trimmed pretty short for them to fit properly. I'm not the resident professional here, though, so what I'm saying is just what works for me.

Phillip Lee Thompson · Post by **Phillip Lee Thompson** » 12 Nov 2006 3:08 pm

Hey Bill,
Some years ago,I started using chrome finger picks -- same problem,loved the velvet touch they had ON the strings,but could not keep them from slipping on my fingers. Then I tried taking a sharp tiped pocket knife,and carved deep scratches INSIDE the picks. Like so -))))))))))))
The slipping stopped. Phillip.

Tony Williams · Post by **Tony Williams** » 13 Nov 2006 7:07 pm

I do not play professionally, but sometimes do play for a couple of hours at a time. I find that the thinner picks, .013 nickel silver, are more flexible and and tend to expand and contract with the finger and therefore stay in place better for me.

Tony

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 13 Nov 2006 10:56 pm

I switched to plastic picks on a whim about six months ago,I use three finger picks,wish I had switched years ago,I like the tone they get,Easy to fit your finger just hold them under hot tap water and mold them to fit perfect.They are much more comfortable than metal.

Bryan Daste · Post by **Bryan Daste** » 17 Nov 2006 11:15 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> Doug Rolfe
I have posted here before, but we make a pick that has an electric wire shrink wrap applied to it. This came out of my own needs as to try and keep the picks on hurt my fingers after a few minutes. That doesn't happen any more as the wrap pads the pick as well as keeping them on. It is offered in both Nationals and Kaisers. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Doug, do you have pictures of these picks? How much of the pick does the shrink wrap cover?

Thanks,
Bryan

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 18 Nov 2006 4:57 pm

I just lick my fingers first. Works great and gives the ladies in the audience a little "turn-on".