What is the best thumb pick???????

Ernest Cawby · Post by **Ernest Cawby** » 28 Jul 2004 4:29 pm

Last night my good one broke and went to a backup. I use Jeffs picks but in time they break in the bend. Is there a cure for this. By the way the New Skin on the inside of the pick works, no more problem with slipping off it stays put.

ernie

Bill Bosler · Post by **Bill Bosler** » 28 Jul 2004 4:34 pm

I use a clear plastic dobro pick I get from Scotty. I like it because it's longer than a regular thumb pick and has a sharp point. Just my preference.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 28 Jul 2004 4:34 pm

Blue Hercos.

Jennings Ward · Post by **Jennings Ward** » 28 Jul 2004 6:02 pm

Earnie, in answer to your question, What is the best kind of thumb picks,, ans,,, FREE ONES........ dont get mad at me..... Jennings..... I'll see if I can accomidate you with a free one.........

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EMMONS D10 10-10 profex 2 deltafex ne1000 pv1000, pv 31 bd eq, +

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 28 Jul 2004 6:24 pm

Ernie, I like the Jeff's too, but I'd like to find one that has the same length point that is a harder material like polycarbonate and doesn't break as easy.
Bill, I looked at Scotty's site but didn't see anything clear. Do you know the brand or model # of the Dobro pick you mentioned? Thanks JO

Doug Earnest · Post by **Doug Earnest** » 28 Jul 2004 6:47 pm

For sound, I like the Jeffran picks. Buy a small sack of them every few years so you have spares.
For comfort and correcting my poor angle of attack, I like Zookies. I get them from Herby Wallace, don't know who else handles them. My tone is not so bright with these however and I notice it on the wound strings.
Just my two cents worth.

Don Sulesky · Post by **Don Sulesky** » 28 Jul 2004 11:58 pm

I use the Goldengate pearloid picks.
I have tried many brands over the years and happened upon these in a music store in Nashville in 1999.
Everything I've tried after these just don't seem to have the tone or durabilty.
I've turned others on to these picks and they love 'em.
You can buy them from Janet Davis music on the net.
Ernie I'll give you one next month to try out.
They are pretty much close to Jeff's feel and shape on your thumb.
Don

Michael Johnstone · Post by **Michael Johnstone** » 29 Jul 2004 1:11 am

I've used a lot of things - big white Nationals,blue Hercos - I used them for years.A couple years ago I started using large Golden Gates and I liked them because they stayed put - for a while at least.When they'd get sprung,I'd dip them in boiling water and close them back up and they'd be good to go for a while.Lately tho,I've been using the all metal Propick thumpicks. I never liked the sound of metal thumbpicks before but I like these.They're almost like spring steel - real thin yet stiff and have a very focused blade. It's like playing w/a scalpel after using a butterknife all your life. They fit real tight without slipping,twisting,getting sprung open or cutting off my circulation. Once I got used to them,I started getting a lot more articulate with my thumb picking technique.
Your milage may vary. -MJ-

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 29 Jul 2004 3:21 am

I used the blue Herco's for many years until I found some red Herco's and started using them. I file the tip to a sharp point so I get a clearer tone on the bass strings. I use these on both steel and lead guitar and they last forever. Have a good 'un..JH

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Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 29 Jul 2004 6:17 am

I bought a thumb pick from Frenchy's in Belin, NM some time ago. It is a white thumb pick like a National with a piece of tortoise shell fastened to the picking area. The tortoise shell firms up the picking area and I really like it.

Erv

Rick Schmidt · Post by **Rick Schmidt** » 29 Jul 2004 8:02 am

I've used them all too. I'm also going with the large Golden Gate picks now.

Bill Monk · Post by **Bill Monk** » 29 Jul 2004 9:34 am

>>I use Jeff's picks but in time they break in the bend. Is there a cure for this.

Paint the bend with a thin layer of superglue inside and out.

The same trick will rescue one that has started to crack but hasn't broken yet. The fit won't be quite as tight, but it works a lot better than a two-piece thumb pick and will do in a pinch and maybe a long time after.

Travis Bernhardt · Post by **Travis Bernhardt** » 29 Jul 2004 9:36 am

Back and forth between the Golden Gate and the Zookies--although for acoustic instruments it has to be the Golden Gate, aa the Zookies aren't stiff enough for me.

-Travis

seldomfed · Post by **seldomfed** » 29 Jul 2004 9:55 am

ditto Blue Hercos. I file the tip down so they're shorter, closer to the strings, less hand movment up and down yields faster picking, a Joe Wright tip - he showed me in a seminar. It works for me.

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Chris Kennison
Ft. Collins, Colorado
"There is no spoon"
www.book-em-danno.com

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 29 Jul 2004 10:05 am

'Golden Gate' for me, too.

I bought a box of twenty from Wanda and Billy two years ago and, after hours of playing every day, I'm still using the first one!

RR

Ricky Littleton · Post by **Ricky Littleton** » 29 Jul 2004 10:23 am

Dunlop's for me!

Ricky...

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Emmons LeGrande - 8x4
Session 400 Ltd, Peterson VS-II Tuner
Dan-Echo, E-Bow, Ibanez Distortion, Boss Comp./Sustain, Ibanez Auto-Wah, PX4 Pandoras Box

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 29 Jul 2004 10:29 am

I like a small thumbpick and used a really narrow one (about 1/4" wide) for years, until they were no longer available. I now use Fred Kelly thumbpicks. The only complaint I have with them is that they are only available in one size and it is just a tad too small for me. They usually last about 6 months before they break, but they feel good. I just keep extras available.

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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 29 Jul 2004 12:05 pm

The Fred Kelly polycarbonates break, the Delrin ones don't in my experience. I file these short. I've also had good luck with the John Pearse picks, if you like a short, pointy pick.

Bill Ferguson · Post by **Bill Ferguson** » 29 Jul 2004 12:29 pm

Peavey narrow blade. Best I have used in 30 years.
They feel good and they stay put.
Bill

Jennings Ward · Post by **Jennings Ward** » 29 Jul 2004 12:30 pm

ZOOKIES, ZOOKIES, ZOOKIES,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.........!!!!!!!!!!!JW

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EMMONS D10 10-10 profex 2 deltafex ne1000 pv1000, pv 31 bd eq, +

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 29 Jul 2004 1:14 pm

I use those orange ones that Frenchy sells. Fred Kelly picks. I haven't broken one in almost two years of playing 4-6 gigs a week. Before that I used either Dunlops, Nationals or John Pearse whites. Still do from time to time.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Herb Steiner on 29 July 2004 at 02:16 PM.]</p></FONT>

Terry Sneed · Post by **Terry Sneed** » 29 Jul 2004 1:52 pm

Blue Hercos for me. I'll give that file-down job a try.
Terry

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84 SKH Emmons Legrand D10
session 400'rd Steelin for my Lord.

David Mullis · Post by **David Mullis** » 29 Jul 2004 2:41 pm

Fred Kelly Slick Picks

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 29 Jul 2004 3:06 pm

Good one stop shopping here:
http://www.elderly.com/accessories/cats/PKTB.html

I'm in the process of ordering a half dozen picks--I'm ok with my white Dunlops but I'm always wondering if there's something I'd like more. Real interested in the metal Propiks. Thanks for the head-up on that, Michael.

I've been using Dunlops because that's what most of the local stores have and I am kind of particular about how a pick fits--I'll go thru a dozen to pick out 3 that I like. So mail order is a crap shoot.

Jack Turlington · Post by **Jack Turlington** » 29 Jul 2004 7:03 pm

Nationals except that they break too soon.
Dunlops but the blade's a tad too big for me.
Jeff's except that the blade wears out quick.
Golden Gate but the blade's way too big.
Zookies seem to be just about right!