Posted: 14 May 2010 4:50 am
The Steel Guitar Forum
where steel players meet online
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Advice sought on fingerpicks
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Posted: 14 May 2010 3:12 pm
Thanks Arne - very useful.
Posted: 14 May 2010 3:51 pm
I'm newbie and got some Alaska Picks this week. they felt a lot more comfortable and less 'alien' that other fingerpicks that I've tried.
I still found that I'll have to grow my nails a little longer for them to work. As a bassist, I've never really worried about this before and I'm being good at not biting the nails on 2 of my fingers
It sounds like using fingerpicks has long term benefits but there's a bit of short term frustration to go through first.
I still found that I'll have to grow my nails a little longer for them to work. As a bassist, I've never really worried about this before and I'm being good at not biting the nails on 2 of my fingers
It sounds like using fingerpicks has long term benefits but there's a bit of short term frustration to go through first.
Finger picks
Posted: 15 May 2010 6:34 am
The People that are telling you keep them on are right,fingerpicks are something you need to get used to.I been a Pedal Steel player now for over 30 years.
I didn't touch my Steel for about 11/2 yrs,when I put the picks back on they were really awkward.
I'm also a lead guitar player I use a thumbpick no finger picks on guitar,I also play Chet Atkins style
I have not used a fingerpick on guitar since 1970,
I played with one f pick for a cpl yrs then left it home or lost it, never went back,But Steel Guitars are totally different,Your hands are in a different
position,the attack is totally different,so even thos your playing strings its different.
Get one set of picks if you have trpouble hitting a string bend them,I play with my first pick(index)
sort of bent sideways remember make them comfortable for you,after a little while you'll feel naked without them,You'll not find many,Hal Ruggs or Lloyd Green players that don't use picks,You need them, Good Luck!.
I didn't touch my Steel for about 11/2 yrs,when I put the picks back on they were really awkward.
I'm also a lead guitar player I use a thumbpick no finger picks on guitar,I also play Chet Atkins style
I have not used a fingerpick on guitar since 1970,
I played with one f pick for a cpl yrs then left it home or lost it, never went back,But Steel Guitars are totally different,Your hands are in a different
position,the attack is totally different,so even thos your playing strings its different.
Get one set of picks if you have trpouble hitting a string bend them,I play with my first pick(index)
sort of bent sideways remember make them comfortable for you,after a little while you'll feel naked without them,You'll not find many,Hal Ruggs or Lloyd Green players that don't use picks,You need them, Good Luck!.
Posted: 16 May 2010 10:42 am
I'm also new to the PSG and I'm having great luck with Propik "Fingertone" picks available at Elderly - http://elderly.com/accessories/items/PK47SP-L.htm
For thumbpicks I'm using the Zookie 10 degree angled pick, and that has been a big help as well. Also available at Elderly - http://elderly.com/accessories/items/PKL-10-LG.htm
Before I started using these, I'd thought I might wind up playing with my bare fingers too - but so far I've had much more control since I started using these. The Zookie thumbpicks come in 10, 20 and 30 degree angles - I bought one of each to see which would work best for me. I've tried bending thumbpicks at an angle on my own, but it wasn't as successful (for me) as the Zookies.
For thumbpicks I'm using the Zookie 10 degree angled pick, and that has been a big help as well. Also available at Elderly - http://elderly.com/accessories/items/PKL-10-LG.htm
Before I started using these, I'd thought I might wind up playing with my bare fingers too - but so far I've had much more control since I started using these. The Zookie thumbpicks come in 10, 20 and 30 degree angles - I bought one of each to see which would work best for me. I've tried bending thumbpicks at an angle on my own, but it wasn't as successful (for me) as the Zookies.
Posted: 17 May 2010 9:04 am
Thanks for bringing this up (again... it seems to come around regularly) and for letting us know your impressions of the Alaska picks. Conventional picks have always been very uncomfortable for me - they pinch my cuticles in a way I just can't get used to - but I know I need the extra attack and tone, and I've been looking at these as a possible compromise that might feel a bit more natural.
Posted: 17 May 2010 11:14 am
i must have tried every finger pick ever made
( and have a boxful of old picks to prove it )
but the most comfortable /feeling/sounding picks i ever found is... the Showcase 1941s
its the only pick i have used for the past 5 years
( and have a boxful of old picks to prove it )
but the most comfortable /feeling/sounding picks i ever found is... the Showcase 1941s
its the only pick i have used for the past 5 years
Posted: 17 May 2010 1:18 pm
I'm glad (and a little surprised) to hear that some of you like the Alaska picks. I tried them for awhile on guitar, and . . . Have you ever read about that old form of torture that involves sticking wood slivers under the victim's fingernails? That's what they felt like to me. I'd rather scratch a chalkboard all day long than put those things on my fingers again. I'll take plain old finger picks any day!
John
John