The Steel Guitar Forum

Blue herco/bugga-blue

Tommy Dodd sells a thumb pick that is part metal with a plastic coating over the thumb and the flange part that attacks the string is Kevlar (bullet proof vest material). Got this pick about 3 years ago and it is still like brand new! NO WEAR OR TEAR! EVER ! Most comfortable thumb pick EVER !

Steve Geis wrote:Tommy Dodd sells a thumb pick that is part metal with a plastic coating over the thumb and the flange part that attacks the string is Kevlar (bullet proof vest material). Got this pick about 3 years ago and it is still like brand new! NO WEAR OR TEAR! EVER ! Most comfortable thumb pick EVER !

How do we see/get one?
JB

Can someone post a link to buy thumb picks online?
Like, ANY type/ style! I can't find a single source anywhere online.
I've sent emails that don't get answered, get no answer by tel, and links to stores out if business!

For eleven years now, I've been using a National thumbpick. I got it right after I first got my GFI steel. I still use that thumbpick now and it still works great! It's a white color and I think I got it at the former Gibson shop at Opry Mills Mall

Tony

As a inventor of thumb picks I hear this problem all the time. It may not be that your thumb is too small. If that is the problem My SADDLE pick on the market today will solve that problem. However about 10% of thumbs won't hold a thumb pick because the taper on the thumb sides is greater than 7Deg. I call this a "A" shaped thumb . Hold you thumb up beside some other guy to see the difference. If this is your problem I have a 'First generation " thumb pick that solves that problem. The problem with it is that you will have to measure your thumb. I would love to help you.
Contact me at info@saddlethumbpicks.com

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I use the Red Delrin Thumbpicks, I think by Dunlop. I bought 4 that I play in rotation. After a couple years of steady play I'm not anywhere near wearing them out.

Tony Glassman wrote:Thumb picks have been a "thorn in my side" for the last 30 years or so.

My thumbs are fairly small in girth, and it's hard to find one that stays put (doesn't rotate on my thumb when striking strings). The worst for me are the ones I like the most - Blue Hercos. The best fitting are the National Mediums, Golden Gates or Zookies, none of which I especially like tonally......but "needs,must"

Anyone else with this problem?

I have the same problem. I finally tried the Kelly speed pick in white (heavier duty than the Orange).
Made of Delrin and do not break. Available at Elderly Instruments. Won't break the bank either.

There's sort of like families - the regular Dunlop (Planet Waves are Dunlops), the Golder Gate regular Heavies, whether white pearly or "Clown Barf", Nationals are the normal ones. Golden Gate makes an X-tra Heavy that's really thick with a wide band (that can catch on steel guitar strings, in my experience - you can sand it off).

Then the Fred Kelly, bug-a-boos, Pearse ones are much narrower and work by cramming them way up your thumb, past the cuticle. Then the ProPiks, Perfect Touch and Blue Chip ones either have a metal band attached to a delrin (or top-secret Blue Chip plastic); or just a metal tip. The Dunlop metal ones have tips that are folded over. Herco/Dunlop makes a flatpick-shaped one with a plastic band, only the extra-heavy ones stay on, in my experience.

Played National for years, but this last year started using Blue Herco’s and the Red Dunlop’s with the same shape as the Herco’s...like them both!!

I like the Herco/Bugga-Blues thumb picks. They are very comfortable.

Another vote for the orange Fred Kelly speed pick.
http://fredkellypicks.com

Just on a whim, I bought a set of four nickel silver 0.18 Jim Dunlop picks at teh Guitar Center. Came with a metal thumbpick. I sure like this thumpbick, and the fingerpicks are already bent to fit.

I cut down an ernie ball...joe

if i found myself playing in places where a bullet-proof thumbpick turned out to be good thing i think i'd get me a dayjob

Blue Hercos

http://fredkellypicks.com/product/delrin-regular/



I like these, they are stiffer than the blue herco picks, but not bulky like golden gates

Rex Thomas wrote:Another vote for the orange Fred Kelly speed pick.
http://fredkellypicks.com

Same. The only ones that feel right on 6 string as well.

Does someone know where I can buy the Fred Kelly thumb pick without having to buy a pack of 24? thanks, J.R.

J.R. pm me your address and I'll send you a couple of Fred Kelley speed picks.

Zookies… If you've never tried them you should. They're different. The blade is angled for better tone and comfort. Don

Zookies are made by Dunlop. I have average/small? size hands and I found that quite often in the past I had to buy L size thumbpicks (other brands) to get a comfortable fit. Would this be the same with Zookies? What angle do most use? I'm an old lead guitarist and I was thinking maybe 20 degree.