Thumb Picks?
Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn
- Joe Ribaudo
- Posts: 129
- Joined: 13 Nov 2015 8:31 pm
- Location: New Jersey, USA
This is like so unique to the player, right? So many variables determine the angle and depth of attack. I've been playing less than a year and have managed to accumulate quite a collection of these bits of plastic and metal.
(That's in addition to what I've accumulated over 40 years for acoustic guitar and a short - very short - stint w/banjo.)
Personally, I like narrow nylon picks so I just ordered some blue Herco's from Big City String Co. I haven't tried them yet but hopefully they'll work for me like they do for Buck Reid.
(That's in addition to what I've accumulated over 40 years for acoustic guitar and a short - very short - stint w/banjo.)
Personally, I like narrow nylon picks so I just ordered some blue Herco's from Big City String Co. I haven't tried them yet but hopefully they'll work for me like they do for Buck Reid.
Sho~Bud Super Pro, Fender Concert, NV400, Orange, (LP's, Tele's, Gretsch, Burns, etc...)
- Scott Duckworth
- Posts: 3470
- Joined: 6 Apr 2013 8:41 am
- Location: Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies
- Contact:
Amateur Radio Operator NA4IT (Extra)
http://www.qsl.net/na4it
I may, in fact, be nuts. However, I am screwed onto the right bolt... Jesus!
http://www.qsl.net/na4it
I may, in fact, be nuts. However, I am screwed onto the right bolt... Jesus!
- Bill L. Wilson
- Posts: 935
- Joined: 14 Aug 2012 12:31 pm
- Location: Oklahoma, USA
The Golden Gates.
Since discovering Golden Gate thumb picks several years ago, it's all I've used. I do have to try them on, as I have fairly large digits. Also, they have to be filed or ground down to a finer and shorter point. I've only had one of them ever break.
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- Posts: 1004
- Joined: 30 Apr 2010 4:59 pm
- Location: Washington, USA
Thanks to my kumu mele, Alan Akaka, I use John Pearse thumb picks. If you are careful, you can find the ones with a short shaft (the pick end). They are light, comfortable, and they don't wilt! I used Ernie Ball (I have short, stubby fingers) picks, but they would "wilt" from hand heat. I kept several of them in the slot between necks, and I would cycle through them during a gig.
Jack Aldrich
Carter & ShoBud D10's
D8 & T8 Stringmaster
Rickenbacher B6
3 Resonator guitars
Asher Alan Akaka Special SN 6
Canopus D8
Carter & ShoBud D10's
D8 & T8 Stringmaster
Rickenbacher B6
3 Resonator guitars
Asher Alan Akaka Special SN 6
Canopus D8
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- Posts: 9
- Joined: 11 May 2013 3:59 am
- Location: Oregon
Picks Slipping or Bar Slipping FIX
I was learning to play Dobro and have a heck of a time with the picks slipping off my fingers and dropping the bar because my hands are dry. I did so much damaging the finish on my new dobro i had to have the chips repaired. On a recommendation of Denny at Paul Beards Guitars i tried SORTKWIK by Lee Fingertip Moistener. It works great! I now use on my right hand when playing guitar to hold onto the picks. I use it on both hands when playing steel or reso guitar and it eliminated slipping of picks and dropping the bar. I have it in all my guitar cases now.
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- Posts: 2235
- Joined: 17 May 2010 9:27 am
- Location: West Virginia, USA
I like the Blue picks. Got mine from Billy Cooper.
My hands sweat bad. I have been using stair safety strip for years. Ace Hardware has it in 1" strip. Rub it with a piece of metal to take the real sharp points off. Cut to fit front side of the pick only, Peal the backing and install to a clean pick. Does not move and does not have to be tight to stay in place. Have not had trouble with a thumb pick since I started using the safety strip in my thumb pick..
My hands sweat bad. I have been using stair safety strip for years. Ace Hardware has it in 1" strip. Rub it with a piece of metal to take the real sharp points off. Cut to fit front side of the pick only, Peal the backing and install to a clean pick. Does not move and does not have to be tight to stay in place. Have not had trouble with a thumb pick since I started using the safety strip in my thumb pick..
- Marco Schouten
- Posts: 1866
- Joined: 30 Mar 2000 1:01 am
- Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Jack, I'm with you. The short shaft makes it fast and precise, and the shape of the band makes it the most comfortable to wear.Jack Aldrich wrote:Thanks to my kumu mele, Alan Akaka, I use John Pearse thumb picks. If you are careful, you can find the ones with a short shaft (the pick end). They are light, comfortable, and they don't wilt! I used Ernie Ball (I have short, stubby fingers) picks, but they would "wilt" from hand heat. I kept several of them in the slot between necks, and I would cycle through them during a gig.
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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
- Chris Templeton
- Posts: 2576
- Joined: 25 Sep 2012 4:20 pm
- Location: The Green Mountain State
I recently bought a bag of 50 Hercos that that my music store ordered, I can't remember from whom. To me, they are a more "sensitive" pick, and Jerry's comment about rotating between several picks because they loosen up when they get warmer is spot on.
I remember in the '80s the Herco "prize" were the darker blue picks (Delrin). I see they are still on sale and quite a bit more expensive.
http://www.stringsandbeyond.com/duflgup ... swodsLQGBQ
I
I remember in the '80s the Herco "prize" were the darker blue picks (Delrin). I see they are still on sale and quite a bit more expensive.
http://www.stringsandbeyond.com/duflgup ... swodsLQGBQ
I
Excel 3/4 Pedal With An 8 String Hawaiian Neck, Tapper (10 string with a raised fretboard to fret with fingers), Single neck Fessenden 3/5
- Fred Treece
- Posts: 3920
- Joined: 29 Dec 2015 3:15 pm
- Location: California, USA
JP's produce the best tone of any thumb pick I have tried. The band (or strap) is configured in a way that is very comfortable, but it is a bit large for my thumb and was always getting caught on a string. Nothing like getting the breaks put on mid-lick! If it weren't for that, I would be singing the praises with you.Marco Schouten wrote:Jack, I'm with you. The short shaft makes it fast and precise, and the shape of the band makes it the most comfortable to wear.Jack Aldrich wrote:Thanks to my kumu mele, Alan Akaka, I use John Pearse thumb picks. If you are careful, you can find the ones with a short shaft (the pick end).
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- Posts: 83
- Joined: 26 Apr 2002 12:01 am
- Location: Port Orchard, Washington, USA
I ordered a couple blue herco picks from Frenchy's and also ordered a new pick from Ultex by Dunlap. The Hercos feel loose and the Ultex feels much better. The blade is bit shorter than that of the M white Dunlap and the material though lighter is not slippery and stays in place good. It is my favorite thumb pick now.It cost .50 more but worth it to me.