The Steel Guitar Forum

Fred Jack, if your mouth is too small it won't work. Then you use a shoe stretcher first.

I have been trying the Walgreens nosepad Idea
for the last two weeks. Seems to be JUST FINE and very comfy, too!

A couple of years ago I went to a concert by the band Hiroshima and they have a lady that plays the Koto"June"and she keeps her fingerpicks on with egg whites.

I always had trouble losing picks as it gets a little hot and humid here...until my Buddy brought me a set of Kyser picks back from USA....no trouble now.....they have a sort of ripple or cheese grater finish in the inside of the pick bit...stops them from slipping...I bought a few more from Scotty last year. My friend Doug Rolfe has the Kyser pick for sale but has added a sort of rubber tube to the bands that go around the finger for extra grip...this could be achieved by going to electrical store and buying Shrink tube....just big enough to slip over band and then it shrinks when heat is applied....used to cover and insulate electrical joints!.....think I have some in my shed...might try it tomorrow

Try putting your finger (s) in your mouth just before you put the pick on, the saliva acts like glue and I bet you will have to pull them off when you do not want to pick anymore. Keeps your dive goggles from fogging up to in case you dive.
MSA SD10

I just blow my breath on the picks and my fingers and that seems to mostly hold them on.

I've seen Lynn Owsley dip his fingers in chewing tobacco. He offered some to me one day but I declined. I'm going to have to try it the next time Lynn visits my gig.

Super glue. Gel works best, and after putting it on the first time take the picks off and put them back on. That part is important.

It's not for the undedicated.

EJL

I use the red powder coated picks that are made by the same guiy that makes the red rajah bars. The powder coating prevents them from slipping off. I've not noticed any difference in the tone they produce.

Plus, they're red. <font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Mike Perlowin on 27 July 2005 at 07:34 AM.]</p></FONT>

As weird as it may look to anyone watching you, sticking fingers in mouth has worked best for me for years, even better than resin, in fact the picks are hard to pull off when you are through playing, it's fast and cheap and always available unless you have a severe case of the drymouth, then you better look around for the fiddlers resin!!!

Buck, I always did what you do to keep them on and it worked for me.When I saw you do it in the green room at the Baldknobbers show then I knew I must be on to something.RS

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Franklin Guitars

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Ron Scott on 27 July 2005 at 09:58 AM.]</p></FONT>

Ditto the saliva solution. The simplest of all and it works! Did an outdoor show in 100 degree heat last week. No slippage. I do also bend my picks with needlenose pliers, for a custom fit.

I have tried all of the solutions to securing finger picks mentioned above, but this is the BEST one that has worked for me!

<img width=580 src=http://genejones.bizland.com/Harley%20001.jpg>

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 27 July 2005 at 03:15 PM.]</p></FONT>

My solution was to use Stevens picks. They're now produced by John Pearse, in stainless only. They have a double loop that fits over the knuckle instead of your fingernail, so they'll <u>never</u> slip off. A side benefit is that if you have trouble with hangnails or have a smashed fingernail, these picks completely avoid the nail area, so you can still play!

I've tried a lot of different stuff, what works best for me is the spray adhesive in an aerosol can on a Q tip, then wipe the inside of the picks with it, let the picks sit for a minute or two or even longer before putting them on, it's more of a treatment as it lasts for a week or more

Ok you guys...I'm not a peddler....but I always read this section of the forum just in case I can pick up some kind of pointer to help me out with my Lap Steel...so here we go...I've played and picked autoharp for years...and the VERY best thing to hold all your picks on with is SILCONE CAULK, yep, the rubbery, flexible stuff you put around your bathtub or sink. It has to be the kind that stays flexible...coat the inside of your picks it eliminates two problems we all have while wearing picks. First, it "cushions" your fingers, so the picks don't bite you, and second, it acts like a non-skid rug mat on your fingers, the picks won't fall off. You have to try this, I know it sounds weird, but I wear four picks all the time, and this works. I never lose a pick. And it never wears off!
Edited to add: it also won't "powder" onto your strings or board, so you won't have to clean them like you do with rosin...
It ranks right up there with duct tape in my house.........

Joy<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Joy Wofford on 28 July 2005 at 10:35 PM.]</p></FONT>

Well, I have to admit that everytime this subject comes around, I usually just smirk, and chuckle at some of the remedies. After getting to a level of playing "out" or professionally, I have never had a problem with losing a finger pick. Then came last night...Right in the middle of Panhandle Rag, I blew the index finger pick. It stayed on, but not in a playable position. I have laid the blame on two things:

1. Resonator Guitar
2. Pro Piks single wraps

By nature, you play a resonator harder than a pedal steel, plus the Pro Piks are "softer" than the old Nationals I've always used. With that said, coupled with my "novice" status on the reso - Must have led to the mishap.

Therefore, since it didn't come completely off, and it was during a jam session - I consider the incident a "non event", and I will continue to boast that I've never blown a finger pick!

Donny, I would like to try a set of those Stevens picks you are talking about , where can I order them? I've got a smashed nail growing back, this might be what I need for the problem, could you post an order place please. Thanks Doyle

OK...I found my Shrink Tube in my shed....slips over the bands of the picks real nice....hold a cigarette lighter under it and it shrinks to fit the band real tight......I have never felt so comfortable with finger picks after 30 odd years..they grip but feel so comfortable.
Its called shrink tube...prob cant get it at Tandy or Radio Shack but any electrical outlet where they sell plugs ..sockets ..wire etc should have it
I really works
Tony

I have some finger picks that have the foam nose pads on them. I also have the single band propicks. When I use the propicks, I lick my finger tips before putting on the picks and they stay on pretty darn well. The picks that hace the foam rubber on them seem to be more confortable. Also one key issue is not to have them tooo tight where they cut off the circulation in your fingers.

Gregg

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If it don't have a Steel, it ain't real!

Fiddle rosin works great - borrow it at a gig and with any luck you can accidentally step on the player's fiddle when using it...

Just a dab of Gorilla Snot before starting to play will allow you to loosen up on the finger bands and your picks will stay on too. It smells like it is basically a rosin paste. As said earlier, fiddle rosin, or even going to the pine thicket and harvesting a little raw rosin would work if you can't readily find the little jars of Gorilla Snot.

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EMCI Double 10 Guitar, Nashville 400, Session 400, and Evans FET 500 HiVolt, and Gretsch Nashville Pro Steel Amp, Keith Hilton Digital Sustain pedal and Seymour Duncan KTG -1, Hughes&Kettner BATT
Harold Parris email hparris9@aol.com

Look on the net for PRO-GRIP. It is made to make your pistol easy to hold if your hands are sweaty. Just a touch on your pick fingers tips and a touch on your bar fingers and you won't drop either one and it isn't sticky and comes off when you wash your hands. I have used it for years.--Mike

I'm a 71 year old kid that just started playing steel about 21/2 years ago.I ran into the problem at the get-go. I had some of that stuff they call Liquid Bandage from the drug drug or grocerie store. I clean the inside good with alcohol and paint the them with two coats. It smell a little like medicine but it works for me. Usually will last for several gigs.

I'm adding onto this post at this late date because I've tried out an idea that was listed here by member Tony Davis...and it works great!

Electrical wire shrink tubing put on over the "sleeves" of your picks is so easy to do. It's comfortable padding, easy to apply, and it keeps the picks from slipping. Just use a lighter, or as I did, a hairdryer, and presto, it's on. What more could you want?
And oh yes......it's CHEAP!

I got mine at a Menards store here, which is like a Lowes or Home Depot place. You really gotta try this if you're having trouble with picks slipping or if they are biting into you.

Thanks Tony, I'm a convert!

Joy

Spit, hahaha.