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Topic: Pick Blocking: Tapping the fretboard with your thumb? |
Paul Sutherland
From:
Placerville, California
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Posted 11 Dec 2011 12:32 am |
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Recently I've noticed that I'm hitting the fretboard with my thumb pick when I try to pick block. I even think I hear it coming through the amp a little. At least it's in tempo with whatever I'm playing (which may or may not be in tempo with the rest of the world). It adds an interesting percussive sound, so it's not all that bad. But it's going to mark up my fretboard in the upper registers.
Is it normal to make contact with the fretboard with your thumb pick when pick-blocking? |
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Dana Blodgett
From:
California, USA
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Posted 11 Dec 2011 1:21 am pick blocking
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I wouldn't worry about the marks left by your thumb pick, it gives your guitar a li'l character! Any guitar without a few bar dings etc. probably hasn't been played much anyway.
I can't seem to get away from pick blocking versus palm blocking. Pick blocking seems to come natural for me, wish I could be proficient at both!
As I look around me I don't have a clue as to what "normal" is...
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Dana Blodgett
From Los Osos,Ca.
'74 ShoBud 6140 3+4, Martins HD28,D-12-28, D-15,'65 Gibson LG-1, '77 Gibson Les Paul special dbl cut p-90's, Les Paul Special p-100's,Les paul Special Hybrid(maple top) hbkr's,'68 Fender Strat reissue, Fender Squire Jazz bass,Epi mandolin,Epi Wilshire '66 reissue, Kamaka Concert uke, 70's Kamaka Soprano Uke, Fender Super amp, Ampeg ba112 bass amp,60's harmony banjo,'00 Gibson SG Supreme |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 11 Dec 2011 6:24 am
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I think if you dig that deep as you pick, you have a lot of wasted motion. I only show wear on the bottom 5/16 or so of my thumbpick. Do you get better tone digging like that?
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Mike Wheeler
From:
Delaware, Ohio, USA
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Posted 11 Dec 2011 6:42 am
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Paul, it could be that your pick blade might be a little too long. You might try a thumb pick with a shorter blade, or shorten the one you have. I used to do that with some picks...there are some thumb picks with VERY long blades that cause problems when used with a steel.
Even if it's used by other players as it is, you might need to alter it for your style. Never be shy about customizing your picks.
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Best regards,
Mike |
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Roger Francis
From:
kokomo,Indiana, USA
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Posted 11 Dec 2011 8:52 am
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| Paul, how long is the blade on your pick? The side of my thumb won't let me even come close to the fret board! My strings set about a 1/2" off the board and i'm using about 1/4" of the pick that still leaves 1/4" from fret board. Maybe doe a very slow exercise of picking and see if you can catch why this is happening, just a thought. |
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Skip Edwards
From:
LA,CA
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Posted 11 Dec 2011 10:20 am
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| What gtr are you playing? On some steels the strings are closer to the fretboard than they are on other brands...GFI, for example. |
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Paul Sutherland
From:
Placerville, California
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Posted 11 Dec 2011 10:43 am
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The guitar is an Emmons. The thumb picks are unmodified white Dunlaps, small size.
I used to very precisely file down the blade of my thumbpicks. Over the years I gradually increased the length of the blade. Now I prefer the full length of the blade as it comes stock. In fact, when the tip of the blade wears down a bit, I start to notice occasional missed strokes; so the thumb pick gets tossed. I replace the thumb pick about once per month.
Although the opinions are not unanimous, I received one personal message that said that hitting the fretboard is normal, and no big deal. I guess that was the answer I really wanted to hear in the first place. And as Dana said, it gives the guitar some character.
In looking at the string marks left on my thumb pick, I am digging down pretty far as I pick. The marks go almost to 3/4 of an inch on the leading edge. I'm primarily a palm blocker, but I suspect that depth of marking is caused by the pick-blocking because I don't ever hit the fretboard when palm-blocking.
I can't say whether digging deep hurts or help my tone. |
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Dana Blodgett
From:
California, USA
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Posted 11 Dec 2011 11:10 am pick blocking
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I use Dunlop (l)thumbpicks and Pro-pics for the fingers on my old Sho-Bud. I'm by no means an expert on the subject but I'm thinking you are probably diggin' in a little to get good tone and if it works for you, and I've seen a few of your videos that it does, keep on doin it.
I've heard it said a few times before to "Pick hard" when it comes to achieving good tone.
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Dana Blodgett
From Los Osos,Ca.
'74 ShoBud 6140 3+4, Martins HD28,D-12-28, D-15,'65 Gibson LG-1, '77 Gibson Les Paul special dbl cut p-90's, Les Paul Special p-100's,Les paul Special Hybrid(maple top) hbkr's,'68 Fender Strat reissue, Fender Squire Jazz bass,Epi mandolin,Epi Wilshire '66 reissue, Kamaka Concert uke, 70's Kamaka Soprano Uke, Fender Super amp, Ampeg ba112 bass amp,60's harmony banjo,'00 Gibson SG Supreme |
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Jim Hollingsworth
From:
Way out West
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Posted 11 Dec 2011 4:10 pm
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Hi Paul,
After I read your post I went to the studio & checked it out on my guitar. I use National & Zookies thumb picks and don't bottom out - even if I try! And I rest the side of my thumb on the strings when in position. I agree with the consensus - try a pick with a shorter paddle on it.
Jim |
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