Heavy finger picks - oh what a difference!

Brandon Schafer · Post by **Brandon Schafer** » 2 Sep 2013 6:47 pm

Today I switched up to .0225 from the .018 finger picks I've been using since I decided I had to walk away from bare fingers (about 1 year ago). I never would have guessed what a big deal it was to enhance my tone and rudimentary pick blocking.

As a guy who has been gigging steadily for a little under a year, this breakthrough, though probably not a big deal to many, has really excited me! I wanted to share because I figure there are other guys who may be newer to the instrument who would not know it made a noticable difference. I wouldn't have known myself before this evening!

What gauges of finger picks are the rest of you guys using?

Jeff Metz Jr. · Post by **Jeff Metz Jr.** » 2 Sep 2013 11:57 pm

What brand did you go to and from? I believe I am currently using .018's myself. You mentioned pick blocking. Do you find it critical to really 'dig in' to pick block properly? Its the only way I can pick block consistantly.

Daniel Policarpo · Post by **Daniel Policarpo** » 3 Sep 2013 12:16 am

Interesting. I've been at it a year. At first I used the Dunlop .15, but then quickly moved up to .18 on the index and .20 on the middle. I tried the ACRI's which are nice and thick, sounded great actually, but my fingers would get sweaty, so I considered drilling holes in the sides there, but meanwhile just went back to the Dunlops. They fit like an old glove and sounded fine, and I forgot about it.

I remember reading Jeff Newman recommended .22 gauge or .25 and I think about how full those higher strings sounded with the heavy ACRI's. Maybe I'll pick up a set of heavier Dunlops and give em a whirl. Stay with nickel/steel or try brass? Any difference in sound there?

Brandon Schafer · Post by **Brandon Schafer** » 3 Sep 2013 9:04 am

I have been and am currently using regular old Dunlops since they're commonly available. Never tried any other brand or ones made of any other material at this point. It may be something to investigate.

Jeff - I have found it does make pick blocking easier. I don't have to "dig in" as hard to effectively and quickly deaden the vibration of the strings. It's surprising how much more effective at pick blocking the .0225's are for my playing.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 3 Sep 2013 9:44 am

If you're gonna use differing gauges picks on different fingers, I'd suggest putting the heavier one on the index finger. The stiffer metal compensates for the slightly weaker finger

Malcolm McMaster · Post by **Malcolm McMaster** » 3 Sep 2013 11:21 am

I prefer Nationals, they don't have the lip on them that tends to catch the string below the way the Dunlops do.On a course with Jeff Newman he told us "thin picks -thin sound", and recommend the Nationals, this was prior to doing his own.

Daniel Policarpo · Post by **Daniel Policarpo** » 3 Sep 2013 3:59 pm

Lane, that sounds about right. I had my reasons for going the other way, but I can't remember them now.

I think I might try a set of the Newmans. One thing I like about the Dunlops is that you can find them anywhere.

Either way going up in gauge makes sense, as well as getting a matched pair of picks.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 3 Sep 2013 4:15 pm

.025's sound and grip best to me.

Jack Hanson · Post by **Jack Hanson** » 3 Sep 2013 4:42 pm

Have used the Dunlop .025 fingerpicks since I started. I've tried the lighter ones, and they just don't cut it for me. They don't hold their shape as well, they tend to fly off my fingers, and they don't sound as good to my ear.

Jack Ritter · Post by **Jack Ritter** » 3 Sep 2013 5:29 pm

I also like the Dunlop .025 and Newman's JF's. I get better tone and a better contact feel on the strings with them. Jack

Howard Smith · Post by **Howard Smith** » 3 Sep 2013 5:54 pm

I agree Brandon....I was using Nationals, and finally switched over to the Accri's. Big difference.....I wish I'd found them a long time ago.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 3 Sep 2013 7:14 pm

the picks that ended up in my dobro bag are nationals...feel beefy like .025's. all these picks have for markings is the word national...no gauge or anything else. they are great but i don't know where i got them. i imagine they're newer than my others.

Mule Ferguson · Post by **Mule Ferguson** » 5 Sep 2013 6:20 am

Daniel: Acri has a bronze with 5 holes they also come in colors (Colours for our cross the pond friends). I love these picks.

Calvin Walley · Post by **Calvin Walley** » 5 Sep 2013 1:54 pm

i have been using showcase 1941s for over 10 years
they are good heavy picks
( I think they are 25 gage) but they are much better than the thin gage picks

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 10 Sep 2013 5:56 pm

Showcase 1941 picks. They are the bomb. Real German nickle/silver. 0.025 only

Rick Myrland · Post by **Rick Myrland** » 10 Sep 2013 6:44 pm

"If you're gonna use differing gauges picks on different fingers, I'd suggest putting the heavier one on the index finger. The stiffer metal compensates for the slightly weaker finger"

The index is a weaker finger? This seem antithetical and I wouldn't say universal, so players may want to experiment a bit. They don't call it a trigger finger for no reason!

Bill Cunningham · Post by **Bill Cunningham** » 10 Sep 2013 7:03 pm

Showcase 1941 is the only way to go for me. YMMV.

Larry Bressington · Post by **Larry Bressington** » 11 Sep 2013 6:35 pm

Resopik was the most comfortable for me, As you don't get the hang nail Which I have had with Dunlops... I always do one Bronz and one silver , that way you know which one goes on which finger.

Clete Ritta · Post by **Clete Ritta** » 11 Sep 2013 7:16 pm

I use Dunlop .025 gauge for both fingers. Bought a .015 once by mistake which was way too flexible. Besides the softer pick blade, the tabs bend too easily and dont hold as well.