The Steel Guitar Forum

wondering if anyone has a problem of finger picks coming loose? I played pedal steel back in mid 80s and don,t remember it being a issue,,now that I started playing again my 2 Dunlop picks always seem to want to slid off,,not thumb pick the other steel picks,, I tried using eye glass nose pads,, that helps but does not solve it,,any ideas?? thanks

Try www.sticky-picks.com Made by steel guitarist Wayne Hobbs...Great Stuff

I use clear nail polish on the insides of my picks.

Lick your finger before you put them on... no joke...

Just be mindful of where your fingers have been before you lick them!!

I started using Heat Shrink Tubing back in the 80's and
that's all I've ever used and still use it today. Very easy
to install with a hair dryer, and it usually lasts 2-3 years.
It makes the picks stay on, and feel very comfortable.

I used fingernail polish remover for years...you get it in a little tub with foam and polish remover filling the entire inside of the little tub...it removes the oils from you finger’s and works pretty well, until you take them off and forget and lick your fingers...The Sticky Picks works really well and if you do take your picks off and then re-lick your fingers to put them back on, it sort of reactivates and they still “Stick” to you picks and fingers really well.

I take a rat tail file and ruff up the inside, making sure to make scars that are 90º to the direction of your finger.

Larry Welter wrote:wondering if anyone has a problem of finger picks coming loose? I played pedal steel back in mid 80s and don,t remember it being a issue,,now that I started playing again my 2 Dunlop picks always seem to want to slid off,,not thumb pick the other steel picks,, I tried using eye glass nose pads,, that helps but does not solve it,,any ideas?? thanks

Larry, Everybody's fingers are shaped a little differently. I've always spent a few minutes reshaping the bands of new fingerpicks with a needle-nose pliers so that they fit each finger like a little glove. Doing just that helps them stay on better and make them more comfortable.

I then attach two halves of an eyeglass nose pad on the inside of each pick, right where the pick-band crosses over my fingernail grooves. This prevents inflammation, allows the pick-band to fit very comfortably-- and keeps the picks from sliding around.

Personally I don't like Dunlops because I've found that the flared tops of the pick-bands bump into each other, and loosen the fingerpicks. I used to flatten the flaring, but finally just switched to "Roy's Own" fingerpicks (made from the same alloy used by the legendary old Nationals), and available online for only about $10 a pair. Better tone and crisper than any other fingerpick I've tried.

-Dave

in my opinion you shouldn't have to modify a pick to make it work. dunlops and propiks are comfy but not strong enough to grip tight for battle. heavy
nationals, jeff newman's (jf) and the ones with the year (1984??..haven't seen them for awhile)) are the best for solid gripping. you have to clamp them down tightly and then play alot to get used to them. then they are fine.
steel playing isn't for sissies!

I havnt had a problem since i started using JF picks, i have to to pull them off when im done with them cause they are on that good. The old nat i have i could turn my fingers upside down and bump them with my thumb and and they would just fall off. No licking fingers for me.

Just as Chris says and I use Jeff Newman's picks and there is no problem with them at all; in fact they are styled for good picking . JAMES TAYLOR

just want to thank you guys for some great info regarding finger picks,,,

1941 Showcase cobalts. The best for tone, no slip, slick finish, fit and comfort. They last forever. Exspensive but worth it. I purchase mine from Elderly Instruments on the net.

Coat the inside with contact cement and let it dry. Polish the playing end with some fine jewelers rouge and a Dremel buffer.

(my second-favorite buffer incidentally.)

Best regards,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024

Every time I use rouge on a Dremel buffer, I burn the rouge. I don't know if that's a problem, but it damn sure turns burnt black.

I just squeeze them real tight. Walk around with them for a few days, as many hours as possible. After a few day it won't hurt anymore

I like the heat shrink option. Here's a couple of pics of Dunlops with heat shrink. I swapped to Nationals last year and use the same technique with heat shrink on them, but without the join in the middle.

It's more comfortable over time and they don't slip.

I bought a dozen set of picks with powder coated sleeves from Andy Hinton before he passed.

Doug Rolfe is making them now.

Tommy White wrote:1941 Showcase cobalts. The best for tone, no slip, slick finish, fit and comfort. They last forever. Exspensive but worth it. I purchase mine from Elderly Instruments on the net.

Nice to see I am doing something right. I have been using these for years and also get them from Elderly.

I live about 40 miles from Elderly music and go there for stuff sometimes . It is an old school house converted and is great to look around in. Be careful you might see lots of things you can't live without

Lane Gray wrote:Every time I use rouge on a Dremel buffer, I burn the rouge. I don't know if that's a problem, but it damn sure turns burnt black.

That's black's not the rouge, it's actually particles of the metal you're polishing. The abrasive removes particles of metal that are too small to reflect light, so they appear black. Therefore, any metal you polish with an abrasive polishing compound (even gold) produces the same black residue. Many players think this is just "dirt" coming off when they're polishing their endplates as vigorous hand polishing produces the same black residue.

I've used national picks for over 30 years,these are quite thick,about 25 thousandths I believe and I do not have a problem with loose picks.
Jeff Newman always said if your finger picks hurt then they are on just right,works for me.

I also use the Showcase 1941's like Tommy said. Never had a problem with them slipping. Feel great, sound great and can't see any wear at all.

Or you could ask your fiddle player if you can "look" at his cake of rosin.