Plastic finger picks

Joe Alterio · From: Irvington, Indiana

I have noticed that whenever I switch to my Stratocaster, I must remove the metal finger picks off my hands and either put on plastic ones (or none at all). Why? The metal on metal is way too noisy and "scrapes".....and when I pick block, the metal on metal noise is a nuisance.

I noticed that the scraping isn't much of an issue when I play steel (due to the angle of my pick attack vs. when I play 6-string guitar). But, as far as pick-blocking goes, metal picks are quite noisy in that regard when playing steel. I find that the plastic ones are much quieter.

My problem, though, is that it is near impossible to find plastic finger picks, and the ones that I have are way too thick.

Do any of you favor plastic finger picks and if so, what do you use and where do you buy them?

Thanks!

Joe

Travis Bernhardt · From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

I think most people use the Dunlops, but I don't really know who else even makes plastic fingerpicks, so that might not be much help.

Keep in mind that you can reshape the plastic fingerpicks by dipping them in hot water and bending them. I've never done it, but I think Eric West has done it with his plastic thumbpicks, so you could ask him for details, or do a search.

-Travis

Larry Robbins · From: Fort Edward, New York

Joe,
I grow the nails on my right hand out just far enough to pick my Strat but,not too long as to get in the way of my fingerpicks when I play steel..After a while you get used to the slightly longer nail length and it doesn't bother you at all.

Ron ! · Posted 10 Nov 2004 2:10 am

Travis.

Indeed you can dip them in hot water and bend them.But after you have done this you should hold them in that position for a while or they will fold back to their original shape.Or cool them down with some cold water.

Joe.
I think dunlop still makes the one that you are talking about.You are right about the thickness.Way to thick.
Maybe do some filing.I know of a guy that uses his plectrum when he still has his fingerpicks on.
Maybe that's worth a try.

Ron

Nikaro SD10 4x6

John Walden · From: Simi Valley, California, USA

Joe, I've been playing my LeGrande III for about a year now, and I too am a guitar player. I've gotten used to using my finger nails on my right hand as finger picks. I have acrilic put on the nails, and sculpt them to work for me for guitar and for steel. They are nice and thick and about 3/16"+ past the meat of the finger. It may not be quite the tone that metal picks get, but it feels natural and it does work for both instruments. I do use a thumb pick as well. Good luck
J.W.

Joe Alterio · From: Irvington, Indiana

I just can't use my fingers/nails....I'm too used to a pick to change. I'm am really quite surprised that there are few plastic finger picks out there, especially considering that the majority of thumb picks are plastic.

One forumite wrote me that he has finger picks that are metal but plastic coated (he mentioned Red Raja)...do they make them?

Joe

Joe Alterio · From: Irvington, Indiana

Still looking.....

Randy Reeves · From: LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA

I have owned my SHO-BUD for almost one year. two weeks ago I finally got it set up. one could say that I am a new player, dispite that Ive played electric and acoustic guitar for 38 years.

I have burned through Bobby's beginner video in three days.
In that time I have realized I like the softer sound from my plastic thumb pick. I dont like the harsh sound from th metal finger picks.
I took them off and use my fingernails now. I like the sound. it's mellower and softer. .
I took the PSG out last week to a jam. I found when accompanying a little treble helps cut through the mix.
I left the metal picks at home and so, boosted the treble on my amp. things were fine, except that my playing needs about forty years experience.

[This message was edited by Randy Reeves on 13 December 2004 at 09:43 AM.]

Joe Alterio · From: Irvington, Indiana

Certainly SOMEONE uses plastic finger picks? I'm mainly a pick blocker, and that metal *ping* that I constantly hear when blocking strings is bothersome. I'd really like to find some thin, quality plastic fingerpicks....

Joe

Ron Randall · From: Dallas, Texas, USA

Joe,
Here are a couple of leads. Bob Brozman uses plastic finger picks. Gibson? I have a couple I bought to try. BB uses them on slide blues because they are LOUD.
Alaska picks have an interesting concept that may suit your purpose. These are plastic, small, and can be shaped or trimmed.
Another concept is ProPick. It is a metal finger pick that has metal only where your finger nail is.

Try Elderly instruments, or the back pages of Acoustic Guitar magazine.

good luck

Rich Weiss · From: Woodland Hills, CA, USA

I like Pro Piks, but I've been curious about using plastic picks for a long time. It would be interesting to hear a sound somewhere between the fingers, and metal fingerpicks. A softer, but solid sound.

I wonder if it would be possible to take regular finger picks and give them a teflon coating. How would one go about doing that?

Ron Randall · From: Dallas, Texas, USA

Buy the Red Rajah finger picks.

Cody Johnson · From: Cleveland, TN

Don't you sacrifice some tone when using plastic finger picks?

Bryan Bradfield · From: Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.

Cody - I am not being a smartie-pants, but I went to plastic finger picks to ACQUIRE some tone. I made the change several years ago, after watching & hearing a player who used glued on acrylic finger nails. His tone was wonderful; however, I did not want to make the total life style commitment that these permanent picks required, so I went to plastic finger picks. I've never used metal picks since then.

John Bechtel · From: Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.

If you modify some of the Amp.–EQ, the metal pick-noise should ease up.

------------------
“Big John” Bechtel
’49/’50 Fender T–8 Custom
’65 Re-issue Fender Twin-Reverb Custom™ 15”
click here click here

Gary Shepherd · From: Fox, Oklahoma, USA

I think I can get you some plastic ones if you don't find them anywhere else. Send me an email.

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Gary Shepherd

Sierra Session D-10

www.16tracks.com

Cody Johnson · From: Cleveland, TN

I was just asking if it affected tone....I thought the only reason a plastic thumb pick was used instead of metal was to keep the noise of the metal on a wound string down. I've heard other players say that metal fingerpicks sound better. I've never tried plastic ones.

Joe Alterio · From: Irvington, Indiana

One thing I've noticed is that if you are playing a song with many open strings (Steel Guitar Rag, B. Bowman Bop) you can forget about pick blocking with metal picks. With no other mass (e.g. bar) on the strings when pick blocking, you get a horrendous ringing from the metal picks stopping the metal string....and the metal string obviously doesn't come to a stand still immediately, instead ringing/buzzing against your picks.

I have been practicing B. Bowman Bop quite a bit, and it has been forcing me to learn palm blocking, my major deficiency. Good thing, I guess....

I did find out that the Red Rajah picks are "powder coated" and do not alter tone. Does anyone have these and can explain if the powder will get rid of the metal-on-metal annoyance?

Gary, check your e-mail!

Joe

Richard Shelley · From: Denver, CO, USA

In addition to using the hot water technique to reshape plastic finger picks, a little sandpaper & steel wool is also useful for thinning the thicker ones down. The right pick for the right job can make a heckuva difference.

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