The Steel Guitar Forum

There have been many posts regarding how players keep their picks from slipping off their fingers. Well I have been struggling with this for 25 years. I read how guys wet the fingers. I read about foam pads inside the picks. I even tried a small grinding tool to rough up the inside of the picks which actually helped a little. Well my daughter suggested that I use fiddle rosin. Guys "IT WORKS"! I bought a little chunk of rosin at the local fiddle store and used my pocket knife to scrape the powder off the block. I then put a little of the powder on my fingers where the picks go. Well after a couple of songs I had to pull the picks off my fingers. They were stuck like glue. Holy Mackerel! Such a simple fix for a lifelong problem. Try it guys,it will amaze you how it works............. <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Ron Sodos on 12 February 2005 at 12:18 PM.]</p></FONT>

Ron: Every time this subject has come up I have tried to say that, Fiddle Rosin is the only way to go. believe me, I've tried everything! I scrape the rosin onto the inside of the picks & I'm set for the nite! au<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Al Udeen on 12 February 2005 at 02:34 PM.]</p></FONT>

Seeing how I have been accused of screeching around on a fiddle now and then I always have a supply of coliform. Look it up in the dictionary.

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First, if you are using any kind of hand lotion on your hands (in the soap or just the lotion), it can cause your fingers to be too slippery. I always washed my hands with Lava soap (no lotion in that) before and during a playing job. Never had any pick slippage.

Many years ago, when I was playing in western Oklahoma, we would wash our hands with the clear alum chunk that you could get at local drug store. This kept our hands dry.

Thanx,
Jim

Lynn Owsley carries a pack of chewing tobacco and asked me if I wanted to dip my picking fingers in it. He uses that to keep the picks from slipping off.

when I see a spruce tree I look for oozing sap, most of the time it is already hard, I boil it to a liquid, strain it and let the hot sap harden and pulverize it to a powder, put it in a 35 MM film container and wet my fingertips and stick my fingers in the container. I used fiddle rosin but this has a little more tack to it<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by jim milewski on 12 February 2005 at 04:20 PM.]</p></FONT>

Curly Chalker used to soak the tips of his pick fingers in a glass of coca-cola, then put his picks on. I guess the sticky, sugary, syrup sort of acted as a bonding agent to his fingers. I've not tried it, but I guess it's sure worth a try.

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Try a product called (believe it or not) Gorilla Snot. It's a "pasty" material that looks a lot like an ointment of some kind (actually, it's a biodegradable rosin) and it comes in a little plastic jar. A lot of large music stores carry it. Musician's Friend has it for $2.99. Just touch one of your fingers to it and rub your fingers together. An application will last through a complete gig, and it washes off with a little soap and water. A jar of it will last months -- maybe even years -- depending on how often you play.
Musician's Friend: Gorilla Snot

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<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR=BLACK><P ALIGN=left>Visit my Web Site at RoysFootprints.com
Browse my Photo Album and be sure to sign my Guest Book.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Roy Ayres on 12 February 2005 at 05:32 PM.]</p></FONT>

Ralph Mooney uses hair spray. Jody.

I would take that cloth medical tape,
and put it on the inside of the picks, then trim it,
Feels fine and has a nice grip.

I also have some pics from ISGC that have plastic heat shrink tubing from electronics work on the grip parts, this seems to work well too.

I use "Pick Stuff" from John Pearse Strings, which is a bit like fiddle rosin- it does the job of keeping your picks on brilliantly.

Actually just licking your fingers before you put the picks on does the same thing. Try it.

Your local bowling alley should have little jugs of pro-grip. That is what I use. Keeps the bowling ball on my fingers too.

I use John Pearse Hi-Riders and have never had a problem with picks coming off, even on a warm evening. They set higher on the finger than the finger tip style I used to use. JM

What I've been doing lately is get a lemon or lime wedge from the bartender and rub it on your fingertips before you put the picks on. Works as good as anything else.

I've always used spit.Always handy,always worked.
Brendan

spit, bow rosin and a hint of lime juice... yum!

tried 'em all

bow rosin & spit together are the most reliable but the lime juice tastes better...


"put the lime in the coconut, drink 'em both together..."

for a while I was looking for that tacky stuff NFL receivers allegedly used, in a spray can, but I never found any. Or the stuff bikini models allegedly use to keep scant garb in correct locations...<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 14 February 2005 at 12:22 PM.]</p></FONT>

I have tried to use spit and it works for a song or so. Then they slip off again. Ever since I started using rosin it works for the entire set.....

Spit works pretty well for me. I don't have any Gorilla Snot but I do have a pretty bad cold.....

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Howard, 'Les Paul Recording, Zum S12U, Vegas 400, Boss ME-5, Boss DM-3
http://www.Charmedmusic.com

Go to your local sports store and buy a bag of resin that baseball pitchers use, does the same as fiddle resin, it comes in a bag about the size of a hardball. The only problem with it is that it is white and you don't want to wear dark pants and wipe your hands on them.

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If You Keep Pickin That Thing, It'll Never Heal!

I work construction doing a lot of concrete work and tile grouting, so I have to constantly put lotion on my hands to keep the skin on my fingers from cracking. Very bad for keeping finger picks on. On an earlier thread on this subject someone suggested ELMERS School Glue Stick. Is about the size of my steel bar & works great.

I you want to add comfort to that security, try the pick pads. They're eyeglass nosepad cushions and are available at Walgreen's.

Just try the John Pearse High Riders. Give your self a little time to get used to the feel. You will wonder why you went so long before trying them. Truly innovative. IMHO.

I like that eye glass pad idea. Picks really hurt, especially fist thing in the morning<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Chris Schlotzhauer on 15 February 2005 at 08:14 AM.]</p></FONT>

I have been reading about this problem and my dad Chubby Howard has the answer the Chubby Howard no slip picks and they will not fall off!!! no sponge or rosin. they are $6.00 a pair mailed they are national or kyser picks. call 937-746-4444. or e-mail me.