The Steel Guitar Forum

Help, I would like to hear how some of you keep your finger picks from coming off while you are playing. Some time when it is warm and/or humid, I spend a great deal of time jamming my picks back on my fingers.

Thanks,

Ol' Fred

I find a moment to quickly jam my fingertips agains my right thigh whenever they begin to loosen up, it's just part of the gig.

Sounds like you might not have em fit right in the first place. What brand are you using? If you're using Nationals, try Dunlops, they have a little flair where it slides over your finger and fit very nice. They also come in gauges (thickness of the metal used).
regards, johnny

I saw Ralph Mooney in Tulsa spray a little bit of hairspray on his fingertips. I haven't tried it because my picks seem to stay on OK, but it's an idea.

Try fiddle rosin.

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1969 ZB Custom D10, BMI S10, 1981 Peavy Musician Mark III, 15 Inch Black Widow, custom enclosure

I've thought about trying some of this after a couple of HOT gigs and loss of picks:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/fg=141/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/428010/

I just stick my fingers in my mouth then slide the picks on . I never lose one that way.

Fiddle rosin finds its way onto the strings. OK for a fiddle but not for steel.
Gene Jones advised I use GlueStick. The stuff you use to stick paper together, but not permanently. School kids use them in art class, etc. At the grocery store in school supplies. Works for me.

Ron

That's why I like the Guptil Pro-pik with the double loop. They seem to stay on much better.
Cheers,
Alan Shank

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm gonna give them a whirl.

Ol' Fred

I use some stuff from John Pearse called "Pick Stuff" ....... it's a bit like a little pottle of rosin, or that stuff that bowlers use to get a good grip in their balls !! (pun unintended)

Eyeglass nosepad cushions. Get 'em at any Walgreen.



<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Michael Holland on 20 July 2005 at 03:00 PM.]</p></FONT>

I keep a dispenser of clear scotch tape, 3/4" wide, and use a small piece of tape and tape the top flange of the pick just up to my first knuckle. I have used this method for years and it works wihtout a fault. I never lose a pick while playing.

Buck, I am trying what you said and I'm having trouble getting my picks in my mouth after I have placed my fingers in there. Is there a trick or particular sequence that one must use in order to do this? Fred

Buck has the right ideal, I put my fingers in my mouth then put picks on while fingers are wet. Works great, I never have lost a pick since I started doing this. Hope this helps. Leon

There is a product that guitar players use called "Gorilla Snot" (really!), works very well.

John Pearse High Rider picks. They have been around for a few years. Try them. They fit a little higher on your finger.(almost to the first knuckle)......

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I'd rather be opinionated, than apathetic!

OK now listen! I've had this problem for many years! I've tried all the above methods, Gorilla Snot, double sided scotch tape, picks dipped in liquid plastic, sandpaper glued to the inside of picks, artificial finger nail tabs & etc, Theres only one thing that works, & it works great, get some Fiddle Rosin at any Music Store $5 > scrape the inside bottom of your picks until the rosin powders onto the inside of the pick! End of Story! au

I have been at it for well over 30 years.
I don't have a problem keeping my finger
picks on. I use a pair of needle nose plyers
and bend the picks untill they percisely fit
my fingers. I file a notch in the pick that
that goes on my first finger. The same pick
goes on the same finger every time. I use
the old National picks.

Hey Fred, I have had very good luck using the "Elmers School Glue Stick", same thing kids use in school. Just touch the stick to the fingers and it does the trick. You can find these where ever school supplies are found. I found this tip on this Forum a few years ago. Try it, you'll like it for sure.
Justin

I find a mouse pad to be the perfect surface for "jamming my picks back on my fingers."

It protects the picks, and is still stiff enough to get the job done. Also, mark your picks and always use the same pick on the same finger. lrh

The showcase 1941 work for me. They seem to be shaped a little different than the others I've used. Once I get them fitted right they stay on fine. I think I have been using the same ones for about 4 years now.

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Bob
My Website

Go to wal mart and buy a bottle of new skin, put it on the inside of the pick and it will not slide off, replace when needed.
You will find this works.

ernie

I use a suggestion acquired from an earlier thread on this topic, i.e., I use a dowel and a pipe clamp to bend the sides of the picks into a graduated round shape around the dowel. This causes the sides of the picks to come into greater contact w/ my fingers causing them to stay on better. Another thing that helps is to use rubbing alcohol to remove oil residue deposited by your fingers inside your picks. Just my humble opinion. ...lefty

I wrap friction tape around where the finger grip ends come together over my cuticles. In addition to keeping the picks stuck on well, it cushions my cuticles and feels way better. A little black stuff comes off on your fingers the first few times you use the picks, but that soon stops and the tape stays tacky a long time. Once the tape is on there, you never have to worry about applying something repeatedly when you put your picks on. I guess the nose pads are about the same, but the tape covers a bigger area, including the gap, and just seems handier to keep on hand and apply to new picks.