The Steel Guitar Forum

Just idle curiosity. It's very nice when you keep the same fingerpicks used on the same fingers for a good long while. I always manage to loose or destroy mine. What is the longest period you have continued to use the same set of finger picks?

20 Years. But then I haven't played much in the last 10. Takes me a while to break 'em in.

Charlie

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1973 Emmons P/P

I heard a rumor that Buddy Charleton is still using the same National finger picks that he used on the road with Earnest Tubbs.

I've had the same Nationals for a long time. But I have a set I keep with my second guitar, which migrates between the office and our second home, and I don't have any trouble going between them. And another set I tend to use with my Sho-Bro and non-peadal. Thumpicks I go through a little quicker, and have made some changes over the years.

My finger picks tend to last a long time, unless I lose one and some one steps on it before I can retrieve it!! lol.. [it's happened]
Thumb picks? About a year,maybe a little longer then I wear a hook on the end of it, then I give it to a friend and he files it down and uses it with his flat top, [no waste here!] lol..

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Emmons S/D-10, 3/5, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

I have a set of National old silver picks that I had since 1936. they are wore so paper thin that I don't use them anymore..al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

I have had the same two Nationals for about 13 years. They have been everywhere with me.

I have spares but I have never used them.

I'm really particular about my finger picks and I cut a small notch in one so I can tell quickly in low light which is which. I just broke in new pair of Dunlop .025's and it takes me quite a while with a pair of needle-nose pliers shielded with a soft cloth to bend them exactly the way I want them. The old ones aren't worn out but I decided to have another pair ready in case I lose one. I noticed something that struck me as curious when I got looking closely at the old pair: they have a perfect fingerprint on the inside. The finish is worn off down to the brass and the fingerprints are permanently etched on there....clear as a bell. I always wear the same pick on the same finger but I'd have thought that between putting them on slightly differently and them moving a bit on there they couldn't develop such a clear print. But they did and if anyone doubts it I can take pics and prove it I know...too much time on my hands. (and possibly too much acid) <font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Bill Miller on 20 March 2006 at 11:23 AM.]</p></FONT>

I've been using the same set for 10 years, but I keep buying more "just in case".

It's funny this topic came up today ...

I was just on the phone with Fran Newman about getting some new picks. A friend of mine tried them on this weekend, and lost two of them! (I had four total, two were spares)

I had the same set of picks for 30 years, and the knothead had 'em for less than 30 minutes and lost 2 of them. I am so pissed off!!

Anyway, I asked Fran if they still sold Nationals like Jeff used to tell his students to use. She told me that Jeffran has their own brand, and has had for a lot of years.

Jeez, then I realized I had my picks since I met the Newman's in 1975, and I hadn't bought any from them since. I used to play six nights a week, and still had the same picks.

Hey, everybody ... call Fran up and buy a new set of picks from her. If for no other reason to say hello to such a terrific lady!

I sure miss Jeff, and the call to Fran really brightened my day.

May God bless ...

Jim

I use Kyser fingerpicks for 5-string banjo & dobro as well as pedal steel, I also recently tried the "Pro-Pic" brass fingerpicks on the steel which have a slight angle off-centre - they also have a little different tone, which I like. They are more comfortable on the fingers, as they are "split" across the front, and are easier to fit. Janet Davis Music has a great assortment of finger picks, including "Vintage" & "Retro" style.

Been using Nationals for 11 years. Break my back ups in at home.

Using the same set since I started on the lapsteel when I was 6.Hmmmmmmm.....only 32 years ago.I'm using Nationals....In my eyes the best picks ever made.
I have all kinds of picks but I still keep going back to the same set I broke in a long long time ago.

Ron

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Hello Billy,
I just have a big bowl of them. After a while they just don't seem to fit right and I put them back in the bowl. I just try on a few other ones until I find the ones that seem to fit whatever size my fingers seem to be and play them until they just don't seem to fit right then I repeat the first part. I seem to have kept the same thumb pick forever, though. If it ever is lost I suppose I'll have to sell all my equipment.
Duncan

7 years on the set of Jeff Newman picks I have now. When I was using Nationals, they would always break on the band where the holes are. Could maybe get a year out of Nationals.

Does anyone use anything other than Nationals, or Jeff Newman's brand?

<SMALL>Does anyone use anything other than Nationals, or Jeff Newman's brand?</SMALL>

Of course. There are Dunlops, ProPicks, Kyser, various plastic ones, and lots of reissues of old Nationals that aren't really Nationals, and some people don't use picks at all. I have a large assortment of picks that I use for steel. I use slightly lighter Dunlops for guitar.

I've got the same picks I bought when I first started playing, I keep a set (in my pack-a-seat) for back up in case I lose these, or if someone wants to sit in on a gig. Cardinal rule, "nobody" uses my picks.

23 years with my nationals and blue thumb pick. I think they'll last a good while longer. Also, same Emmons D-10, Sho-Bud Pack A Seat and the same delay.

The only "new" stuff I purchased recently is Brads Steel Guitar Black Box (Can I get an AMEN!) and a vintage Session 400 with a JBL.

Someday, I may get some "newer" stuff that's only 10 years old...

I favor the lighter gauge Dunlops. They fit good and are easy to shape to the finger.
Erv

I used nothing but Nationals for many years. I bought some Pro Pic's when they first came out and loved them. To me, they fit and feel just like the old Nationals, only they are already bent to just the right angle.

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Lee, from South Texas
Down On The Rio Grande

Mullen U-12, Evans FET-500, Fender Steel King

I've used Jeff Newmans Diamond Rings for several years. YOu don't have to reshape the curved blade (at least I don't). Just leave it as is. As for Jeffs thumb picks I'm not crazy about. They're good for a few months, then the plastic starts rubbing off and they start to drag on the strings. You can even see the plastic dust on your fretboard after a nights playing. My favorite thumb pick is the Zookies. It will last forever. I like the M10. It's shaped just right for me. Don.


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Mullen D10-8/5
Sho-Bud LDG SD10-3/4
Evans FET 500 Nashville 112
"Making The Stars Shine"


<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Don Ricketson on 21 March 2006 at 08:49 PM.]</p></FONT>

Not to change the subject ... I've had the same picks for 30 years, some of you have too.

Did you keep and use the same bar too?

When I used Nationals, I got 4 or 5 years before they would wear too much (front left of tip)... now my plastic picks wear out in a year or too.


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Dave Wren
'95Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; Twin Session 500s; Hilton Pedal; Black Box
www.ameechapman.com