Paul Franklin Signature National Picks

[Tom Spaulding]

Developed in collaboration with the legendary steel guitar player, the Paul Franklin Signature National Fingerpick is a game-changer for fingerpicking.

Forged with the same nickel-plated brass as vintage picks, this signature model was modified to Paul’s exact specifications, designed to deliver a modern twist on a tried-and-true design.

The smooth blade allows you to play deeper into the strings, where rich tones live, delivering increased volume, control, and clarity in every touch.

Paul Franklin National Picks

[Ricky Davis]

[Jack Hanson]

I switched to .025 Dunlops almost a half century ago after Nationals became harder to find than a snowman in Death Valley. What is the thickness of the new Nationals? If the specs are listed by D'Addario, I can't find 'em.

[Lee Baucum]

Forged with the same nickel-plated brass as vintage picks...

Were the early National fingerpicks nickel-plated brass?

I thought they've always been made of some sort of nickel silver alloy or "German silver".

I love my old Nationals.

[Bill McCloskey]

How do these differ from the national NP2 picks Paul has been playing and promoting for years? Are they they same, just a "signature" model?

[Bill McCloskey]

NP2SS are $8.99 for a 4 pack

NP2-04PF are $21.99 for a 4 pack.

I love Paul but I need more than his signature to pay 2 1/2 times the price. Others may find it worth it.

[Tom Spaulding]

NP2SS-04 are stainless steel. They are $8.99 for four.

NP2-04 are nickel and are $17.99 for four.

Paul’s picks are nickel.

[Bill McCloskey]

"NP2-04 are nickel and are $17.99 for four." How are they different from the Paul's nickel picks which sell for $4 more.

https://www.daddario.com/products/acces ... -4%20pack/

[Greg Cutshaw]

One obvious difference is that the NP2-04's have a hole in the pick extension that contacts the string the the NP2-04PF's do not have. If you play deeper into the strings, the PF model does have the hole contacting the string.

[Ricky Davis]

I just ordered my Paul Franklin Nationals "Nickle"....yeeeeehaaaaa...gotta have IT!!
Ricky

[Bill McCloskey]

Ah, great. a noticeable difference. Thanks Greg. That is interesting. I hadn't noticed the hole vs no hole. I don't think any of my picks don't have a small hole. Any thoughts on why there was a hole to begin with and any ideas on how having no hole would affect playing?

[Bill McCloskey]

Okay, I ordered a set.

the hole versus no hole was enough of a differentiator for me to spend the money. I'll be curious to see the difference between having no hole in the pick versus flat.

[Greg Cutshaw]

Unless you pick really deep into the strings, I don't think the hole will make much of a difference. Some "pick" blockers may actually impact the inside of the hole as they use their fingertips to mute.

[Bill McCloskey]

Oh, I already tried. The hole doesn't get even close to the strings. But I did notice that the hole seemed to create a bit more curvager to the blade than the no hole ones had. and since I pick on the sides of the pick, that might make a difference. We'll see.

[Lee Baucum]

NP2SS-04 are stainless steel. They are $8.99 for four.

NP2-04 are nickel and are $17.99 for four.

Paul’s picks are nickel.

The product description mentions nickel-plated brass.

I'm curious to know if that's correct.

It has been speculated that the old National finger picks were made from a rare, unidentified alloy from a planetary visitor to Roswell, New Mexico.



~Lee

[Tom Spaulding]

Nickel-plated brass is correct.

[Clark Connell]

Where are you guys ordering these from???

[Tom Spaulding]

Original post has link to D’Addario website. You can purchase them direct.

[Bill McCloskey]

Okay, they came today. Just tried them. The immediately felt good right out of the box and seem to have a better picking angle, especially on my ring finger (I play with 3 finger picks). The blade seems to have a bit more surface area and they feel really nice and really smooth. Below is the NP2's Paul's been playing (in brass) vs the new paul franklin (more silver looking) . I really like them. Glad I bought them

[Larry Ball]

I just bought my set of 4 from Amazon. They initially said they were out of stock but came back to me a couple of days later and gave me a delivery date. I used brass Nationals before but I found a bit of discomfort in them. So I switched to Dunlop .25 for better comfort. But I thought I would give these a try .

[Larry Hamilton]

Ah heck what the hail, I ordered some. I’m a sucker for picks, thumb picks, you know the simple and cheaper stuff.

[Jim Fogarty]

What's the gauge?

[Bill McCloskey]

I've been using these picks for five days now. Can't see myself ever using anything else. Best picks I've ever used. And I have vintage nationals from years of case candy. These are better. YMMV

[Dale Rottacker]

You all bend the blade, wrapping/tuning it around the end of your fingers, or are leaving it as it arrives in the mail?

[Ricky Davis]

OMG Bill; I'm the same way. I got my new PF1's last week and played couple gigs already; they adjusted to my fingers PERFECTLY and sound out of the world perfect....I Love them and I'm one of those nerds that ONLY USED my "Pre-War" Nationals for over 25 years; but now I have NEW PICKS...wow they are Awesome.
Ricky