Any specific tips for bending/fitting picks?

[Doug Anderson]

I'm new to finger and thumb picks. I just ordered some new

ProPik® Finger Picks Reso Seriies Reso Split Wrap - Large Brass

Zookie Angled Thumbpicks -Large 20 Degree

Any tips for fitting the brasss finger picks. Do you just put them on and bend them with your fingers OR any other non-obvious tips for the finger or thumb picks.

[Michael Kiese]

Aloha Doug,

A gentleman named Rick Rienks recently asked a similar question, and a few of us chimed in.

I think it would be helpful for you to read through that short thread.

viewtopic.php?t=407373

[Tim Whitlock]

There's no standard when it comes to picks. They are very much a personal preference. Sebastian Muller has touch and tone to die for, but I could never make his pick setup work for me. In general, you just have to get out some needle nose pliers and experiment. Personally, I bend my picks back a bit, but not to where they wrap across my fingertip. I like to contour the clamping ring so it follows the shape of my finger. The ring ends up with a very slight cone shape and is quite snug - just this side of uncomfortable. Guage is another consideration. A lot of players like a heavy .022 for tone. While the tone may be a little better, I prefer a .018 for comfort. Find out what works for you.

[Bob Shilling]

You'll find lots of good advice on this forum regarding type of metal, guage, style, etc. It sounds like yo're asking for shaping techniques after you've made those decisions. In addition to Tim's good suggestions, I have found a set of "bail making" pliers useful. Like these:

https://www.michaels.com/product/the-be ... s-D290747S

[Rick Rienks]

Hi there neighbor,

I’m not sure where I am popping up in this discussion but it is true there are a lot of important items to consider so I would say patience with yourself can’t hurt. The one item to consider is to NOT use needle nose pliers, at least not the ones I have ever seen. The reason being, the edges of the jaws, being flat where they come together will create dings in the pick metal and I doubt they will beneficial. The bail making pliers look as though they will give you more control with less chance of damaging the picks. I am sensitive to the current cost of the “high-end” picks. I bought a set of three that cost more than my pristine Supro and the Harmony amp that came with it. Why yes, I did get a screaming deal on the lap steel and amp. I think God wanted me to get back into playing music again.
It’s a theory.

As to making finger picks work, we can watch with envy as the masters rip out tunes but I am pretty sure that at some point in time, they had the same questions you and I do. Enjoy the process. Being on these pages you are in good company.

[HowardR]

Since I do some metal forming and costume jewelry, I find that using a ring mandrel and metal forming mallet gives me the most uniform results (especially the band or bands).....and as a last resort, bailing pliers when tough love is needed...........

https://www.amazon.com/Meowoo-Hammered- ... 9hdGY&th=1

[Chris Templeton]

Jeff Newman would bend the tips back. Pick blocking often has the finger picks bent way back to the finger. Unless the string is pick blocked at the same time as the next string is plucked, the rattle of the blocked string can be annoying.
To keep a fingerpick from causing a scraping sound on a wound string, I've sometimes bent the blade to one side..
My favorite picks were ones that were in an old lap steel case. The were "bowled" and there was no scraping.
The old Nationals had a slight bowl too and may be the reason for their popularity.
Using needle nose pliers, I also like to turn the finger wraps up, so they don't dig in to the cuticle.