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What is the best thumb pick???????

Posted: 28 Jul 2004 4:29 pm
by Ernest Cawby
Last night my good one broke and went to a backup. I use Jeffs picks but in time they break in the bend. Is there a cure for this. By the way the New Skin on the inside of the pick works, no more problem with slipping off it stays put.

ernie

Posted: 28 Jul 2004 4:34 pm
by Bill Bosler
I use a clear plastic dobro pick I get from Scotty. I like it because it's longer than a regular thumb pick and has a sharp point. Just my preference.

Posted: 28 Jul 2004 4:34 pm
by Donny Hinson
Blue Hercos.

Posted: 28 Jul 2004 6:02 pm
by Jennings Ward
Earnie, in answer to your question, What is the best kind of thumb picks,, ans,,, FREE ONES........ dont get mad at me..... Jennings..... I'll see if I can accomidate you with a free one.........

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EMMONS D10 10-10 profex 2 deltafex ne1000 pv1000, pv 31 bd eq, +

Posted: 28 Jul 2004 6:24 pm
by Jerry Overstreet
Ernie, I like the Jeff's too, but I'd like to find one that has the same length point that is a harder material like polycarbonate and doesn't break as easy.
Bill, I looked at Scotty's site but didn't see anything clear. Do you know the brand or model # of the Dobro pick you mentioned? Thanks JO

Posted: 28 Jul 2004 6:47 pm
by Doug Earnest
For sound, I like the Jeffran picks. Buy a small sack of them every few years so you have spares.
For comfort and correcting my poor angle of attack, I like Zookies. I get them from Herby Wallace, don't know who else handles them. My tone is not so bright with these however and I notice it on the wound strings.
Just my two cents worth.

Posted: 28 Jul 2004 11:58 pm
by Don Sulesky
I use the Goldengate pearloid picks.
I have tried many brands over the years and happened upon these in a music store in Nashville in 1999.
Everything I've tried after these just don't seem to have the tone or durabilty.
I've turned others on to these picks and they love 'em.
You can buy them from Janet Davis music on the net.
Ernie I'll give you one next month to try out.
They are pretty much close to Jeff's feel and shape on your thumb.
Don

Posted: 29 Jul 2004 1:11 am
by Michael Johnstone
I've used a lot of things - big white Nationals,blue Hercos - I used them for years.A couple years ago I started using large Golden Gates and I liked them because they stayed put - for a while at least.When they'd get sprung,I'd dip them in boiling water and close them back up and they'd be good to go for a while.Lately tho,I've been using the all metal Propick thumpicks. I never liked the sound of metal thumbpicks before but I like these.They're almost like spring steel - real thin yet stiff and have a very focused blade. It's like playing w/a scalpel after using a butterknife all your life. They fit real tight without slipping,twisting,getting sprung open or cutting off my circulation. Once I got used to them,I started getting a lot more articulate with my thumb picking technique.
Your milage may vary. -MJ-

Posted: 29 Jul 2004 3:21 am
by Jerry Hayes
I used the blue Herco's for many years until I found some red Herco's and started using them. I file the tip to a sharp point so I get a clearer tone on the bass strings. I use these on both steel and lead guitar and they last forever. Have a good 'un..JH

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Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.


Posted: 29 Jul 2004 6:17 am
by Erv Niehaus
I bought a thumb pick from Frenchy's in Belin, NM some time ago. It is a white thumb pick like a National with a piece of tortoise shell fastened to the picking area. The tortoise shell firms up the picking area and I really like it. Image
Erv

Posted: 29 Jul 2004 8:02 am
by Rick Schmidt
I've used them all too. I'm also going with the large Golden Gate picks now.

Posted: 29 Jul 2004 9:34 am
by Bill Monk
>>I use Jeff's picks but in time they break in the bend. Is there a cure for this.


Paint the bend with a thin layer of superglue inside and out.

The same trick will rescue one that has started to crack but hasn't broken yet. The fit won't be quite as tight, but it works a lot better than a two-piece thumb pick and will do in a pinch and maybe a long time after.

Posted: 29 Jul 2004 9:36 am
by Travis Bernhardt
Back and forth between the Golden Gate and the Zookies--although for acoustic instruments it has to be the Golden Gate, aa the Zookies aren't stiff enough for me.

-Travis

Posted: 29 Jul 2004 9:55 am
by seldomfed
ditto Blue Hercos. I file the tip down so they're shorter, closer to the strings, less hand movment up and down yields faster picking, a Joe Wright tip - he showed me in a seminar. It works for me.

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Chris Kennison
Ft. Collins, Colorado
"There is no spoon"
www.book-em-danno.com



Posted: 29 Jul 2004 10:05 am
by Roger Rettig
'Golden Gate' for me, too.

I bought a box of twenty from Wanda and Billy two years ago and, after hours of playing every day, I'm still using the first one!

RR

Posted: 29 Jul 2004 10:23 am
by Ricky Littleton
Dunlop's for me!

Ricky...

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Emmons LeGrande - 8x4
Session 400 Ltd, Peterson VS-II Tuner
Dan-Echo, E-Bow, Ibanez Distortion, Boss Comp./Sustain, Ibanez Auto-Wah, PX4 Pandoras Box



Posted: 29 Jul 2004 10:29 am
by Darvin Willhoite
I like a small thumbpick and used a really narrow one (about 1/4" wide) for years, until they were no longer available. I now use Fred Kelly thumbpicks. The only complaint I have with them is that they are only available in one size and it is just a tad too small for me. They usually last about 6 months before they break, but they feel good. I just keep extras available.

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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording



Posted: 29 Jul 2004 12:05 pm
by David Mason
The Fred Kelly polycarbonates break, the Delrin ones don't in my experience. I file these short. I've also had good luck with the John Pearse picks, if you like a short, pointy pick.

Posted: 29 Jul 2004 12:29 pm
by Bill Ferguson
Peavey narrow blade. Best I have used in 30 years.
They feel good and they stay put.
Bill

Posted: 29 Jul 2004 12:30 pm
by Jennings Ward
ZOOKIES, ZOOKIES, ZOOKIES,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.........!!!!!!!!!!!JW

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EMMONS D10 10-10 profex 2 deltafex ne1000 pv1000, pv 31 bd eq, +

Posted: 29 Jul 2004 1:14 pm
by Herb Steiner
I use those orange ones that Frenchy sells. Fred Kelly picks. I haven't broken one in almost two years of playing 4-6 gigs a week. Before that I used either Dunlops, Nationals or John Pearse whites. Still do from time to time.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association


<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Herb Steiner on 29 July 2004 at 02:16 PM.]</p></FONT>

Posted: 29 Jul 2004 1:52 pm
by Terry Sneed
Blue Hercos for me. I'll give that file-down job a try.
Terry

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84 SKH Emmons Legrand D10
session 400'rd Steelin for my Lord.



Posted: 29 Jul 2004 2:41 pm
by David Mullis
Fred Kelly Slick Picks Image

Posted: 29 Jul 2004 3:06 pm
by Jon Light
Good one stop shopping here:
http://www.elderly.com/accessories/cats/PKTB.html


I'm in the process of ordering a half dozen picks--I'm ok with my white Dunlops but I'm always wondering if there's something I'd like more. Real interested in the metal Propiks. Thanks for the head-up on that, Michael.

I've been using Dunlops because that's what most of the local stores have and I am kind of particular about how a pick fits--I'll go thru a dozen to pick out 3 that I like. So mail order is a crap shoot.

Posted: 29 Jul 2004 7:03 pm
by Jack Turlington
Nationals except that they break too soon.
Dunlops but the blade's a tad too big for me.
Jeff's except that the blade wears out quick.
Golden Gate but the blade's way too big.
Zookies seem to be just about right!