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Since I started playing (too many years ago!), I've always stuck with the Yellow Dunlop Tortex picks (.73mm I think). Lately, I've been trying to knuckle down to some regular scale practise with a metronome, trying to improve my speed and technique. For shits and giggles, thought I'd try a different pick - a red Dunlop Jazz III to be exact. Bloody hell - why didn't I try this sooner! It feels so much easier to play - like it' s almost cheating!
The Jazz III just seems so much more nimble, it slips over the strings much easier and just seems so much more precise. Literally, after a few scale runs, I switched back to the Yellow Tortex and it just felt really cumbersome and "sticky" across the strings in comparison.
I'm not sure how the Jazz III will fare for strumming rhythm parts but for picking individual notes, I really like it.
Consequently, I've just ordered about 10 different picks in different materials/ sizes/ shapes and gauges to see if I can find the perfect "all-rounder"
I'm amazed that something as small and cheap as a pick can make such a difference.
Any favourite picks amongst the forum?
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Comments
I do like Jazz III's but they mess with my technique when switching to play acoustic guitar, strumming etc, when going to normal sized picks so I don't use them at all.
I have most of the T3 line and most of the Max Grip nylon line, and I pick thickness according to what I'm playing. I've tried a lot of picks and that is what works for me. I prefer picks with a little give in them for the most part these days but used to prefer thicker. Recently I mostly use the .73/.88 Max Grip nylon or .60/.73 T3. Depends on the tone I want and if I'm wanting more flex or stiffness.
I think the most useful general purpose guitar pick is the Dunlop 0.55mm rigid stainless. Although I have been using TeckPick or IcePix solid brass ones recently for a slightly more mellow tone.
Seriously: If you value it, take/fetch it yourself
I've recently discovered ebony picks...
adoring the tone and feel... not adoring the grip [I need to think about that a bit].. and so far I have no idea what the durability is like
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'Pics' or it didn't happen
They do wear down but I've found it pretty easy to re-profile the tip with a small file and so extend their lifespan.
I finally settled on the jim Dunlop 208 jazz tones for combination rhythm and lead duties. I know some people think they're too hard for strumming but I think the key is in the pressure exerted on the pick. It's similar to a jazz3 in terms of having no give but while it has a quite a pointed end for precise picking, it is slightly rounded and this makes it a lot more versatile, making it a decent strumming pick (something the jazz3 is pretty nasty at).
Unfortunately the pick can't be bought in stores because stores don't normally stock them. I'm sure they'd be way more popular if they were easily available for trying out. They're the same price as other JD standard picks £0.50, so great value (I settled on some primetones for a while but the cost was too expensive for me to continue using them). They are extra hardy to wear because of the material they are made from.
I'd recommend anyone buying stuff from strings direct to pop a few in their basket to try them out.
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I play guitar and take photos of stuff. I also like beans on toast.
I used the Tortex (.88, 1.0 or 1.14mm) for years. Until I realised they were "sticking*" to the strings. I tried a bunch of different picks (Jazz3, Big Stubby etc). I settled on a 1.0mm Tortex sharp.
Now all I have to worry about is a poor picking technique (which I'm working on) and not being hindered by my pick.
Ringleader of the Cambridge cartel, pedal champ and king of the dirt boxes (down to 21)
http://www.guitarplectrums.co.uk/images/medium/dunlop-ultex-sharp-2.0mm_m.jpg
Used Jazz III red pointies for years but found I needed something bigger when I started playing in a band again.
I mix it up a lot with picks when practising and haven't found anything that works better overall.
Red Bear and Blue Chip intrigue me, but the cost is frankly prohibitive. I'd like to believe that they don't wear, but it seems very unlikely with all the fast-picked stuff I do on the wound strings.
http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/accessories-c2/plectrums-c50/jim-dunlop-jim-dunlop-max-grip-jazz-iii-carbon-fiber-guitar-picks-6-pack-p4596
They are very stiff though and may take a bit of getting used to.