Thick picks for sore wrist, elbow, and shoulder (Various Jim Dunlops)

Power-Beef

I have sore joints on my right side, the pains come and go, but since last winter they have escalated from occasional niggles to outright Annoyances a lot of the time.

So, how bad is it? Some days I can't reach into my fridge for ketchup bad. I need to get into some weird yoga-like pose to angle my arm so any motion is within the tolerable range.

I was not far off from ordering customised picks online because that seemed like the relatively cheaper option. Looking at all my picks I have spent about the sme as a custom pick. On the other hand (where there is pain also), if something mass produced was the ticket, getting a custom pick seemed way overkill.

So after trying the Dunlop Sculpted Primetone at 3.00mm, the Flow Jumbo 3.0mm, I find that both are great with good grip.

The Dunlop Flow Gloss 3.0mm is actually a lot like a Big Stubby, which has the "big dimple". May be right for some, but not for me.

Then I tried the Flow Jumbo 4.20mm. It is better for the days when nothing else is touching the pain.

Then came one day, not even the 4.20mm was enough. And I discovered the Dunlop Primetone Large Pointed 5.00mm. Basically a very chonky Flow Jumbo, with "all terrain" tread grip. They have a shallow dimple on one side, but none on the other.

The 5.0mm is great for now, but I am not ruling out the custom pick.

finest1

dude, you don't need a thicker pick, you need to see a physio.

JMP220478

echoing @finest1 ; - go see a physio / gp  - consider dropping dairy and other inflammation causing foods from your diet too . 

Power-Beef

finest1 said:

dude, you don't need a thicker pick, you need to see a physio.

But a Custom pick is cheaper than private physio, and quicker than NHS.

JMP220478 said:

echoing @finest1 ; - go see a physio / gp  - consider dropping dairy and other inflammation causing foods from your diet too . 

Been doing that already for a number of years. I.F., Keto going on carnivore these days.

The duff shoulder is from a couple of bad falls over the years, wrist and elbow are from bad ergonomics at home. Otherwise known as Self Inflicted.

Oooh... but the custom pick is so lush and nice... Tee hee hee. Ouch.

I got the idea for a thick pick from this video, and I did buy the pick from Patrick Hufschmid. No, I did not get or use a discount code. I got the "Mega Jazz" in 10mm. I love that pick and will probably get a couple more. No, it is not like playing the guitar using a corner of a sharpened chopping board. Yes, it is "easier" to play with such a pick despite the chonkiness.

AntonHunter

Call these people https://www.bapam.org.uk/

They do free consultations for performers, and everyone is well versed in the unusual demands we put on our bodies (sometimes seeing your GP is a bit of a lottery, I just got told to rest when I had RSI, which wasn't much use for my playing career at the time...).

Their factsheets are great too, especially the "Don't Cramp Your Style" warm-ups one https://www.bapam.org.uk/health-resources/

Oh, and definitely get some expensive custom picks, GAS is always right ;-) 

JMP220478

AntonHunter said:

Call these people https://www.bapam.org.uk/

They do free consultations for performers, and everyone is well versed in the unusual demands we put on our bodies (sometimes seeing your GP is a bit of a lottery, I just got told to rest when I had RSI, which wasn't much use for my playing career at the time...).

Their factsheets are great too, especially the "Don't Cramp Your Style" warm-ups one https://www.bapam.org.uk/health-resources/

Oh, and definitely get some expensive custom picks, GAS is always right ;-) 

cheers for sharing this - will post details up at local rehearsal rooms 

fretmeister

1: Physio
2: Ketchup doesn't need to be in the fridge. It's acidic content will keep it fresh for months in a cupboard. 

Dominic

Try V picks too .........they're quite addictive once you acclimatise to them

Philly_Q

Power-Beef said:
Some days I can't reach into my fridge for ketchup bad. 

Ketchup's the worst foodstuff in the world in space.  Be happy you can't reach it in the fridge.


(I hope you can sort out this issue, though.)

YorkieBarre

Take a look at the Gravity picks USA site. They do custom picks starting at $10 with options for shape, thickness, grip holes etc.
https://www.gravitypicks.com/products/acrylic-custom-shop-1. There’s a fair choice of standard off the peg picks in thicker sizes too on the same site.

I’ve used Gravity Picks UK for several years, and John’s been very helpful, but they only keep sizes up to 3mm in stock from their website. He may be able to order specials from the USA though. http://www.gravitypicks.co.uk/ And his contact is gravitypicksuk@gmail.com

OilCityPickups

Dominic said:

Try V picks too .........they're quite addictive once you acclimatise to them

It's what I started using on my 7 string ... and I pretty much use one for everything now ... that's a 4mm

digitalkettle

Amongst others on this forum, I swear by this*:
https://uk.rpmpower.com/product-category/nsd-powerball-gyro/

* it's a physio gadget, not a pick