Wooden Picks

[kris]

How wooden picks change sound of the guitar?

[milesfandavid]

I've used an ebony pick, and a rosewood one, each about 2.5 - 3mm thick. There was little difference in sound between them. I found that they gave a strong, articulate attack, with a fair amount of "click". Not what I was looking for (I expected a rounder, mellower sound) but appealing in its own way. Probably better IMO for acoustic as opposed to electric, but your mileage may vary.

[kris]

I try to do ebony picks by myself.
I experiment with different sizes/1mm-1,5mm-2 mm/.
I like the sound.The pick must be very good polished/I use small driller/...:-)

[mambosun]

Originally Posted by kris

How wooden picks change sound of the guitar?

I've been using Dugain Ebony picks for years.
Very good sound warm, woody and brillant ergonomy, since these are carved to fit in your thumb and index.
The click mentionned above could be a little annoying I admit
Problem is, they are quite expensive and they wear out rather quickly; since then, I switched to Dunlop stubby for rock and Jazz tone for ... Jazz.
I only miss the clever ergonomic touch they have.

[kamlapati]

I am recently using an imitation tortoise pick from Red Bear, after years of Fender Heavy. It sounds very different, very warm, with more mids.

New thickness and material picks are a great experiment and a way to change you tone

[P.J.]

Originally Posted by kamlapati

I am recently using an imitation tortoise pick from Red Bear, after years of Fender Heavy. It sounds very different, very warm, with more mids.

New thickness and material picks are a great experiment and a way to change you tone

I love my Red Bear pick. Messing w/ different picks can be a huge way to change your sound and they are usually very inexpensive. My wife doesn't mind me spending money on a bunch of picks but she isn't so mellow if I spend money on a bunch of guitars or amps. Picks will keep you happily married!

PJ

[cosmic gumbo]

Pat Martino used an ebony pick in the 70's. There must have been some reason.

[derek]

As cool as stone/bone/wood picks are tactile wise, they all have too much click for me. Thanks but no thanks. I certainly see why some like them though.

[kris]

I think a lot of fameous guitarists use ebony picks.

[mr. beaumont]

Originally Posted by cosmic gumbo

Pat Martino used an ebony pick in the 70's. There must have been some reason.

Which fascinates me, as his 70's tone was about as dark and unclicky as possible!

I had a rosewood pick for a few days. Way to bright, tons of click. It's somewhere in the couch or the bottom of the washing machine, I suppose.

[oilywrag]

As cool as wooden picks are take a warning

Splinters ( I have a thumb like a dartboard now )
WoodWorm ( You can't stop the pesky little blighters from eating them )

Cheers,

Tom

[kris]

I started to play ebony pick 20 years ago.
and... still use the same pick... funny!

[kamlapati]

Wood worm is extremely rare in North America. It's at least one thing I really don't have to worry about here on the left coast!

[Stackabones]

I read wood worm as wormwood and thought we were going to get into absinthe!

[milesfandavid]

I have found that judicious use of Grande Absinthe makes any pick sound better to me. However, it does increase the chance of dropping said pick.

[Uli]

I am using a rosewood pick as well. Soundwise, the clicking can be annoying. However, I like the feel it has. And it seems to soften and lose the clicking effect with time (or maybe you just get used to it...). At least in places with lots of heat and humidity, like this one.