Pick recommendations

**Extrapolation** · 07-16-2011, 01:00 PM

Don't know if they have been mentioned but I like the Dunlop "Eric Johnson" Jazz IIIs (they're red) for both electric and acoustic. They're essentially like the old Jazz IIIs; easy to grip, not slippery like the nylon (new red) ones and generally feel better in my opinion to the black and Ultex Jazz IIIs.

**skiboyny** · 07-16-2011, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by Klatu

I've used the Jazztone 207s for years and have no intention of ever changing. I love them. They provide the roundest sound I've ever heard come from a pick.

Gotta agree with this. I've used just about everything the 207s is the one I think I'm settling on.

**monkmiles** · 07-16-2011, 11:23 PM

Appreciate everyone's feedback.

Originally Posted by Klatu

I've used the Jazztone 207s for years and have no intention of ever changing. I love them. They provide the roundest sound I've ever heard come from a pick.

Originally Posted by skiboyny

Gotta agree with this. I've used just about everything the 207s is the one I think I'm settling on.

Originally Posted by Klatu

The rounded tip of the 207 is it's selling point as far as I'm concerned. It is the closest I've come to the sound of a thumb while using a pick.

Sweet. Looking forward to the 207s arriving.

**Kuz** · 07-17-2011, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by cmajor9

+ 1 on Dunlop Jazztones; I particularly like 205s. The other picks I really like now (after trying a lot of different ones) are celluloid D'Andrea Pro Plecs. I'd say the Dunlops produce slightly more harmonics, and so have a slightly brighter sound, while the Pro Plecs give a slightly darker (but still rich) sound.

Overall, its striking how much of a difference your pick can make to your tone. Well worth experimenting with, and probably the cheapest "tone tool" for getting the sound. As has been discussed on other threads, how you hold the pick (the angle to the strings) can also have a big impact on tone.

Originally Posted by Klatu

What's a John Pizarelli jazz pick?

I tried to find out where I read about them. I bought them of eBay a few years ago. I believe they are Claytons or some very close resemblance of Claytons teardrop picks.

**jazzkatten** · 07-17-2011, 10:53 AM

I use F-1 picks

**bborzell** · 07-18-2011, 12:16 AM

Originally Posted by oldane

It shure looks like a Dunlop Ultex. I like them too.

Yep, it does. Mine is so worn, I don't know what thickness it started out as.

**ges** · 07-18-2011, 01:14 AM

Originally Posted by Kuz

I tried to find out where I read about them. I bought them of eBay a few years ago. I believe they are Claytons or some very close resemblance of Claytons teardrop picks.

A friend and I went to one of John Pizzarelli's free workshops and my friend asked a question about how he tucked the pick into his fingers when finger picking. He gave us each one of the picks he was using and they are Claytons, like the one on the left in this pic:

**Patrick2** · 07-18-2011, 10:25 AM

hmmmmm . . . . I never really gave it much though. For me it has always been . . a pick is a pick is a pick. Hell, I can remember at more than one gig, many many moons ago, not having a pick in my guitar case and using a folded up match book cover.

But, this thread caused me to dwell on it a little. It seems that I have taken fondness to the Dunlop Tortex 1.14 mm. But, anything over 1.0mm seems acceptable to me, except those glossy plastic ones. I prefer the matte finish on the Dunlops. I don't know if I can buy into the comments of a pick making a difference in the tone. Kuz has quite a descerning ear, and he claims that he can hear greater harmonics from one pick to another. I doubt that I could. I think what one might hear is caused by a difference in the picking technique used, from one pick to another, due to the different feel. When I reverse the way I hold a pick . . ala George Benson . . there is a very distimct difference in the tone created. But, that difference is caused by the difference in picking technique with the same pick. Just my opinion . . . .

**mark105** · 07-18-2011, 10:40 AM

I like the Dunlop 205's, I use Tomastik .11 flatwounds. They do seem to create a different sound compared to the Jazz ultex III's I was using.

**ges** · 07-18-2011, 10:42 AM

For me at least, there is no doubt that picks can make a difference in tone. A thick rounded pick sounds quite different than a thin pointy one, and I suppose the material makes a difference, too. Quite noticeable.

Originally Posted by Patrick2

hmmmmm . . . . I never really gave it much though. For me it has always been . . a pick is a pick is a pick. Hell, I can remember at more than one gig, many many moons ago, not having a pick in my guitar case and using a folded up match book cover.

But, this thread caused me to dwell on it a little. It seems that I have taken fondness to the Dunlop Tortex 1.14 mm. But, anything over 1.0mm seems acceptable to me, except those glossy plastic ones. I prefer the matte finish on the Dunlops. I don't know if I can buy into the comments of a pick making a difference in the tone. Kuz has quite a descerning ear, and he claims that he can hear greater harmonics from one pick to another. I doubt that I could. I think what one might hear is caused by a difference in the picking technique used, from one pick to another, due to the different feel. When I reverse the way I hold a pick . . ala George Benson . . there is a very distimct difference in the tone created. But, that difference is caused by the difference in picking technique with the same pick. Just my opinion . . . .

**Patrick2** · 07-18-2011, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by ges

For me at least, there is no doubt that picks can make a difference in tone. A thick rounded pick sounds quite different than a thin pointy one, and I suppose the material makes a difference, too. Quite noticeable.

Yeah. . . I would have to agree with the thick vs thin scenario. I guess I was referencing different picks of a similar guage. The pointy vs rounded seems to me to fall more into the pick technique than pick type.

**Tom Karol** · 07-18-2011, 12:05 PM

As I mentioned above, I've used the following small pointed Dunlop picks of the same shape and size: 1 mm Stubby, Jazztone 205, Red Nylon Jazz III, Ultex Jazz III (my current favorite), and Green Tortex. I still have some of each of them and occasionally compare them. They all feel similar, but to me, they all sound clearly different from each other.

**oldane** · 07-18-2011, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by Patrick2

I don't know if I can buy into the comments of a pick making a difference in the tone. ...... But, that difference is caused by the difference in picking technique with the same pick. Just my opinion . . . .

There's no doubt in my mind that there is a difference in sound, depending on the material, shape, point shape, thickness and overall size of the pick. Some of it is most likely due to difference in the way of holding the lick (the same pick in different sizes sound different to me). But there is also a real difference due to the pick itself. Some picks are very consistent from one to another (sat Dunlop Jazz III) while others varies a little from one pick to another. Two Dunlop Jazztone 205 sound a little different, despite they are same size, due to slightly different thickness and point shape. Being the same size, they are held in an identical way.

The difference in sound, however, is mostly a difference in attack, not as much in the sustaining tone as such. But the attack IS a very important part of the tone. For very soft and urbane playing, one may want as little attack sound (pick noise) as possible. For acoustic big band rhythm playing one won't be without a certain amount of pick noise, without which the guitar will not project and will not be the percussive time keeper it's supposed to be.

**Kuz** · 07-18-2011, 07:33 PM

An older player once told/showed me 4 different picks (they were all different materials, but the same gauge & shape). He then dropped them on to a table top where they all made a considerable different tone on impact. He then said "Do you still believe all picks sound the same?"

I am sure that using a different pick angle makes a big difference, but picks constructed from different materials (and all other specs being equal - size, shape, gauge) I hear a HUGE difference.

**Marto** · 07-19-2011, 03:49 AM

For years, when I was a kid, I played with 2mm and 3mm stubbys and big stubbys mainly because a guy I got some lessons from used them and I liked the thumb grip they have. I then started trying out as many picks as I could and ended up settling on the two thinnest dunlop tortex picks .5mm and .6mm. They let me get a warm tone but keep some treble and the textured surface puts some "breath" around the note. I also love comping with them. But the edge of the pick will get notched after a while and this kills the tone. I also use the .96mm Gator picks if I want to blunt the treble out I find these picks have a much longer life then the tortex ones also.
I should point out that I don't anchor my hand and I am a fairly heavy picker so picks with some give are better for me.

**gusgtr** · 07-19-2011, 11:41 PM

A few years ago I bought a cd by Corey Christiansen -"Awakening" and it included a D'andrea Pro Plec-standard shape 1.5 mm. A pick that he endorsed. I was hooked immediately and have been using them ever since.

**davekain** · 07-20-2011, 12:03 AM

Jim Dunlop Jazz III's for everything!

**GreyJazz90** · 07-20-2011, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by Patrick2

Yeah. . . I would have to agree with the thick vs thin scenario. I guess I was referencing different picks of a similar guage. The pointy vs rounded seems to me to fall more into the pick technique than pick type.

There is a definite difference between rounded and pointy that has literally nothing to do with pick technique. It's a good idea to sit down and really find the nuances in each pick. I think I went through 50 different types till I found what was right for the tone I wanted. All my teachers at Berklee that have amazing tone have always stressed how important the pick is as a crucial component to their sound.

**ges** · 07-20-2011, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by GreyJazz90

There is a definite difference between rounded and pointy that has literally nothing to do with pick technique. It's a good idea to sit down and really find the nuances in each pick. I think I went through 50 different types till I found what was right for the tone I wanted. All my teachers at Berklee that have amazing tone have always stressed how important the pick is as a crucial component to their sound.

So...what did you end up with?

**GreyJazz90** · 07-20-2011, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by ges

So...what did you end up with?

I ended up choosing he Fender tortoise shell heavies. I noticed that if I angle the pick slightly I can get a round yet clear tone. Sometimes I play D'andrea Pro Plecs. So basically I switch between the two depending on my mood.

**dmorash** · 07-20-2011, 02:39 PM

Those Dunlop Jazztone's are cool. I'm settled on Golden Gate Mandolin picks right now:

**paynow** · 07-20-2011, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by ges

A friend and I went to one of John Pizzarelli's free workshops and my friend asked a question about how he tucked the pick into his fingers when finger picking. He gave us each one of the picks he was using and they are Claytons, like the one on the left in this pic:

I've used the Clayton Bass pick on certain guitars with heavy strings. It's the one in the middle, but black and 1.90mm. Can't use it for everything though.

**barrymclark** · 07-20-2011, 03:47 PM

My preferred flat pick is the Dunlop Gator Grips 2.0.

I am moving from the Fred Kelly Heavy Jazz Bumblebees to the Slick Picks to give those a shot.

I wanted a pick that I could go back and forth from fingerstyle to flatpicking and the Bumblebees did that but I guess I play too aggressively as the pick kept going out of my preferred adjustment.

**monkmiles** · 07-26-2011, 03:39 PM

I used the Jazztone 207 pick at a jazz gig last night as well as some practicing at home. It's a tad brighter or clearer than the Big Stubby (used on its rounded edge) but retains that dark jazz tone. The 207 could end up my jazz pick...

**monkmiles** · 11-11-2011, 01:09 PM

Just an update that I ended trying 4 of the Dunlop Jazztone picks (bought 6 packs of the 204, 205, 207 & 208). The rounded edge 204 and 207 for jazz. The pointed edge 205 and 207 for rock.

While I did like the 207 for jazz, it was a tad too big. So I've settled on the 204 for jazz. Same with the 208 being too big, so I've settled on the 205 for rock stuff.

I do recommend the Dunlop Jazztones because they're cheap and not hard to find.