Wooden Guitar Picks

**kris** · 12-26-2010, 01:35 PM

How do wooden picks change the sound of the guitar?

**milesfandavid** · 12-26-2010, 02:31 PM

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** · 12-26-2010, 02:43 PM

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** · 12-26-2010, 03:12 PM

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 mentioned 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** · 12-26-2010, 08:09 PM

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.** · 01-03-2011, 07:30 AM

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!

**cosmic gumbo** · 01-03-2011, 12:59 PM

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

**derek** · 01-03-2011, 01:15 PM

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.

**mr. beaumont** · 01-03-2011, 01:19 PM

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** · 01-03-2011, 01:23 PM

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

**kamlapati** · 01-04-2011, 02:18 AM

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** · 01-04-2011, 02:52 AM

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

**milesfandavid** · 01-04-2011, 03:47 AM

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** · 01-04-2011, 04:51 AM

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.

**jorgemg1984** · 03-05-2016, 10:35 AM

Does anyone knows of a wood pick that is around 0.7mm / 0.8mm? I would love to try a wood pick but I hate 2mm picks..

**kris** · 03-05-2016, 11:43 AM

I use 3mm with custom shape.
I use the same shape on all my picks...1 mm-3 mm.

**marcwhy** · 03-05-2016, 02:57 PM

Contact this guy: Exotics | Clayton USA Store

**Matt Cushman** · 03-05-2016, 03:02 PM

A pick has to be tough enough not to break while in use. So a good ebony or other hard wood probably needs to be around 1.5 mm thick to hold together. You could make one thinner but it might break too easy.

**jorgemg1984** · 03-05-2016, 03:50 PM

Thanks guys, maybe it's not possible... I'll contact Clayton though.

**IbanezAS100** · 03-05-2016, 04:32 PM

Jorge, Pedro at PLEKS ? QUALITY HANDMADE PICKS pleks@gmx.com is also worth contacting. He's very helpful and makes great picks.
I use a few of his in Delrin and different woods and they feel and sound really nice. Great selection of sizes as well.

**jorgemg1984** · 12-17-2016, 12:16 PM

Santos Rosewood Pick Pack - Sampler

Here it is, wood picks at 0.9 mm and 1.4mm. I just order a mixed sample, let's hope they're as good as it seems...

**jazzimprov** · 12-20-2016, 08:43 PM

Timbertones has some excellent wood picks

**jorgemg1984** · 12-20-2016, 08:47 PM

2.5mm is not medium...

**DanH8482** · 12-20-2016, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

Santos Rosewood Pick Pack - Sampler

Here it is, wood picks at 0.9 mm and 1.4mm. I just order a mixed sample, let's hope they're as good as it seems...

I just got a set of the 1.4mm ones and I've really liked them. At first the edges are a little too firm, but they wear evenly to a nice bevel and its very smooth to play with.

**DanH8482** · 12-20-2016, 09:56 PM

They do have an odd, strong smell to them too, but that wears off pretty quickly. Don't be so quick to put them in your mouth if you do that. I do, and the smell translates to a pretty sour taste.