Guitar Picks With a Round Point

**SamBooka** · 10-15-2012, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by Klatu

If I decide to experiment with new picks, I'll probably try the Dawgs. I like their rounded tips, they seem to have the thickness I look for, and are priced. As for some of the others like Wegens or Dugains: I like them a lot for gypsy guitar but find them too bright for straight ahead bop guitar.

I refuse to try any bluegrass/bop pick that costs more than $10 per unit, as I subscribe to the law of diminishing returns and feel that that type of money is better spent elsewhere. Another reason I avoid expensive picks like Red Bear is that I might like them too much. I'd hate to fall in love with such expensive pieces of plastic!

I think we are on the same page... I just ordered the dawgs this morning because I like the golden gates so much.

But then again I just got some small pickboy 150s last week and not bad at all. What I REALLY enjoy is that I dont have the limitation of "I can only play small picks.. or large picks.. or fossilised kidney stone picks.."

Since I got over my gas this year I have 3-5 radically different picks within reach and grab the one that works best.

**D.G.** · 10-15-2012, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by Klatu

I refuse to try any bluegrass/bop pick that costs more than $10 per unit, as I subscribe to the law of diminishing returns and feel that that type of money is better spent elsewhere. Another reason I avoid expensive picks like Red Bear is that I might like them too much. I'd hate to fall in love with such expensive pieces of plastic!

I've never really understood this attitude. Guys'll pay +$20 for a single set of Thomastik strings on a $+4k guitar but not $20 for the pick that plays 'em

Start thinking of the pick as a bow and then think about how much to pay for it

**Spook410** · 10-15-2012, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by D.G.

I've never really understood this attitude. Guys'll pay +$20 for a single set of Thomastik strings on a $+4k guitar but not $20 for the pick that plays 'em

Start thinking of the pick as a bow and then think about how much to pay for it

Playing with boutique picks can be fun. However, claiming they represent a reasonable value proposition is a stretch for me.

**PTChristopher** · 10-15-2012, 05:59 PM

>>> Start thinking of the pick as a bow and then think about how much to pay for it

When the MacArthur Foundation makes a grant to a pick maker, then we will all have learned something I guess.

The MacArthur 'Genius' Bow Maker Who Makes Violins Sing : Deceptive Cadence : NPR

**Section Player** · 10-15-2012, 06:56 PM

I've always used the more rounded corners of picks for jazz....never the pointy end. There's an independent chap who makes a line of picks called "Gravity Axis" which I recently bought a couple. Pretty nice sound with them.

**coolvinny** · 10-15-2012, 07:11 PM

Call me crazy, but I use a $35 Blue Chip K6 pick: KS60 - BlueChip Picks

In fact, I've used the same one for over 2 years, and it has no wear at all (pretty good considering I've practiced around 2,000 hours with it!). I like the feel and the tone it gives me. I found it did not do great with Bronze roundwounds on my acoustic archtop, but I was pleased with the result after I changed the strings to nickel acoustic roundwounds. It does great with TI flatwounds - it helps get a bit more acoustic volume out of the strings.

I think one's choice of pick should not be taken lightly...and I like the idea of using the same pick on all my guitars.

**FrankyNoTone** · 10-15-2012, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by D.G.

I've never really understood this attitude. Guys'll pay +$20 for a single set of Thomastik strings on a $+4k guitar but not $20 for the pick that plays 'em

Start thinking of the pick as a bow and then think about how much to pay for it

A pick does in part behave like a bow as the friction during the pluck/strum of the string causes it to vibrate in ways other than the simple release of the string. But a pick is not a bow nor is it a percentage tax or gratuity on the guitar. It is what it is and you should pay for what it is.

Just because a pick is made from exotic materials or requires expensive manual labor to create doesn't necessarily translate to better tone or performance (whatever "better" is). What I know as fact is that many top tier guitar players like George Benson and John McLaughlin are very selective about picks but choose common, low cost picks like Fender Mediums and Dunlop Stiffo Jazz III (respectively). Some deep thought into that fact should provide the answer to how much to pay for a pick.

**edh** · 10-15-2012, 10:36 PM

@FrankyNoTone, I've been meaning to say this to you since I have joined here.

That's a great a great name.

Reminds me of a nickname for some wiseguy.

**Spook410** · 10-15-2012, 11:50 PM

Yea.. and I totally blame Franky for me buying a $200 Mustang Floor. Or, in this thread 10 to 20 picks. You plug in your iphone with iRealb into the Aux port, plug in your guitar, dial up your favorite amp model, plug in headphones, and you're all set. Whattadeal..

**FrankyNoTone** · 10-16-2012, 07:24 AM

Busted! Yes, I'm a GAS inducing, toneless wise guy

**D.G.** · 10-17-2012, 09:41 PM

In addition to the picks that are kept with each guitar I own (15+ counting all the Steels), I carry 5 different picks in my pocket:

1. Wegen Gypsy Jazz,
2. Wegen Bluegrass
3. Dunlop Big Stubby
4. Fender heavy
5. Fender thin

Each pick excels at something different. If I want a Bakersfield tone on a Tele, one of the Fenders gets the call. If I want to record a flattop fast strummy part, the Fender thin is where it's at. For my gypsy guitar, the Wegen gypsy standard is the best, for my archtop I use a Wegen 2.5mm, etc. etc. etc.

The point being, why cut yourself off of a myriad of tonal possibilities when the price of variety is so cheap? It's not like the price of a new amp or new pickups or eq pedals or a lot of the other tone tools available.

And as an aside, I prefer my Wegen picks to be white. That way, when I drop it on a dark stage I can find it. Black picks simply disappear as though eaten by a black hole.

**oldane** · 10-18-2012, 02:44 AM

For amplified playing - with my way of picking - Dunlop Jazztone 205, D'Andrea Proplec 358 and Planet Waves Ice pick work well for me and I go back and forth between those.

For acoustic chord melody a Dunlup Ultex 1.15mm stadard size is OK.

For 4-to-the-bar rhythm strumming, the big triangular Dunlop Ultex 1.15mm does the trick.

Those are all cheap picks. I have tried some of the expensive picks a few times. They are not bad but not better either than cheap picks for my use so I see no need to spend $30 for a pick when 30 cents will do.

**sjl** · 10-18-2012, 04:50 AM

Dunlop Gator 2.0 mm. You can use the pointed side (bright) or the rounded one (warm tone).

**SamBooka** · 10-18-2012, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by sjl

Dunlop Gator 2.0 mm. You can use the pointed side (bright) or the rounded one (warm tone).

those are my current all purpose picks ... even th 1.5 gets on well

**Spook410** · 10-18-2012, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by oldane

For acoustic chord melody a Dunlup Ultex 1.15mm stadard size is OK.

You might like the Ultex 2.0mm as well. I also like and use the 1.15mm but the 2.0mm has this great chunky feel.

**D.G.** · 10-18-2012, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by oldane

I have tried some of the expensive picks a few times. They are not bad but not better either than cheap picks for my use so I see no need to spend $30 for a pick when 30 cents will do.

Sensible enough. I find that for Gypsy, the Wegen 3.5mm standard is the only thing that really does what I need. I've tried at least 10 different picks on that guitar and the gypsy standard is the winner. $15 ain't that bad for peace of mind

On my archtops I'm currently using the Wegen 2.5mm. The Dunlop Big Stubby works well enough on my electric archtop, but can't give me enough umph on my acoustic archtop. I still prefer the tone of the 2.5mm on the electric though. Being a swing player I prefer a sharper tone with more cut but I can't stand any flex in my pick. The sharp point on the Dunlop gives a really nice tone, but really slows me down on fast passages. The Wegens are built for speed.

**Brian B.** · 10-19-2012, 12:30 PM

Many thanks to everyone for the very helpful replies! I was able to get four of the suggestions from Amazon (Dunlop Jazztone and Primetone, D'Andrea Pro Plec, and Golden Gate). Here's a recording of the four:

As far as tone, the one I like the most is Golden Gate, the least D'Andrea. That said after listening to the recording, I don't hear really that much of a difference between them ... so how comfortable they feel may end up being the deciding factor for me (I *really* like the way the Primetone feels!).

Thanks again!

Brian

**Klatu** · 10-19-2012, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by Brian B.

Many thanks to everyone for the very helpful replies! I was able to get four of the suggestions from Amazon (Dunlop Jazztone and Primetone, D'Andrea Pro Plec, and Golden Gate). Here's a recording of the four:

As far as tone, the one I like the most is Golden Gate, the least D'Andrea. That said after listening to the recording, I don't hear really that much of a difference between them ... so how comfortable they feel may end up being the deciding factor for me (I *really* like the way the Primetone feels!).

Thanks again!

Brian

There are so many different shapes/models of Dunlop Jazztone picks. Which did you use?

**MarkRhodes** · 10-19-2012, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by Brian B.

.. (I *really* like the way the Primetone feels!).

I like the Primetone feel too. I'm using the small round tip, though I just ordered the small with sharper tip and the medium with a sharper tip. I like the small round one though sometimes I want a bit more bite. But I love the way feels. Sometimes I pick up and old Jazz III or a Jazztone 204 for comparison but I don't keep them in my hand long.

Thanks for making that video! (An audio-only video: will wonders never cease!) I've never used a Golden Gate pick but thought the one you played sounded good. Which size was it again?

**D.G.** · 10-19-2012, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by Brian B.

As far as tone, the one I like the most is Golden Gate, the least D'Andrea.

Thanks for the demo! I actually liked the sound of the D'Andrea the most and the Golden Gate the least, but then again, I'm a Strat/Gypsy Jazz guy so it's hard for a sound to be too bright for my tastes

**disco~juice** · 10-19-2012, 01:44 PM

I like the dunlop jazz iii, small red ones.
You have to learn how to play a pick though.

**Brian B.** · 10-19-2012, 02:17 PM

For the Dunlop Jazztone I meant 204 (the small one with the rounded edge). The Primetone is also the small one with the rounded edge (I forget the number).

**SamBooka** · 10-19-2012, 04:10 PM

Still looking for primetones and americanas without paying an arm and a leg for them.

**MarkRhodes** · 10-19-2012, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by cosmic gumbo

As far as being a jazz musician and trying to make some money, this is the pick that will do it.

+1. I made extra money while in seminary doing yardwork for an ex-Jesuit's wife.

**ChuckR** · 11-02-2012, 12:05 AM

Originally Posted by Flat

I learned about these unusual looking Dava picks on this forum, I think. I still really like them. The material has an unusual subtle softness to it that reminds me a bit of flesh over bone. Not sure if they're for you or not, but I'll toss the name out there for general consideration:

I absolutely LOVE my DAVA picks. I just ordered a bunch of them. They have multiple materials for the pick itself (Delrin, gel and Nylon) I have been playing hte Delrin in the jazz size and they are sweet. I just ordered some of the others to try them. That rubber coating makes them unslippable. The upside is that they are not at all that expensive. About a buck each.