Guitar PICKS, GRIPS and accessories

**emicad** · 06-22-2015, 05:10 AM

I use fingernails when i play Travis picking stuff, but i like to use a thumb pick.

**MarkRhodes** · 06-22-2015, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by emicad

I use fingernails when i play Travis picking stuff, but i like to use a thumb pick.

What kind of thumb pick? Some like Hercos but they don't work for me. I like Fred Kelly's Bumble Bee thumb picks. Love to hear Travis picking done well. Unfortunately, I'm not among those who do it well....

**emicad** · 06-22-2015, 10:06 AM

I use what I can find in local shops at the moment. I'm new to this beautiful style of playing so I'm experimenting.
Now I'm using mostly earnie ball and Dunlop standard thumb picks.
I'm learning very fast and I can say this style is the bomb.

**DRS** · 06-22-2015, 03:32 PM

Pearse Fast Turtle 3.2mm casein picks.

**edh** · 06-23-2015, 02:21 AM

@Mark, have you decided that the Benson picking style was not for you?

**MarkRhodes** · 06-23-2015, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by edh

@Mark, have you decided that the Benson picking style was not for you?

Yes, I have.
I decided to take this month off from obsessing about picking. (After 2 years, I needed a break.) I like using a smaller pick and am doing some experimenting but the main thing I'm doing is having fun playing.

**emicad** · 06-23-2015, 09:46 AM

what is exactly this "Benson picking"?

**MarkRhodes** · 06-23-2015, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by emicad

what is exactly this "Benson picking"?

O, my. There's a 51-page thread on the subject that opens with a video demonstration by our own Philco. This thread has had over 59,000 views. Lots of footage of George Benson in action (-as well as other players who take a similar approach).

Benson Picking technique on Gibson L5 Wesmo

**emicad** · 07-28-2015, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by MarkRhodes

What kind of thumb pick? Some like Hercos but they don't work for me. I like Fred Kelly's Bumble Bee thumb picks. Love to hear Travis picking done well. Unfortunately, I'm not among those who do it well....

I'm ordering some Fred Kelly's Slick Picks, take a look:
Slick Products | Fred Kelly Picks

**MarkRhodes** · 07-28-2015, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by emicad

I'm ordering some Fred Kelly's Slick Picks, take a look:
Slick Products | Fred Kelly Picks

I have a couple of those but it's been a year since I played with a thumb pick at all. Never got really good at it.

**entresz** · 07-30-2015, 06:52 PM

On my archtops I use the Wegen Fatone 5mm pick. At first I thought that a 5mm pick would be far too thick to be useable, but I find it easier to play with than thinner picks, particularly for fast playing. It sounds excellent for acoustic swing rhythm guitar too. I use this pick on my solid body guitars too.

**EpiJazz** · 07-30-2015, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by entresz

On my archtops I use the Wegen Fatone 5mm pick. At first I thought that a 5mm pick would be far too thick to be useable, but I find it easier to play with than thinner picks, particularly for fast playing. It sounds excellent for acoustic swing rhythm guitar too. I use this pick on my solid body guitars too.

Dude. That is the thickest pick I've ever seen!
Guitar PICKS, GRIPS and accessories-thick_gr-jpg

**EpiJazz** · 10-07-2015, 04:50 PM

I stand corrected. V-Picks makes a pick that's 11.85mm thick. Seriously. Costs $36 though...

Insanity -

**Klatu** · 10-07-2015, 07:20 PM

Check these out. They're called Purple Plectrums, and they're downright ridiculous.

Purple Plectrums

Made from advanced thermoplastics – Very low coefficient properties and very high abrasion resistance. They feel like velvet and provide amazing tonal characteristics.

Plectrum $45, includes shipping.
Thickness 6, 9, 12, 19 and 25 mm
Shape: Broadhead, Spade, Arrowhead, Standard and Micro
Sizes: Micro (22mm wide), Standard (27mm wide, Arrowhead (33mm wide), Spade: large (40mm wide), medium (35mm wide), Broadhead (45mm wide)
Seriously Hand Crafted to 5K (don’t try this with your own hands)

**EpiJazz** · 10-07-2015, 11:53 PM

Originally Posted by Klatu

Check these out. They're called Purple Plectrums, and they're downright ridiculous.

Purple Plectrums

Made from advanced thermoplastics – Very low coefficient properties and very high abrasion resistance. They feel like velvet and provide amazing tonal characteristics.

Plectrum $45, includes shipping.
Thickness 6, 9, 12, 19 and 25 mm
Shape: Broadhead, Spade, Arrowhead, Standard and Micro
Sizes: Micro (22mm wide), Standard (27mm wide, Arrowhead (33mm wide), Spade: large (40mm wide), medium (35mm wide), Broadhead (45mm wide)
Seriously Hand Crafted to 5K (don’t try this with your own hands)

...25mm. That is indeed downright ridiculous. According to Mr. V-Pick, the purpose of that is so your hands are relaxed, therefore playing becomes easier.

**Pickupjazz** · 10-08-2015, 01:18 AM

I'm with you on V picks. Great tone and feel. My only issue is that they wear down fairly quickly - do you find that?

(I use the Screamer)

**Dennis D** · 10-08-2015, 11:12 AM

Looking to try a thumb pick I once saw once -- not sure of the brand....looked smaller that the Herco's, but ??...black and yellow, if that helps...

Thanks in advance......

**D.G.** · 10-08-2015, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by EpiJazz

I stand corrected. V-Picks makes a pick that's 11.85mm thick. Seriously. Costs $36 though...

Insanity -

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want one! People always gawk over a simple 3.5 gypsy pick and think a 5mm Trimus is the height of madness and claim if you use a 7mm Fatone you might as well just use a brick. Almost 12mm thick, I gotta have one for my pick collection.

**edh** · 10-08-2015, 11:11 PM

@Dennis D, I believe those yellow and black picks are called "Bumble bees".

**Dennis D** · 10-09-2015, 12:09 AM

Originally Posted by edh

@Dennis D, I believe those yellow and black picks are called "Bumble bees".

Thanks...may check them out.....

**EpiJazz** · 10-09-2015, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by Pickupjazz

I'm with you on V picks. Great tone and feel. My only issue is that they wear down fairly quickly - do you find that?

(I use the Screamer)

I haven't had them for very long, so I can't say. But yes, great tone.

**EpiJazz** · 10-09-2015, 12:36 AM

Originally Posted by edh

@Dennis D, I believe those yellow and black picks are called "Bumble bees".

Which are made by Fred Kelly (Fred Kelly Picks | Fred Kelly Custom Guitar Picks!). I've been looking to try some of their Freedom fingerpicks, anyone use those? The reason I want them is because they're Delrin, which is what my main picks (the Dava Jazz Grips) are made out of. Should be consistent, right?

**MarkRhodes** · 10-09-2015, 09:26 AM

Here's a pic of Bumblebee thumbpick. I like them. Because of the way the pick is connected to the 'hoop', you can rotate it (if you want) to change the angle. I like it better than any other thumb pick I have tried. (But let the record show that I am not great shakes at thumb picking. I believe Jack Zucker used one of these in a video he posted sometime back.)

Attachment 24093

**GNAPPI** · 10-09-2015, 09:26 AM

Pick threads seem to always come up when I'm going through "pick angst" Maybe it's due to my picking technique changing and I start to go through my pick box and start fussing again. I've always (~45 years) used smaller picks like Fender teardrop types or the Dunlop "Jazz III" size in various materials.

Last month I was in a LGS and I wanted to try a guitar, but I did not have one of my own picks but someone had left a purple 351 2.0 mm Dunlop and I LOVED it. For the first time ever I found a pick that made little noticeable pick clicking and it actually sounded close to my thumb but ovbiously (for me) faster!

Well a short search on Ebay and I found that they were Dunlop Delrin 500's. I'm waiting on a couple of dozen in two thicknesses (1.5 and 2.0mm) to come in now. Can't wait for the 1.5mm.