Guitar Picks and Agility

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Thanks! I just ordered a 3 pack.

The Acrylux Nitras arrived, and I used them a on yesterday’s gig. I like them - they have great feel, a smooth edge, and are nicely stiff but not hard. But I don’t think they’re as warm as Proplecs, Jazztones, or red nylon Jazz 2s. So I’m still searching for a ProPlec replacement.

My wife and I went to the Philadelphia Craft Show Friday. For the first time I can remember, there was an exhibitor there who made solid body guitars. Instead of business cards, he had black picks with his name on one side and his URL (in letters so small none of us could read them without a magnifying glass) on the other side. He gave me one to try his guitars, and it seemed like a great pick. But I couldn’t tell on an unamplified solid body in the middle of the Philly Convention Center.

When I got home and used it to play a bit, it plays and sounds fantastic! It’s even a bit warmer than the ProPlec, red Jazz 2, and Jazztone but it’s well balanced and not at all dull. I’d happily use these - but the luthier who gave it to me has no idea what it is. He got them a few years ago from one of those online suppliers of promotional items and doesn’t remember which one!

It’s the same size and shape as a black Dunlop 2mm Gator Grip, but I don’t remember any GG I’ve tried that sounded that wonderful. So the hunt is on!

[bluejaybill]

I have a Blue Chip IBJ55, but I rarely use it. It's the dullest sounding Blue Chip pick I own, and I have a dozen or so. Which I prefer depends on the guitar and the amp, whether I'm playing just rhythm or solo, and the phase of the moon or something. Currently I'm mostly using a TP1R 50, but I also like the Large Jazz 40 that I have.

This thread had been dead for a very long time until the necromancer came along.

I find the tone of Blue Chips varies a bit depending on tip shape, some are sharp and brighter, and some are rounder and fatter. I use both for various things.

[Tom Karol]

I find the tone of Blue Chips varies a bit depending on tip shape, some are sharp and brighter, and some are rounder and fatter. I use both for various things.

This is clearly true, but I find the tone of identically shaped Blue Chips varies with the thickness as well. For example, my Jazz 50 is noticeably brighter than my Jazz 60. I assume that Jazz 40's sound brighter than that, and that Jazz 35's would sound brighter still. As far as the IBJ55's are concerned, I use those with my flat-top acoustics strung with .012-.053 80-20 bronze strings, and - to me - it's a great match.

[sgosnell]

I agree, the shape and thickness both matter to the tone of the pick.

[Oscar67]

Dunlop Jazz III: default pick for everything except jazz.
Dunlop 206: default pick for jazz.
ChickenPicks BadAzz III 2.5: for precision alternate picking at speed (this thing made me 30% faster just like that) as well as any situation where more clarity of sound is needed. They make many more types of pick, all very high quality.

[nyc chaz]

The Acrylux Nitras arrived, and I used them a on yesterday’s gig. I like them - they have great feel, a smooth edge, and are nicely stiff but not hard. But I don’t think they’re as warm as Proplecs, Jazztones, or red nylon Jazz 2s. So I’m still searching for a ProPlec replacement.

My wife and I went to the Philadelphia Craft Show Friday. For the first time I can remember, there was an exhibitor there who made solid body guitars. Instead of business cards, he had black picks with his name on one side and his URL (in letters so small none of us could read them without a magnifying glass) on the other side. He gave me one to try his guitars, and it seemed like a great pick. But I couldn’t tell on an unamplified solid body in the middle of the Philly Convention Center.

When I got home and used it to play a bit, it plays and sounds fantastic! It’s even a bit warmer than the ProPlec, red Jazz 2, and Jazztone but it’s well balanced and not at all dull. I’d happily use these - but the luthier who gave it to me has no idea what it is. He got them a few years ago from one of those online suppliers of promotional items and doesn’t remember which one!

It’s the same size and shape as a black Dunlop 2mm Gator Grip, but I don’t remember any GG I’ve tried that sounded that wonderful. So the hunt is on!

Have you ever tried a Pickboy medium jazz pick?It might be what you are looking for.

[bluejaybill]

This is clearly true, but I find the tone of identically shaped Blue Chips varies with the thickness as well. For example, my Jazz 50 is noticeably brighter than my Jazz 60. I assume that Jazz 40's sound brighter than that, and that Jazz 35's would sound brighter still. As far as the IBJ55's are concerned, I use those with my flat-top acoustics strung with .012-.053 80-20 bronze strings, and - to me - it's a great match.

You are exactly right about the gauge, and on acoustics I find I can vary the tome quite a bit using different ones. As you say, 50 is great for a flat top, nice strong fundamentals.

[edpirie]

I was a long time user of jazz II picks and around 4-5 years ago developed a preference for Dunlop jazztones, at the suggestion of a friend. I did struggle bit, however, with the feel of the them so a couple years ago I went on a quest and bought a bunch of random picks and started testing and comparing.

That's how I found the D'Addario Acrulux Nitra Jazz 1.5mm and there's no turning back!!! I find them to be fairly comparable to Pro Plecs in terms of warmth, tone and feel... but no warping. They're not as cheap as some others, and certainly not that popular around here, but I can't envision myself ever changing. For those curious, give 'em a whirl sometime.

Acrylic Nitra Jazz Pick | Accessories | D'Addario

Thanks for the recommendation. I have been using Jazztones as my main pick (the 206) and liked the combination of medium sharp tip and the inherent warmth of the material/thickness. Ordered some Nitras off the back of your review and I think I have my new favourite. They have just a bit more definition to my ears, a little more surface area for grip without being too big, no scraping noise, and they glide over the strings better than any other pick I've tried. In fact I was surprised at first by the agility factor as that wasn't something I was expecting. At some point I'll try a Wegen BigCity and a Blue Chip BC60, but I'm in no rush to look for anything better.

[pdfiddler]

Blue Chip TD40 or Dunlop ultex for me.

[frabarmus]

All brands (and materials) I can get my hands on of small teardrop 358, my one and only. 1mm up to 2mm, deponding on the guitar, scale length and string gauge. I've tried dozens of different shapes and sizes (most expensive being Timber Tones) including 351 and small Jazz iii, Dunlop 204 (for a couple of years) always "returning home" to 358s.
They just feel, play and sound best, for me; the most agile and precise pick, in my experience.

[LifeOnJazz]

Thanks for the recommendation. I have been using Jazztones as my main pick (the 206) and liked the combination of medium sharp tip and the inherent warmth of the material/thickness. Ordered some Nitras off the back of your review and I think I have my new favourite. They have just a bit more definition to my ears, a little more surface area for grip without being too big, no scraping noise, and they glide over the strings better than any other pick I've tried. In fact I was surprised at first by the agility factor as that wasn't something I was expecting. At some point I'll try a Wegen BigCity and a Blue Chip BC60, but I'm in no rush to look for anything better.

Pleased to hear. Tone alone, the Nitra may not win over Jazztone or ProPlec, but that's personal taste. The big improvement for me over the jazztone was in feel and agility... no more fumbling in my fingers. I am sure there are other great picks out there I haven't tried, but for now, the Nitra is working for me. My only wish would be that they had more tip shapes and thicknesses to chose from.

[Litterick]

Fender offset picks: 'Made from a “durable polycarbonate material”, the new guitar picks have been bigged up to the max in their production description, with Fender enthusiastically dubbing the design “the game-changing pick you never knew you needed” and “the most versatile pick EVER!”

[frabarmus]

Fender offset picks: 'Made from a “durable polycarbonate material”, the new guitar picks have been bigged up to the max in their production description, with Fender enthusiastically dubbing the design “the game-changing pick you never knew you needed” and “the most versatile pick EVER!”

The shape looks interesting... I wonder what the actual size is like... (more towards 351 or small Jazz III?)

[nyc chaz]

Fender offset picks: 'Made from a “durable polycarbonate material”, the new guitar picks have been bigged up to the max in their production description, with Fender enthusiastically dubbing the design “the game-changing pick you never knew you needed” and “the most versatile pick EVER!”

Looks like the same shape John Pearse has made for years.I tried some years ago but the shape was not comfortable for me.