Picks and Stones - Gembone Guitar Picks

**randyc** · 11-05-2009, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by lpdeluxe

So, Randy, you are advocating the selective breeding of tortoises? If what I read is true, you're going to have to be patient.

No, no, catch 'em in the wild and catch 'em young, before they learn to defend themselves. Put salt on their little tails, it will calm them down.

**mangotango** · 11-05-2009, 01:21 PM

After going through the entire spectrum of pick from coins to wood, I have finally found what I wanted. Had been alternating between Dunlop Jazz III's and Tortex. Then they brought out the Ultex picks, and they were great. Finally - Ultex Jazz III's.

That's the one!! Thank you, Mr. Dunlop!!

**P.J.** · 11-06-2009, 07:05 AM

Originally Posted by mangotango

After going through the entire spectrum of pick from coins to wood, I have finally found what I wanted. Had been alternating between Dunlop Jazz III's and Tortex. Then they brought out the Ultex picks, and they were great. Finally - Ultex Jazz III's.

That's the one!! Thank you, Mr. Dunlop!!

Do you know if they make Ultex in a jazz teardrop shape?

=-) PJ

**mangotango** · 11-06-2009, 07:22 AM

Dunlop

This would appear to be the range. Something in there for almost everybody, methinks.

A year down the line, I'll probably change me mind

, but for now.....

**YocoYur** · 11-08-2009, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by JohnRosett

I recently started using a V-pick, and I really like it. It's easier to hold onto than any other pick that I've tried. It even works for the mandolin!

I think that I saw Carlos Santana use it V-picks.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 11-08-2009, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by JohnRosett

I recently started using a V-pick, and I really like it. It's easier to hold onto than any other pick that I've tried. It even works for the mandolin!

Just checked out their web site. Looks interesting. And these are just insane!!

**YocoYur** · 11-08-2009, 02:43 PM

Can you insert a link to that page, please?

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 11-08-2009, 07:29 PM

The "insanity" guitar pick (no, I didn't make up the name!) is near the bottom of the page:

V-Picks Guitar Picks: Guitar Pick Items

It's nearly 12mm thick! I want to try one out for the same reason I want to try those 5lb "belly-buster" burgers!

**P.J.** · 11-09-2009, 07:02 AM

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

The "insanity" guitar pick (no, I didn't make up the name!) is near the bottom of the page:

V-Picks Guitar Picks: Guitar Pick Items

It's nearly 12mm thick! I want to try one out for the same reason I want to try those 5lb "belly-buster" burgers!

Yikes! Unless you are a tiger or a crocodile I can't see eating that much meat. 12mm is huge for a pick. Why not just pick up a rock and use that?

=-) PJ

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 11-09-2009, 12:12 PM

Well, I often just use my fingers and they're pretty think, too

As for the meat, I love a challenge. Plus, I've been banned by several "all-you-can-eat" Chinese buffets in my town. Yes! I use quotes marks because it's not literally true. I'm one of those people whose picture is on the "great wall of shame" by the cash register.

**wizard3739** · 03-23-2010, 06:11 PM

I just ordered a couple small v-picks to try them out. I will post my comments about them after I use them on a gig.

wiz

**82Benedetto** · 03-23-2010, 06:13 PM

The exotic picks look really cool, but I like the dunlop jazz with the pointed tips, not rounded...plus I like smaller picks anyway.

I'd try an exotic one if it floated my way, though.

**msr13** · 03-23-2010, 09:10 PM

I really like the v-picks. But I have one wegen gypsy jazz pick that sounds and feels unbelievably good.

**heavyblues** · 03-25-2010, 03:24 AM

^ Ima n00b. I use dunlop 205's. Love them.

**wizard3739** · 03-26-2010, 01:03 AM

I bought 3 (different thicknesses) of the V-picks to try them out and much to my surprise, they are as advertised! I have finally (after many years of trial and error) found a really good pick. They are a bit pricey ($4 - $10) but they are worth the cost. They have slightly different tone in accordance with the width and the bevel. For a pick with a great jazz tone that won't slip from your fingers, try these out, they are the best I have ever found.

wiz

V-Picks Guitar Picks: Guitar Pick Items

**P.J.** · 03-26-2010, 06:33 AM

Originally Posted by Scolohofo

One of these days i buy me one of those

I actually have a button on my amp right now that I use sometimes for a pick. It gets awesome harmonics and sounds really cool even if it isn't particularly easy to play with.

=-) PJ

**cubemonkey** · 03-26-2010, 10:40 PM

this is a great forum. I have already learned alot. Who doesn't love a type of music that looks like math?

A lot of players probably think being obsessed (if that is the right word) about picks is silly, but it can be important I think. I spent about (cough) 10 years looking for THE pick. What did Mclaughlin use? Burrel? whoever. So I would try this and that. I chose to blame the pick for lack of technique. why not?
Butfor me i learned a few lessons. One was, if you are playing different types of music (strumming vs single not fast stuff), you have to find a pick that is a good compromise between the two (unless you have great technique). For me I decided since George Benson, Robert Fripp (pre GC) & Kenny Burrell can get away with a medium pick, so can i. But for single note soloing, its the dunlap Jazz III 208. its bigger so i can hold it. As much as i tried to use those little fender "jazz" picks, forget it. Of course when you use light strings a harder pick is harder on the strings and strumming takes more concentration. The silly thing i discovered is the JAZZ III gave me alot more speed, but I wound up only playing the scales/riffs i knew. no creativity. Lack of practice at that speed i am sure.
And of course the sound of a pick. I was trying a version of Emily Remlers Afro Blue. didn't matter which guitar I used, just too bright or something. Started playing with my thumb mostly (I guess there is a jazz legend who did that...whatz his name?

) and a whole new world opened, instant tone i wanted....no pick...who knew? Course if you do anything faster you will eventually have to use hammer-ons, but i'd rather have tone and some originality vs. a sterile stiff scale.

OMG...i've bored myself! But I hope someone experimenting will find this useful. Course there are *TONS* of posts on this on the various forums. I know, i read them all.

You can spend your life doing that. Course now I read all the posts on soloing over II-V-I's.

Jay

**Scolohofo** · 04-19-2010, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by P.J.

I actually have a button on my amp right now that I use sometimes for a pick. It gets awesome harmonics and sounds really cool even if it isn't particularly easy to play with.

=-) PJ

I did get me a button and play with on my old saga gypsy guitar,wel,i guess i won't use another pick on that particular guitar!The rythme sound is great and soloing is there too!I never hear that guitar that way even with wegen picks and other gypsy picks!Mister Django knew what he did with the button!!

**bluemood** · 04-19-2010, 01:40 PM

I made a switch to the Gibson med pure classic celluloid ...I find them to be the most versatile for me...No string ching or crash for rhythm and nice single notes darker sounding than Fender classic celluloid...I'm not into really thick picks.