I'm such an idiot...

[rubbersoul]

...or the most extreme creature of habit (probably both many times), but I have to admit, I have been using the same brand and thickness of picks for years. I mean, years. Why? Probably not for any rational reason. Like the title of this area of TGP, I have tried many effects, pedals, and strings, but what would fall under the "things" section, I haven't ventured far from what originally "felt" comfortable.

But recently, I have found the unbelievable range of tones that I have simply, and literally, at my fingertips with picks. All of the different thicknesses and materials. It has REALLY been eye-opening! Why haven't I tried this before!?

I just thought I'd share my idiocy or habits. There's so much talk about pickups, pedals, strings, tone woods, amps, etc. in the search for tone, there doesn't often seem to be much talk about just PICKS.

This may not desribe your experience at all, but it's been quite revelatory and fun for me. Picks of all things...why did it take me so long?

[noisemaker]

I use 2 thickness of picks..

I got herco flex 75 like jimmy page for my tele

and dunlop jimi hendrix collectors box with heavy picks for my LP

I used to use thin picks only...
screw that

that is what you were talking about right??

[rubbersoul]

Originally Posted by noisemaker

I use 2 thickness of picks..

I got herco flex 75 like jimmy page for my tele

and dunlop jimi hendrix collectors box with heavy picks for my LP

I used to use thin picks only...
screw that

that is what you were talking about right??

Yep...I only used Fender thin picks. It's been great to start experimenting will mediums, heavy, extra heavy, metal picks, etc.

[noisemaker]

Originally Posted by rubbersoul

Yep...I only used Fender thin picks. It's been great to start experimenting will mediums, heavy, extra heavy, metal picks, etc.

maybe I'll try some metal picks

[arthur rotfeld]

Indeed, for the price of a pedal you could have a WIDE selection of picks and a corresponding difference in tones. When I do sessions I make sure to bring a variety of picks. Also, it's sometimes crucial to change picks based on the sound of the room.

I'm about to order some wood and bone picks typically marketed to sarod players.

[rubbersoul]

Originally Posted by arthur rotfeld

Indeed, for the price of a pedal you could have a WIDE selection of picks and a corresponding difference in tones. When I do sessions I make sure to bring a variety of picks. Also, it's sometimes crucial to change picks based on the sound of the room.

I'm about to order some wood and bone picks typically marketed to sarod players.

I'm going to check out the wood and bone picks...sounds interesting. Thanks.

[Twangmaster]

Originally Posted by rubbersoul

I'm going to check out the wood and bone picks...sounds interesting. Thanks.

give vinnies V-PICKS a shot. yeah, they can be spendy, but they can open eyes (and ears) too...

My pickbox has got several different v-picks, various dunlop, fender, wood, etc. I think there even a few of them juck picks from GC in there!

i mean, why limit yourself over something as cheap as a pick

[Floor]

I always keep a thin pick stuck under the pickguard so I can switch to a lighter pick for quieter playing... Or I'll just use my fingers. But for most of the time I use 1mm picks because I feel that I have more control of the strings that way and the rythm stays tighter with thicker picks. I also can't play with picks with letters or any other rough surface, because I feel that they stick to my fingers giving me less control of it.. I even hate new picks, because I feel that they stick to my fingers to much..

[JeffOlson]

There's so much talk about pickups, pedals, strings, tone woods, amps, etc. in the search for tone, there doesn't often seem to be much talk about just PICKS.

Amen! The type of pick makes such a huge difference. So does using one's fingers instead of a pick...

[Bryan T]

I have a ziplock bag full of different types of picks. Everything from thin Fenders to 3mm Wegens. Occasionally, I'll sit down and go through all of the picks to see what works well for me. In the studio, I'll bring a handful of different picks to see what works best for the part I'm playing.

[Jules]

I'd been using .71mm Dunlop picks for years - never thought about using anything else. Then about 3 months ago I bought a whole bunch of picks in different thicknesses. I mostly use .96mm picks now but am comfortable with anything up to 1.5mm. Could never go back to anything as thin as I used to use. Don't know why I stuck with them so long.

[luxth]

I hated small picks for years and went for regular heavy ones, then i've recently tried the Paul Gilbert signature from Ibanez and i dont seem able to use anything else anymore, plain love them.

[smogfalls]

I've always liked the silver Herco's but they suck for any metal playing, so for that, I switch to the Green Dunlop Tortex .88mm

[In Tune]

Hercos......I do love them. Shhhhhhh..... they'll all be doin it.

[johan]

Found an old Dunlop Gator 1.5mm I really liked. Used Heavy Celluloid for year.
Just placed an order for a handful of Dunlop Ultex 1.0 mm.
Haven't tried V-picks...yet