A Different Angle on Tone

[caltx01]

I am a new poster here, but a long-time reader and long-time LP player and fan.

I have seen many very useful discussions about tone and how it is affected by different aspects of the overall setup. One of the things that affects my tone almost as much as any other is the pick that I use. For flatpicks, I prefer a light to medium pick, but my tone is much better (IMHO) with a heavier pick. I am not as precise or fast (yet) with a heavy pick but it sure sounds better.

Many years ago I remember reading in "Guitar Player" that Billy Gibbons used a quarter as a pick to get his scratchy, screaming tone.

It seems a trivial and easily overlooked aspect of one's set-up but it can have such a significant affect on the overall sound. BTW, my primary style is country blues and classic rock.

Are others as affected by pick choice as I am? What kind do you use? What material? What gauge? Thanks

 

[asattwanger]

check out these JOHN PEARSE® BUFFALO HORN PICKS

Breezy Ridge New Products

Personaly I play and buy the large purple pointy Jim Dunlop pics by the refill bag for $25.

 

[basschick22]

I have recently discovered Surfpicks. They are made of Lignum Vitae, a very tough wood. In my opinion, they improve both tone and playability. I believe the testimonials are accurate (and even gave my own). I'll warn you that they aren't cheap, but they are the best pick that I've come across so far.

You can read up on them at SURFPICK hand made guitar picks, - Custom made rare wooden guitar pick - best for recording or performing - from the amazing wood Lignum Vitae. Cool. Surf Pick.

 

[hbucker]

The Edge uses a pick turned sideways so that the gripping nubs scratch the string as he picks. Makes for a distorted kind of attack with a cleaner, more defined sustain. My friend who is an Edge-aholic informed me of this trick. Now that I know about it, I can hear it in The Edge's playing.

 

[61LPSG]

The Edge uses a pick turned sideways so that the gripping nubs scratch the string as he picks. Makes for a distorted kind of attack with a cleaner, more defined sustain. My friend who is an Edge-aholic informed me of this trick. Now that I know about it, I can hear it in The Edge's playing.

I've been doing that for a long time. It also seems to bring out the harmonics for me. Different thicknesses and materials make a very noticable difference.I've even used Phos-Bronze picks to get that Texas "bite".
I stopped playing about 20 yrs ago because I cut the end off of my index finger. Even though they re-attached it it was numb from the scar tissue,(and basically retarded) ... I couldn't hold onto a pick...doh. So about a year ago I decided to try again. I tried about everything out there, and find that cutting the center out of a heavy or med nylon makes it easy possible for me to actually play again. No matter how hard I try to force myself to use the point, I always end up with round corner. No shredder here.

 

[loaded six string]

Doritos had a promo a number of years ago, where they put a guitar pick in every bag. I have about 10 of these, it's all that I use.

 

[Huey]

regular plastic picks for me

 

[jwinger]

i use fairly thick plastic picks (usually dunlop or the one that came with my bareknuckle pickups). However, I play holding the pickup the wrong way wound...with the narrow pointed end in my fingers, and the wider rounded end playing the strings....I much prefer the tone this way...its sweeter, rounder, warmer and gives better sustain IMHO!! Try it sometime...u may like it!!

P.S - Should probably add that i mainly play blues and a bit of old rock

 

[stonevibe]

Dunlop Red Jazz IIIs for me.

 

[dwagar]

I agree, choice of pick makes a big difference.

I've been using Dunlop copper picks for years, they make maybe 6 thicknesses, I prefer the .010s.

 

[JW123]

Dunlap Green Tortex .88 mm

I buy them in bulk bags.

I tryed coins for a while, didnt sound that good with me using them.

 

[Rock Johnson]

Pickboy used to make a pick that was just wonderful - the Edge Polycarbonate. They were THE best picks I've ever used. They're no longer made, sadly.

 

[General Disarray]

White landstrom sharkfins all the way

 

[toka_ares]

i use dunlops tortex picks of different thicknesses depending on what im playing, usually heavier for heavier music, lighter for lighter music

 

[lastinline]

Dunlop Red Jazz IIIs for me.

Right on!!!

 

[b-squared]

The Edge uses a pick turned sideways so that the gripping nubs scratch the string as he picks. Makes for a distorted kind of attack with a cleaner, more defined sustain. My friend who is an Edge-aholic informed me of this trick. Now that I know about it, I can hear it in The Edge's playing.

I have some of the same picks he uses...you really can get close to his tone with those. It's gets a neat "snap" off the strings with it.

BB

 

[Mr. Diamond]

I use Dunlop yellows after using heavys for longer than I care to admit to.

Here's what Bad Ole' BFG himself uses: "SOME DUDE'S PESO PICKS"TM


Brain May uses an English Sixpence for a pick.
Brian's rather unusual choice of guitar pick is a coin - an english sixpence, which is a small circular coin with a serrated edge. He chose to use the sixpence as a pick because he finds plastic plectrums too flexible. He holds the coin very lightly and occasionally uses its serrated edge against the strings to produce a rasp. For quiter sections, Brian will often pick the strings with his fingers and only use the coin for the louder sections where more attack is required. For his first solo tour, Brian actually had some sixpence sized coins specially minted and these were on sale during the tour.

Brian May's Equipment

 

[Z.K.]

Right on!!!

me too...either black or red. I try going back to regular picks every now and then but oce you've tried these, you can't go back.

-

 

[tung]

I have recently discovered Surfpicks. They are made of Lignum Vitae, a very tough wood. In my opinion, they improve both tone and playability. I believe the testimonials are accurate (and even gave my own). I'll warn you that they aren't cheap, but they are the best pick that I've come across so far.

.[/url]

These picks looks really good, too bad I can't get them to ship to Canada.
I like very thick picks as well, I find it give my playing more solid conviction on the notes, and fast runs are more even and less lagging.
I'm using Dunlop Big Stubby right now, which are great at 3.00 mm, but always on the lookout for good thick picks.

 

[marc1kim]

I love Dunlop Ultex:

From MF:

They have that thing.
Designed to feel and sound like old-fashioned real tortoiseshell picks, they have unmatched durability and response. Choose .60mm, .73mm, 1.0mm, or 1.14mm.

Dunlop 421P Ultex Guitar Picks Features:

Brilliant snap
Hard-core durability
Flawless contoured edges
Unlimited dynamic range
Order this essential guitar accessory today. You'll never use another kind of pick.