Pick Thickness

[Codeseven]

As in my other post about string choice, I know pick choice is very subjective, however...

Is there a typical progression that a learning guitar player goes through with pick thickness?

When I first started playing guitar a year ago I couldn't use a thick pick without fumbling all over the strings. I noticed than a very thin pick was forgiving and much easier for me to use. Now that I've been able to improve my skills I notice I'm now liking a thicker pick for it's precision and attack. I started out using a .50 pick, then .60 and now .73. But it seems I've read that many others use much thicker picks like 1.00 and above (I've even read that the old blues players used coins , but then again you couldn't just drop into a GC back then). Is this just a normal progression that guitars players go through in order to use thicker picks as maybe they 'should be'? Does a guitar teacher typically start out new students with thinner more forgiving picks with the intent to eventually have them work their way up to a thick pick?

As I've mentioned before, I like learning to play bluesy rock such as AC/DC, Led Zep, ZZ Top, SRV. I have the feeling that thin, forgiving, light action picks aren't necessarily conducive to that style of music, true?

 

[Steinmetzify]

Personal preference. For me I'm mostly a metal player and I'll use anything heavy, but mostly acrylics that are between 4mm and 6mm thick. I love the chunk they have and I just don't get the attack with thinner picks that I play that music for, with the palm muted aggressive riffs.

For something like the BTOTM here I'll use an LP or a Strat and use a very thin pick for bluesier leads and slower stuff with bends or chord strumming thru a song.

Just always felt better that way to me, and that's how I've always played.

It wasn't really a progression for me....I started out playing metal with big picks and when I learned slower stuff it just made sense to use a thinner pick. If it was a progression, I did it backwards lol.

 

[paradice]

yeah I think it's more about preference and familiarity rather than progression

a lighter pick's easier to play quiet strumming and a thick pick will be more suited to palm muted chunk chunk stuff but you could get convincing results with the opposite


you made me think of something - when I was younger I remember there being shards/strands of plectrum on the guitar after playing sometimes, never happens now. Dunno what happened

 

[Codeseven]

Thanks guys.

I just took me using a thin pick as a new guitar player cutting corners because it just seems much easier. I'm always little a leery of learning something new and just doing something because it's 'easiest'. Like using poor technique, posture among other things that make playing easy at the time but develop into bad habits.

 

[Nightrain]

Pick thickness has a huge influence on tone, I go from 2mm to 0.80 depending on what my ears require. Thicker gives more "mud", thinner gives more definition.

Try it on an acoustic, that's where I noticed such a big change in sound. At the end of the day though, as long as it's comfortable for you to use, use it.

 

[Frogfur]

Folded matchbook cover..the ultimate

 

[So What]

.60-.73

.

 

[DanL]

Opposite of you, I started with heavy picks because they wouldn't bend and accidentally strike another string. I've found thinner picks allow me to play more dynamically. Funny, some say the same about thicker picks.

It's preference. I use nylon 0.6mm when I use a pick, but that's not too often these days unless I'm double timing a solo.

 

[Ratstar]

Pinched harmonics seem to be easier with a thicker pick. I also play bass, though, so I couldn't get away with anything too thin (not comfortably for me, anyway). I usually use .88 - 1.00

 

[Codeseven]

Thanks again everyone.

I feel like as I work my way up through thicker picks that my skill level is improving. It seems as though I have to be more precise with my picking when I use a thicker pick, could that be true? I do like the volume and attack better.

 

[parts]

I use everything..from thin to petrified wood..agate..brass..copper...bone..quarters..

There is a time and need for just about anything..

 

[revtime]

I picked up some Dunlop Prime Tone picks for grins and I am really enjoying them. They are 1 mm but play thicker than my 1.14 mm brain picks.
I have a bag of all kinds of different picks. I did not know what I liked so I tried a bit of everything. I like a big Stubby 2.0 mm when I play bass.
Picks are cheap so get a few different types next time your at the git shack.
Like most things though it will seem a bit odd at first but stick with a certain pick for a bit and they will start filtering themselves out till you have your personal pick size.

 

[Codeseven]

Hi Rev, that's exactly what I did some time ago. I bought almost every thickness I came across and ended up just gravitating to the thin .50-.60 picks because they made playing 'easier'.

Normally I'd say anything that makes playing easier is a good thing but I also found that if I if I only played sitting down and hunched over staring at my picking hand it was 'easier' and if I avoided playing with the tips of my fingers it was 'easier'. But those things, tho easier, are not what I would want to make a bad habit of.

I think sometimes, especially as a newer player, if you find doing something makes it so much easier to play you need to take a second look and be sure it's not just a shortcut to a bad habit. I just wanted to make sure using a thin pick wasn't one of them.

 

[revtime]

Hi Rev, that's exactly what I did some time ago. I bought almost every thickness I came across and ended up just gravitating to the thin .50-.60 picks because they made playing 'easier'.

Normally I'd say anything that makes playing easier is a good thing but I also found that if I if I only played sitting down and hunched over staring at my picking hand it was 'easier' and if I avoided playing with the tips of my fingers it was 'easier'. But those things, tho easier, are not what I would want to make a bad habit of.

I think sometimes, especially as a newer player, if you find doing something makes it so much easier to play you need to take a second look and be sure it's not just a shortcut to a bad habit. I just wanted to make sure using a thin pick wasn't one of them.

The more I play the more I understand that its about finding your own technique. Your own style. Your own voice. My friends tell me I am getting pretty good. But in my mind I think I don't sound like Zakk or Warren Haynes so how can I be any good? What I have to realize is I am never going to sound like them. I am going to sound like me and being the best me I can be is the goal.
If all you want to do is strum your chords and make it sound pretty (and chords are what make it sound pretty) then thinish picks will work fine. But if you ever get into the weedly weedly end and fast single note licks I can guarantee you will end up with a thicker pick. You need the control of a stiffer pick.

 

[93LPStudio]

Wow...I use 1.5's! I used to use mediums, and thin picks were just to...well thin . I like the thicker pick cause I like to attack the strings lightly and I personally seem to have more control and I get more clarity using heavy picks. This is definitely a to each their own preference and what works for one might not work for another.

 

[kevinpaul]

I just bought some of the Gel picks. They don't make the clicking sound on acoustic guitars. Very nice for recording.

 

[LPCollector]

One of the biggest improvements in my playing and tone has been with switching to V Picks~ Diamond. (and other models like the Snake, but the Diamond is my go to).

Diamond Pointed - : Guitar Picks & Mandolin Picks Handmade in Nashville USA: Guitar Picks & Mandolin Picks Handmade in Nashville USA

It's 4.10mm thick, smooth as glass, allows a softer grip, and gives me total control over dynamics.
.....and Vinnie has even custom made some picks for me, like a Snake "Mummy", which he delivered in record time.

If you find that your pick hand is the weak link, these will change that in a heartbeat.

 

[von Rainer]

I'm not a pick expert, but I've bought and used and lost hundreds. Once I found this, it is always in my pocket and I'm quite satisfied.

 

[Codeseven]

Cool. Looks like I have some new picks to try out. Thanks

 

[BluesDisciple]

I started using a Tortex triangular bass pick (1mm) and have gone progressively smaller. I'm using a Jazz III now, either Ultex or Nylonin 1.38mm thickness. I love the Black Stiffo's. The relieved logo and brand help me hold onto the pick preventing it from swiveling in my fingers.