Picks revisited

Phil
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Posts: 3,563

Picks revisited Aug 30, 2015 17:09:58 GMT -6

Quote

Post by Phil on Aug 30, 2015 17:09:58 GMT -6

Since I got back into playing electric guitar exactly 2 years ago I've been using Dunlop Jazz III picks. I bought them originally because Eric Johnson used them. I knew I wanted a heavy gauge pick, but didn't know what to buy. I figured if they were good enough for EJ they'd be good enough for me.

Well, today I ran across an old beat up Fender heavy pick - the tortoise shell looking kind. I think I found it on the street a few years ago. To make a long story short, I tried playing with it today and I can't believe how much easier it was for me to play with this pick versus the Jazz III. I didn't think a pick could make that much difference. I got the idea to try a larger pick because I saw Jack Pearson on Steve Krenz's weekly show the other day and he was using an enormous looking triangular pick.

I'm not saying the Jazz III isn't any good. After all, a lot of great guitarists use them. What I'm saying is that you need to find the pick that you are most comfortable with, and it may not be the one you're currently using. I'll now be looking around for a larger heavy gauge pick. Don't know which material I'll end up liking more, but I'm going to start trying out different ones.

Jazz III (left) Fender Heavy (right)

There's a difference between having 30 years of experience and having 1 year of experience 30 times.

cunningr
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Picks revisited Aug 31, 2015 9:51:00 GMT -6

Quote

Post by cunningr on Aug 31, 2015 9:51:00 GMT -6

I bought several different ones a few months ago, kinda fun seeing how the pick will also affect the tone. I have some medium white tortoises shells that I like, but they are fairly stiff. I thought I gave you one to try out, I bought a really thick plastic pick that I hate.

jack1982
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Posts: 3,274

Picks revisited Aug 31, 2015 10:01:19 GMT -6

Quote

Post by jack1982 on Aug 31, 2015 10:01:19 GMT -6

I use Jim Dunlop Nylon ones - I was using the .60 mm for everything but lately I've only been using them for rhythm. For lead I'm mostly using a .73 mm now. Just a little stiffer and gives you a more positive feel of contact with the strings and more control of the dynamics of course.

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I look to you to see the truth

Phil
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Posts: 3,563

Picks revisited Aug 31, 2015 14:35:56 GMT -6

Quote

Post by Phil on Aug 31, 2015 14:35:56 GMT -6

My problem is with the size of the pick, not the thickness. I've discovered that I like a larger pick. This is one of those things that you can't learn until you've been playing awhile. You might like a certain pick when you first start, but later on with experience you find another style or thickness suits you better.

I definitely like a thick heavy pick. The Dunlops are 1.38mm I don't know the gauge of the Fender Heavy. One of these days I'm going to try a Wegen. That's what the Gypsy Jazz players tend to use - they're 3.5mm. Wegen also makes a pick that's 5.0mm! Joshco Stephan uses those. These picks are beveled at the edges and have an indentation for your thumb. They also cost $15.00 per pick, but supposedly last forever. They are designed for very fast picking.

There's a difference between having 30 years of experience and having 1 year of experience 30 times.

wannaplayblues
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Posts: 896

Picks revisited Sept 1, 2015 3:03:19 GMT -6

Quote

Post by wannaplayblues on Sept 1, 2015 3:03:19 GMT -6

I use the "Jazz III XL" - it's basically a Jazz III but the size of a standard pick. Have you tried one of these Phil?

A quick google - to hopefully explain better in images:

And this one comparing the Jazz III to the Jazz III XL, which I use:

Last Edit: Sept 1, 2015 3:04:31 GMT -6 by wannaplayblues

"I hear you talkin' son, but you 'aint sayin' nothin'" - Will McFarlane quoting Muddy Waters hearing a really fast guitar player

Phil
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Posts: 3,563

Picks revisited Sept 1, 2015 12:01:52 GMT -6 wannaplayblues likes this

Quote

Post by Phil on Sept 1, 2015 12:01:52 GMT -6

Sept 1, 2015 3:03:19 GMT -6 wannaplayblues said:

I use the "Jazz III XL" - it's basically a Jazz III but the size of a standard pick. Have you tried one of these Phil?

A quick google - to hopefully explain better in images:

And this one comparing the Jazz III to the Jazz III XL, which I use:

Thanks, WPB. I didn't know they came in a larger size. I'll have to give those a try.

Last Edit: Sept 1, 2015 12:02:16 GMT -6 by Phil

There's a difference between having 30 years of experience and having 1 year of experience 30 times.

wannaplayblues God Posts: 896	Picks revisited Sept 5, 2015 8:38:16 GMT -6 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by wannaplayblues on Sept 5, 2015 8:38:16 GMT -6 Let me know how they go Phil
	"I hear you talkin' son, but you 'aint sayin' nothin'" - Will McFarlane quoting Muddy Waters hearing a really fast guitar player

Post by Phil on Aug 30, 2015 17:09:58 GMT -6

Post by cunningr on Aug 31, 2015 9:51:00 GMT -6

Post by jack1982 on Aug 31, 2015 10:01:19 GMT -6

Post by Phil on Aug 31, 2015 14:35:56 GMT -6

Post by wannaplayblues on Sept 1, 2015 3:03:19 GMT -6

Post by Phil on Sept 1, 2015 12:01:52 GMT -6

Post by wannaplayblues on Sept 5, 2015 8:38:16 GMT -6