The difference a pick can make.

[Tim]

Carol Kaye posted this on her web forum some years ago about an
experience that Mitch Holder had in getting the right sound for a
movie sound track by changing not the guitar or amp or strings,
but.... his pick.

I thought it was really interesting to know that people are so
technical for a reason and this was what inspired me to come up with
the customizing string guage question I previously asked. Anyhow,
Mitch says:

The D'Andrea Co. has an article on their website that I wrote about
this very topic. The link is: www.dandreapicks.com/pickarticle.htm.
It's called, Pity The Poor Pick. Years ago I just played jazz and used
one kind of pick. When I started doing studio work I realized what a
difference the pick could make with all the different kinds of
instruments and styles we had to do. We're talking all types of
electrics, acoustics, mandolins, banjos and many things you've never
even heard of. I found that different size picks, materials and
thicknesses could totally change the sound and feel.

Here's a case in point. I got a call several years ago to do a movie
track with Clint Eastwood for Space Cowboys. It was on a dubbing
stage, so there wasn't room for all the cartage cases of instruments,
amps and so forth that I normally show up with. I was told it was ala
Herb Ellis, so I brought a hollow body electric (Howard Roberts'
personal Gibson signature model, the closest thing I had to an Gibson
175) and had an amp delivered. When Clint played the song for me on
the piano, it had nothing to do with jazz, it was for the opening
scene in the movie, where the four 'aged' astronauts are depicted
during their earlier years. It was like a lonely guitar player out in
the middle of the desert playing this song. Panicking wasn't going to
work or telling them I needed another guitar (a flat top acoustic)
wasn't going to work. My solution was to change the pick from the jazz
pick I would normally use to the '351' medium shape that most of you
know as a Fender pick (made by D'Andrea for Fender, they invented the
351), which is what I found out worked best on steel string acoustic
guitars. What this accomplished was to give the acoustic sound of that
arch top a brighter sound, but, more importantly, gave me the feel of
playing on a flat top and enabled me to get out of the jazz mode
completely. Fortunately, it worked and they were happy which made me
happy. Clint is a big jazz fan, I had worked with him before and he
never said a word about the guitar and I certainly didn't either, it
just worked and that was that. Phew, what if I hadn't had a pocketful
of different picks to choose from that day???? That track I did is at
the very beginning of the picture. The subject of picks is a very good
topic and should be studied more by guitarists. Thanks for bringing it
up.

http://www.thejazznetworkworldwide.com/group/jazzguitarists/forum/topics/1974321:Topic:195599

[Jazzer]

> http://www.thejazznetworkworldwide.com/group/jazzguitarists/forum/top...

There is no question at all that picks can make a huge difference in
terms of tone and feel of the strings etc.

But when all is said and done (yes it's good to experiment), you
shouldn't become obsessed with this one aspect of playing jazz
guitar.

There are many more important things to concentrate on.

[Tim]

Oh, Very true. I was simply bringing up the thought of how Mitch
modeled the tune to the way that Clint wanted it by simply changing
picks, which in turn helped him to create a diffre3nt playing style
than what he'd normally have done .

[Joey Goldstein]

Interesting that this story is coming from D'Andrea because I switched
to their Pro-Plec picks about a year ago, based on some recommendations
here (thanks TD) and I'm getting a better tone now than ever.

I used to laugh at people who thought the pick mattered, but it really does.


--
Joey Goldstein
<http://www.joeygoldstein.com>
<http://home.primus.ca/~joegold/AudioClips/audio.htm>

[Gerry]

On 2013-01-07 01:53:52 +0000, Tim quoted someone as saying:

> ...more importantly, gave me the feel of playing on a flat top and

> enabled me to get out of the jazz mode completely.

I agree. It's amazing how many things, certainly including a pick, can
help you change your mindset. And mindset is the critical component.
--
Music is the best means we have of digesting time. -- W. H. Auden

[Gerry]

On 2013-01-07 05:04:51 +0000, Tim said:

>> There is no question at all that picks can make a huge difference in
>> terms of tone and feel of the strings etc.
>>
>> But when all is said and done (yes it's good to experiment), you
>> shouldn't become obsessed with this one aspect of playing jazz
>> guitar.

I think "obsession with things that make a "huge difference" is better
than things that make a small difference.

>> There are many more important things to concentrate on.

And less important things too. Pick construction--and more importantly
their usage--are a few of thousands of things in a long and winding
road. I say this as a person who currently doesn't uses my fingers
right now.

> Oh, Very true. I was simply bringing up the thought of how Mitch
> modeled the tune to the way that Clint wanted it by simply changing
> picks, which in turn helped him to create a diffre3nt playing style
> than what he'd normally have done .

It doesn't matter much. If Mitch had related a story that he had been
saved from disaster by having an extra fuse for his amp, that too might
have been reason to avoid obsessing over electronics, for instance.

I note that whatever minor revelation one has on the topic of music,
from mechanics to spiritual awakening, mentioning it may be mistaken
for "obsessing". Sometimes even idly pondering a topic will be
diagnosed as "obsession". Learning scales and encountering some
positive utility from this, for instance, will almost always be greeted
by some with admonitions to avoid obsession. I've found that scales,
arpeggios and learning to read music seem the most rapidly identified
as potentials obsession. I'm not sure why chords don't get the same
response.

I say, go ahead--be obsessed! Go from one obsession to another, just
like the rest of the planet does in almost every significant pursuit.
Obsessions (aka focused approach to one topic) are frequently related
in the biographies of significant artists and scientists, and aren't
the problem as much as limiting yourself to a single obsession (e.g.
washing your hands).

Finding your most comfortable and practicable spot with picks, strings,
amps, guitars--all very important indeed. So are the mechanics of
actually using these things. So is repertoire, a positive mindset,
enjoying yourself, listening to others as you play, genre and style,
scores of other things.

Oops--my compile is finished...

[Gerry]

On 2013-01-07 14:49:19 +0000, Joey Goldstein said:

> Interesting that this story is coming from D'Andrea because I switched
> to their Pro-Plec picks about a year ago, based on some recommendations
> here (thanks TD) and I'm getting a better tone now than ever.
>
> I used to laugh at people who thought the pick mattered, but it really does.

As we know, it's all in the hands, but different hands can sometimes
feel most comfortable with the same object.

Are you speaking of the D'Andrea Pro Plec Standard 351; this one:

http://tinyurl.com/amyc8o6

[Jazzer]

On Jan 7, 1:27 pm, Gerry <addr...@domain.com> wrote:

> Finding your most comfortable and practicable spot with picks, strings,
> amps, guitars--all very important indeed. So are the mechanics of
> actually using these things.  So is repertoire, a positive mindset,
> enjoying yourself, listening to others as you play, genre and style,
> scores of other things.

I agree with this summary.

Every jazz guitarist experiments with all these ingredients.

What I was getting at was; take a master jazz guitarist and place
almost any guitar in his/her hands, any pick, any amplifier etc. and
they will sound great to most listeners.
They reached that greatness by going beyond the type of pick they were
using.

[Mark Kleinhaut]

But how do they sound to themselves? Most peoples perspective really is far more forgiving, blind really.

[TD]

Yes,and after we get done with pick talk, we can begin ear talk or maybe even Bartok.

[Bill Godwin]

I second ear talk

[Mark Kleinhaut]

In the end, it will come back to nails and hair.

[Jazzer]

On Jan 7, 2:42 pm, Mark Kleinhaut <markkleinh...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> But how do they sound to themselves?  Most peoples perspective really is far more forgiving, blind really.

Yes of course, we the players usually have the most critical ear.
But I think you will agree Mark, that in all of the factors that have
made up your development as a jazz guitar player, zeroing in on your
pick is not something you would say is the defining aspect of your
playing.

It's something to consider over the years, like strings, action,
cologne, mustache...
Did I say action? Holy cow!
Now _that is something to obsess about! :)

[Paul K]

On 1/7/13 9:49 AM, Joey Goldstein wrote:
> Interesting that this story is coming from D'Andrea because I switched
> to their Pro-Plec picks about a year ago, based on some recommendations
> here (thanks TD) and I'm getting a better tone now than ever.
>
> I used to laugh at people who thought the pick mattered, but it really
> does.
>
>

I had the same experience. I used small fender heavys for years, then
the small pink tortex, and thought those were great. But when I
discovered the Pro-Plecs my tone improved significantly, and I ca't
believe I liked the other ones, I can't use them now.

--
Paul K
http://www.youtube.com/user/fibrationboy
http://www.soundclick.com/paulkirk
http://mypage.iu.edu/~pkirk/

[Joey Goldstein]

On 1/7/13 1:32 PM, Gerry wrote:
> On 2013-01-07 14:49:19 +0000, Joey Goldstein said:
>
>> Interesting that this story is coming from D'Andrea because I switched
>> to their Pro-Plec picks about a year ago, based on some
>> recommendations here (thanks TD) and I'm getting a better tone now
>> than ever.
>>
>> I used to laugh at people who thought the pick mattered, but it really
>> does.
>
> As we know, it's all in the hands, but different hands can sometimes
> feel most comfortable with the same object.
>
> Are you speaking of the D'Andrea Pro Plec Standard 351; this one:
>
> http://tinyurl.com/amyc8o6

Yep.

[Jonathan]

Which shape do you use?

[Jazzer]

On Jan 7, 2:45 pm, TD <tonydecap...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Yes,and after we get done with pick talk, we can begin ear talk or maybe even Bartok.

Or even bar talk? :)

[Tim]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%A9la_Bart%C3%B3k

[Jazzer]

Tim, I am very familiar with Bartok, I have a B. Mus. and so studied
all of the key musical eras/composers etc.
Bartok was really really cool man!

[Paul K]

351

[TD]

On Monday, January 7, 2013 2:31:58 PM UTC-5, Jazzer wrote:

Not to be picayune, but I have been using Dunlop 208's for quite a while now. I don't dig picks that flop around like an old pair of tits.

[Tim]

Well, Bartok isn't your typical 'bar talk' , But then again, we
didn't study bar talk in music appreciation class in high school.

?;^ )

[RS]

On Tue, 8 Jan 2013 07:27:00 -0800 (PST), TD <tonyde...@gmail.com>
wrote:

> Not to be picayune, but I have been using Dunlop 208's for quite a
> while now. I don't dig picks that flop around like an old pair of
> tits.

How old are the tits that you have been using? Have you tried applying
icecubes to perk them up?

[RS]

I am not one of those bad-instrument-taming 'master jazz guitarists'
but I think sound and feel does make a big difference for many
players. You know, the difference between fighting to get your tone vs
not even having to think about it.

There have been many long discussions about picks here, and I'm glad
for that. I was a religious Dunlop 205/206 user, but was turned onto
V-Picks by several rmmgj'ers who swore by them. After a year or so, I
find that the V-Picks actually make me more aware of nuances of
attack, pick angle and such. It may sound odd, but I credit them with
changing my technique for the better. (No, I don't work for them).

Plus, there is a huge difference in tone. Maybe more than that of
various string brands or gauges, which are discussed here a lot.

BTW, As a result of an rmmgj thread, I ended up exchanging some
favorite picks with another good-natured rmmgj'er some time ago. That
was fun. See, picks good!

[TD]

I do not use old tits. That's the "point."

[Gerry]

On 2013-01-09 08:04:42 +0000, RS said:

> There have been many long discussions about picks here, and I'm glad
> for that. I was a religious Dunlop 205/206 user, but was turned onto
> V-Picks by several rmmgj'ers who swore by them. After a year or so, I
> find that the V-Picks actually make me more aware of nuances of
> attack, pick angle and such. It may sound odd, but I credit them with
> changing my technique for the better. (No, I don't work for them).

v-picks.com indicates they make many picks. Which one are you referring to?

> Plus, there is a huge difference in tone. Maybe more than that of
> various string brands or gauges, which are discussed here a lot.
>
> BTW, As a result of an rmmgj thread, I ended up exchanging some
> favorite picks with another good-natured rmmgj'er some time ago. That
> was fun. See, picks good!

Exchanging good! Ideas good!

[Gerry]

Say, what kind of pick did Django use?

[charlieguitar]

On Sunday, January 6, 2013 8:53:52 PM UTC-5, Tim wrote:
> Carol Kaye posted this on her web forum some years ago about an
>
> experience that Mitch Holder had in getting the right sound for a
>
> movie sound track by changing not the guitar or amp or strings,
>
> but.... his pick.
>
>
>
> I thought it was really interesting to know that people are so
>
> technical for a reason and this was what inspired me to come up with
>
> the customizing string guage question I previously asked. Anyhow,
>
> Mitch says:
>
>
>
> The D'Andrea Co. has an article on their website that I wrote about
>
> this very topic. The link is: www.dandreapicks.com/pickarticle.htm.
>
> It's called, Pity The Poor Pick. Years ago I just played jazz and used
>
> one kind of pick. When I started doing studio work I realized what a
>
> difference the pick could make with all the different kinds of
>
> instruments and styles we had to do. We're talking all types of
>
> electrics, acoustics, mandolins, banjos and many things you've never
>
> even heard of. I found that different size picks, materials and
>
> thicknesses could totally change the sound and feel.
>
>
>

> Etc.

This isn't exactly like the discovery of the Rosetta Stone...everyone who has been playing over a year knows that there are big differences in sound with changes in the thickness, and material, of the pick. For myself,the thinner the more treble you get with less control at up tempos. Tommy Tedesco warned against picks that were too thin because of the cards in the bicycle spokes effect. Conversly Barney Kessel warned about picks that were too thick because of the clacking sound you might get.Bartok's recommendations to this day remain a mystery. I'll take a wild guess and say that Django probably used a heavy tortoise shell pick just as most of those pre-war cats used.
Charlie

[walker...@gmail.com]

I chose the guitar over the banjo because I had my pick.

[TD]

Did you mean the Rosetta Stone Pick? Or Laura Nyro's Stone Cold Picnic? By this time, I'm confused.

[Jazzer]

On Jan 9, 3:04 am, RS <R...@sorrynospam.com> wrote:

> Plus, there is a huge difference in tone. Maybe more than that of
> various string brands or gauges, which are discussed here a lot.
>
> BTW, As a result of an rmmgj thread, I ended up exchanging some
> favorite picks with another good-natured rmmgj'er some time ago. That
> was fun. See, picks good!

Absolutely!

I've obsessed over picks, strings, string tension, gauges, guitars,
amps, guitar straps, guitar action, nail length, etc. etc. with the
best of them. :)

We're all different. What works for one will sometimes work for
another, sometimes not.

I even admit to going full circle with strings many times:
lightest possible gauge, then heavier, more heavy, heaviest, back down
again to lightest etc. etc. over the years, with many guitars.

Did it make me a better guitar player? I don't think so. But it was
fun at the time.

If I were to advise someone, it would be to definitely experiment, but
don't obsess.
Obsessing takes away the time you should be practicing/playing/
performing. :)

[Gerry]

I'd recommend trying most types of a material, or gaugue, or approach,
and after having reviewed them, make a selection and END IT!

In all candor this stuff is better done with a good teacher, but better
not done at all with a bad teacher. In selecting a good teacher, I'd
recommend reviewing them all, and then make a choice and END IT!

[charlieguitar]

>
> > This isn't exactly like the discovery of the Rosetta Stone...everyone who has been playing over a year knows that there are big differences in sound with changes in the thickness, and material, of the pick. For myself,the thinner the more treble you get with less control at up tempos. Tommy Tedesco warned against picks that were too thin because of the cards in the bicycle spokes effect. Conversly Barney Kessel warned about picks that were too thick because of the clacking sound you might get.Bartok's recommendations to this day remain a mystery. I'll take a wild guess and say that Django probably used a heavy tortoise shell pick just as most of those pre-war cats used.
>
> >
>
> > Charlie
>
>
>
> Did you mean the Rosetta Stone Pick? Or Laura Nyro's Stone Cold Picnic? By this time, I'm confused

Confused in the city: I've never been that picky about any of this being one who sticks his hand in his pocket and whatever emerges be it a collar stay, matchbook cover or autographed Little Jimmy Dickens trianglar special is fair equipment for the evening.I just threw in the Rosetta Stone to pique your interest.
Charlie

[Greger Hoel]

On Wed, 09 Jan 2013 22:21:58 +0100, Jazzer <google...@yahoo.com> wrote:

> I even admit to going full circle with strings many times:
> lightest possible gauge, then heavier, more heavy, heaviest, back down
> again to lightest etc. etc. over the years, with many guitars.

Really? All the way down to .007s?

--
Using Opera's revolutionary email client: http://www.opera.com/mail/

[Tim]

On Jan 9, 10:34 am, charlieguitar <robinsonch...@comcast.net> wrote:

" Tommy Tedesco warned against picks that were too thin because of the

cards in the bicycle spokes effect. Conversely Barney Kessel warned
about picks that were too thick because of the clacking sound ..."

Carol Kaye used the same pick for guitar as well as bass. They're so
thick they could substitute for an arrowhead.

[David J. Littleboy]

"Gerry" wrote:

I'd recommend trying most types of a material, or gaugue, or approach,
and after having reviewed them, make a selection and END IT!

In all candor this stuff is better done with a good teacher, but better
not done at all with a bad teacher. In selecting a good teacher, I'd
recommend reviewing them all, and then make a choice and END IT!
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Listening to the pick comments here over the years, I had been using the
heaviest pick commonly available in the guitar stores here. But teach
recommended using a thinner pick. Switching to a 0.7 mm pick improved my
picking accuracy and rhythmic accuracy significantly. One of the biggest "go
figures" I've had in a long time. I try the fat picks occasionally, and they
sound better (well, at least darker) but I play more accurately with the
thinner pick. This is totally weird, because I don't play fast and have no
interest in playing fast. Definitely a "go figure" moment. Only playing at
leisurely tempos, logic would have it that the accuracy would take care of
itself and sound would be more important. Go figure.

-- David J. Littleboy
Tokyo, Japan

[RS]

On Wed, 9 Jan 2013 07:54:31 -0800, Gerry <add...@domain.com> wrote:

>On 2013-01-09 08:04:42 +0000, RS said:
>
>> There have been many long discussions about picks here, and I'm glad
>> for that. I was a religious Dunlop 205/206 user, but was turned onto
>> V-Picks by several rmmgj'ers who swore by them. After a year or so, I
>> find that the V-Picks actually make me more aware of nuances of
>> attack, pick angle and such. It may sound odd, but I credit them with
>> changing my technique for the better. (No, I don't work for them).
>
>v-picks.com indicates they make many picks. Which one are you referring to?

That's the weird part. I've always used small teardrop-shaped picks.
Dunlop 205/206, llike that. Used to chop down picks that were larger.
So I bought a couple V-Pick "Screamer" picks (evidently shredders must
like them too). They're about the size of a trad Fender pick, but
rounded-edge triangular. Three pretty pointed edges. I was going to
trim them down to 206 size.

But when I tried them, they felt right just as-is. Other picks that
size still feel large. I never liked triangular picks either. I can't
explain it.

IOW, you're best off trying them first, cause they may feel very
different from you current pick even if they're the same size, I did
try one model that's about 206 size--didn't care for it.

I've also used the "Dimension Pointed" which is pretty thick and costs
about $10. But that's a specialty thing. Rings like a bell, but less
mobile. They make some that are ridiculously thick.

Maybe V-Picks ("Vinnie") would know if there's a store nearby.
I'll get the number if you can't find it.

[Jonathan]

It seems like I always end up coming back to the same picks and string gauges after bouts of experimentation, even after I get used to the new ones. I guess that is good statistical evidence that my choices aren't totally arbitrary :)

[Gerry]

On 2013-01-10 15:58:46 +0000, Jonathan said:

>> In all candor this stuff is better done with a good teacher, but better
>> not done at all with a bad teacher. In selecting a good teacher, I'd
>> recommend reviewing them all, and then make a choice and END IT!
>

> It seems like I always end up coming back to the same picks and string
> gauges after bouts of experimentation, even after I get used to the new
> ones. I guess that is good statistical evidence that my choices aren't
> totally arbitrary :)

No, but it might indicate that you're you can stop experimentation when
these things and begin experimentation with something else.

[Gerry]

On 2013-01-10 06:58:31 +0000, RS said:

>> Which one are you referring to?
>
> That's the weird part. I've always used small teardrop-shaped picks.
> Dunlop 205/206, llike that. Used to chop down picks that were larger.
> So I bought a couple V-Pick "Screamer" picks (evidently shredders must
> like them too). They're about the size of a trad Fender pick, but
> rounded-edge triangular. Three pretty pointed edges. I was going to
> trim them down to 206 size.
>
> But when I tried them, they felt right just as-is. Other picks that
> size still feel large. I never liked triangular picks either. I can't
> explain it.

I didn't have a pick at a jam session and was proffered a small wicker
basket with a slew of picks that had once been left (or donated) at
this bar. There was a tortoise triangle pick. I was amazed at how
different it felt and how precise I felt my picking was. Later I got a
couple. For whatever reason, I play differently with that kind of pick.

> IOW, you're best off trying them first, cause they may feel very
> different from you current pick even if they're the same size, I did
> try one model that's about 206 size--didn't care for it.

I'd like to try some of these picks, since you speak highly of them and
they cost so damn much you figure they couldn't be in business if
*somebody* didn't buy them. But I have a hard time dropping $35 on a
pick just to find out how it feels.

> I've also used the "Dimension Pointed" which is pretty thick and costs
> about $10. But that's a specialty thing. Rings like a bell, but less
> mobile. They make some that are ridiculously thick.
>
> Maybe V-Picks ("Vinnie") would know if there's a store nearby.
> I'll get the number if you can't find it.

Oh yeah, they are all over California. Though the ones nearest me
sound like tiny little shops. There's one in Huntington, and another
in Laguna Hills. Both nearby. Maybe I'll wander in. Playing so
little with a pick these days, would probably make it futile though;
I'd likely feel it was awkward no matter what.

[Jonathan]

True dat

[Jazzer]

On Jan 9, 9:03 pm, "Greger Hoel" <nob...@home.fu> wrote:

> On Wed, 09 Jan 2013 22:21:58 +0100, Jazzer <googlejaz...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > I even admit to going full circle with strings many times:
> > lightest possible gauge, then heavier, more heavy, heaviest, back down
> > again to lightest etc. etc. over the years, with many guitars.
>
> Really? All the way down to .007s?

Not on my jazz guitars, but on my rock guitars, yeah.
Actually, I've only ever gone down to .008's. :)

[Jazzer]

On Jan 9, 11:26 pm, "David J. Littleboy" <davi...@gol.com> wrote:

> Listening to the pick comments here over the years, I had been using the
> heaviest pick commonly available in the guitar stores here. But teach
> recommended using a thinner pick. Switching to a 0.7 mm pick improved my
> picking accuracy and rhythmic accuracy significantly. One of the biggest "go
> figures" I've had in a long time.

Not that it will help anyone else, but I also use 0.7's. :)

(But as everyone should know, pick thickness depends upon string gauge/
tension.
Heavier/higher tension strings like thicker picks)

[charlieguitar]

Then there is always this option:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBi_J0s01VY

Charlie

[Gerry]

On 2013-01-11 00:40:39 +0000, Jazzer said:

> On Jan 9, 11:26 pm, "David J. Littleboy" <davi...@gol.com> wrote:
>
>> Listening to the pick comments here over the years, I had been using the
>> heaviest pick commonly available in the guitar stores here. But teach
>> recommended using a thinner pick. Switching to a 0.7 mm pick improved my
>> picking accuracy and rhythmic accuracy significantly. One of the biggest "go
>> figures" I've had in a long time.
>
> Not that it will help anyone else, but I also use 0.7's.

Go figure!

I'll have to check it out I suppose, but it doesn't make much sense in
the abstract.

> (But as everyone should know, pick thickness depends upon string gauge/
> tension.
> Heavier/higher tension strings like thicker picks)

I always felt like it had to do with the strength of attack; lighter
strings won't take too hard an attack no matter how think the pick.

So what gauge strings do you use with your 0.7?

[Bill Williams]

Lots of info on Youtube I see (probably more than one needs this lifetime):

Tortoise Shell versus Blue Chip – bluegrass flatpicking demo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI7NG4t6v1o

Redbear faux shell compared with others for acoustic archtop:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=9y2X6XfdK_Q

New TUSQ brand demo’d for rock
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_AYpId3AMs

14 picks compared for flatpicking (the mike seems to catch a clicking sound for all): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oywGtkSMuLM

Discussion roundup of various jazz picks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu95-kNGQtc

[Bill Williams]

FWIW I picked up some Primetone picks at Ivor Mairants, London, and I've been using them on gigs as they feel and sound OK and they don't wear or slip around in sweaty mits:
http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/Primetone-picks

[charlieguitar]

On Friday, January 11, 2013 9:07:10 AM UTC-5, Bill Williams wrote:
> FWIW I picked up some Primetone picks at Ivor Mairants, London, and I've been using them on gigs as they feel and sound OK and they don't wear or slip around in sweaty mits:
>
> http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/Primetone-picks

They look pretty good. All of this reminds of a time that I caught a performance by Barney Kessel. He dropped his pick and didn't have another.Being seated right in front of him I offered him one of mine (Fender heavy) but he refused and stopped the performance while he crawled around on the floor until he found his.Judging from that and the large response to this thread pick choice is a matter of great concern for many guitarists.
Charlie

[TD]

Transfer that sort of psychology to war and die.

[Jazzer]

On Jan 10, 8:55 pm, Gerry <addr...@domain.com> wrote:

> > (But as everyone should know, pick thickness depends upon string gauge/
> > tension.
> > Heavier/higher tension strings like thicker picks)
>
> I always felt like it had to do with the strength of attack; lighter
> strings won't take too hard an attack no matter how think the pick.
>
> So what gauge strings do you use with your 0.7?

Sorry, I didn't mean to throw you off course.

My first grab guitar which I use most of the time at home, is my Godin
nylon string Multiac.
I use D'addario normal tension strings on it.
It matches up nicely with .71 picks.

However....
on my ES-175, ES-150, ES-135, ES-125 etc. which I string with 11-13's
I do use Fender heavy picks. :)

[Gerry]

On 2013-01-11 21:22:47 +0000, Jazzer said:

> On Jan 10, 8:55 pm, Gerry <addr...@domain.com> wrote:
>
>>> (But as everyone should know, pick thickness depends upon string gauge/
>>> tension.
>>> Heavier/higher tension strings like thicker picks)
>>
>> I always felt like it had to do with the strength of attack; lighter
>> strings won't take too hard an attack no matter how think the pick.
>>
>> So what gauge strings do you use with your 0.7?
>
> Sorry, I didn't mean to throw you off course.
>
> My first grab guitar which I use most of the time at home, is my Godin
> nylon string Multiac.
> I use D'addario normal tension strings on it.
> It matches up nicely with .71 picks.

You're using a pick on a nylon string: You've thrown me off course!

> However....
> on my ES-175, ES-150, ES-135, ES-125 etc. which I string with 11-13's
> I do use Fender heavy picks. :)

Hmmm.

[Jazzer]

On Jan 11, 5:49 pm, Gerry <addr...@domain.com> wrote:

> > Sorry, I didn't mean to throw you off course.
>
> > My first grab guitar which I use most of the time at home, is my Godin
> > nylon string Multiac.
> > I use D'addario normal tension strings on it.
> > It matches up nicely with .71 picks.
>
> You're using a pick on a nylon string: You've thrown me off course!

And to throw you totally off course now...

I play 80%+ of the time with my thumb. :)
Or a combo of thumb and finger.

The other 20% or so is with a pick (just to keep up with the time when
you need those ultra fast chops).

[Jonathan]

On Friday, January 11, 2013 4:22:47 PM UTC-5, Jazzer wrote:

>
> My first grab guitar which I use most of the time at home, is my Godin
>
> nylon string Multiac.
>
> I use D'addario normal tension strings on it.
>

Interesting. I have a Godin Duet Grand Concert, and for some reason they recommend D'Addario Hard Tension in the manual.
So I gather from your post that the normal tension strings feel/sound okay.

[Jazzer]

On Jan 12, 11:29 am, Jonathan <gosto.do.vio...@gmail.com> wrote:

> > nylon string Multiac.
>
> > I use D'addario normal tension strings on it.
>
> Interesting.  I have a Godin Duet Grand Concert, and for some reason they recommend D'Addario Hard Tension in the manual.
> So I gather from your post that the normal tension strings feel/sound okay.

Good observation!

I moved over the years from normal tension to hard, then extra hard
(D'Addario).
This works well for picking (harder tension), but ultimately I'm a
fingerpicker, and I can feel the strings much better (better response)
with the normal tension strings.

[RS]

On Thu, 10 Jan 2013 09:23:46 -0800, Gerry <add...@domain.com> wrote:

>On 2013-01-10 06:58:31 +0000, RS said:

>> So I bought a couple V-Pick "Screamer" picks (evidently shredders must
>> like them too). They're about the size of a trad Fender pick, but
>> rounded-edge triangular. Three pretty pointed edges. I was going to
>> trim them down to 206 size.

[clarify, the 'straight' edges on V-Pick Screamers are curved. The
points are fairly sharp, not rounded. I've known jazz players to love
the model, so don't let the name fool you]

>I'd like to try some of these picks, since you speak highly of them and
>they cost so damn much you figure they couldn't be in business if
>*somebody* didn't buy them. But I have a hard time dropping $35 on a
>pick just to find out how it feels.

Hi Gerry,

Regular V-Picks only cost one Starbucks monetary unit ($4...I really
do think of things in terms of cappuccinos sometimes :-). The Blue
Chip artificial tortoise shell picks are the ones that cost $35, and
Red Bear picks are $25. Red Bear even has little bottles of 'pick
tonic' treatment for $5. You don't want unruly picks. (I believe both
brands can get fragile. that's probably the intent of the conditioner)

Red Bear:
http://www.redbeartrading.com/cart/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=prodall&sid=ekvps9tah027o7f7121r0iq97ez2a814

Blue Chip:
http://shop.bluechippick.net/

Wegen: (another popular expensive pick)
http://elderly.com/search/elderly?terms=wegen&x=10&y=12

>Oh yeah, they are all over California. Though the ones nearest me
>sound like tiny little shops. There's one in Huntington, and another
>in Laguna Hills. Both nearby. Maybe I'll wander in. Playing so
>little with a pick these days, would probably make it futile though;
>I'd likely feel it was awkward no matter what.

Then you can treat yourself to 5 Starbucks cappuccinos with the money
that you saved.

Seriously, you should try one of the V-Picks. I just don't know which
size to recommend, as I surpriised myself with what I ended up with.
Also, Screamers and Mediums are close to the same size, but I don't
care much for the Mediums. Can't explain it.

[Gerry]

On 2013-01-13 07:27:58 +0000, RS said:

> Seriously, you should try one of the V-Picks. I just don't know which
> size to recommend, as I surpriised myself with what I ended up with.
> Also, Screamers and Mediums are close to the same size, but I don't
> care much for the Mediums. Can't explain it.

I'll make a point of snooping them out. Not being able to explain why
a pick feels good sounds like par for the course: Truly a personal
thing.

[Tim]

OR, just a down right 'closer-than-a-brother' good luck charm.

[Jonathan]

On Monday, January 7, 2013 9:10:30 PM UTC-5, Joey Goldstein wrote:
> On 1/7/13 1:32 PM, Gerry wrote:
>
> > On 2013-01-07 14:49:19 +0000, Joey Goldstein said:
>
> >
>
> >> Interesting that this story is coming from D'Andrea because I switched
>
> >> to their Pro-Plec picks about a year ago, based on some
>
> >> recommendations here (thanks TD) and I'm getting a better tone now
>
> >> than ever.
>
> >>
>
> >> I used to laugh at people who thought the pick mattered, but it really
>
> >> does.
>
> >
>
> > As we know, it's all in the hands, but different hands can sometimes
>
> > feel most comfortable with the same object.
>
> >
>
> > Are you speaking of the D'Andrea Pro Plec Standard 351; this one:
>
> >
>
> > http://tinyurl.com/amyc8o6
>
>
>
> Yep.
>
>
>
> --
>
> Joey Goldstein
>
> <http://www.joeygoldstein.com>
>
> <http://home.primus.ca/~joegold/AudioClips/audio.htm>

I just ordered some to see what all the hoopla was about, and I'm digging 'em :)