Thumb picks

Virg Bodiker · From: Seabrook Texas

Greetings from the "new guy"....

Having played just a short time I seem to struggle with the length of the tip on the thumb pick.. using a National L.
Are there varied lengths available or is this a "time & practice " issue??
Hard to judge from pictures on the net and not much available locally.

Tks for the help!!

Pete Cormier · From: Eunice, Louisiana, USA

ALTHOUGH MY STEEL PLAYING HAS A LONG WAY TO GO, I
STARTED WITH THESE ERNIE BALL PLASTIC THUMB PICKS
THAT ARE APPOX. 3/8'' TO 1/2'' LONG. BUT I WAS FORCED
TO USE THESE BECAUSE OF THERE EASY FIT. THIS WAS IMPORTANT DUE TO HAVING A THUMB THAT WAS CUT AND SEWN
BACK ON AND IS SOMEWHAT OUT OF SHAPE.I HAVE TRIED
SHORTER ONES ,BUT MY THUMB MEMORY IS LOCKED IN ON THE
LONGER ONES.
_________________
SUPRO---MAN
49&51 SUPRO SINGLE NECKS
54 DOUBLE NECK SUPRO
2006 D-8 PEDALMASTER
1994 D-8 PEDALMASTER

Chris Buchanan · From: Macomb, IL

I had the same problem. I just tried every type I could find till I found one that gave me the least trouble. Then I stuck with that, and finally got used to it. It's a plastic Dunlop, medium. That's the other thing-I had to find the right size too.
_________________
GFI Ultra S-10, Nashville 112, stuff.

Mike Shefrin · Posted 4 Nov 2007 9:45 am

Like everything, when it comes to equipment, I suppose it's just a matter of what you personally feel the most comfortable with. I started out with the blue Herco thumbpick but changed to a Fred Kelly thumbpick. It fits tighter than the Herco did on my thumb and doesn't slip off as easy. It has a good tone also. I got the idea to use a Fred Kelly pick from Rick Price and Dave Biller who use them.

Glyn Bone · From: Halifax.Nova Scotia. Canada * R.I.P.

I`ve just recently brought three `ZOOKIE` thimbpicks to try...for me ..I`m already sold on them...I find my thumb `action` much better since trying them...YMMV.
_________________
Glyndwr

Carter SD10 4x5 with Wallace TrueTone ( 18K ohms)
Peavey NV 112
Hilton Vol.Ped.
Brad Sarno 'Freeloader'
Boss/Roland SE-20 Space Echo
BJS `Hughey` bar
BJS 1" bar
Zookie thumbpicks
Dunlop and JN finger picks

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

Hey Virg, Welcome Exclamation

As to the thumbpick, are you looking for a longer or shorter tip?

Stu Schulman · From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)

Just like Glyn my favorite thumb pick these days are "Zookies"they have a slight angle to them....If I could only remember where I got it Confused

_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952.

Sonny Priddy · From: Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA, R.I.P.

I Have Zookie Picks They Are great.I Got Them At Grums Guitars On Lower Broadway In Nashville. SONNY.

Glyn Bone · From: Halifax.Nova Scotia. Canada * R.I.P.

Stu..just contact Al Briscoe in Ontario, that`s where I got mine...got one of each size just to try..settled on the medium...the angle suits my hand technique perfectly Smile

_________________
Glyndwr

Carter SD10 4x5 with Wallace TrueTone ( 18K ohms)
Peavey NV 112
Hilton Vol.Ped.
Brad Sarno 'Freeloader'
Boss/Roland SE-20 Space Echo
BJS `Hughey` bar
BJS 1" bar
Zookie thumbpicks
Dunlop and JN finger picks

Steve Norman · From: Seattle Washington, USA

Plenty of variations available. Too short and you could snag the "over the thumbnail" part that holds it on to your thumb on your string. Nationals do that to me. A lot of people use long ones and trim them to size, and shape.
_________________
GFI D10, Fender Steel King, Hilton Vpedal,BoBro, National D dobro, Marrs RGS

Steve Norman · From: Seattle Washington, USA

Oh Yeah, this should help
http://elderly.com/search/elderly?terms=thumbpicks&x=0&y=0c
_________________
GFI D10, Fender Steel King, Hilton Vpedal,BoBro, National D dobro, Marrs RGS

Calvin Walley · From: colorado city colorado, USA

i love the Zookies,
the first one i tried was the 30 degree but that was to much angle. but the Large with the 10 degree angle is the perfect angle for me. i just wish them made them in an ex large size
_________________
proud parent of a sailor

Mullen SD-10 /nashville 400
gotta love a Mullen!!!

Guitars that i have owned in order are :
Mullen SD-10,Simmons SD-10,Mullen SD-10,Zum stage one,Carter starter,
Sho-Bud Mavrick

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

Yes on that Elderly link. Great resource.
Unfortunately the answer to your problem lies somewhere in between finding the right pick and getting used to whatever you are using. But there is certainly is a lot of variation in pick length, pick angle, tightness on the thumb....the works. I am right now looking at 5 white National large picks and each has a different length tip. Ideally, you have a music store where you can go through a bin and select a couple of picks. Lacking that, in my opinion it is worth spending 5 bucks buying an assortment of picks online in an effort to find the love of your life. Different picks feel different, sound different and ultimately suit you for better or worser.
But keep in mind that everything takes getting used to. I am using a pick today that I rejected a few years ago--something in my technique changed (unless the pick changed) making it right for me now.

Micky Byrne · From: United Kingdom (deceased)

Hi Virg, I use the blue Herco thumbpicks same as Mike Shefrin above. Many players use those, try them, the size is just right. I've used them for many years. A little tip is to just cut small grooves on the insides with a sharp knife, so less chance of slipping off while you play.

Micky Byrne United Kingdom www.mickybyrne.com

KENNY KRUPNICK · From: Columbus, Ohio

Fred Kelly, white nylon. Very Happy

Stan Paxton · Posted 4 Nov 2007 1:16 pm

Hey again Virg; I use the Fred Kelly white "speed pick"; altho I am not a speed picker, it fits and holds on the best of anything I've tried; your experience with one might be different. Cool

_________________
Mullen Lacquer SD 10, 3 & 5; Mullen Mica S 10 1/2 pad, 3 & 5; BJS Bars; LTD400, Nashville 112, DD-3, RV-3, Hilton VP . -- Gold Tone PBS sq neck; Wechter Scheerhorn sq neck. -- "Experience is the thing you have left when everything else is gone." -anon.-

Phil Halton · From: Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

"Too short and you could snag the "over the thumbnail" part that holds it on to your thumb on your string. "

If you heat up a pair of needle nose pliers (in hot water), and put a sharp bend at the tail end of the thumb wrap (just the last eighth of an inch) , you get two advantages:

1) You won't catch that thumb wrap on adjacent strings no matter how hard you try.

2) that little turned in end acts like a barb in the flesh and keeps the pick from twisting no matter how hard you sweat and/or pick.

I like the Golden Gate thumbpicks--they are pre-formed to fit comfortably on most thumbs and they give a good sound. Best of all, they have one that comes in multi-color "clown barf" coloring. Shocked

_________________
Disclaimer! I make no warranty on the manure I've been spreadin' around here.

Casey Lowmiller · From: Kansas

A lot of people will grind down the point area or trim it shorter with toenail clippers. You won't snag up as often & you will find pick blocking with the thumb easier & faster.

Casey
_________________
Known Coast to Coast as
"The Man with The Plan"

Virg Bodiker · From: Seabrook Texas

First let me say tks to all who replied....
lots of good stuff there and lots to look at and try.

To Jerry O....looking for a little shorter, just can't seem to find that sweet spot with the long tip.

Again tks too all...hope not to bore you with too many "rookie" questions!!

Jim Manley · From: bremerton Washington, USA

i bought some zookie 10 and 20 degrees from billy cooper

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

That's why I asked. I prefer a long blade, but that's just me. If a short tip suits you, you can do some filing and sizing to taste. The blue hercos are way too flimsy for me, but the John Pearse, D'Andrea, white Geo L's, and Peavey picks all have a very comfortable fit. It's just a matter of experimenting with the length, if you don't mind spending just a few bucks and some time with them.

I have most of the ones I mentioned above, if you feel you'd like to try any of them.

Best of luck and I hope you find the one that works for you Smile

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

I discovered Zookies a while ago too -- I used to find that my particular angle of attack would slowly grind the side off my normal thumb picks, but the Zookie has an angled blade -- available in varying degrees, so now I hit the string with the full blade of the pick. It's just a matter of finding the right angled one to suit you! They last a lot longer than they used to as well.

Virg Bodiker · From: Seabrook Texas

Jerry...tks for the offer!!...but...

I went to Elderly.com this morning and ordered one of each kind that has been mentioned by everyone who replied, plus a few that weren't....so I have lots of experimenting to do shortly.

Will let ya'll know what suits me best...again tks for all the help!!

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