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Topic: National Finger Picks |
Morgan Scoggins
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 30 Nov 2009 12:09 pm |
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I just got a set of National metal finger picks from Bobby Seymour's store in Nashville.I can't beleive how much of a difference they make in the tone!!
With the old picks, I experienced a harsh metallic sound that, as my late Mother would say, " makes your skin crawl", I was blaming it on my bar or my poor playing technique.
The picks are a bit thinner than the others I have used.They sure are an upgrade.
I just wanted to pass this along to some of you other guys out there who haven't tried them. I am sure all of the pros out there already know what I am talking about.
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"Shoot low boys, the're ridin' Shetlands" |
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Sherman Willden
From:
Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
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Posted 4 Dec 2009 9:30 am
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In the event of a house fire the first things I would grab are the blue thumb pick and the three Nationals. Since the guitar is downstairs it is just a step through the garage to the outside. Everything else would have to wait.
Sherman |
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Morgan Scoggins
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 4 Dec 2009 10:02 am
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You are right Sherman. I also use the blue thumbpick and they are hard to find here at the local music stores.I bought a dozen online off Ebay a year ago and guess what? I am still using the first one I took out of the package.
_________________
"Shoot low boys, the're ridin' Shetlands" |
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joe long
From:
San Antonio, Texas
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Posted 4 Dec 2009 7:04 pm
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| Everything you said about the National picks is correct. Haven't used another brand since the early 70's. I case the 1st set wear out I have 3 other pairs in the wings. |
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Ray Minich
From:
Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra
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Posted 4 Dec 2009 7:08 pm
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| Bobbe's picks work for me. At ISGC I picked up a few of the finger picks that have two finger tip wrap bands on each side instead of one. Darn things hurt my cuticles. Gave 'em a solid try but it's the Nationals for me. |
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Martin Johannesson
From:
Sweden
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Posted 4 Dec 2009 11:04 pm
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| The Nationals are very good of course but best damn picks I've ever used is the Kyser old German silver picks! |
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Ray McCarthy
From:
New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 5:00 am
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Could someone add a little more info on why the National picks are better than Dunlops, for instance?
And which National picks are we talking about here--the standard or the NP-2 picks. Bobbe carries them both. |
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Pete Conklin
From:
Austin, TX
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 11:08 am
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Been wondering that myself Ray...
Could someone also please explain why the Blue Herco Thumb picks are so much better(more popular) than others? Is there a difference between the red picks and the blue picks? |
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Paul Crawford
From:
Orlando, Fl
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Posted 5 Dec 2009 11:43 am
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| Pete Conklin wrote: |
Been wondering that myself Ray...
Could someone also please explain why the Blue Herco Thumb picks are so much better(more popular) than others? Is there a difference between the red picks and the blue picks? |
Clearly labeled as opinion here. From what I was told the old, ('47) National picks were thicker but more ductile than other picks. Since you use the edge of a finger pick rather than the surface it's critical that the picks stay consistent on your fingers. The Nationals could be "stretched" around your finger with only a pair of pliers and 1 to 2 years of trial and error. Once set, they are perfectly comfortable, completely secure and will keep your attack consistent until you change your hand position or gain another 50 pounds.
Larry Self once showed me a display set of picks that Buddy had given him. The most noticable thing about them was a small, shiny bevel right in the middle of the inside edge. Perfectly controlled and consistent.
The blue thumb picks have a good attack, excellent wear, yet are very soft and springy on your thumb. Very comfortable, stays put, good tone.
As for me, Larry had a stash of old Nationals and I talked him out of a set. Besides, if Buddy uses them, then what else need be said. Now if I can only figure out how to get that tone ...  |
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Ronnie Boettcher
From:
Brunswick Ohio, USA
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Posted 8 Dec 2009 2:18 pm
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The old "Nationals" are the only ones I use. Use them for my banjo too. I still have a few the does not have the "pat pend" on them. Those are priceless in my thinking.
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Sho-Bud LDG, Martin D28, Ome trilogy 5 string banjo, Ibanez 4-string bass, dobro, fiddle, and a tubal cain. Life Member of AFM local 142 |
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