finger picks - doh !

mickd · From: london,england

I was just reading an archive post on finger picks when the penny suddenly dropped, that the number on the pick (e.g .015) refers to the thickness of the pick NOT to the size in any way

I have been playing with a mixture : .015, .020 and .018 on the three fingers...
Presumably, most people select one thickness that they like (e.g .018) and have that on all/both fingers.
Will this have interfered with my playing ? (hope so - I could do with an excuse

)

[This message was edited by mickd on 24 August 2004 at 11:39 AM.]

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Hi, Mick

I made the same discovery myself - more recently that I'd care to admit!

I thought the differing weights were just production errors......

Clark Frady · From: West Columbia, S. C.

You will also note that different size thumb picks will give you sharper or warmer tones. I was getting this twangy tone on my Carter Starter recently and remembered that I picked up some newer thumbpicks at Saluda, SC, they were a thinner pick and hit sharper on the strings. I put the other thicker pick back on and my warm, smooth sound came back! Amazing isn't it. I have found the .020 - .025 finger picks work well with my steel. I use these same guage picks on my banjo too.

Ray Minich · From: Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra

Jeff Newman recommended the 0.025's (as I read recently in one of his past articles.)

[This message was edited by Ray Minich on 24 August 2004 at 02:44 PM.]

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I prefer the lighter gauge finger picks, 18s and 20s. They seen to conform to the shape of my digits better; however, I like a heavy thumb pick. I think you need that for the heavier, wound strings.
Erv

mickd · From: london,england

Ray - thanks for the spelling lesson

Now here's a history lesson for you

: Homer ripped off Laurel & Hardy ! Thats where the expression was first used - by a Scottish bit-part player (can't remember his name right now). He played the crooked innkeeper in 'Way Out West' for example (a fine film, despite the lack of steel guitar - although it did feature a great close harmony rendition of 'The Trail Of The Lonesome Pine')

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

JAMES FINLAYSON!

He went from Edinburgh to Hollywood, and finished up being the 'authority figure' in many of Stan and Ollie's movies.

His trademark (apart from 'Doh....') was his wildly exaggerated 'double-take' when he'd seem to dislocate his neck in response to Stan or Ollie's foolishness. What about that wonderful squint of his, too?!

".025"s? Doh!!!!!"

RR

Dave Robbins · From: Cottontown, Tnn. USA (deceased)

I generally use in the .020, .0225, or .025 range. Anything heavier "hurts" and anything lighter just bends.

Dave

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