| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic Picks: Dunlop or National.
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Picks: Dunlop or National.
Mike Perlowin


From:
Los Angeles CA
Post  Posted 9 Jul 2016 9:25 am    
Reply with quote

Which do you use, and why?
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Cartwright Thompson


Post  Posted 9 Jul 2016 9:49 am    
Reply with quote

Nationals, or copies thereof (Hoffmeyer or Kyser). The tabs on the Dunlops are to wide for me, they catch on strings.
View user's profile Send private message
Carl Heatley


From:
Morehead City,NC
Post  Posted 9 Jul 2016 10:11 am    
Reply with quote

B&M on the first and a Dunlop on the second and a Zookie
angled thumb pic....The Dulop will just slide of my first finger.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Bob Knight


From:
Bowling Green KY
Post  Posted 9 Jul 2016 11:07 am     Original Nationals!
Reply with quote

Original Nationals!!!
_________________
<b>Rick Johnson Cabinets<b>
<b>Brand X Custom Fiber Cases</b>
<b> John Pearse Thumb Picks, Bars and Strings</b>
"Thankfully, persistence is a great substitute for talent."

— Steve Martin
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Patrick Laffrat


From:
Gemenos, France
Post  Posted 9 Jul 2016 11:10 am    
Reply with quote

National or Kyser, because easier to tune on the fingers. Dunlop medium for thumb (for the same reason)
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Jerry Overstreet


From:
Louisville Ky
Post  Posted 9 Jul 2016 11:38 am    
Reply with quote

Neither. JF's from Jeff Newman. Heavy gauge similar to the old Nationals.
View user's profile Send private message
Doug Beaumier


From:
Northampton, MA
Post  Posted 9 Jul 2016 11:50 am    
Reply with quote

Quote:
The tabs on the Dunlops are to wide for me, they catch on strings.


Same here. I use Kysers, copies of old Nationals. I started on original National picks, back when they were sold at all music stores for about 30 cents each.
_________________
My Site / My YouTube Channel
25 Songs C6 Lap Steel / 25 MORE Songs C6 Lap Steel / 16 Songs, C6, A6, B11 / 60 Popular Melodies E9 Pedal Steel
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Jason Putnam


From:
Tennessee, USA
Post  Posted 9 Jul 2016 12:18 pm    
Reply with quote

Dunlops because it's all I have ever had so I don't know any better! The bands do catch on the strings though!
_________________
1967 Emmons Bolt On, 1995 Mullen PRP 3x5,Nashville 112, JOYO Digital Delay, Goodrich Volume Pedal, Livesteel Strings
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Eric Philippsen


From:
Central Florida USA
Post  Posted 9 Jul 2016 1:09 pm    
Reply with quote

I use old Nationals. I actually find a LOT of original ones in old lap steel case compartments. They're hard to find otherwise.

I also use the older JB/Jeff Newman picks. They are very, very nice, too.

I've tried pretty much everything else and have a bunch of those picks to prove it. A bunch.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Cartwright Thompson


Post  Posted 9 Jul 2016 2:46 pm    
Reply with quote

I used to use vintage Nationals, until I found out that the banjo guys would pay ridiculous prices for them. The Hoffmeyers and original Keysers are every bit as good as the old Nationals, so I sold off my vintage ones.
http://www.deanhoffmeyer.com/nationalpicks/frameset.htm


Last edited by Cartwright Thompson on 10 Jul 2016 1:45 am; edited 1 time in total
View user's profile Send private message
Donny Hinson

 

From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 9 Jul 2016 4:19 pm    
Reply with quote

Neither, I use Stevens or Pearse, but I no longer recommend for anyone else use them. Cool
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Dale Rottacker


From:
Walla Walla Washington, USA
Post  Posted 9 Jul 2016 7:07 pm    
Reply with quote

Used Nationals FOREVER... and still have a bunch, but have switched to the Blue Herco’s or the Red Dunlops which, except for color I think are identical to the Blue Herco’s
_________________
Dale Rottacker, Steelinatune™
https://www.youtube.com/@steelinatune
*2021 MSA Legend, "Jolly Rancher" D10 10x9
*2021 Rittenberry, "The Concord" D10 9x9
*1977 Blue Sho-Bud Pro 3 Custom 8x6
https://msapedalsteels.com
http://rittenberrysteelguitars.com
https://www.telonics.com/index.php
https://www.p2pamps.com
https://www.quilterlabs.com
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 10 Jul 2016 6:11 am    
Reply with quote

I like Dunlop finger picks because you can get them in the lighter gauges, easier to shape to your fingers.
I'm presently using a Golden Gate thumb pick.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Mike Perlowin


From:
Los Angeles CA
Post  Posted 10 Jul 2016 8:16 am    
Reply with quote

Next question: Is there any difference between the original Nationals and the new ones b0b sells? And are the other boutique picks significantly better?

BTW I use Dunlops. I have a bunch of the ones the late Andy Hinton powder coated.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Ronnie Boettcher


From:
Brunswick Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 10 Jul 2016 9:59 am    
Reply with quote

Old Nationals. I have them, use them, and I have tried others, and none compare. I also use them for dobro, and banjo.
_________________
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
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Lee Baucum


From:
McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
Post  Posted 10 Jul 2016 12:32 pm    
Reply with quote

Between the two, I prefer Nationals. I tried various gauges of Dunlop picks and never could find any that I liked. I've got quite a few old Nationals in my collection, which I stopped using once I discovered ProPik Reso finger picks many years ago. I like the single-wrap, with angled blades. No need to use pliers to angle the blades. The blades are already at the perfect angle for me.

Click Here
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Dave Zirbel


From:
Sebastopol, CA USA
Post  Posted 10 Jul 2016 3:23 pm    
Reply with quote

National NP2. It's a reissue of the originals........I think


https://www.amazon.com/National-NP-2-4PK-Finger-Picks-Nickel-Silver/dp/B0052S3RZU[/u]
_________________
Dave Zirbel-
Sierra S-10 (Built by Ross Shafer),ZB, Fender 400 guitars, various tube and SS amps
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jonah Turner

 

From:
Nebraska, USA
Post  Posted 10 Jul 2016 4:50 pm    
Reply with quote

I have tried many, MANY different picks trying to find ones that were perfect, but I find the newer Nationals are the best fitting so far, and the Dunlops the local music stores sell are tricky for me to shape well due to inexperience. I haven't tried Keyser though, I guess it's another to try...
_________________
Carter D-10 9&8
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jonah Turner

 

From:
Nebraska, USA
Post  Posted 10 Jul 2016 4:57 pm    
Reply with quote

Speaking of which, where do you guys buy your Keysers? It seems like Amazon used to sell them but they're discontinued now?

https://www.amazon.com/Kyser-Style-Finger-Picks-pieces/dp/B001L8IIKY?ie=UTF8&ref_=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top
_________________
Carter D-10 9&8
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
John Booth


From:
Columbus Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 10 Jul 2016 5:34 pm    
Reply with quote

It doesn't matter.

More importantly is the touch and attack you use with whatever picks you find to be comfortable on your fingers.

JB
_________________
Jb in Ohio
..................................
GFI S10 Ultra, Telecaster, a Hound Dog, and an Annoyed Wife
..................................
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Mike Perlowin


From:
Los Angeles CA
Post  Posted 10 Jul 2016 7:30 pm    
Reply with quote

John Booth wrote:
It doesn't matter.

More importantly is the touch and attack you use with whatever picks you find to be comfortable on your fingers.

JB


I agree. NOBODY has ever come up to me on a gig and told me that I'm using the wrong picks.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Bill Terry


From:
Bastrop, TX
Post  Posted 11 Jul 2016 8:53 am    
Reply with quote

I started with some thinner gauge Dunlops, they seemed to be more comfortable, but eventually moved to NP2s. I also have some Showcase 1941s that are similar and I like those.

Those thin Dunlops had too much 'plink factor' for me. I'd agree that poor (or good) technique is the dominating factor, but I definitely got a better sound when I moved to the heavier picks.
_________________
Lost Pines Studio
"I'm nuts about bolts"
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jim Bates

 

From:
Alvin, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 11 Jul 2016 10:59 am    
Reply with quote

At age 12,I got my first lap steel and picks used were plastic finger and thumb picks,all small size. At 13 1/2 got my Fender T-3 and changed to Stevens metal finger picks (now called Pearce High Riders) and med plastic thumb pick. At 16 I went to National metal finger picks and med plastic thumb (this fit better with string spacing and my skill and speed development). After I moved to Houston in early 60's and started playing a lot (Houston had a LOT more music stores!) I went to Dunlop metal gauged finger picks and large plastic thumb picks. Since I play a lot of dobro at my gigs, I use the same picks as on pedal steel. Now and then a "super finger or thumb pick" hits the market and I try them, BUT always return to the Dunlops.

We are all different, that's why there are so many choices.

Thanx,
Jim
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 11 Jul 2016 11:15 am    
Reply with quote

Jim,
You remind me of my youth, I started out with all plastic picks also. I think it was the Hawaiian music influence.
The plastic picks contributed to a softer sound.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  
Please review our Forum Rules and Policies
Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction, and steel guitar accessories
www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

The Steel Guitar Forum
148 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA

Click Here to Send a Donation

Email SteelGuitarForum@gmail.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for Band-in-a-Box
by Jim Baron