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Post new topic Pick tone: thumb VS finger
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Author Topic:  Pick tone: thumb VS finger
Ron Whitfield

 

From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
Post  Posted 12 Jun 2009 5:57 pm    
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I was taught to use the thumb for all single notes and vitually everything that doesn't require a finger pick. But long ago I found my preference in sound to be from the finger picks. My current thumb pick, some old faux tortise shell job that is customized and comfortable, sounds thuddy and lifeless compared to the varieties of sweeter tone and subtlties of technique I can get from a finger pick.

Problem is, I don't want to keep doing that if there is a way to equal the finger pick tone with a thumb pick.

Anybody else notice this, and what do you use for a thumb pick that gives great/better tone.
I've thot of digging out some old metal thumb picks to try again, but til then...
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Ray Montee


From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
Post  Posted 12 Jun 2009 8:03 pm     I have a psychodellic colored THUMB PICK.........
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Good Point Ron, as usual.

Jerry BYRD used to use his THUMB for a lot of his single string runs, I've learned, since having had the opportunity to view a number of his video's.

I frequently use my thumb pick for both FORWARD and REVERSE picking when the situation calls for it.

I believe the tonal balance you're referring to can be better achieved if the player ROLLS the notes off the tip of the picks when picking them, as opposed to clutching or grabbing them as some often mention, here on the FORUM.

JERRY often rolls a full chord from the 5th thro' the 1st strings. The lower strings are usually plucked by raking the thumb pick from the bottom strings while pick the the last or top two strings with the two finger picks.

You should be able to have a seamless chord/roll if performed properly.
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Don Kona Woods


From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
Post  Posted 12 Jun 2009 10:00 pm    
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Ron says..
Quote:
....But long ago I found my preference in sound to be from the finger picks.

Problem is, I don't want to keep doing that if there is a way to equal the finger pick tone with a thumb pick.


I have a preference for finger picks, but only on the 4 top strings. I find that there is more sensitive touch with the forefinger and the middle finger than with the thumb.

A lot of practice might help, but I do not believe that you would actually equalize the sound. You might try to compensate in some way through bar technique, but the sensitivity of the thumb just doesn't measure up to the forefinger and middle finger.

As others do for utilitarian purposes, I use the thumb for single string picking for the bottom four strings.

Aloha, Smile
Don
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Jim Bates

 

From:
Alvin, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 14 Jun 2009 11:03 am    
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The material and the shape of the thimb pick greatly affect the tone. I searched a long time before Isettled on the clear plastic, pointed tip thumb picks from the DOBRO company. Since those are probably too hard to find, I have been using the equivalent thumbpick from Dunlop. Try Elderly Instruments, they used to carry them.

I hardly any tone change when using them with my metal finger picks.

Thanx,
Jim

ps- I am aggresive picker so these picks have to stay tight on my thumb and they do.
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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 15 Jun 2009 6:52 am    
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I like a husky thumb pick.
I use a white pick that has a hunk of faux tortoise shell stuck to the picking area. I get a tone I like.
Sometimes it is necessary to use a thumb pick on a plain string but I think the thumb was designed to pick the wound strings, primarily.
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Jerry Hayes


From:
Virginia Beach, Va.
Post  Posted 16 Jun 2009 7:38 am    
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I use the blue Herco nylon picks on both steel and lead along with old National fingerpicks. I used to use the old clear plastic Dobro thumbpicks because of the pointed tip. Since I started using the Hercos almost thirty years ago I've been filing the tips to a point with an emory board which gives them a "brighter" tone and compares better to the metal finger picks.........JH in Va.
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