Metal Fingerpick Differences??

Chris Johnson · From: USA

While browsing the net, I ran by some National fingerpicks and noticed some were brass, nickel silver, stainless steel, gold plated and cobalt plated.

Are there any real sound differences between them?

Which ones do you prefer?

http://www.elderly.com/accessories/Fingerpicks.html

Ron Randall · From: Dallas, Texas, USA

Yes, there must be a difference, because the market supplies so many variations in material, size, and thickness.

I can hear a difference, but it is hard to describe tone.

My preference is 0.025 Kyser (nickel plated?) for PSG and Dobro.

Just one man's opinion.

Mark van Allen · From: Watkinsville, Ga. USA

Chris, if you were checking Elderly, you probably saw the Bob Perry banjo picks.
I have used many kinds and preferred Kysers, old Nationals and especially the pre-bent JF Jeff Newman picks until I tried a set of the Bob Perrys. They are just lightly longer in the shaft portion, and so the cross band sits just above the cuticle area back on the finger a bit further than the other brands. Much more comfortable and stay on better for me. They're something like $18 a pair, but I'm still on my first pair after several years. I noticed last night some of the cobalt plating appears to have worn off, but oddly just along the edges and not where the pick contacts the strings.
Those and Zookies angled thumbpicks are two simple things I wish I'd discovered much sooner.

Chris Johnson · From: USA

Thanks Ron,

I prefer the Kysers also.

Ernest Cawby · From: Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.

i USE TO USE THE OLD NATIONAL picks but they were to thin, I gave them all away, I like the Jeff Newman picks the best they are the right thicknes, and sound better, the new Nationals are too thin.

ernie

Chris Johnson · From: USA

Thanks for the replies guys,

Feel free to chime in Forumites. I'm pretty sure more than 4 of us use fingerpicks

Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

I have pretty much settled on the Showcase 1941 picks.
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Bob

steve takacs · From: beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)

Mark, which set of Bob Perry picks did you buy? Were they just the ones with cobalt or also some sets without the coating? If so, any differences in feel and sound?

http://www.cobaltbp.com/pricingnew.htm

Thanks, stevet

David Mason · From: Cambridge, MD, USA

I have sets of Dunlop .0225's, .025's, "JF" Newmans, Kysers and National NP2's all bent up just perfect. After a few minutes, I get used to any of them.... Question

The Dunlops definitely feel different than the Nationals/Kysers but I pretty much play with whatever's closest, unless it's not working, then I switch. And then tell myself "NOW it's working", and that even works (sometimes).

The single most important thing about picks is to have one set to practice with, and another set to bend around with needlenose and jeweler's pliers while you're watching TV. Because if you're sitting behind your steel fiddling with picks, you're not practicing. When the TV set get better than the practice set, they trade places.

Mark van Allen · From: Watkinsville, Ga. USA

So far I've only tried the cobalt plated Perry picks. For me the Kyser, Showcase 41, and JF picks were all great, but similar in shape and fit, the Perrys just fit better.

D Schubert · From: Columbia, MO, USA

I have been using Dunlop 0.025" brass fingerpicks for a long time. Maybe it's my imagination, but I think they provide a deeper tone than the other choices.

J D Sauser · From: Wellington, Florida

I could probably get used to most, except brass (dull) and plastic (dead).
Nickel Silver is my preferred, it does not scratch, actually polishes itself on the strings, while playing. Stainless will get scratches.

... J-D.

Mike Wheeler · From: Delaware, Ohio, USA

I've tried lots of different picks through the years and have settled on the Jeff Newman picks as the best for me...very easy to adjust to my fingers. I like his thumb picks, too.
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Best regards,
Mike

Ernie Pollock · From: Mt Savage, Md USA

I have been using Jeff Newmans metal fingerpicks for quite a few years, since the nationals went with that horrible pointy end. I have never liked any fingerpick better than Jeff, & you can still get there things from his wife.

Ernie Pollock Very Happy

Bob Kagy · From: Lafayette, CO USA

After trying all the ones out there I settled on the Showcase 41's, next the Newman picks. They're both a little heavier than the Nationals and offer more dynamics from hard to very soft picking.

Brett Lanier · From: Hermitage, TN

I've been liking the cobalt plated picks lately. They are a little less noisy if you're a pick blocker.

Dwight Lewis · From: Huntsville, Alabama

I use a National on my pointing finger (my most prominent picker)and a Dunlop .018 or .020 on my middle finger. The National is harder and the way you pick Chris you might prefer the thicker picks for their resistance to deformation. The thicker pick stays put easier. The thinner picks will succomb under heavy pressure. And Sacred steel is as heavy a pressure as I have seen , next to Joe Wright. But my chords come out softer with the thinner Dunlops. I think the more surface area the pick touches , the warmer the tone, the thicker the pick the more articulate the note. My opinion.

Dwight
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Dekley 7p4k(PRS-10C), BMI S12 5p5kn

Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

I like the fit and comfort of the JFs, but they just don't sound as clear as the National NP-2s.

Ronnie Boettcher · From: Brunswick Ohio, USA

I still use the OLD NATIONALS, from the 50's, and 60's. On both the steel and banjo.
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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

Michael Robertson · From: Ventura, California. USA

I use these. They work for me anyway.

http://elderly.com/accessories/items/PK46SP-BRS-M.htm

The angle of the reso pick gives me a softer attach and warmer tone.
The “Reso” picks have replaced the “CCW” pick I believe.
Both have the angle towards the little finger when worn.

Thomas Butler · From: Robbinsdale, MN

There is an on-line place selling kyser picks for $20 a dozen.

Everybody else is selling them for $4 - $5 dollars each.

could it be a scam of some kind?
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LDG and a Twin Reverb - what more does a guy need?

Elton Smith · From: Texas, USA

I like Earnie Ball pickies.The way they are shaped I can feel the string.

Rick Winfield · From: Pickin' beneath the Palmettos

I use National NP2. I think they are 25's.I used to use Dunlops that were in the range of 15's & 18's, but eventualy moved on to the thicker ones.It changed the whole way I pick. I sometimes use 4 picks, but mostly 3. It has taken me a while to incorporate the 4th, developing it to be as strong and accurate as my other fingers.
i.e. A+F lev/on str. 9,8,6,5.
Rick

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