Finger pick shape

Hans Penner · From: Manitoba, Canada

I have observed that finger picks seem to be of a different shape then the ones I have. They seem to curl around the finger tip. My instructor does not use finger picks so therefore I ask the question.

What shape should finger picks have? And, why?

I use Dunlop .018 gauge picks. I have not altered them.

Hans
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At long last, July 14, 2011 and I have a musical instrument I CAN play.
Stage One, Nashville 112, Hilton pedal, Black Box

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

I think you'll find at least 90% of steel players use finger picks of this shape.

BTW, many players feel they get a better tone with a heavier gauge, more like a .026 or the JF's in the photo that I use.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

For steel, I bend mine a bit farther than Jerry. I also like them thinner. I use a Dunlv.013 on the middle and a .015 on the index (it's weaker, getting a stouter pick to compensate).
On Dobro, where you need more power to the strings, I curve them less and use .0225 and . 025

It comes down to personal taste and. What works for you and your "hand posture."
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

FWIW, I don't bend them. That's the way they come from www.jeffran.com Pre-bent and ready to go out of the pkg. All you have to do is adjust the ring size.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

OK, Jerry pays people to bend his picks for him because he's posh like that, but I do it myself, and more aggressively.

(I sure hope Jerry knows I'm grinning. But that's even cooler than a string-changing tech. "You bend your picks? I have people do that for me")
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Hans Penner · From: Manitoba, Canada

Thanx Jeff and Lane

Couldn't post a reply for some reason but now you've answered the other questions I had.

Living on the other side of the border, a set of $5 Jeffran picks become outrageously expensive by the time shipping is included. My Dunlops cost a whopping $1.11 CAD with tax.

Up here in the "great white north" most people give me a blank look when I enthusiastically tell them that I've taken up the pedal steel guitar. Even my neighbour, who has been involved in gospel music for almost all of his 46 years on this planet, had no clue what a PSG was. I don't know what to do; laugh Laughing

or scream? And the music stores, they carry not a thing for PSGs. Even the pick selection is pretty much none existent.

Guess I'll get out the pliers and see if I can destroy yet another pair of picks. I've sent a few off to the big heaven for picks. Just bought some .025 picks, again, and they hurt my middle finger. For some reason the .018 picks don't, but there are no more to be bought around here, so I'm hesitant to modify them. Probably will in the end.

Take care, Hans
_________________
At long last, July 14, 2011 and I have a musical instrument I CAN play.
Stage One, Nashville 112, Hilton pedal, Black Box

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

NOT PLIERS.
unless you protect the jaws. I bend the finger tabs the way I like them, and put them on. Then, I press them against my thigh with a drawing motion. I usually wear jeans, fearing I'll snag good pants.
Sometimes you'll have to bend the finger tabs a bit to get them comfortable, too
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Malcolm McMaster · From: Beith Ayrshire Scotland

Hans, some years ago I was lucky enough to attend a Jeff Newman course, he told us "thin picks thin sound", I took his advise got rid of my Dunlop 15's and moved to Nationals , which I believe are around 25, took a while to get used to them, but I think it was worth it.Jeff also pointed out that the design of the Dunlop meant that the ring part would be more likely to catch the string above the one you are picking.I have tried Jeff's own , but did not feel comfortable with them so have stuck with National, but it is a very personal thing and you just have to try different makes and find the one which works for you.
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Fred Rushing · From: Odin, IL, USA

Hans. As everyone says it is a personal thing. I am a Jeff guy and have been since he first started teaching. That being said, not everyone wants a heavy thick sound as many do. It is a personal thing. One thing that seems to prove out is the this. The less bend you have in the blade the more attack you will likely have and that will result in a fatter sound. The more curved the blade is the more it will slide over the string resulting in less attack on the string.

All this also depends on the way you hold right hand when you play. It is your personal choice as to the sound you prefer. Ther are GREAT players all over the world and they use light guage picks and some curve the blades and some leave them almost straight.

Its your call. Have fun and go with what you prefer and not something you don't like.

JMO

Fred

Hans Penner · From: Manitoba, Canada

OK, Jeff, no pliers will get used.

Malcolm, had cause to phone Fran of Jeffran since my last post. Got her to add some picks to my parcel.

I've come to accept that money will need to be spent on things like picks until I am comfortable with one type.

I got a bit lucky with my thumb pick. Wayne Link, of LINKON Guitars, had a Zookies for me to try. I liked it right off. However,
Surprised

I tried adjusting the shape slightly using a butane lighter just to warm the plastic, HA HA, and it went poof like it was gasoline. Then I had to order a bunch of new ones for myself and Wayne.

Yes, I've had to learn many things in the 57 years of my life by this manner. It sucks, but I grin, or yell and curse, at these lessons of life.
_________________
At long last, July 14, 2011 and I have a musical instrument I CAN play.
Stage One, Nashville 112, Hilton pedal, Black Box

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

I straighten them out. Index sticks out 1/4" past finger tip, Middle finger pick, 3/16'. For me, it improves my accuracy and tone. Sorry for the blurry pic,, old camera.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

I can take or leave the Zookies. My favorite thumbpick is the blue Herco, but I need two or three, as they soften with the heat of my thumb, and start to slip. I replace with a cool one and switch out about every 20 minutes of wear
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Hans Penner · From: Manitoba, Canada

That is a bit blurry all right, John. Thanx just the same.

FWIW

I once taught intro photography. Its not the old camera probably. Just hold the camera slightly further away and then things should be in focus. Everything will be smaller but in focus. I can always zoom in to see the details.

Take care.
_________________
At long last, July 14, 2011 and I have a musical instrument I CAN play.
Stage One, Nashville 112, Hilton pedal, Black Box

Hans Penner · From: Manitoba, Canada

Just checked out Herco thumb picks, Jeff. Yiks, which to choose?
_________________
At long last, July 14, 2011 and I have a musical instrument I CAN play.
Stage One, Nashville 112, Hilton pedal, Black Box

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

FWIW, I was always taught that fingerpicks work best when they are bent slightly so that they are an extension of your fingernail. The pick should end at the point where your nail would end (if it were that long).

But then I have observed that what's right for you is what's right for you, and not necessarily what's right for others.
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John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

Clearer pick pic;

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

By all means, use whatever works for you. I took your question to mean that you had not found that yet.

Ask 10 people for an opinion and you're likely to get 10 different answers.

JIC you're not familiar....the shape of the Jeff picks is part of the right hand system that he taught and is still available for those interested. If one was a beginner or otherwise unhappy with their expertise, this would teach how the shape of the finger picks, the right hand position, the picking method etc. all worked together to eliminate confusion with both fast and slower picking.

Jeff spent a lot of time studying the pros styles around Nashville ferreting out some of the secrets to good playing and good sound. Then passed it on to his students along with his own experience. His goal was to make you a good player in a reasonable time period.

You can make any pick shape or picking style work up to a point, it's just a matter of what you want to do.

Pardon the commercial, just trying to help.

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

I also prefer the Newman pics. First off I will say that I tried Dunlops in all different gauges and to this day, I would still rather play with no picks than use the Dunlops. I used Nationals up until I discovered Jeff's picks about 12 years ago. I have small fingers and have to lightly squeeze the bands before I put them on to make sure they are tight. The Nationals would keep breaking where the first hole (from the tongue) is and the outer edge of the band. A National would last me maybe 4 months tops. It usually took 2 or 3 destroyed Nationals just to get it bent right in the first place. The Newman picks fit better right out of the package and I did a little adjusting for size and angle of attack, but they have been great. I bought 4 about 12 years ago and I am on my last 2. One of the four I dropped under my guitar and stepped on, the other broke on the band similar to the National, but after 10 or 11 years and not a few months. I need to order a couple more from Fran so I have some to last the rest of my life.

But you may need to try several brands and types before you find the right ones for you.

I use mostly Golden Gate thumb picks. Like Lane, the blue Herco's, and other various colored brands of thumb picks, loosen up as I am playing them and I would have to switch picks every few songs.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting.

Ronnie Boettcher · From: Brunswick Ohio, USA

I only use the old "Nationals", from the 50's,and early 60's. And leave the tines the way they were bent in the factory. Only bend the bands to fit my fingers. Use the same ones for my banjo too. Thumb picks, I extend the tine, so they extend 1/4th to 5/16ths of an inch below my thumb. That is my personal fit.
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Clete Ritta · From: San Antonio, Texas

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

I paint the insides of mine with clear nail polish. They're made of "German Silver" and the zinc will dry your skin and the copper will green it.
I forgot that bit
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Bobby D. Jones · From: West Virginia, USA

Whateve pick you like is up to you. I presently use Showcase 1941, I have a pair of JF's that some one done a bad fitting and are beyond help. If you have small fingers actually cut the ends and smooth them up before you start bending. The best way to bend the tabs on a pick is put a 5/16 or 3/8 inch smooth rod in a good solid vice and let about 3/4 inch stick out. put the pick on the rod and with a small hammer start pounding and curling it around the rod. Spend time and bend the solid area between the holes till you get a nice smooth oval not a hex shape from the flat solid places and all the bend in the hole area. These will sometimes hook together and hang up. Take your time and fit them smoothly to your fingers. Roll the edges of the tabs or file and polish them till they do not dig into your fingers. My middle finger has been damaged and I have to twist the end of the pick so it hits the string flat. The best solution to a thumb pick is find some of the sandpaper like material used on the edge of steps for safety, Sold here at Ace Hardware and others. Has peel and stick on the back. Rub the sandpaper side with a piece of metal to even off any real sharp high points. Clean the inside of the pick with alcohol,Cut a piece, peel the paper and apply to the front side of the pick. This allows the pick to hold without being so tight it hurts your thumb. Hope this helps. Good Luck and Happy Steelin. BJ

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

I have small hands and I used to trim the bands down on the Nationals so they didn't overlap so much, and I did it to the Dunlops to get rid of that damn curve in the bands, but that didn't make them any better. The Newman picks I don't have to modify.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting.

Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

Fingerpicks: Dunlop = more comfortable (especially .018), Nationals = best sound. Tump trumps comfort so I use Nationals

Thumbpick: Herco Blue best sound, but too loose. Compromise = Dunlop, National, Golden Gate, etc.....

Curt Langston · Posted 7 Nov 2011 3:44 pm

John Pearse HyRiders.

They ride a little higher on the finger, and are way more comfortable.

No more sore fingers, and NO slippage!

Winking

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