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Topic: Scratchy thumb picks |
Nick Waugh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 17 Nov 2013 12:35 am |
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Hi All
A few days ago I noticed that my thumb pick was producing a scratchy sound from the strings. So I tried another thumb pick, but found that did the same thing. I ended up trying all of my thumb picks; i have about 5, but they all produced a scraping sound from the strings. I have been using mainly Dunlops since the Jeff Newman thumb picks are no longer available. The picks don't look warn, but I have been using them for about 6 months or so. Does anyone else get this problem, and if so is it because the picks need changing?
best regards
Nick |
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Tony Boadle
From:
Skibbereen, County Cork, Ireland
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Posted 17 Nov 2013 2:50 am Scratchy thumb-picks.
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Hi Nick (neighbour!)...I noticed this problem a few years ago whilst picking my 5-string. It's one of those things that once you hear it, you can't stop hearing it! I managed to reduce the problem by switching to 'Zookie' thumb-picks. If you don't already know about them (maybe it's just a banjer thing) they are regular thumb-picks with a choice of angled tips (10, 20 and 30 degrees I think). Basically it enables the pick to hit the string square-on, it compensates for the angle of your hand and thumb, and thus reduces scratching noise from the pick edge.
It works for me, maybe it might help you.
There is another alternative that would alleviate the problem slighlty, but it involves Guinness, which is marginally more expensive than a Zookie thumb-pick!
Regards from County Cork,
Tony
(UK ex-pat, Devon born, Bristol raised) |
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David Nugent
From:
Gum Spring, Va.
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Posted 17 Nov 2013 3:48 am
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| You might check your pick to determine if it is wearing more on the edge than the overall blade surface. I find that over time, most plastic thumb picks tend to become thinner on one edge and generate "dust" that collects on the surface which in turn may cause the scratching sound that you described. When playing banjo I simply brushed the pick along my leather strap occasionally to eliminate the dust, when playing pedal steel I used whatever was handy. Since changing to 'Zookies'however, I find that the problem has greatly diminished due to the reasons previously listed in Tony's post...Note: If 'Zookies' are not readily available, using the steam from a tea kettle to heat a standard pick(holding it with pliers) and twisting the blade with a second pair of pliers will produce similar results. |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 17 Nov 2013 5:45 am
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| I just dump the pick when it starts to get scratchy. I'm fairly good at striking the string with the flat side of the pick but that still does not eliminate 100% the scratchy problem. |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 17 Nov 2013 5:52 am
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Herco. The nylon NEVER gets scratchy. But you need several. They loosen as they warm. I have one cooling, one on my thumb, and at least one ready to play. Kinda a pain, but the tone justifies it
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Dan Beller-McKenna
From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 17 Nov 2013 6:39 am
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| When I am playing with good right-hand position (thumb perpendicular to the strings), an even scuff pattern appears on blade of the thumb pick, kind of a big "V." When the edge of the pick gets scratchy (which it does disappointingly often) I know I am letting my hand turn in a bit and not getting the best tone I could. Scratchy sound is kind of like a warning sign that I need to step it up and improve my playing. |
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Bob Mainwaring
From:
Qualicum Beach Vancouver Island B.C. Canada
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Posted 19 Nov 2013 9:41 am Scratchy Picks
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I've mentioned it many time before in the past, but I've always used a metal thumb-pick for many years for the ol' five string too.
The finger picks are metal eh?? 
All Z.B.est.
Bob. |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 19 Nov 2013 9:59 am
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| mine get smoother the more use they get. |
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Ken Pippus
From:
Langford, BC, Canada
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Posted 19 Nov 2013 10:12 am
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I'm with Dan. Especially playing the ojnaB, if I'm digging in with the thumb at an acute angle, I can make a pick scratchy in about 20 minutes. Hitting it with the blade flat on the string, they basically last forever.
The Hercos are definitely more forgiving, but even with cold picks, I have trouble playing loud on Dobro or that five stringed disaster area with those picks. |
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