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Topic: Thumb picks - which ones? |
Jeff Spencer
From:
Queensland, Australia
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Posted 25 Feb 2014 3:50 am |
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Ok, I am so over my thumb picks breaking after a week! I like a wide strike plate but they always crack and break at the major bend over the side of the thumb. I have had more success with the Dunlops but they too give way. I always choose the 'large size. What are peoples favourites and why?
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 25 Feb 2014 4:30 am
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Herco blue nylon, aka "buggablue".
Their sound never goes raspy.
Downside: they loosen as the thumb warms them. you need three or more. One on the thumb, one cooling, and one ready to replace the one on the thumb.
Pali, Scotty, Frenchy's, Billy Cooper all carry 'em.
_________________
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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Bob Carlucci
From:
Candor, New York, USA
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Posted 25 Feb 2014 6:24 am
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http://www.picksgalore.com/fred-kelly-speed.html
best thumb pick I have ever used, bar none.. Much faster and more accurate once you get used to them, and they NEVER break,, ever..
I have used the same one for over 2 years, and it shows no wear at all,,, bob
_________________
I'm over the hill and hittin'rocks on the way down!
no gear list for me.. you don't have the time...... |
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Joshua Gibson
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 25 Feb 2014 7:45 am
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I use the old aged ivory Golden Gate Thumb picks...They fit a bit snugger then most but for Me that just eliminated the need to constantly re-adjust them on Your thumb.
(Don't like the normal Pearliod GG's)
_________________
'83 Mullen custom D-10 8x5.
Mesa Lonestar classic 112 custom cab.
Session 400 Ltd, Nashville 1000,
Telonics, Zoom, BJS,
Goldtone BS, LITM, OS Dobros.
Fender, G&L, Gibson, Ibanez guitars. |
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Tom Wolverton
From:
Carpinteria, CA
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Posted 25 Feb 2014 9:17 am
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I love the GG. "clown barf" picks. But I'm now testing out a BlueChip thumbpick. Very nice.
_________________
To write with a broken pencil is pointless. |
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Steve Lipsey
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 25 Feb 2014 9:33 am
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Well...call me crazy, but you ain't never gonna' break one of these puppies...and the rounded sides don't rasp on the strings. And they don't have to be super-tight to stay on...
_________________
https://www.lostsailorspdx.com
Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham Resos, 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor |
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Bob Knight
From:
Bowling Green KY
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Posted 25 Feb 2014 9:36 am John Pearse.
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These stay put, no slipping after they get warm
http://www.jpstrings.com/vtpicks.JPG
_________________
<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 |
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Tom Gorr
From:
Three Hills, Alberta
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Posted 25 Feb 2014 11:33 am
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I used Herco's since I started playing but recently bought a Pro-pik (long blade) from Tommy Dodd at the Phoenix show, and there is no going back to the Herco...
This thing has a metal thumbwrap with a plastic blade fastened to the thumbwrap. Best of everything. It doesn't stretch or move like the Herco. |
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Marty Letz
From:
Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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Posted 25 Feb 2014 11:50 am
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| I haven't tried them all but I've had no problems with the golden gate pick, wide strike plate, no breakage. |
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Bob Knight
From:
Bowling Green KY
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Posted 25 Feb 2014 11:59 am
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What is a "strike plate"? Sounds like a part of a door latch. 
Do you mean shank?
_________________
<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 |
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Bob Knight
From:
Bowling Green KY
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Posted 25 Feb 2014 12:04 pm
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| Tom Wolverton wrote: |
| I love the GG. "clown barf" picks. But I'm now testing out a BlueChip thumbpick. Very nice. |
$40 for a thumb pick???? Guys, where does this end?
I bet I sound just as bad with my $1 pick. 
_________________
<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 |
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Steve Perry
From:
Elizabethtown Ky, USA
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Posted 25 Feb 2014 12:35 pm
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| Bob Knight wrote: |
| Tom Wolverton wrote: |
| I love the GG. "clown barf" picks. But I'm now testing out a BlueChip thumbpick. Very nice. |
$40 for a thumb pick???? Guys, where does this end?
I bet I sound just as bad with my $1 pick. |
Well... In Blue Chip's defense, the majority of the cost of a pick is because of the raw material cost. The material is normally used to make high quality, military spec, circuit boards. A 10"x10" square costs $5000!  I use a Blue Chip flat pick for Bluegrass mandolin and guitar and the pick just glides off the strings. They hold up pretty good too! I bought mine 4 1/2 years ago, use it hard weekly, and the edge still look like the day I bought it. |
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Jeff Spencer
From:
Queensland, Australia
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Posted 25 Feb 2014 12:53 pm
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Thanks for the great info guys!!Going to be doing some on-line shopping by the looks of it.
Sorry Bob, 'strike plate' was my term.
Appreciate everyone's efforts for the replies.  |
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Rick Schmidt
From:
Prescott AZ, USA
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Niels Andrews
From:
Salinas, California, USA
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Posted 25 Feb 2014 2:11 pm
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The thing about the GC's is you can put them in warm water and change the angle.
_________________
Die with Memories. Not Dreams.
Good Stuff like Zum S-12, Wolfe Resoport
MSA SS-12, Telonics Combo. |
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Jim Eller
From:
Kodak, TN (Michigan transplant)
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Posted 25 Feb 2014 2:14 pm
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Am I the only one still using Zookies?
They haven't improved my playing........ but they haven't hurt it either. |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 25 Feb 2014 3:15 pm
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Jeff I have used Zookies for years, they come with the blade at an offset angle -- 10, 20 or 30 degs -- just a matter of matching the angle to the way you strike the strings... no more breakages, or wearing away the leading edge of the thumb pick blade.
Mr Google will find them for you
_________________
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases. |
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Larry Baker
From:
Columbia, Mo. U.S.A.
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Posted 25 Feb 2014 3:35 pm
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Been using zookies L10 for years, have only broken one since using them. Got them from Scotty's music.
_________________
Mullen G2 SD10 3 & 5 The Eagle
NV112 amp===Earnie Ball V.P. |
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Howard Steinberg
From:
St. Petersburg, Florida , USA
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Posted 25 Feb 2014 3:49 pm
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Everything that Bob says regarding the Fred Kelly speed pick. Takes a little getting used to, lasts for ever and improved accuracy. Viva Fred Kelly!!
_________________
Justice Pro Lite (4-5), Justice D-10 (8-5)x2 , Quilter Steelaire, Hilton Pedal, BJ's bar. |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 25 Feb 2014 6:11 pm
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| Bob Knight wrote: |
What is a "strike plate"? Sounds like a part of a door latch.
Do you mean shank?
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I think a more proper term (for the part that sticks out) is "blade", or maybe "tongue".  |
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Matt Butner
From:
Decherd, Tennessee
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Posted 25 Feb 2014 8:07 pm
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| Fred Kelly is my pick. I have played with a thumb pick for years and i love his picks. I started off using the speed pick then moved to the slick pick, which gave me a little more dynamics and feel. Since i started playing the steel i though i would try the speed pick again and wow what a difference. It helps with the string spacing, gives me a better feel to. My vote for steel goes to the speed pick. At least try one |
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Rex Thomas
From:
Thompson's Station, TN
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Posted 25 Feb 2014 8:23 pm +1
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| Another vote for Fred Kelly. |
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Bill L. Wilson
From:
Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 25 Feb 2014 10:05 pm GC Picks.
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| I've never broken a Golden Gate thumb pick, and they fit my old fat thumb like a glove. And mine are several yrs old. |
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Larry Allen
From:
Kapaa, Kauai,Hawaii
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Posted 26 Feb 2014 12:42 am Thumb picks
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Fred Kelly...15 years...the most comfortable strong picks..
_________________
Excel steels & Peavey amps,Old Chevys & Motorcycles & Women on the Trashy Side |
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Dustin Rigsby
From:
Parts Unknown, Ohio
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Posted 26 Feb 2014 3:54 am
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Zookies L-30 for me. Tried others including a JF thumbpick,which just didn't feel right. However, I'm a firm beliver in JF finger picks !
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D.S. Rigsby |
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