| Author |
Topic: Pick Recommendations |
Gabriel Edell
From:
Hamilton, Ontario
|
Posted 24 Aug 2006 11:29 am |
|
Hey folks. I'm just starting on ps and am having an issue with the thumbpicks. I am currently using large standard plastic Dunlop models but I find they cut the circulation off in my thumb.
I tried Herco units but the pick is too long and I can't find any in Heavy around here.
Anyone have any recommendations?
Thanks
------------------
GFI S-10 P U, Fender Steel King |
|
|
 |
Colby Tipton
From:
Crosby, Texas, USA
|
Posted 24 Aug 2006 1:53 pm
|
|
| Picks cut your blood off, you have to get used to them. Sometimes they hurt so bad you want to give up. Someday or another you will figure them out and you will say to your self, my picks feel good. |
|
|
|
Lee Baucum
From:
McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
|
Posted 24 Aug 2006 1:57 pm
|
|
I've never heard of picks being so tight they cut off the blood supply and cause pain. I'm glad I've got skinny fingers and thumbs!
------------------
Lee, from South Texas
Down On The Rio Grande
Mullen U-12, Excel 8-string Frypan, Evans FET-500, Fender Steel King
|
|
|
|
David Nugent
From:
Gum Spring, Va.
|
Posted 24 Aug 2006 2:02 pm
|
|
Gabriel,
You may want to try immersing them in boiling water for a second or two until they become pliable and stretching the thumb part to fit. |
|
|
|
Matthew Prouty
From:
Warsaw, Poland
|
Posted 24 Aug 2006 2:03 pm
|
|
One thing you can do is put them is some hot water and then put them on your thumb to let it form to your thumb. When I first started using them I would go nuts cause they hurt but after a while I dont even know there on there. Sometimes I forget to take them off after practicing my scales until I am a zombie.
I use to mold my mouth guard the same way. Just boil some water then put it into a coffee cup. Drop the pick and then pull it out real fast. Cool it by blowing on it so you do not burn your thumb and then put it on and if it is at the right point it should mold perfectly to your thumb. You can ruin them if they are in too long. You may have to do this a couple of times till you get them the way you like them.
As a lefty I use this to remold righty picks for my left thumb. It normally works well. Make sure you have a spare before starting just in case things go wrong.
M. |
|
|
|
Colby Tipton
From:
Crosby, Texas, USA
|
Posted 24 Aug 2006 2:13 pm
|
|
Gab,
I didn't want to sound so blunt, but it will come a time when you will say to your self, Man I figured it out and then you will never be convinced that you have them on your fingers correctly and you will mess with them from now on like we all do. |
|
|
|
Gabriel Edell
From:
Hamilton, Ontario
|
Posted 25 Aug 2006 5:44 am
|
|
Cool. Glad this is a normal problem.
I'll try the hot water thing.
Thanks a lot! |
|
|
|
Rick Campbell
From:
Sneedville, TN, USA
|
Posted 25 Aug 2006 6:14 am
|
|
The finger picks were always an issue for me. Nine times out of ten I'd switch them after the first few licks...until I marked them for which finger. It always takes me awhile to get the finger picks bent just right to feel comfortable. When they're right they feel like they belong there.
------------------
Emmons Lashley Legrande D-10 8/4, Mullen D-10 8/4,Nashville 400, Profex II, Bunches of fiddles,guitars,etc....
racmusic.tripod.com
|
|
|
|
Ray Minich
From:
Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra
|
Posted 25 Aug 2006 12:53 pm
|
|
| Them celluloid finger picks I tried as a 10 year old were the most miserable pain & torture ever invented. Still have 'em, but only for sentimental reasons... [This message was edited by Ray Minich on 25 August 2006 at 01:54 PM.] |
|
|
|
Bob Blair
From:
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
|
Posted 25 Aug 2006 2:07 pm
|
|
| If you find the Herco comfortable, or some other kind of thumbpick for that matter, you can always cut it down and sand it smooth if it is too long. I believe that some players cut down the length of their thumbpicks as a matter of course. I find my Dunlops, or most of them anyway, reasonably comfortable, but I have heard that the hot water thing works for folks who find them too tight. I won't wear one that is cutting off my circulation. Picks take some getting used to, but extreme discomfort/pain ought not to be the norm. |
|
|
|
Wayne D. Clark
From:
Montello Wisconsin, USA
|
Posted 25 Aug 2006 2:24 pm
|
|
I'M WITH YOU RICK,IT IS THE FINGER PICKS THAT DRIVE ME NUTS. I'LL PUT THEM IN MY POCKET, THEM WHEN I GET READY TO PLAY AGAIN, I'LL PUT THEM ON THEN THAK THEM OFF SWITCH THEM AROUND, TAKE THEM OFF AND SWITCH AGAIN. THIS GOES ON TWO OR THREE TIMES BEFORE I FINALY GET THEM RIGHT. I HAVE ACTUALLY SET DOWN READY TO PLAY AND SWITCHED AGAIN. IF THEY DON'T FEEL RIGHT IT EFFECTS MY PLAYING.
AS FOR THE THUMB PICK HOT WATER, TRY IT, HOT WATER TRY IT. ALSO THE HEAT OF YOUR THUMB WILL CAUSE IT TO BECOME COMFORTABLE AS YOU PLAY.
MSA D10 8/2 |
|
|
|
TRAP TRULY
From:
Mobile , AL
|
Posted 25 Aug 2006 3:43 pm
|
|
you can also try the microwave for just a second or two...similar effect as the boiling water.
trap |
|
|
|
David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
|
Posted 25 Aug 2006 9:46 pm
|
|
As was said earlier, many players automatically cut down picks like the Hercos and Kellys to about 1/4" past the thumb - I like to be able to use the side of my thumb to help mute strings, and that can't happen if the pick's too long. Also, there are a whole lot of types of thumbpicks. I've settled on Fred Kelly (delrin) Slickpicks for steel and modified Dunlop "Heavies" (#9216) for standard guitar, but you really should visit Elderly Music and try out a large Golden Gate (PK21-L), an extra-heavy one (PK21-LXH), and some large and extra-large Kellys too. And maybe some metal ones, Elderly has 80 different thumbpicks for sale for Pete's sakes so don't quit just yet! http://www.fredkellyspicks.com/Slickpick.html http://elderly.com/search/elderly?terms=thumbpicks&x=9&y=10 http://elderly.com/accessories/items/PK43-L.htm
P.S. (if you've been looking around for a way to use up all your spare money, you've just hit the jackpot, swam the trifecta, pitched a Triple Crown etc.... and I'm not talking about just the thumbpicks either.)[This message was edited by David Mason on 25 August 2006 at 11:09 PM.] |
|
|
|
Steve Dodson
From:
Sparta, Tennessee, USA
|
Posted 28 Aug 2006 4:29 pm
|
|
As far as finger picks go. I always had better luck with the ones Jeff Newman use to sale. And Fran still sales them.  [This message was edited by Steve Dodson on 28 August 2006 at 05:29 PM.] [This message was edited by Steve Dodson on 28 August 2006 at 05:30 PM.] |
|
|
|
Bud Harger
From:
Belton, Texas by way of Baton Rouge, Louisiana
|
Posted 29 Aug 2006 11:31 am
|
|
The best pick that I have ever come across is the FRED KELLY'S "REGULAR" STYLE THUMBPICK (DELRIN)...they are $.75 each at Elderly Music.
Elderly Music Link
Good luck,
bUd
[This message was edited by Bud Harger on 29 August 2006 at 12:32 PM.] |
|
|
|
Mike Vallandigham
From:
Martinez, CA
|
Posted 29 Aug 2006 12:27 pm
|
|
In the past, I've used Blue Herco's, but recently, I tried the Red Delrin Dunlops, which are an exact copy of the Herco, but in a different material, I LOVE the red dunlops
they are a little stiffer than the hercos, and they stay on my finger. I prefer the shape and size of these pics.
they have them both at elderly.com red dunlops and blue hercos |
|
|
|
Ron Randall
From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
|
Posted 29 Aug 2006 3:29 pm
|
|
Maybe give Zookies a try. 3 sizes and 3 angles.
Elderly Instruments.
White plastic. Very popular with resonator players. Caution they are stiff.
I file them down to a sharp point for a clean attack on electric steel.
fyi...Many players prefer a really soft snap on the thumb for electric steel. Kinda matches the attack of the finger picks.
When you get a cigar box full of different picks, you will have then found the right pick for you.
A little dab of Elmer's Glue Stick for School, gives just enough stickum. Grocery store...school supplies.
hope this helps.
Ron |
|
|
|
Calvin Walley
From:
colorado city colorado, USA
|
Posted 29 Aug 2006 4:49 pm
|
|
it took me about 2 1/2 years to find finger picks that i like and fit right
i think i tried every pick out there ended up with a dunlop thumb pick and 1941s for the fingers
------------------
Mullen SD-10 3&5 / nashville 400
|
|
|
|
Bill Mayville
From:
Las Vegas Nevada * R.I.P.
|
Posted 4 Sep 2006 3:53 am
|
|
Hi Gabriel
When your'e on the page for Ederly Music, scroll down,on the right you'll see Kelly speed picks.Order some, see what size fits, Try them ,.If you don't like them,and see how easy they are are to play with,I'll refund your money.I give one to each student.They all seem to love them.
Bill(steelinlasvegas@cox.net) |
|
|
|
Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
|
Posted 4 Sep 2006 7:04 am
|
|
My eldest grandson, bless his little heart, broke my favorite National thumb pick some time ago.
I bought a white thumb pick with a piece of tortoise shell laminated to the picking area from Frenchy's in New Mexico.
This is my most favorite pick, to date.  |
|
|
|
Gene Jones
From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
|
Posted 4 Sep 2006 8:04 am
|
|
My first steel guitar package, came with a metal thumbpick, a little skinny one. I got used to it and played with it for years before I experimented with the plastic picks and decided that they had a better tone.
In short, for the best tone, I like the "beefy on steroids", plastic thumbpicks.
------------------
www.genejones.com
|
|
|
|
John Bechtel
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.
|
Posted 4 Sep 2006 8:46 pm
|
|
For quite a number of years I've been using Dunlop .025 Finger~Picks and the large White Dunlop Thumb~Picks. I always mark my Finger~Picks with a small rat-tail file. #1-v & #2-vv in one of the holes. Of course, if I use (3)-Picks, I don't have to mark the 3rd. one!
------------------
“Big John”
a.k.a. {Keoni Nui}
Current Equipment
|
|
|
|
thurlon hopper
From:
Elizabethtown Pa. USA
|
Posted 4 Sep 2006 9:26 pm
|
|
| Like Johnny Cox, i prefer the John Pearse thumb picks. Got a couple of friends to try them and now they use nothing else. I like them cery much for fingrerstyle guitsar playing too. Use Jeff newman's finger picks (the ones that he sold) have about 3 or 4 sets of them. |
|
|
|
