Landis Finger Picks

Melody Freeman · From: Illinois, USA

Hi, I have emailed Landis Studios and I have not heard back from them. Also, I have called the number for Landis Studios and it is discontinued. Does anyone know if the Landis Finger Picks are still being made? I was interested in some finger picks that have a hemispherical blade to cover whatever angle is being played. Thank you!
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Melody Freeman

Larry Allen · From: Kapaa, Kauai,Hawaii

Aloha Melody, having tried ALL the picks since the 50’s I have found these ACRIs to be the most comfortable ..I use their SS for steel and Brass for Chet guitars and Dobro also no pick noise…Larry Very Happy

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Excel steels & Peavey amps,Old Chevys & Motorcycles & Women on the Trashy Side

Melody Freeman · From: Illinois, USA

Larry, thank you for the information!
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Melody Freeman

Larry Allen · From: Kapaa, Kauai,Hawaii

I get them from Banjop Ben..$13/pair.. different sizes and materials, very comfortable, don’t come off .. Very Happy

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Excel steels & Peavey amps,Old Chevys & Motorcycles & Women on the Trashy Side

Melody Freeman · From: Illinois, USA

Ok, thanks Larry!
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Melody Freeman

Bill Sinclair · From: Waynesboro, PA, USA

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

I see FB posts from late November. His website is up and running.

https://www.landisstudios.com/finger-picks
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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.

Melody Freeman · From: Illinois, USA

Thank you Bill and Richard. I went to Facebook and was able to get in contact with him. I’m thinking about purchasing the finger picks. Bill, what are the things that you like about the them?
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Melody Freeman

Tom Jordan · From: Wichita, KS

Melody,

I have been using the hemispherical picks for about two years now and really like them. They are heavier than the usual picks and that takes a small amount of time to get used to but give them a chance because the sound is good.

It took some back and forth with some "round jeweler long nose pliers" to get the shape right but I haven't had to to change them once adjusted. The jeweler pliers leave no marks on the silver.

The thumb pick is finally shaped (I have a weird shaped thumb?) but I must get my thumb wet for it to "stick" If I put it on dry it wont stay in place. Good excuse to keep a full shot glass at the steel Smile

I keep a nylon thumb pick handy as a backup.

Tom

Scott Swartz · From: St. Louis, MO

I agree they are heavier, its noticeable if you switch back and forth but after a couple minutes I do not notice that at all.

What I do notice is the fatter tone from the mass and hemisphercal shape creating a wide contact point on the string.

My pick blades are relatively straight and extended with the 45 degree or high hand angle to the strings ala Emmons or as Jeff Newman taught, and and I think they are especially applicable for that situation.

With extended blades the string strike to me is more like what is called a free stroke in classical guitar speak, whereas if the picks are bent close to the fingertip that is more like a rest stroke, which is a more downward strike. Point being the free stroke tone is assisted by the mass and design of these picks, or thats my theory.

The gripper teeth really works to hold them on also.
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Scott Swartz
Steeltronics - Steel Guitar Pickups
www.steeltronics.com

Melody Freeman · From: Illinois, USA

Tom Jordan and Scott Swartz, I appreciate the info! Does the weight of the finger picks tend to slow a person’s speed of playing notes fast? Do the finger picks have a warm tone? Do they make pick noise? Thank you so much!
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Melody Freeman

Tom Jordan · From: Wichita, KS

Melody,

After a few hours of playing with them you'll forget all about wearing them; they don't slow you down at all.

As to the question on whether or not they make noise is pretty subjective. I can't really tell if they make more noise than other picks or not. That takes practice to pick quietly ( and volume Smile

) If I was hearing unreasonable pick noises coming from my guitar I would check for a microphonic pick up Smile

Get the picks.

Tom

Scott Swartz · From: St. Louis, MO

I find no difference in playing speed it just feels a bit different for a few minutes.

Pick noise seems to be a bit better to me due to the mass and reliable contact area from the hemispherical design. On Dunlops I was always bending a similar hemispherical shape, I bought several specially shaped pliers to do this but Landis can do this accurately with a press. I do still have to bend some overall blade angle on the Landis picks to get them exactly how I want them to contact the string, and really that should be done with any pick I would say.

If I switch back and forth the tone is fatter with the Landis picks, I recently forgot to pack them for a gig and used the backup Dunlops in my steel seat, and had to lower the treble on my amp a bit. Also I would say there seems to be more fundamental vs overtones in the Landis tone to me, likely due to the contact area.

Possibly the fact the teeth hold them so securely on your fingertips could be part of the tone also. They definitely do not move.
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Scott Swartz
Steeltronics - Steel Guitar Pickups
www.steeltronics.com

Melody Freeman · From: Illinois, USA

Tom and Scott, thank you so much for the info! I just ordered the Landis Finger Picks and will be looking forward to trying those out!
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Melody Freeman

Joseph Lazo · From: Wisconsin, USA

I wasn't aware of Landis picks until seeing this thread. The hemispheric design seems like it would address one of my biggest issues with fingerpicks.

I'm so used to playing "guitar" with my fingers, and having my fingers angled about 45-degrees on the strings, that forcing myself to play steel with my hand at a right angle to the strings feels next to impossible. Would the hemispheric design allow me to position my hand/fingers at a 45 degree angle?

I looked at the Landis page and only see fancy design picks. Anyone know if you can order picks without the cool engraving?

EDIT: OK, took another look and I guess the most basic pick is the "Classic" with the gripper teeth. Not sure I'd get along with those, though.

Melody Freeman · From: Illinois, USA

Joseph, I haven’t received my Landis Finger Picks yet. They are supposed to arrive next week. There are several blade choices for the Landis Picks. The Landis blade are the ones that are hemispheric. Yes, you can get them without having your initials engraved on them.
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Melody Freeman

Melody Freeman · From: Illinois, USA

I received my new Landis Finger Picks. They produce a warm tone, and I really like them! The “gripper teeth” on the finger picks help, as they stay put. I’m going to order a Landis Thumb Pick.
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Melody Freeman

Jeffery Mercer · Posted 28 Dec 2024 12:09 pm **Novelty?**

(Re-phrased my question) Does anyone have some positive thoughts or testimonies they can share of the quality and or ease of use concerning the Landis Finger Picks? If so, Would you Please share…
I’ve heard they are a very thick fingerpick…and was wondering about the sound one gets by using them?
Thanks,
Jeffery from Cleveland
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Jeffery S Mercer

Bill Sinclair · From: Waynesboro, PA, USA

Tom Jordan · From: Wichita, KS

I would replace mine if lost. I play out frequently and realy enjoy the Landis picks. They stay on my fingers well, too.

Tom Jordan

Tony Rankin · From: Land O’ Lakes, FL

I too am trying to reach him.
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Tony Rankin

Jeffery Mercer · Posted 4 Jan 2025 2:13 pm **Need to try a set…**

I’m definitely going to purchase a set! I did not mean any dis-respect, I actually wanted to hear some testimonials from ppl. Who’ve tried them! I think there beautiful picks though.
Thanks guys for your testimony!
Jeffery
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Jeffery S Mercer

Larry Dering · From: Missouri, USA

I have a set of his fingerpicks and seldom use them. I can play them after a bit but the band size is much smaller than my Dunlop or Nationals. That makes it feel odd to my hands. As far as tone, not much difference.

David Ball · From: North Carolina High Country

I've had a couple of his wrap around thumb picks for a long time and really like them. I've been using Hoffmeyer fingerpicks which I also love.

I got a set of Landis fingerpicks in today's mail. I got the "Landis" shaped blades. They're a little bit harder than regular metal picks to shape--the metal is thicker and is very stiff, but once you get em to shape, they stay there.

So far, I'm very happy with them. I don't know that I notice a lot of difference in tone between them and the Hoffmeyers I've been using, but there is noticeably less pick noise--the main thing I was hoping to accomplish with them. They definitely stay put, and I don't have to wear them at an angle to accomodate my picking grip which is a definite plus. And they are quite attractive!

Dave

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