What Picks/Plectrums do you use ?

[rnolan]

Bats posted an interesting link to Line 6 pick 3D printer.  Thought it a good idea to start a thread about what picks we all use and why.
I use Tortex Purples, they are the thickest Tortex make (or use to be), don't flex, absorb sweat and I can buy them by the handful (I destroy 2 per night).  I moved to these picks because I had a bit of tortoise shell and was making my own (nice thick solid no flex) but it was going to run out at some stage, and I can't buy tortoise shell anymore...  I also tried stone picks, liked them but they broke... Metal picks I also like but they really destroy the strings, so settled on a pick variant that I can buy.  When I started playing, I used to use the thinnest big 3 cornered picks, what was I thinking... a corner would crack, catch under the string and ping off into the crowd.  Also, as I played longer, I liked heavier picks that don't flex (so you can play faster and harder  >:D )

[Dante]

There's a guy in town that whittles wooden picks out of old window shades. The sound and feel is incredible, but they don't last more than a few songs, so that's a deal breaker.

I have been using Jim Dunlop Max-Grip nylon picks (0.88 thickness) for several years now. They take a while to wear down and the max grip picks have a little 'diamond plate' pattern that really won't slip/slide when wet. I love them. It's a good thing I like them so much, my girlie bought me 5 dozen for Christmas in 2012 and I still have a dozen left!

Here's a pic of my pick :)

[MarshallJMP]

I use the red dunlop Jazz III plectrums (1.38mm).Once you get used to these small plectrums it's hard to play a big plectrum again  :)).What i like about these,they are small and the tip is a bit scharper.
Before these i used dunlop 500 delrin plectrums ranging from 0.95mm to 1.50mm.

[RandallRG]

I have been using Jackson 451 "Skull" (.50-70mm) for awhile. They just felt right & besides that they look *F-In* cool!  :thumb-up:  :metal:

[WickerMan]

I use Tortex sharp 1.35mm

[BrokeDownSouth]

They're a little pricey, and I thought it looked gimmicky, but my GF got them for my birthday one year and I've been hooked on them: http://v-picks.com/

I use the 'Chicken Picker' style.

Before that I used the Dunlop Tortex blue or purple.

[kawai2g4b]

I use the Dunlop Ultex Jazz IIIs, its basically a brighter sounding version of MJMP's red Jazz IIIs with a different material.  On top of that, the material is deceptively effective for gripping.  And just like MJMP said as well, once I got onto these smaller picks I stopped playing normal size picks, period.  Definitely worth the adjustment period.

[jarrodthebobo]

I tend to use a variation of the Jazz III called the black ice. It's nice and thick, and quite small. However I've used it so much that I've had to sand and file it down quite a few times... now it's even smaller than it originally was.

Now I mostly use a black Totex pitch, or the red Jazz IIIs depending on my mood.

Also have a Sterling Silver Jazz III sized pick I use when I want to try something different... for a full year that was my go to pick, however it's gotten so round that you can't tell which point is the point you're supposed to pick with  :facepalm:

[finstah]

Not sure of the brand I use but I dig them because they have a rough surface to them to prevent slippage. I used to glue velcro on picks prior to prevent them from slipping. lol

Thickness is around .88mm. I remember Vinnie gave me this plastic pic (2mm !!!) that he used on his first album. That was a beast. Then I got a pick from EVH he used to play Eruption and it was like .5mm.

For alternate picking I like a nice medium between thick and thin.

BTW, you could always use a coin like Brian May or Billy Gibbons.

[rnolan]

for a full year that was my go to pick, however it's gotten so round that you can't tell which point is the point you're supposed to pick with
Go dude, I chew/destroy 2 tortex purples a night, and buy them by the handfull, when I used to carve them out of tortice shell I'd have to give them a file/sand/sharpen after each gig (until they got too small).

BTW, you could always use a coin like Brian May or Billy Gibbons.
Fine if you change strings allot (I used to change every 2nd gig or I'd break D strings (and with a floating floyed...pick up the spare)).  I found a metal pick in my case a while ago, loved it, sounded great  >:D but destroyed the strings).

[WickedBlade]

I use Dunlop Tortex purples (1.14mm) for most things electric, but I recently gave a try to the Tortex TIII (still purple 1.14mm) which are basically the same shape but with a pointy tip similar to the Jazz picks. I really like those TIII, they're better for more technically demanding solos, and I alternate Tortex and TIII depending on the song (because I have a wealth of Tortex that I bought in bulk years ago and don't want to just throw away).
The Jazz models were too small for my taste and these TIII are really the best for me : mostly standard shape, the grip of Tortex, and the pointy tip. They are sturdy enough that I can play entire gigs with them (YMMV).

For acoustic work, I prefer the Tortex blues (1.0mm) as I found that the purples took away some of the brilliance and presence. Tonally I though the greens (.88mm) are better, but the blues are a compromise as I found the greens too thin.

BTW, I'm personally not interested in the 'boutique' picks as I want to be able to get new picks easily and without emptying my wallet, but that's just me.

[finstah]

Fine if you change strings allot (I used to change every 2nd gig or I'd break D strings (and with a floating floyed...pick up the spare)).  I found a metal pick in my case a while ago, loved it, sounded great  >:D but destroyed the strings).

metal picks gave EVH throat cancer, or so he says. lol

[rnolan]

Hey finstah, how does that work ?? :dunno: , did he eat them ? They (metal picks) are great to play with though, I recon RandallRG (Steve) would love them.  Stone picks (well I busted mine and they are supposed to be unbreakable (NOT)) I also liked (no flex, good solid attack...but it broke  :'( ), my fav is still thick hand carved tortice shell but not sustainable, which is why I found the tortex purples and buy them buy the handful,  when they run out, I can buy more...

[finstah]

Hey finstah, how does that work ?? :dunno: , did he eat them ?

I would say it was the cigarettes rather than the metal pick. Who in their right mind would nibble on metal? haha

[rnolan]

I suppose some players put picks in their mouth when they are using just fingers, I slot it under my 2nd finger when I don't need it...  But the fags/gaspers are much more likely like you say.