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Topic: Plastic/Nylon versus Steel Thumb picks |
Tom Rhodes
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 27 Nov 2023 5:40 pm |
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Quick question for the group: What are the preferences from all you players?
Plastic/nylon or steel?
Thanks For chiming in! |
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Dan Kelly
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 28 Nov 2023 12:34 pm
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I have tried metal (including sterling silver) thumb picks. For me, at least, I found that they tended to be noisier and too bright. Metal thumb picks lacked the ergonomic feel that the Blue Herco (plastic) picks have. There is something to be said for the "Snap" or flexy spring I get from the Blue Hercos. However, YMMV.
_________________
blah, blah, blah.
Hey You Kids! Get Off My Lawn!
blah, blah, blah. |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 28 Nov 2023 12:57 pm
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| I spent a while playing metal. Tried a few and spent the longest with an Acri that I custom shaped. But both of Dan's points were ultimately why I left them. Too bright/clicky (I pretty well overcame this but still....) and the lack of flex. Just a bit too rigid. |
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Fred Treece
From:
California, USA
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Posted 28 Nov 2023 2:23 pm
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| I tried a metal thumb pick once for about a minute and a half. You know how something is an instant “no” sometimes? Well this was it. |
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Georg Sørtun
From:
Mandal, Agder, Norway
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Posted 28 Nov 2023 8:23 pm
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Depends on what attack-sound I want…
https://gunlaug.com/contents/imagefolders/extra/picks-2.jpg
All my picks are shaped, with polished tips, to suit my taste. The metal thumbpick is (of course) more stable on my thumb over time, and does not sound overly bright or "clicky" – neither do my fingerpicks btw. |
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Bobby D. Jones
From:
West Virginia, USA
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Posted 28 Nov 2023 10:40 pm
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I tried a metal pick, Do not like the noise on wound strings.
When it is time to get new thumb picks I like to go in a store and fit them to my thumb.
I put a piece of 3M stair safety strip inside, On the flat front of the pick, The pick will not move around on your thumb, Even when hands are sweating. |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 29 Nov 2023 5:59 am
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I, too, tried it once (on steel and Dobro) and rejected it. Harsh, and unpleasing to my ear.
I have recently changed from Golden Gate (I used them for twenty+ years) to Pro-Pick (for the thumb only) and I like it. I get a more even balance with the metal f/picks.
Speaking of which, what is now considered to go-to fingerpicks for steel? Of the several dozen that I've accumulated over the years, I seem to have settled on Kysers; at least, the two (occasionally three) that I've shaped to fit just happen to be Kysers.
Are Nationals still a first choice?
_________________
Roger Rettig - Emmons D10s, Quilter TT-12, B-bender Teles and old Martins.
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