Finger picks

Gene Wright · Post by **Gene Wright** » 2 May 2013 9:11 am

What is the best finger picks for steel and where can they be found?

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 2 May 2013 10:00 am

I like the Dunlop, .0225 for middle and a .025 o. the middle.
Others swear by either the JF or National: I swear AT 'em: never got 'em snug enough to stay without digging in.

Alan Bidmade · Post by **Alan Bidmade** » 2 May 2013 11:22 am

Pro Picks.

Howard Steinberg · Post by **Howard Steinberg** » 2 May 2013 11:25 am

There has been a lot of threads on this subject. There are many opinions as to what is best. I like the National NP2 which I've used for many years. The Nationals that I'm using are from Doug Rolfe who is on the forum. He coats the rings so the picks do not slip. For a thumb pick I'm crazy for the Fred Kelly speed pick. If you are just beginning, I'd suggest something basic like National or Dunlop. Once you have a feel for what you are doing, it may make sense to look at some other options, should you feel the need.

Brendan Mitchell · Post by **Brendan Mitchell** » 2 May 2013 12:59 pm

Bare fingers

Calvin Walley · Post by **Calvin Walley** » 2 May 2013 1:07 pm

showcase 1941s

Chris Willingham · Post by **Chris Willingham** » 2 May 2013 1:30 pm

I'm crazy about the JF's. Just bought a second pair in case I lose the others. They come pre bent, which is really nice. And a blue chip thumb pick. Use a trick on all three I stole from my ol buddy Jake Gathright: heat shrink tubing where the pick contacts your fingers. Really keeps em on well and is a lot more comfy to wear.

Ransom Beers · Post by **Ransom Beers** » 2 May 2013 1:39 pm

I went to my local "Ace Hardware" store & bought a can of liquid rubber, $9.00 plus tax they come in different colors,then I dipped the finger area in,let it drip until dry,comfy & they stay on too.I also use Dunlop .022 & Fred Kelly thumb picks(yellow)or (orange)

William Lake · Post by **William Lake** » 2 May 2013 2:22 pm

Brendan Mitchell wrote:Bare fingers

Yep. "Green" biodegradable, free and if you break one another is supplied free of charge.
I could not get used to the pick on my ring finger when I started playing 4 note chords on the C6 so I left it off and played with my nail.
One day I noticed the tone from the nail was no different than from the picks. The picks came off and I never used them again.
Have to use a thumb pick though or my hand is too high for palm blocking.
At least one sacred steel player, forget this name, uses no picks. Not even a thumb.

Eddited fer spellink missteaks.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 2 May 2013 2:41 pm

just try to find your basic nationals and learn to use them. they're strongest..

1941's are good too, but i wouldn't know where to find them. i wouldn't spend stupid money on any picks.

Daniel Policarpo · Post by **Daniel Policarpo** » 2 May 2013 4:39 pm

I have found Dunlops to be just fine for fingerpicks, and I also like the red derlin thumbpicks. As noted, no need to spend crazy money in this area.

Jack Aldrich · Post by **Jack Aldrich** » 2 May 2013 4:45 pm

Jeff Newman showed me how to take a needle nosed pliers and bend the picks to form fit the finger - maximum contact area. They slip off easily, stay on without pain all night, and I can snap my hand without them falling off. I use Dunlop .022 brass finger picks and a John Pearse thumbpick with a short pick end. Love 'em! - Jack

Jack Aldrich · Post by **Jack Aldrich** » 2 May 2013 4:45 pm

Jeff Newman showed me how to take a needle nosed pliers and bend the picks to form fit the finger - maximum contact area. They slip off easily, stay on without pain all night, and I can snap my hand without them falling off. I use Dunlop .022 brass finger picks and a John Pearse thumbpick with a short pick end. Love 'em! - Jack

Jack Aldrich · Post by **Jack Aldrich** » 2 May 2013 4:45 pm

Jeff Newman showed me how to take a needle nosed pliers and bend the picks to form fit the finger - maximum contact area. They slip off easily, stay on without pain all night, and I can snap my hand without them falling off. I use Dunlop .022 brass finger picks and a John Pearse thumbpick with a short pick end. Love 'em! - Jack

Bobby D. Jones · Post by **Bobby D. Jones** » 2 May 2013 7:40 pm

I used an old set of JB's to start with. I have went through several sets of picks over the years. I presently use Showcase 1941's. The biggest thing I find is fitting them to my fingers. I have found take a steel rod smaller than your fingers, lock it in a good solid vice. Then with a small hammer slowly bend the picks smooth till they fit your fingers. Slightly oval fits me best. If you bend them around the rod you do not get the hinge effect in the holes that makes the picks look octagon when finished.If you have small fingers cut the ends off the wrappers so they don't overlap each other. Ace hardware sells a stair safety strip with a peel strip glue. A little strip of it in the front of a thumb pick right above the pick itself, It will stay put no matter how much you sweat. Rub the strip lightly on a piece of metal. It has some real sharp burrs on it new.

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 2 May 2013 8:24 pm

Bobby D. Jones wrote:I....... of a thumb pick right above the pick itself, It will stay put no matter how much you sweat. Rub the strip lightly on a piece of metal. It has some real sharp burrs on it new.

A tiny strip of "skateboard tape" (the gritty stuff skaters use to cover the top of their boards) works well too.

Jack Bowman · Post by **Jack Bowman** » 2 May 2013 10:13 pm

Brendan Mitchell wrote:Bare fingers

Mitch, I , too, play with bare fingers and a fender flatpick that is magic glued to a bobed thumbpick. I tried the metal fingerpicks and can't get a backstroke in my picking with them.

Here is my old Agile jazzbox.

I have been play this kind of fingerpicking to long to change now = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S5mqc9XNoo

Clete Ritta · Post by **Clete Ritta** » 2 May 2013 10:40 pm

Dunlop .025 picks. I also put heat shrink rubber tubing onto the tabs.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 3 May 2013 9:34 am

There are no "best". Go to a music store or website, buy 2, and then try them for a couple of weeks. Then, buy 2 more of a different style, and try them. After a few months, you'll find something to your liking. Picks are cheap and easy to get, so just get some and try 'em.

This isn't something to obssess over, and no one can tell what you might like.

Calvin Walley · Post by **Calvin Walley** » 3 May 2013 9:50 am

you can get showcase 1941 picks at Elderly music
I just ordered sandy a set online

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 3 May 2013 9:53 am

JF's for me too. Will never go back to another type. Nationals used to hurt my fingers. Could never get them bent right. Sometimes my finger would bleed. Donlops were useless to me. Those big flanges on the ring hits adjacent strings. Even grinding them down didn't help how uncomfortable they were to me. I tried those that have the metal band but plastic pick. That was the worst pick I ever tried. If it was the only choice left, I would quit playing.

Does anyone know if Fran Newman is still selling the JF's. I only have the pair I use now and am scared to death I will drop one and either lose it or step on it.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 3 May 2013 9:59 am

Using these since the 80's. Blades pre-bent. You just need to adjust the ring size to fit.

The address is an old and incorrect one. Visit http://www.jeffran.com/ for current contact information.

Michael Hummel · Post by **Michael Hummel** » 3 May 2013 10:20 am

I assume Fran is still selling them. I just got 4 JF picks from Al Brisco's shop this week.

http://steelguitarcanada.com

Mike

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 3 May 2013 10:44 am

Kyser's

Joseph Napolitano · Post by **Joseph Napolitano** » 3 May 2013 7:11 pm

I bought 3 pair from Fran last week

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