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Author Topic:  Short blade thumb picks
John Viterito


From:
New Jersey, USA
Post  Posted 27 Oct 2021 2:32 am    
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Any suggestions for thumb picks that have a short blade? Thanks.
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Michael Stephens


From:
South Hadley, MA
Post  Posted 27 Oct 2021 2:50 am    
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I use Fred Kelly --- pretty short blade, but have been good for me for many years, on dobro and PSG
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David Venzke


From:
SE Michigan, USA
Post  Posted 27 Oct 2021 2:58 am    
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John Pearse vintage thumb pick


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Dave Mudgett


From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
Post  Posted 27 Oct 2021 5:33 am    
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I second Fred Kelly.

If you want a real short but blunt blade, look at the Slick Pick - https://fredkellypicks.com/product-category/slick/

If you want a slightly longer but slender blade, look at the Regular Thumb Pick - https://fredkellypicks.com/product-category/regular/

The Speed Pick is like the slick pick but the picking surface is cut back to a tiny nub - https://fredkellypicks.com/product-category/speed/

The Bumblebee is a thumbpick with a flat pick blade. There is a jazz blade and a small teardrop blade - they can be set to protrude very little from the thumb - https://fredkellypicks.com/product-category/bumble-bee/

I usually use Fred Kelly Regulars for steel, but mostly Slick Picks for slide guitar and sometimes for steel. I do occasionally use the Bumblebees or speed picks. I find the polycarbonate too hard, the Delrins are perfect for me. Someone was asking about a thumb pick that will stay on your finger - these do it.

These are available many places. Looks like the Slick, Speed, and Bumblbees are on Rocktober sale at MF - https://www.musiciansfriend.com/finger-picks-thumb-picks/fred-kelly-picks - no Regulars though.
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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 27 Oct 2021 7:38 am    
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Just file them down to the length you want. Confused
Erv
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Dick Wood


From:
Springtown Texas, USA
Post  Posted 27 Oct 2021 9:32 am    
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I 3rd Fred Kelly
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Jim Newberry


From:
Seattle, Upper Left America
Post  Posted 27 Oct 2021 12:15 pm    
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I love my BlueChip thumb pick, but the blade is too long, so I’m on the Fred Kelly Slick Pick train right now. I haven’t had the nerve to file down that expensive BlueChip.
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David Ball


From:
North Carolina High Country
Post  Posted 27 Oct 2021 1:29 pm    
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I used National mediums or John Pearse for years. But I've gone to the speedpick all the way these days. Works great for me.

Dave
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Lloyd Graves

 

From:
New York, USA
Post  Posted 27 Oct 2021 4:22 pm    
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Jim Newberry wrote:
I love my BlueChip thumb pick, but the blade is too long, so I’m on the Fred Kelly Slick Pick train right now. I haven’t had the nerve to file down that expensive BlueChip.


For BC Picks. I believe the JB banjo pick's blade is shorter than the reso's blades. I also believe that there is an exchange period. Perhaps if there isn't any wear showing, you could try and convince them to swap it out for you.

I need a pretty short blade and find the banjo picks confidant to use.
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Michael Brebes

 

From:
Northridge CA
Post  Posted 28 Oct 2021 7:23 am    
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The only thumbpicks I can consistently use is the Herco ones that look like a regular guitar pick but with a piece that goes over the back of the thumb. The others have too narrow of a tip for me.
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George Seymour


From:
Notown, Vermont, USA
Post  Posted 30 Oct 2021 5:13 am    
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Jim Newberry wrote:
I love my BlueChip thumb pick, but the blade is too long, so I’m on the Fred Kelly Slick Pick train right now. I haven’t had the nerve to file down that expensive BlueChip.


Try the JD Crowe version...pretty much perfect
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Bryan Bradfield


From:
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
Post  Posted 16 Dec 2021 6:19 pm    
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I agree with Erv. I've been filing down new Dunlop and new National white plastic thumb picks for years.
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Ken Metcalf


From:
San Antonio Texas USA
Post  Posted 17 Dec 2021 6:16 am    
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I like the poly slick picks.
Delrin are more durable.
https://fredkellypicks.com/product-category/slick/



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