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How long do finger picks usually last? (Page 1)
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The Steel Guitar Forum
Pedal Steel Archive
How long do finger picks usually last? (Page 1)
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| This topic is 2 pages long: 1 2 This topic was originally posted in this forum: Pedal Steel |
| Author | Topic: How long do finger picks usually last? |
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Bill Llewellyn Member Posts: 1882 |
posted 14 October 2001 09:19 AM
My Jeff Newman metal finger picks are holding up well, though they are slowly developing tiny scratches at the tips. How long do metal finger picks usually last before they get too rough sounding? My plastic thumb picks let me know with no uncertainty when they're finished -- they just break at the wraparound point. ------------------ |
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Bill C. Buntin Member Posts: 642 |
posted 14 October 2001 09:44 AM
Hey Bill, I use Kyser's but I just play mine until the metal starts to ridge up near the tip of the pick. As far as picking time, man I don't know. I was going through them pretty quick back when I used to play 5 nights a week, but now they last longer. I probably don't change often enough cause I get em just comfortable and hate to let them go. |
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Joe Henry Member Posts: 909 |
posted 14 October 2001 10:37 AM
I have been using my Dunlop metal fingerpicks for almost two years now, playing on the average for 2-3 hours each day and to me they seem just like new. My plastic thumbpick, also Dunlop, shows some wear at the edge but is definitely not worn out by far. Breaking a thumbpick looks strange to me, Bill. Never happened to me even back when I used thumbpicks for years on standard guitar. I always stuck with National or Dunlop. Regards, Joe H. |
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Marc Friedland Member Posts: 554 |
posted 14 October 2001 10:58 AM
Hi Bill, I've been using the same ones for so long, I'm not even sure how many years it's been. Interesting Pick story last week at a gig at the San Ramon Black & White Ball, not too far from you actually. A gentleman from the audience said "Oh good a steel guitar - what kind of picks are those - Nationals?" I was thinking how could he even see my picks from that distance. Then he said what kind of bar is that. I showed him, and from a distance of about 5 feet he said "that's one of ours." He then introduced himself - Jim Dunlop. For those that may not know, Jim Dunlop is responsible for many cool guitar toys and effects in addition to picks and accessories. I didn't have time to talk to him at the end of the gig, but the guitar player did. He told the guitar player his son runs the company now in Benicia. Within a couple of days he received catalogs and a whole supply of various picks from him. -- Marc |
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Jack Stoner Sysop Posts: 8119 |
posted 14 October 2001 02:13 PM
I've never really "wore out" a set of finger picks. I've replaced sets after unknown number of years but only because they "looked old" - not because of mechanical wear. |
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Jim Cohen Member Posts: 8715 |
posted 14 October 2001 02:22 PM
Funny you should ask. I just broke one of my BJ finger picks, after approximately 17 years of regular use. It developed a little slit from the edge to the side of one of the little diamond-shaped holes on the wraparound part, but that was enough to make the thing loosen up unexpectedly while in use. Fortunately, I bought an extra set all those years ago and have a replacement ready. The (blue) thumbpick is still going strong after 17 years too. ------------------ |
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David Mason Member Posts: 2008 |
posted 14 October 2001 02:50 PM
If scratches are the only concern, the "nickel-silver" used for most picks is soft enough to re-polish easily - 10 or 15 swipes with 600 wet-or-dry and finish with some 1500 grit should do it. |
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Bill Moore Member Posts: 512 |
posted 14 October 2001 03:59 PM
Some years ago, I found a bunch of Herco blue thumb picks in a store, and since I liked them and didn't see them too often, I bought 25. I've lost a couple since then but I guess I set for a while. My first Newman picks developed a sharp edge near the tip, so I got a few spare ones also. |
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Al Marcus Member Posts: 7471 |
posted 14 October 2001 06:58 PM
I got a thumb pick that is just about wore out on the tip. I still like it cause it puts my thumb VERY close to the strings. My National original 1940's picks are wore right where I pick, but they are still holding up. One is right on the tip and the other is on the side.....al |
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jim miller unregistered Posts: 7471 |
posted 14 October 2001 07:15 PM
I really think it depends on how hard you pick. Mine last about 3 years. Paul Franklin is a pick blocker, and at one of the Newman classes in the mid 80's I asked him how long a set of picks lasted him. He said (if I remember correctly,) " I wear out a set every six months". Or was it six weeks? That seems kinda quick. Paul, if you happen to read this post, you might set us straight. I know it was one or the other. Jim Miller I'D RATHER BE STEELIN' |
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Dan Tyack Member Posts: 3552 |
posted 14 October 2001 10:22 PM
My finger picks last years and years, but I wear out thumb picks in a month at most. ------------------ |
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Bob Mainwaring Member Posts: 918 |
posted 15 October 2001 12:17 AM
My finger picks have lasted for years but have changed the shape at the tip slightly as wear has occured to make them flatten out a little. Just filing them back to normal and polishing up on the buffing wheel makes them last and last. A while back I changed from a plastic thumb pick to metal and wouldn`t go back for anything. Bob Mainwaring. Z.Bs.and other weird things. ------------------ |
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Rick Ulrich Member Posts: 83 |
posted 15 October 2001 01:36 PM
Interesting post as I was just looking at my finger picks yesterday and thinking how old they were and how good they still looked. I have to admit that they weren't used too often for about 20 years but I acquired a half dozen Nationals in 1957. Four of them are not very shiny from lack of use but the two I use all the time look really good and don't look worn at all. I only play about two times a week. Thumb picks last about a year. That has to say something about the quality of the Nationals. I have thought about buying some new ones but what the heck,why buy new if the old are still good. Bars are a different story. They seem to lose their finish every couple of years |
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Pat Burns Member Posts: 2896 |
posted 15 October 2001 01:42 PM
..the more time I spend here, the longer they last.. |
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Bob Carlson Member Posts: 1063 |
posted 15 October 2001 04:06 PM
I just went to look at mine to see how they are doing. I use Dunlop .018 finger picks and they look like new. Guess I'll try picking harder to see if I like the sound. My National thumb pick has just a little wear on the front edge from not holding my thumb out straight all the time like I guess you are supposed to so the pick hits the string flat. If thats not the right way to hold It , would someone give me some advice? Bob Carlson. |
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Jeff Peterson Member Posts: 822 |
posted 15 October 2001 07:50 PM
I melt through a set of Nationals about every 6 months...lucky I bought a gross a few years back. With what I have, they should last until I'm about 134...cool! Thumbpicks? Forget about it! I throw one every set, and I keep a bag(gross), handy in every seat I got. I pick extremely hard, and Dunlop's bend too easily for me. Jeff Newman had some really thick finger picks happenin' a while back...he may still have them. They were really good. His plastic thumbpicks were OK, but I went through one a song, and had to pack a vacuum cleaner to clear the dust every set. If you got a light hand....they sound great. Don't let anyone tell you where you are 'supposed' to wear your picks...just play, and if they wear on the back side and you sound good.....forget about it. Just play, and quit analayzing everything...have some fun and don't worry so much about what the other guy(who probably can't play at all), thinks. You know what to do about scratches on your fingerpicks? Wear them down by practicing! [This message was edited by Jeff Peterson on 15 October 2001 at 07:57 PM.] |
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Bob Brocius Member Posts: 224 |
posted 16 October 2001 12:24 AM
I use to use Dunlop & National picks. As I remember, they didn't last too long as the edges would get sharp like a knife. About 10 years ago, a student steel player gave me a pair of picks and only now, are they starting to show signs of wear. I really like them but I don't know what they are. They are very stiff, (must use pliers to bend them), and the only markings on them are the letters, "JF". If anyone knows what they are and where I can get more, please tell me. ------------------ |
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Tom Ward Member Posts: 241 |
posted 16 October 2001 03:03 AM
Bob, the "JF" on your picks are the same as mine. They came from Jeff Newman. I like them but had to start using Kysers due to my dry fingers. The Kysers don't slip around with me. |
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Bob Carlson Member Posts: 1063 |
posted 16 October 2001 09:30 AM
Before I srart playing, I rub a little Jergens on my hands to get rid of the dryness. If I don't, the bar wants to slip out of my hand. Bob Carlson. [This message was edited by Bob Carlson on 16 October 2001 at 09:32 AM.] |
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BobbeSeymour Member Posts: 5664 |
posted 16 October 2001 11:02 AM
My prices on picks,both finger and thumb are $1.oo each,I can't for the life of me see where it makes any diffrence if your finger picks last 3 weeks or 3 years or 3 decades,At $24.00 each I think you should worry more about you volume pedal pot,or-------------strings,the price of Pledge for cleaning,oil for lubricating,Mothers for polishing,How long does your tuning wrench last? Your string winder? Picks are at the bottom of the list of expeditures,or am I missing something? |
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Jeff Lampert Member Posts: 2636 |
posted 16 October 2001 12:06 PM
quote: Well, then I guess this is the first time a pointless disucssion has taken place on the Forum. I guess it had to happen sooner or later. |
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Bill Llewellyn Member Posts: 1882 |
posted 16 October 2001 12:09 PM
Bobbe, I'm the nincompoop who started the thread, and I probably should be ashamed of myself. After posting it, I though more about it and expected I might see the following exchange: Bill: "How long do finger picks usually last?" Fortunately, the question actually generated some interesting responses. Ask a dumb question, get some good answers, I guess. Thanks, forumites. |
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BobbeSeymour Member Posts: 5664 |
posted 16 October 2001 01:30 PM
Bill, I was posting this VERY light heartedly, and I have always had A lot of respect for your forum input, and still do.You are not a niningcompupe(how 'bout that spelling?).As to the others posting, I agree, some intelligent thoughts have been made here. Your buddy, Bobbe |
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Jeff Lampert Member Posts: 2636 |
posted 16 October 2001 02:31 PM
I hope you know that I was being facetious as well. In fact, as we all know, probably 80% of Forum discussions are pointless. Oops, I didn't say that. |
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Bill Llewellyn Member Posts: 1882 |
posted 16 October 2001 02:41 PM
Don't worry, guys.... I got a pretty good laugh at myself here. Plus I learned just how variable finger pick longevity can be. Who would have guessed? As for "nincompoop", I had to look that up to spell it right myself, Bobbe! Now for my next question: "How can you tell when your strings sound dull?" |
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Lee Baucum Member Posts: 3201 |
posted 16 October 2001 03:22 PM
Well, Bill. It all depends. Are the strings tuned to ET or JI? What color guitar are the strings installed on? Is it a push/pull or all-pull guitar? Are the strings nickle or stainless? As you well know, on this Forum, these are all important factors. ------------------ |
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David Mason Member Posts: 2008 |
posted 16 October 2001 03:33 PM
Personally, I learned A LOT from this discussion, but it's quite possible I didn't know diddly-squat to begin with. My guitar is blue. |
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Rick Ulrich Member Posts: 83 |
posted 16 October 2001 08:41 PM
You guys gotta lighten up. With all the bad stuff going on around this world we need to take some time to be lighthearted and act a little foolish, especially around good friends and family. |
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BobbeSeymour Member Posts: 5664 |
posted 17 October 2001 02:44 PM
No one is going to be more foolish than me! And yes, I insist on having a good time, but not at the expence of others. Now if we could only get that Pat Burns to lighten up, this guy is always so serious! This has been one of my favorite threads so far, ever!-------My taste in threads may be slightly warped.(but my tone is great!). Bobbe |
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Pat Burns Member Posts: 2896 |
posted 17 October 2001 06:29 PM
...Gentlemen, please, there's a time and place for everything, let's keep the educational funtion of this forum in mind...as I read this topic and made copies for my notebook, I found myself wondering - what exactly is a "nincompoop"? I thought I remembered it as a military term from when I was in the Army but no, that was "non-com poop"...so, I looked it up and I find that it is a corruption of the Latin term "non compos mentis", meaning "not of sound mind"... ...I just had my lawyer amend my will so that it no longer reads "I, James Patrick Burns, being of sound mind..." it now reads "I, James Patrick Burns, not being a nincompoop..." |
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BobbeSeymour Member Posts: 5664 |
posted 17 October 2001 06:53 PM
Pat, you are my very favorite! The only "crazier than me" on here~! I'd sure like to hear your playing sometime! Shoudda, Woudda, or Coudda,I don't know which one I am,Les Campbell named me. I'm gonna buy a guitarra from himma. Bobba |
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BobbeSeymour Member Posts: 5664 |
posted 17 October 2001 07:00 PM
Yep, the more time I spend here, the longer they last. Wait a min, I don't even wear picks! I don't want anyone to think I'm a banjo player! Oh!Oh! bOb! That was your line. Bobbe, |
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Bob Mainwaring Member Posts: 918 |
posted 17 October 2001 09:17 PM
Bobbe - ! ! !  Mad:I`m supposing to be a BANJO player as well! Big Bad "Yucon" Bob |
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Bob Mainwaring Member Posts: 918 |
posted 17 October 2001 09:18 PM
Bobbe - ! ! ! I`m supposing to be a BANJO player as well! Big Bad "Yucon" Bob |
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BobbeSeymour Member Posts: 5664 |
posted 18 October 2001 08:47 AM
As well as what Bob? I just worked the big Bluegrass Convention in Columbia, MO with Jim and Jesse and the Virginia Boys. I was the only steel player among 200 musicians. I think a 100 of them were banjo players. Would you believe that I couldn't remember one banjo joke that night? I am no fool, I'm still alive aren't I? Of course I had to put up with a few steel guitar jokes! Bobbe |
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Pat Burns Member Posts: 2896 |
posted 18 October 2001 09:23 AM
...so Bobbe, since you don't wear picks, how long do your fingertips last?...Do your fingers wear evenly or does one side wear down faster than another?...How much are new fingertips?...and do thumbpicks really help to stop some people from sitting around with their thumb....up.? |
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BobbeSeymour Member Posts: 5664 |
posted 18 October 2001 11:05 AM
Pat, 3 Weeks,left goes first,$3.50,Thumb pix don't really keep this from happening,yes, no,once in Detroit,orange, 33 from last year. Kipperlipps III |
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Bob Mainwaring Member Posts: 918 |
posted 18 October 2001 01:37 PM
Bobbe - A rotten Banjo player as well as a rotten Steel "twanger" but "I`m" a good boy now though now that I`m back thinking about getting my a$$ on to that Paddle Wheeler before I`m too old to think about wearing picks or not.   winkBig Bad/Mad "Yukon" Bob grrrrrrrrrr!!!!!! |
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Bobby Lee Sysop Posts: 14849 |
posted 18 October 2001 10:31 PM
Thumbpicks last me about 5 years. I can't remember ever wearing out a set of fingerpicks. Currently I perform with some Nationals that are 10 or 12 years old, and I'm breaking in some Jeffran picks at home that I got about 4 years ago. The Jeffrans are starting to feel pretty comfortable! ------------------ |
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Richard Sinkler Member Posts: 2896 |
posted 20 October 2001 05:33 PM
Hey Bill, "UNTIL THEY WEAR OUT!!" Har Har. Seriuosly, I have never had a pair wear out. Up until maybe 3 years ago, I always used Nationals (occasionally trying Dunlops, but never could like them no matter how hard I tried) and since I could never get them to bend perfectly around my finger, they would try to slip off. To try to keep them on I would compress the bands in to make them tighter. after a while the band would break where the hole closest to the toungue was. I have been using Jeff Newmans picks for a couple of years and think they are great. As for thumb picks. I have been using the same one for probably 15 years. It's some no-name black cheapie (you know, the music store has a bowl on the counter full of various picks and lets you grab as many as you can in one minute for a buck). I have tried many others but always come back to "Blackie". |
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