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Author
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Topic: Pick tone
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Ken Williams
Member From: Arkansas
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posted 29 December 2003 06:39 PM
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This subject may have already been covered but has anyone noticed a difference in tone using different picks? Like many people, I like the old National finger picks. They not only feel better, they seem to produce a slightly better tone than some of the others I've tried. Also, has anyone else noticed a difference in tone when using the thumb and index for speed picking as opposed to the thumb and middle, or all three for that matter. To me, the tone sounds better when using the thumb and middle combination. It may just be in my head. However, I find myself using the thumb and index most of time, or a combination of all three. It just feels more comfortable.
The tone difference I'm speaking of is very small and would not warrant changing the way I play.Ken
http://home.ipa.net/~kenwill
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Ricky Davis
Moderator From: Spring, Texas USA
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posted 29 December 2003 07:59 PM
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Yep I'm with you on this one.
I hear a difference between different fingerpicks....a very small difference; but the most difference I hear is between different Thumb picks.
I can make my Thumb and forefinger sound the same as Thumb and middle finger...as it can be done by the same angle of attack and pressure. I would say that the middle finger would give move pressure on the string(s) as it is more secure between the other two fingers and the ligaments are stronger there(Not so vonerable); but you can pick harder with the forefinger to match the texture of the middle finger.
Listen to Tom Brumley play; he is the Master of having one; two; or three strings...sound out the same volume and tone.
Ricky |
slick
Member From: Calhoun Georgia
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posted 30 December 2003 04:29 PM
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I tried some old National and Dunlop picks that i have had put away for many years and both were better than the new brand x that i use.I like the Nationals better.Had em put away for years,go figure.
Wayne
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Patrick Ickes
Member From: Upper Lake, CA USA
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posted 30 December 2003 07:33 PM
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I've always used old Nationals. I just got a set of "Showcase 41's" from my Brother for Christmas. They are supposed to be exacted metalagurical(sp)(same stuff in the cooker) as the pre-war Nationals. Haven't had time to try them yet. A friend of mine has a set of Sammy Schelor's picks. Her fingers are really tiny, so I did not want to rebend them to fit mine, but WOW! did they feel like they would kick @ss. Has anyone else tried Sammy's picks? They're $35 a pair.Pat |
Larry Hamilton
Member From: Amarillo, Texas, USA
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posted 30 December 2003 10:07 PM
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I like heavier finger picks. It seems to me that the heavier the pick the thicker the tone. I used light guage Dunlaps for years and when I stated trying Kysers I liked the bigger sound. I used Kelly speed picks for my thumbpick but am now using a George L thumbpick. I like them both and change as the mood strikes me. I play around with the angle that I wear picks for brighter tones. Usually I just try to adjust my technique. Sometimes it works and sometimes it don't. No matter what I have fun playing.
Keep pickin', Larry |
Jerry Hayes
Member From: Virginia Beach, Va.
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posted 31 December 2003 07:22 AM
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I play more lead guitar gigs than steel but I use thumb and finger picks on the guitar and always have. I started using the old clear Dobro thumbpicks which had the pointed end which I like for the sharper tone it gives you. I started using Herco nylon picks about 20 years ago and I always take an emory board and file them to a point. For fingerpicks I use some old Nationals which I've had forever. I bought a bunch of them in the sixties and I'm down to the two I use now and one more pair then I'm going to have to try something else. I think that the rounded end on most thumbpicks doesn't give you the clarity you can get with a pointed one.------------------
Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning. |
Waisznor
Member From: Berlin, Germany
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posted 31 December 2003 09:43 AM
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Patrick,
I play with Sammy Shelor picks since two years now and I love the picks. Ideal shape with very good attack and tone. I have all the other brands (old and new Nationals, Showcase, Dunlop, Keyser, Propic,Newmann.) in my case, but use only the "Shelors"!Horst |
Pete Burak
Member From: Portland, OR USA
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posted 31 December 2003 09:47 AM
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I've found, in the last year or so, that I really like the way a very thin, springy, lively, (not noodle-ee by any means), thumbpick sounds. Especially for 6th tuning rakes.
I like the tone produced by the way you can load up the tension in the thumbpick and then have it release onto the next string (forward or backward).
I've been using Ernie Ball picks lately because they have this "flick-ee" quality of the blade (as opposed to what sounds kinda "thud-ee" to me with a thick/stiff blade).
I've been using the Ernie Ball "micro" finger picks for a few years now, and really like the way they handle (very light and free feeling), and they sound very consistant throughout each an every one of my right hand technique "bad habits"!  . [This message was edited by Pete Burak on 31 December 2003 at 09:51 AM.] |
Waisznor
Member From: Berlin, Germany
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posted 31 December 2003 09:48 AM
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Patrick,
I play with Sammy Shelor picks since two years now and I love the picks. Ideal shape with very good attack and tone. I have all the other brands (old and new Nationals, Showcase, Dunlop, Keyser, Propic,Newmann.) in my case, but use only the "Shelors"!Horst |
Harold Parris
Member From: Piedmont, Alabama USA
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posted 01 January 2004 11:01 PM
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I went in a local music store and they had picks called"Propik". I have used National and Dunlop for years but I bought a set of these to try. They are a little heavier guage than I use but they looked so good I thought I'll try a set. The straps on the finger picks are split on a V shape on each side and the thumb pick is a metal strap with a plastic insert fastened on it. They also make a solid metal thumb pick. I played 4 or 5 hours New Years Eve and they were most comfortable and sound good also. As a matter of fact I dropped a monitor speaker on my picking thumb right before we started and the pick was comfortable on the bruised thumb. No I didn't have that much to drink either. I suggest you look a set over if you go to a store that stocks them. If you can't find them get with me and I will round you up a set. The name is "Propik".------------------
Sierra Session and MSA Classic Guitars, Nashville 400, Session 400, and Evans FET 500 HiVolt, and Gretsch Nashville Pro Steel Amps, Keith Hilton Digital Sustain pedal and Digital Sustain Box .
Harold Parris email hparris9@aol.com |
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