Firm picks or flimsy picks for shredding?

[Matt Wildman]

I watched a video by Chris Zoupa on YouTube, and he briefly talked about how he doesn’t like using extremely firm picks when it comes to shredding. I have been working on economy picking a lot lately, and I was wondering if it’s a good idea or not to use firm picks when it comes to shredding and resistance of the pick on the strings? As of right now I’m using a firm yellow torex Dunlop pick.

 

[Jak Angelescu]

Oh maaan I go heavy all the way for everything. With light picks I really feel like I can’t sense the strike of the string against the pick. I can’t explain it. But when I do economy picking I can’t do it for crap with a light pick. You can’t feel that “string shift” sensation if that makes sense.
But ultimately, it’s what feels best for you!! I use Dunlop Tortex .88 and 1.0

 

[Ed Seith]

Yellow Tortex are not an especially heavy pick, maybe only slightly heavier than the standard “Fender Medium.” I use those when I play acoustic. For electric, I play a smaller, Jazz size pick that’s probably twice as thick.
As Jak said, though, Try them and see. Dunlop sells pick samplers. I bought one of those and a few other picks a year or so ago when I was looking for change. I wound up going with Ultex Jazz III. They’re a 1.38mm.

 

[Nathan Martin]

I use Dragon’s Heart picks. Heat-resistant thermoplastic with beveled edges and three picking edges. I like them so much, I have two!

 

[Rad Synner]

There is no universal truth about picks really. You just have to go with what feels best for you. I know (since he gave me his pick at a concert) that Syn uses 2mm which is huge compared to me who uses 0,70mm.

 

[idssdi]

I use jazz III 2.0 mm picks which is pretty firm. For gypsy jazz I even go as thick as 3.5 mm. In the end it all comes down to your own pick preference. I think Syn is using 0.70 mm ones ATM

 

[Jak Angelescu]

I have to make an edit: I use the dunlop purple which I thought were 1mm, but they’re 1.14

 

[Matt Wildman]

Gotcha. I seem to be doing ok with what I’m using now but I’ll still play around with some other ones probably

 

[Noah Berends]

I focus more on the end of the pick rather than the thickness. I prefer sharper points for shredding, as the regular pick ends have too much slide and scratch. So I use Jazz III’s and Ultex sharp mainly, around 1.14 is the sweet spot for me.

 

[D K]

I prefer thicker (stiffer) picks with a sharp point. I recently bought some JP flow picks and I really like them.

 

[Hunter Powers]

Chris Zoupa is a savage who doesn’t use a pick most of time. Watch his hands closely lol

 

[Alan Celis]

yeah chris zoupa uses his fingernails hahaha