On the QUEST! Pick and choose

[Christian Schulze]

Whaddup Synners?

So on my quest of becoming a better guitarrist I have been going back to basics and fixing my old mistakes.

After revisiting my picking hand I revised my pick. I stumbled upon the mighty Troy grady and he introduced me to the Jazz 3 pick. I ordered it immediately and today I tried it out....people...it feels like flying. Now, here is my question.
What picks do you use and why?
Here is the video

Cheers!

 

[idssdi]

Jazz III ultex 2.0 mm on electric guitar. Tried a bunch and liked that one the most.

Wegen twins 3.5 mm on acoustic because it's gypsy jazz. Its basically the gypsy jazz pick but of the size of the Jazz III pick so I don't need to readjust my hand every time I switch

 

[Christian Schulze]

Jazz III ultex 2.0 mm on electric guitar. Tried a bunch and liked that one the most.

Wegen twins 3.5 mm on acoustic because it's gypsy jazz. Its basically the gypsy jazz pick but of the size of the Jazz III pick so I don't need to readjust my hand every time I switch

I am using the jazz 3 xl due to my big hands. Im gonna check the ultex version out!

 

[Ed Seith]

This is an interesting and timely post, as I'm doing a lot of the same thing. My picking mechanics have always been less than structured and reliable, and I am slowing down a lot (again) to try and rectify (again), and Troy's definitely got a part to play in that.

As far as picks are concerned, I'm kind of the opposite. I discovered thick Jazz picks in the late 1980s or maybe 1990 and started using them exclusively. For several decades it was the 2.0mm Dunlop Jazz Stubby. About 8 years ago, I started a quest for a new pick. I started with Red Bear Trading custom picks - the first one was amazing and lasted about a year and a half before it broke. I bought another and it felt totally different (they're hand made and EXPENSIVE), and so I abandoned the idea. After several different tries and experiments, I settled on the Ultex Jazz III pick (the piss yellow ones), and then moved again to the Petrucci Ultex (black).

As I was gearing up to start this journey to picking correction again, I was compelled to go back to a full size, more medium-thickness pick. I really don't know why, but I did. I had Tortex .73 and .88's lying around. I found the 88 was closer to my comfort zone, but also found the "snap" of the 73 really endearing, and I've settled with that now. It's definitely a learning curve.

Will it stick? Will I play Tortex .73s going forward? Can't say. But I am re-examining my picking mechanics and consistency with them, and I'm feeling like they're gonna stick, at least for a while.

 

[Christian Schulze]

This is an interesting and timely post, as I'm doing a lot of the same thing. My picking mechanics have always been less than structured and reliable, and I am slowing down a lot (again) to try and rectify (again), and Troy's definitely got a part to play in that.

As far as picks are concerned, I'm kind of the opposite. I discovered thick Jazz picks in the late 1980s or maybe 1990 and started using them exclusively. For several decades it was the 2.0mm Dunlop Jazz Stubby. About 8 years ago, I started a quest for a new pick. I started with Red Bear Trading custom picks - the first one was amazing and lasted about a year and a half before it broke. I bought another and it felt totally different (they're hand made and EXPENSIVE), and so I abandoned the idea. After several different tries and experiments, I settled on the Ultex Jazz III pick (the piss yellow ones), and then moved again to the Petrucci Ultex (black).

As I was gearing up to start this journey to picking correction again, I was compelled to go back to a full size, more medium-thickness pick. I really don't know why, but I did. I had Tortex .73 and .88's lying around. I found the 88 was closer to my comfort zone, but also found the "snap" of the 73 really endearing, and I've settled with that now. It's definitely a learning curve.

Will it stick? Will I play Tortex .73s going forward? Can't say. But I am re-examining my picking mechanics and consistency with them, and I'm feeling like they're gonna stick, at least for a while.

It always important to stay curious and to experimen! I too have experimented with many picks but for now jazz 3 feels pretty good!

 

[Dominik Gräber]

I switch between the Jazz III XL and the James Hetfield White Fang. I feel like the white fang has a more aggressive edge but also is not as durable. I also used the normal jazz XL for a while.

 

[Ethan Keeling]

I used to have dunlop picks, .73mm (the yellow ones), for about 2 years or so. Then, around a month ago i tried the ernie ball prodigy picks, both 1.5 and 2mm. I gravitated to 1.5mm and I'm really enjoying them!

 

[Manvir B]

I use dunlop gator grip 2mm picks , I remember when i first started playing my guitar teacher handed me one because I lost mine and I couldn't use anything else anymore, I love the rigidness/aggressiveness. Also another benefit is no one wants to borrow my picks hehe. I definitely wanna try out some jazz picks.

 

[Christian Schulze]

I use dunlop gator grip 2mm picks , I remember when i first started playing my guitar teacher handed me one because I lost mine and I couldn't use anything else anymore, I love the rigidness/aggressiveness. Also another benefit is no one wants to borrow my picks hehe. I definitely wanna try out some jazz picks.

I encourage you!

 

[Jesse Salmons]

Ive been using james hetfield signature picks for like, 7 years now they used to be the “black fangs” 1.14mm by dunlop (i think?) and now they’re the “white fangs” (also 1.14mm) and they have a grip texture Bc the old black fangs slip very easy when you start to sweat a bit. Love these picks and definitely encourage anyone to try them!

 

[Donovan Etue]

I've been using the Dunlop Jazz III Max Grip Carbon Fiber picks. I didn't realize until now that even Dunlops sight doesn't mention the thickness of them. Pretty sure they're close to a 1.4mm though. Thick enough that making my way through fast passages is easier while not being too thick. From strumming to economy picking it works well for me. I also swap back and forth with the Dunlop 2mm Flow picks. They seem to work well but strumming doesn't feel quite right with them.

 

[Adin Shepherd]

Ive been using james hetfield signature picks for like, 7 years now they used to be the “black fangs” 1.14mm by dunlop (i think?) and now they’re the “white fangs” (also 1.14mm) and they have a grip texture Bc the old black fangs slip very easy when you start to sweat a bit. Love these picks and definitely encourage anyone to try them!

I am using the Black Fangs at the moment, haven't been able to get hold of the new White Fang here yet.

 

[Hiroshi Nakauye]

I like the dunlop primetone jazz 3 1.4mm I found the jazz 3 xl to be strange feeling.

 

[carlosmqr]

I use Tortex .88mm never felt confortable with thinner picks than this, but need to give a try on 1.5mm and 2mm as I been using these .88mm pretty much from the begining!

 

[Dominik Gräber]

I Just saw Matt Heafy now has a Jazz III signature Pick, need to try them!

 

[Jak Angelescu]

I play with whatever pick I have around. I'm a big fan of the Dunlop tortex kinds. Congratulations on your discovery!

 

[Jesse Salmons]

I am using the Black Fangs at the moment, haven't been able to get hold of the new White Fang here yet.

They’re not as wide, and honestly feel a lot better than the black fangs. Love ‘em!

 

[Calvin Phillips]

I'm not picky really.. I tried thick picks before and I could chug like the wind but shredding wasnt fun. Its possible if I tried one now it may go different tho. That was 5 years ago.