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Why are there so many thicknesses?

Is it just down to preference or is it recommended to use different thicknesses for different styles of play?

Matt

Matt- I think it's just a matter of what gives you the best feel. For example jazz guitarists have always used heavy, triangular picks. Whatever works for you.

i use really light picks because i like the sound of the strum but since i have joined this site i have been learning some more finger style picking and heavier picks seem a little easier to use for that...

mattroutley wrote:

i use really light picks because i like the sound of the strum but since i have joined this site i have been learning some more finger style picking and heavier picks seem a little easier to use for that...

I agree Matt I prefer the lighter pick for strumming, but I understand that as players improve and gain better control, they usually switch to a heavier gauge pick. Right now I find the heavier pick certainly makes individual notes ring out better as you referred to, but I find that for strumming it "clatters" for me right now. Just practice I guess.

The thickness and material affect the tone as well. I've been messing around with three different picks and they all play a bit differently.

1. My light pick (.73MM) I'll use about half the time while strumming. This will give a bright tone with alot of high end sparkle. I'll use this for playing alot of Beatle's Songs like "Should have Know Better". It is, for me anyway, easier to control in my hand.
2. My medium pick is a little wider (.88MM). I'll use this about 25% of the time and this will mellow out the tone a bit bringing in the lows with more abundance. I'll use this on alot of Neil Young songs, Greatful Dead, etc,
3. My large pick is, well I have two at the moement. One is 1mm and the other is 2mm. Really just experimenting with them. The tone is great for more flat picking then strumming. I'll use these on Needle and the Damage Done, Old Man. Anything that is more picking and very little strumming. These are harder for me to control in my fingers. Not sure if it is the materiel (I think so) or the size.


Hope this Helps.


MarkM

What materials are those picks, Mark?

wrench wrote:

What materials are those picks, Mark?

The 1mm and the .88mm are Dunlop Tortex
2MM is wheatware (made from wheat)
the .73mm are Fender and I think those are (1 is plastic or nylon and the other is celluloid.

Here are the links

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Fender%26%2 ... 6005736333

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/ ... sku=110040

http://www.wheatware.com/shop/index.php ... duct_id=92


MarkM

MarkM wrote:

wrench wrote:

What materials are those picks, Mark?

The 1mm and the .88mm are Dunlop Tortex
2MM is wheatware (made from wheat)
the .73mm are Fender and I think those are (1 is plastic or nylon and the other is celluloid.

Here are the links

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Fender%26%2 ... 6005736333

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/ ... sku=110040

http://www.wheatware.com/shop/index.php ... duct_id=92


MarkM

Yes I use the Dunlop Tortex medium the orange one, just has the best feel and action, more like a finger nail I guess is what I am trying to say.

I find the light ones area little flimsy for me and can sometimes add an unwanted ticking sound when used for strumming. I find heavier ones take a little bit more practice to use but I have ended up preferring them because of this..... Range. If you develop the right touch you can play "lightly" with a heavy pick, but at the same time you can really strum a chord strongly, or pick a note loudly and clearly with a heavy pick. The thing is with the light picks, I find I don't have that range. You can strum lightly, or pick lightly, but it is tough to strum strongly without hearing that tickity tickity sound, and it is tough to pick an individual note and make it come out loud and clear. Beaker.