musophilr Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 I don't like playing bass with a pick, but I do so because I dislike broken fingernails even more. I like fingerpicking at a guitar (sometimes) and use a plectrum when I'm not fingerpicking so that my nails are preserved for when I really need them. On guitar, my favourite plectrums are Dunlop stainless 0.55mm, but sometimes I use TeckPick brass ones for a slighty mellower sound. I've been using a TeckPick brass pick for bass, but noticed today its point isn't so pointy anymore and the straight bit is getting ground to somewhat of a knife edge. The strings (Picato flatwounds) don't appear to have suffered (yet). I don't mind the sound, but would switch to a different material if anyone could suggest a likewise rigid improvement which still feels slim & flat like the TeckPick. Quote
Judo Chop Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 (edited) Have you tried the black dunlop Tortex plectrums? They're thin and stiffer than Gary Glitter at playgroup. Edited February 3, 2012 by Jack Cahalane Quote
SteveO Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 I used to get right pissed off with picks wearing out so quickly. I mean some of them are so soft they only last 2 or 3 gigs. Blimey. If I didn't have to buy new ones all the time I recon I could save nearly 5 of your english pounds a year. Quote
musophilr Posted February 3, 2012 Author Posted February 3, 2012 It may seem like an odd thing to raise amongst you bass players, but as a guitarist i've been using the same Dunlop stainless pick for years with no apparent signs of wear. Picks to me are more capital equipment than consumables! Quote
Adrenochrome Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 Dunlop Ultex are far more hardwearing than the usual soft plastic picks. I get a few months wear out of them. Quote
musophilr Posted February 4, 2012 Author Posted February 4, 2012 I guess the other consideration is if the pick is too hard, it'll wear the strings and they're a lot more expensive than picks! Soft brass may still be the best option. Quote
ahpook Posted February 4, 2012 Posted February 4, 2012 my plectrums get lost long before they wear out. Quote
discreet Posted February 4, 2012 Posted February 4, 2012 (edited) I only ever play with a pick, and have done over 35 years... HERCO FLEX 50 GOLD from the USA! Slightly flexible (but not floppy) and extremely durable! You won't go back! Edited February 4, 2012 by discreet Quote
charic Posted February 4, 2012 Posted February 4, 2012 I use Jazz III's all the time these days. I wish I could find some way to bulk buy them Quote
BigRedX Posted February 4, 2012 Posted February 4, 2012 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1328355003' post='1525854'] I only ever play with a pick, and have done over 35 years... HERCO FLEX 50 GOLD from the USA! Slightly flexible (but not floppy) and extremely durable! You won't go back! [/quote] I must play a lot harder (or use more abrasive strings) than you. I use Herco Flex 75s bought in packets of 100 which generally last me about 5 years. Each pick has a maximum of 10 gigs or rehearsals in them before the tips are worn away. That's If I haven't lost them first. Quote
musophilr Posted February 10, 2012 Author Posted February 10, 2012 I got a couple of red Jazz IIIs today. They are very nice. I've no idea how long they will last though. Quote
xilddx Posted February 10, 2012 Posted February 10, 2012 [quote name='Adrenochrome' timestamp='1328306455' post='1525449'] Dunlop Ultex are far more hardwearing than the usual soft plastic picks. I get a few months wear out of them. [/quote] Hideous things though aren't they. No feedback at all. I prefer the yellow Dunlop Tortex triangles these days. Enough durability, three points, and flexible enough to give you some feedback from your fingers. Quote
Fitz666 Posted February 10, 2012 Posted February 10, 2012 I alos play with a pick and use Dava picks. They are thick but with a thin band across the middle, meaning it will work like a thin one or a think one depnding on your thumb position. I tried loads of them before settling with the Dava's. Bugger to find though. Quote
Lozz196 Posted February 10, 2012 Posted February 10, 2012 I use Dunlop Tortex "The Wedge" picks, 1.14mm. Bit more pointed than the regular Tortex picks. The point does wear down after a while to where they just look like normal picks, but at that point the wear stops. I`ve been using the same 3 (1 at home, 2 for rehearsals/gigs) for the last 3 years at least, possibly longer. And they`ve got a purple tortoise on them! Quote
Low End Bee Posted February 10, 2012 Posted February 10, 2012 I use Clayton 1.07mm big tortex triangles. Last ages. I moved from the Dunlop blue 1.0mm big triangles as they just feel a bit nicer. Quote
uncle psychosis Posted February 10, 2012 Posted February 10, 2012 I use 3mm big stubbies. Brilliant. Quote
Dave Vader Posted February 10, 2012 Posted February 10, 2012 [quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1328864933' post='1533764'] I use 3mm big stubbies. Brilliant. [/quote] I have worn out 3 of them in the last year, and I only use a pick on 3 songs in the set... Quote
musophilr Posted February 10, 2012 Author Posted February 10, 2012 Stiff ones or floppy ones? Many guitarists use flexible picks. I don't. With a rigid pick, I can control dynamics by how hard I grip the pick. With a flexible pick, I can't. I guess that's why I've started using rigid picks for bass without even thinking about any other alternative. If only my fingernails weren't so fragile I wouldn't be using pick at all for bass. Quote
Adrenochrome Posted February 10, 2012 Posted February 10, 2012 [quote name='silddx' timestamp='1328832964' post='1533629'] Hideous things though aren't they. No feedback at all. I prefer the yellow Dunlop Tortex triangles these days. Enough durability, three points, and flexible enough to give you some feedback from your fingers. [/quote] I really don't mind them - although I understand what you mean about them being very stiff. I use a 0.76mm Ultex which has just enough flexibility for me, and feels similar to a 1mm+ Tortex. If caught without a pick I seem to manage with whatever guitar pick I can find, so maybe a bit of my preference is just habit. Quote
Low End Bee Posted February 10, 2012 Posted February 10, 2012 [quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1328869385' post='1533905'] I have worn out 3 of them in the last year, and I only use a pick on 3 songs in the set... [/quote] Are they made of cheese! Quote
Dave Vader Posted February 10, 2012 Posted February 10, 2012 [quote name='Low End Bee' timestamp='1328870180' post='1533927'] Are they made of cheese! [/quote] That would explain it... possibly the cheese i have been playing with them has managed to alter their physical structure on an atomic level, alchemy if you will. Or it could be that i play a lot of gigs, and beat the picks too bloody hard... I prefer the first one though. Quote
Low End Bee Posted February 10, 2012 Posted February 10, 2012 [quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1328872276' post='1533985'] That would explain it... possibly the cheese i have been playing with them has managed to alter their physical structure on an atomic level, alchemy if you will. Or it could be that i play a lot of gigs, and beat the picks too bloody hard... I prefer the first one though. [/quote] Maybe you mistook some Dairylea triangles for picks in the dark? Quote
Ed_S Posted February 10, 2012 Posted February 10, 2012 [quote name='Low End Bee' timestamp='1328864778' post='1533761'] I use Clayton 1.07mm big tortex triangles. Last ages. I moved from the Dunlop blue 1.0mm big triangles as they just feel a bit nicer. [/quote] Clayton picks are excellent - I have the Acetal 1.26mm Standards custom printed with our band logo, and they last aaages. Quote
discreet Posted February 10, 2012 Posted February 10, 2012 (edited) [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1328357996' post='1525899'] I must play a lot harder (or use more abrasive strings) than you. [/quote] More than possible, but I'm not one of these 'light touch' players, so I can only imagine that you are digging in big time! Plus you use 75s and I use 50s, so maybe there's more resistance, or some such. Edited February 10, 2012 by discreet Quote
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