Beer of the Bass Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I've been getting into playing acoustic with a thumb pick, but I can't find quite the right one. Dunlop mediums make the end of my thumb go purple, Dunlop larges slip around and the pick is too long on both of them. Filing the pick part shorter helps a little, but I'd be interested to hear what anyone else uses. Are the perfect thumb picks out there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthevan Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I have a pack of planet waves ones that i sometimes use on bass. Wouldn't fancy doing a whole gig with them though as they are tight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Get any old plastic ones, heat them up a bit with a lighter, stick round your thumb til it goes cold, and hey presto, one custom fitting pick. I kid you not, I've been doing this for years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oggiesnr Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 I use a metal banjo pick and so can squeeze it to shape. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK Jale Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 (edited) I've tried dozens of brands and types over the years... I use them on acoustic and also pedal steel and lap steel. Had endless trouble with slipping, discomfort, etc, etc. Finally found a massive display box of different types at a stall run by Hobgoblin Music at some festival. I sat there popping them on and off for ages (the bloke was convinced I was trying to pinch some). Ended up buying quite a few for even MORE extended tests. Finally found 'em... Fred Kelly Slick Picks, medium gauge. Solid-colour Delrin material best with the Kellys, IMO... transparent polycarb more prone to breakage. Good luck, it's amazing when you find the right ones for you. (Oh, and once you've found your picks, you might save a fair bit ordering a bunch from Elderly in the US... UK prices are nuts). Edited January 24, 2013 by KK Jale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Think the answer is try loads until you find the one that's right for you. For me, Ernie Ball are a perfect fit on my thumb, and have a nice sharp point on the pick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted January 25, 2013 Author Share Posted January 25, 2013 Cheers for the thoughts. I'll see if any local shops have more than just the Dunlops. Buying online is a bit of a pain while I'm still trying to find the right one, as don't want to buy them in quantity before I've tried them on. I'm not sure if I fancy trying Dave's reshaping trick on the ones I've got, as they're the celluloid tortoiseshell sort which are really impressively flammable, but I might experiment with dunking them in hot water instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Might be safer, I think that was what I heard first, but was too lazy to boil a kettle and had a lighter to hand... have caught a few on fire before, never tragically though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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