Anyone Ever used Metal bass pics?

[Cliff Burton]

Hey there guys has anyone used this sorta thing before? If so any noticable difference when playing then a plastic pic?

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12-METAL-GUITAR-OR-BASS-PLECTRUMS-plectrum-pick-picks_W0QQitemZ290247870318QQihZ019QQcategoryZ20832QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12-METAL-GUITAR-OR-B...bayphotohosting[/url]

If not then this might be an experiance for all of us. I'd be to worried to wear the coating of my strings down with these, but i'm not sure if that would be the case. Also couldn't imagine the sound being much different to other thin plectrum (as I don't think there thick)

Regards
Alex

[escholl]

i've used a bronze one, different make though.....give a really harsh attack, much more aggressive than a normal pick


also makes the most horrible grating noises against the strings and feels very weird to use -- not recommended by me

[Cliff Burton]

Any advance on these pics? escholl When you say they attack the strings do you mean rip apart the protective layers and wear them down quicker? How do they feel weird? I could imagine the grating being harsh on the ears though :L

[bass_ferret]

I have a stainless steel pick of doom! I use half round strings so no grating. It sounds like you would imagine. I dont use it often.

[Clarky]

I bought a black anodised metal pick as an experiment - agree with other comments - horrible, especially when it grates against the string. Not recommended.

[escholl]

[quote name='Cliff Burton' post='251806' date='Jul 31 2008, 04:51 AM']Any advance on these pics? escholl When you say they attack the strings do you mean rip apart the protective layers and wear them down quicker? How do they feel weird? I could imagine the grating being harsh on the ears though :L[/quote]


the actual attack of the note is really harsh....maybe aggressive is a better word to use? it will definitely cut through the mix, and probably your strings too haha...don't think i'd use it on anything but steels, and definitely not elixirs!

if i do use a pick, i'll use dunlop tortex 1.14's (the purple ones), so that's what i'm comparing it to. The metal doesn't flex at all, and because the corners don't wear like their plastic counterparts, they kind of "grab" at the roundwound wrapping on each stroke. probably ok if you only do downstrokes.

overall, i just found them too clang-y. not in like, a new strings sort of way, more of in a horrible makes-your-teeth hurt sort of way. the pick i tried was a different make however, i don't know if these are any better. on the other hand, if you're using it through some effects, the extra attack might actually give you some new sounds to play with as well.


also, if you need to get your band's attention NOW at practice, do a pick slide

[bass_ferret]

I'm playing at the Kings Head on 4th October - come and have a listen.

[6stringbassist]

Sreve Swallow uses a metal pick, he gets a great sound, just practise I suppose.

[url="http://www.last.fm/music/Steve+Swallow"]http://www.last.fm/music/Steve+Swallow[/url]

[simondee]

got to watch out for scratches too...

[dangerboy]

[quote name='simondee' post='252081' date='Jul 31 2008, 02:55 PM']got to watch out for scratches too...[/quote]

This is why I don't use a metal pick - worn bass!

[url="http://www.radiotangra.com/media/gallery/Shellac-BobWeston.jpg"]http://www.radiotangra.com/media/gallery/S...c-BobWeston.jpg[/url]

Get the stiffest plastic you can and it'll have all the good facets of the metal pick sound, without the grating or the wear.

[MB1]

MB1.
Not a pick user personally but i can imagine these things would make one hell of a mess of your basses finish!

[TheRinser]

When we played at Beach Break down in Polzeath we found loads of nature's plectrums on the beach. Right size and shape, made from stone. Sound pretty good but leave a weird deposit on the strings.

[joegarcia]

I use a metal pick quite a lot. I use bronzed aluminium Dunlop Teckpicks.



I love them to bits and never have any problems with broken strings or scratches and I play quite aggressively. Depends on the player and technique though I guess.
Think all the live recordings of my old band were done with a metal pick, listen here if you like:
[url="http://www.myspace.com/vilna"]http://www.myspace.com/vilna[/url]

[escholl]

[quote name='joegarcia' post='252874' date='Aug 1 2008, 04:18 PM']I use a metal pick quite a lot. I use bronzed aluminium Dunlop Teckpicks.

[/quote]

ahhh...hahaha that's the one i tried and hated

[joegarcia]

Fair enough, understand why they're not everyones cup of tea. I don't use them for everything, do a fair bit of finger style but they're great for a bit of bite on some songs.

Edited August 2, 2008 by joegarcia

[escholl]

are you playing one on "monk minus"?

it sounds quite good there -- i probably just fail at using one well

[Exile252]

[quote name='joegarcia' post='252874' date='Aug 1 2008, 04:18 PM']I use a metal pick quite a lot. I use bronzed aluminium Dunlop Teckpicks.

[/quote]

I on occasion use a red version hehe. Gives alot more attack than playing with my fingers.

[joegarcia]

[quote name='escholl' post='253311' date='Aug 2 2008, 02:07 PM']are you playing one on "monk minus"?

it sounds quite good there -- i probably just fail at using one well [/quote]

Yea, thats my favourite one for the metal pick stuff. Just need to practice up and down strokes really.

[Cliff Burton]

I might give them a go, reminds me of a Perfect Circle type Tone tbh with that metal pic. If I got the cheap set linked above would it make a hella difference?
Regards
Alex

[joe_bass]

[quote name='Cliff Burton' post='255932' date='Aug 6 2008, 01:45 AM']reminds me of a Perfect Circle type Tone tbh with that metal pic.[/quote]


Does "Thinking of You" spring to mind for you??

[BassMunkee]

I have a steel one but I rarely use it because although it has monstrous attack, every other sound it makes again the strings is utterly hideous.

[fekalizatorius]

At the beginning, when I wasn`t sure to pick or not to pick, i bought several types of picks to see if i find comfort in playing with any of them. Bought a stainless steel sharp-ended pick. I can honestly say, that metal picks only fit in Heavy Metal. They get that aggressive, straight, sharp tone effortlessly, really fits the bill if you fuzz up the signal a tad, you don`t need to, cause the pick takes care of the rest.
PS. After trying out the picks, i decided that fingering is the best way to go

Edited August 16, 2008 by fekalizatorius