Standard pick or Triangle Pick

[BassAdder60]

As a guitarist I played using the standard teardrop shaped pick 

 

On bass I find the need for the Triangle style due to the larger string resistance and less pick movement in my fingers 

 

Anyone else discovered this ?

 

I also play fingerstyle but the question is best pick shape when picking several songs in a set 

[bassbiscuits]

I use the big yellow Dunlop picks that look like rounded off triangles. I play guitar and bass and have used them for both for years. Below is a pic from the Strings Direct website. 

[Baloney Balderdash]

What is the best pick for metal? 

 

 

On a more serious note:

 

No!

 

I even tend to use the round corners of regular teardrop shaped picks.

 

As does Bobby Vega, who got to be the absolute master of pick playing on bass.

 

That said it is completely down to personal preferences, as is pick material and gauge.

 

If there really was only one ultimate pick for bass and one ultimate pick for guitar, regardless of individual/personal physics, preferences, style, pickups, string choice, amp, cab, and song, everyone would be playing just that, and it would be the only 2 different picks on the market.

 

 

Edited January 8, 2024 by Baloney Balderdash

[ahpook]

1 hour ago, BassAdder60 said:

Anyone else discovered this ?

 

I also play fingerstyle but the question is best pick shape when picking several songs in a set 

 

I haven't, no...but the best pick is the one you feel comfortable with.

 

If the larger ones give you a secure grip then go for it. I've always used smaller 'guitar' ones, but it's horses for courses.

[franzbassist]

On the rare occasion I use a pick I use the .76mm Dunlop Ultex triangles.  I prefer the larger size.  I used to use thicker picks but have lightened up over the years.

Edited January 8, 2024 by franzbassist

[Guest]

Always used Tortex Trangle in 1.0 flavour on the bass.  I've got big hands, so that and the need to get those big strings moving make them ideal for me.  Our rhythm guitarist is a big lad and I gave a couple to him and now he's switched to them as well, although he uses the lighter weight ones in Yellow.

[TRBboy]

I've kinda found the same, back when I used to play a lot of guitar I preferred the Jazz III size/style picks, but on bass I prefer standard size (Tortex 1.14mm specifically). I can use either for either quite happily, but I do like having a bit more to grab onto for bass. I can't get on with the big equilateral triangle size ones though, they feel really awkward in my hands! 😅

[Lozz196]

Ultex Triangle 1.0, essentially a more modern sounding Tortex. 

[Cosmo Valdemar]

When I first started playing I went to the local guitar shop and bought a load of picks in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours as that's what my "Teach Yourself Bass" book told me to do 😄 

The "standard" shape is the only one that felt good and I've stuck with them ever since.

I currently use these Hercos, they're a bit lighter than expected for use with a bass but I like a bit of give. A much more expressive sound for me.

 

 

[Beer of the Bass]

I got into large triangle picks because they're popular with mandolin players, but found I preferred that shape for everything. With the larger surface area I find I can use a more relaxed grip, and having three interchangeable corners reduces fiddling about when changing between fingers and pick. I don't use the same gauge and type across everything though - I like the 0.88mm Ultex triangles on bass guitar and thicker Wegen and Hawk triangle picks on acoustic guitar and mandolin family instruments.

Edited January 8, 2024 by Beer of the Bass

[Paul S]

It is all very individual.  I play with a pick for 90% of the time and use these Jim Dunlop jobbies.  Can't get on with those big triangles.

 

[upside downer]

Another for Dunlop Tortex 1.0 here. I like to attack the strings! Now use the same shape for guitar but a thinner gauge, 0.5 or 0.6.

[Angel]

I'm primarily a guitarist but I have never used a plec on a bass. I do sometimes do that 'chucking' thing. To be honest though, I prefer electric guitar with no plec as well! 

[Crusoe]

I just use a little metal bar to play my triangle, not a pick.

[Ed_S]

24 minutes ago, Crusoe said:

I just use a little metal bar to play my triangle, not a pick.

Many little metal bars only have a stage big enough for you to play your triangle.

[Cato]

I switched to Dava picks on skinny stringers a few years ago, which are really grippy and generally do a great job.

 

However since I got the Bass VI a while back, which I only play with a pick, I've discovered the Dava's are too fragile for banging out chords and are prone to snapping, so it's been a return to purple tortex dunlops, which are much more robust.

[asingardenof]

I use Dunlop Tortex 1.14mm. I have tried triangular picks but I have fairly short fingers and they feel like a handful.

[NHM]

Dunlop 'Big Stubby' 2mm for me. No flexing, great for fast rhythms. Sort of teardrop shape with a pointy bottom🤪.

[Rosie C]

8 hours ago, Cosmo Valdemar said:

When I first started playing I went to the local guitar shop and bought a load of picks in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours as that's what my "Teach Yourself Bass" book told me to do 😄 

The "standard" shape is the only one that felt good and I've stuck with them ever since.

I currently use these Hercos, they're a bit lighter than expected for use with a bass but I like a bit of give. A much more expressive sound for me.

 

 

 

I use the gold Herco for mandocello, once I tried them I've not used anything else.

[Guest]

4 hours ago, NHM said:

Sort of teardrop shape with a pointy bottom🤪.

Reminds me of a lass from Croydon that I briefly dated.

[NHM]

11 minutes ago, Bassfinger said:

Reminds me of a lass from Croydon that I briefly dated.

She moved to Nottingham ...

[Bolo]

.73mm on the main bass, but I seem to prefer the .88mm on the Spector.

 

[christhammer666]

all depends on the thickness for me.

i can use a traingle but it has to be 1mm

if i use a standard it has to be at least 2mm otherwise i shred my fingers cos i play quite heavily

[Baloney Balderdash]

I mostly use my fingers nowadays, all sort of finger picking techniques combined, regular traditional 1, 2 and 3 finger plucking technique, depending, classical acoustic guitar style finger picking technique, flamenco guitar style middle and/or index finger flicking technique, as well as double thumbing. 

 

When I do use a pick it is either a Dunlop Tortex .60mm (for an aggressive snappy attack), one of the round corners of a Dunlop Tortex .50mm (for a more clicky attack) or a Dunlop Max Grip Nylon .60mm (for a somewhat softer snappy attack), but my most favorite pick is a Wedgie Soft 3.1mm rubber pick (for a softer pick attack, somewhere between pick and finger plucking), sometimes it even happens that I use a Wedgie Soft 5mm rubber pick (for an even softer warmer subdued attack).

 

On occasions I also use a ceramic slide, and sometimes a rubber covered plastic stick for a hammered dulcimer effect.

 

All depending on the musical context.

 

Edited January 9, 2024 by Baloney Balderdash

[BassAdder60]

Used a pick last night for most of the set rehearsal but I still prefer the fullness tone of fingers and the connected feeling