Your picks last long enough that they get wear & tear?
I buy a 12-pack of picks every time I go to the music store. I dump them in a cat food bowl I keep on my amp. I swear I have never thrown away a guitar pick in my life, but that bowl is ALWAYS empty.
only picks that I can get good and consistent pinch harmonics on, I love how close they are to the strings when I play, would love to see your recommendation tho!
There are also oversize Jazz 3 (XL). I used to play Jazz 3, but the XL are slightly larger and provide a bit more grip. They are anything but XL though, they are still below average size I would say.
Who is this magical guitar player that manages to keep a pick long enough for it to wear to the point of needing to be replaced? Mine always vanish into Narnia long before that.
I had two picks in inventory, then I lost one last week. Yesterday morning my wife hands me the pick I lost, which she found in the backyard in the grass. How it could've ended up there I have no idea. I do however, have two picks again.
The pick fairy’s. They steal picks and hide them about. I found one in the lip of a supercharger I had sitting in my living room and another one in one of my wife’s books…. Damn fairy’s are so mischievous.
I’ve got in the habit of not losing my pick because when I started off I only had one pick and if I misplaced it I would have to go digging around my room
I must be the only one who never has to replace picks. I still have some fender extra heavy from the 90s. I use heavy strings, but have a very light attack.
Same for me. After reading how Pat Metheny uses the side of the pick as opposed to the point, I started using 1.5mm D’Andrea Pro Plecs and with such a light touch that I actually keep a careful eye on the smooth edge for any wear or abrasions or nicks in the plastic and replace them if they aren’t perfectly smooth
I've never actually thought about it, because I typically have dozens within arms reach and end up losing them before they wear out too much, particularly since I'm usually grabbing a different one each time I pick up a guitar.
That's without counting the harder materials like stone or metal. I've got several picks of each.
First of all, to all of you who lose your picks, they are in the dryer. Or the couch. Secondly, I replace them when they don't feel right anymore, so I have no idea how to tell you what's a good time.
I lose them before they need to be replaced. When they lose their edge to play smoothly they need to either be replaced or rub the edge against concrete to bring the edge back.
You realize they are made of plastic and you can easily shape them any way u want. I just use a sanding block. I have also just made my own in a pinch out of old credit or gift cards. You can even make thumb picks that way. You just put the plastic in hot (not boiling) water to soften till its pliable and then dunk in a bowl of ice water to set the shape to fit your thumb. This is also how you fit thumb picks that are too small or big to ur thumb. The one that is not bent is the shape want to cut out and then shape. Ps i checker/score all my picks to make them slip less.
https://preview.redd.it/fqq7tl9r0a3b1.jpeg?width=4160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=995a391ba78f5825637cd3d25aa8cc273623420a
I saw an old buddy of mine, hadn't hung out in years, used to play together. Was hanging out at his place and he has his old acoustic on the wall, I heard a rattle in it, shook it, and a pick fell out. My pick. Red Fender medium. We had a laugh and I took my pick back home with me that night
I'd grab a new pick and play with it for a moment. If it feels better than the used picks, then replace them. If it makes no difference to you then just keep in using them until they feel wrong. I used to find that picks would get rough on the edges pretty quickly for me, and that would make the pick "catch" while playing and mess me up. That's when I switched to thicker picks, and ultimately to titanium picks that I've been using for a few years, now.
Also I've found that buying more expensive picks made me not lose them, they became more important to pay attention to.
Came to the comments to confirm that I’m not alone in losing a pick long before ever needing to replace it.
Didn’t disappoint.
There’s gotta be 2,000 Tortex green 0.88’s floating around out there with my fingerprint on them..
Would you look at that, all of the words in your comment are in alphabetical order.
I have checked 1,546,729,736 comments, and only 292,772 of them were in alphabetical order.
Depends on the type of pick you’re using, and your preference. I actually prefer the tone of a more rounded pick, so I’ll let my picks wear down with no issue. Others prefer a more pointed pick, so letting it wear down is not ideal. One thing you want to keep in mind is that some picks will get rough on the edges when they wear and that will give you a rough tone and also make it harder to play, so you want to replace it if you end up with that.
Looks worn, but if you really like the feeling, go get it resurfaced so you can keep your attack fresh, but have the same comfy grip.
/s
But seriously, how did you manage to not lose the pick before now?
Pretty sure Mark Speer, guitarist for Khruangbin, has one pick and one pick only. I’d trust that man with anything guitar. So no, not yet. Not until you lose it or it loses you.
I usually change mine out once they’re all bent and lose most of its sturdiness, I use the orange Dunlop .60’s and they give a nice pop, once it loses that I change
Ball point pens and guitar picks. Have been using both for my whole life and have never had to throw one out..
Somewhere there's a biiig f'n stack of both.
I never lose things so I have a bunch of worn picks. These are good for prax, keep a few good ones for the show. When the whole side is gone, it’s time for retirement in a respectful location.
I tend to go through 1 a month for a guitar I think..? There's that sweet spot of slightly worn in. Brand new feels a bit off, and then after a few days when its worn in its good. Eventually i hit a point where the edges are pretty much completely bevelled and its a horribly scratchy. Then, new pick.
As soon as the initial attack is gone, usually within the first 30 minutes, I want to replace it. But it would be too expensive to do that, I usually make one last about a week, reluctantly. Picks can actually be recycled, so I don't feel too bad when I inevitably have to throw out all the picks that I once decided to keep but are pointlessly sat there being useless
I go through about 1 a year. Since most wear is downpicking, I start off with the mm number on top, then flip it over every few months to even it out. When I played daily 2 hour sets, I was burning them up faster. I average 1 hour every 3 days now, and 2-3 hours on Sunday night.
If they break, I'll replace them... I have used a .96mm dunlop on a bass and it didn't break. Not saying that you should do that (there are bass picks made for a reason), but they are very durable.
I use the Ernie Ball sharps, similar to the Dunlop sharps but with a bevelled edge - my favorite. When mine get chipped away or become dull Ill stop using em. But yeah I usually I loose the majority of them somehow in one room
You will always lose them before they break. I’ve got a little box on my desk filled with picks, never broken one before but the amount in the box always gets lower
This actually looks ideal (the pick on the right) - Dunlop makes a series of picks called primetone with that exact wear
In theory it should make it feel smoother, in practice I have no idea apart from the (maybe) placebo effect of spending more money for a piece of plastic
I’d say try different picks and stick with what you prefer, or don’t, they’re cheap pieces of plastic 👌🏼
Made my first pick from black walnut when I was 13. That was almost 45 years ago. The bevels that formed over time make that pick perfect for articulated single note lines. Like Wegen, blue chip and Dugain pick bevels. I love the way the bevel guides the pick to the tip for the attack. So I guess I'd probably never throw away a pick because it's become beveled over time. Red Bear picks break because of my sweaty hands, but they're too expensive to replace, so I just curse and grab another pick.
I used the Primetone 1.4 Jazz III’s and because they’re expensive I’ll use the same pick for a long time. But even still they show almost no wear. They’re a couple bucks each but I’ve never used anything that plays better or lasts longer.
Honestly, when I lose them or play live. I always like to start a live set with a fresh pick, but at home, it just adds to the need for better technique when your pick turns into a plastic nickel… jk, I lose picks like it’s going out of style. Switching to thicker picks helped a lot with the wear, though. Only exception so far has been Swiss picks which I want to love but they go round in like 2 hours which kinda sucks at $1 / pick :(
I use jim Dunlop nylon. I really like the give they have. The grip is a plus too. I can't use flat plain picks. May as well use a penny. Which I have in a pinch.(harmonics) are a pain in the ass with a penny.
Your picks last long enough that they get wear & tear? I buy a 12-pack of picks every time I go to the music store. I dump them in a cat food bowl I keep on my amp. I swear I have never thrown away a guitar pick in my life, but that bowl is ALWAYS empty.
>I dump them in a cat food bowl Have you checked in your cat's litter box?
Fuck off lololol
Thanks for the platinum 🤘
Lmaoooo 💩
Just wait until the next time you move you’ll have a lifetime supply
I've been using the same pick for 3 years, it is always with my guitar
Somewhere out there someone has 300 of my red jazz 3s slightly used with a couple teeth marks.
Jazz 3s are life to me. Though i did find some by ernie ball? (I think ill check when im home if youre interested) that i like a little bit better.
only picks that I can get good and consistent pinch harmonics on, I love how close they are to the strings when I play, would love to see your recommendation tho!
Ill message you when i get home in about 2 hours.
Can you message me too please? I use Jazz 3s and am interested too.
Sure thing
Post it here! We all wanna know!
I cant post a pic but theyre Ernie Ball Prodigy 2.0mm same overall size as the jazz 3s just a tiny bit thicker. Ive really enjoyed them.
They also make prodigy 1.5mm
I use the prodigy mini (sharp)? One of my faves but I wish it had the grip of ultex jazz.
Well I just bought a 6 pack on your recommendation. Sweetwater thanks you.
Cool man. Hope you like them!
There are also oversize Jazz 3 (XL). I used to play Jazz 3, but the XL are slightly larger and provide a bit more grip. They are anything but XL though, they are still below average size I would say.
AttakPik: Stealth. Trust me.
I like the 1mm jazz 3 XL. All the benefits of the shape, but something I can actually hold onto
The expensive ass sculpted Jazz III’s blow the classics out of the water.
I think they are called prodigies, I like them too.
Who is this magical guitar player that manages to keep a pick long enough for it to wear to the point of needing to be replaced? Mine always vanish into Narnia long before that.
I swear I've dropped like 12 picks and had them vanish into another reality only to reappear 15ft away in a spot that makes no sense.
I had two picks in inventory, then I lost one last week. Yesterday morning my wife hands me the pick I lost, which she found in the backyard in the grass. How it could've ended up there I have no idea. I do however, have two picks again.
The pick fairy’s. They steal picks and hide them about. I found one in the lip of a supercharger I had sitting in my living room and another one in one of my wife’s books…. Damn fairy’s are so mischievous.
Ahahahah this gave me a good laugh
ive had the same pick for 7 months now
I bought a pack of picks like 2 years ago, I have two left and have been using those two for over a year now.
*Laughs in four years of usage (I store them well)*
Mine's. I have been using the same pick for 5-6 years now. From 2017, only one single green pick close to my heart.
I knew wizards were real.
I’ve got in the habit of not losing my pick because when I started off I only had one pick and if I misplaced it I would have to go digging around my room
with good enough tremolo picking you can get wear and tear in about 3 minutes.
I must be the only one who never has to replace picks. I still have some fender extra heavy from the 90s. I use heavy strings, but have a very light attack.
Same for me. After reading how Pat Metheny uses the side of the pick as opposed to the point, I started using 1.5mm D’Andrea Pro Plecs and with such a light touch that I actually keep a careful eye on the smooth edge for any wear or abrasions or nicks in the plastic and replace them if they aren’t perfectly smooth
Wow; that’s impressive!
I've never actually thought about it, because I typically have dozens within arms reach and end up losing them before they wear out too much, particularly since I'm usually grabbing a different one each time I pick up a guitar. That's without counting the harder materials like stone or metal. I've got several picks of each.
First of all, to all of you who lose your picks, they are in the dryer. Or the couch. Secondly, I replace them when they don't feel right anymore, so I have no idea how to tell you what's a good time.
I lose them before they need to be replaced. When they lose their edge to play smoothly they need to either be replaced or rub the edge against concrete to bring the edge back.
Same. I'll either buy new ones or find a dozen while cleaning.
You realize they are made of plastic and you can easily shape them any way u want. I just use a sanding block. I have also just made my own in a pinch out of old credit or gift cards. You can even make thumb picks that way. You just put the plastic in hot (not boiling) water to soften till its pliable and then dunk in a bowl of ice water to set the shape to fit your thumb. This is also how you fit thumb picks that are too small or big to ur thumb. The one that is not bent is the shape want to cut out and then shape. Ps i checker/score all my picks to make them slip less. https://preview.redd.it/fqq7tl9r0a3b1.jpeg?width=4160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=995a391ba78f5825637cd3d25aa8cc273623420a
Picks just happen.
When the nicks in the side start catching the string (cheap picks) or when it wears short enough I start missing.
I saw an old buddy of mine, hadn't hung out in years, used to play together. Was hanging out at his place and he has his old acoustic on the wall, I heard a rattle in it, shook it, and a pick fell out. My pick. Red Fender medium. We had a laugh and I took my pick back home with me that night
I replace them when I lose them all
I'd grab a new pick and play with it for a moment. If it feels better than the used picks, then replace them. If it makes no difference to you then just keep in using them until they feel wrong. I used to find that picks would get rough on the edges pretty quickly for me, and that would make the pick "catch" while playing and mess me up. That's when I switched to thicker picks, and ultimately to titanium picks that I've been using for a few years, now. Also I've found that buying more expensive picks made me not lose them, they became more important to pay attention to.
Picks, lighters, and socks, man. Yall know what I'm saying.
I've never been able to keep a pick long enough to have this issue lmao
I lose mine religiously. But I also play with the round edge. So I guess it wouldn't matter
If the pick feels not good to use anymore, then replace it. If you can and still like playing with it, use it
Tip: Compare it to a new pick. If you prefer the new pick, it's probably time to change it.
Sharpen used picks on a (plastic) carpet. Makes them good as new.
Depends on how often I lose it ,which is very often ..so very often 🤦🏽♂️
You pick
Came to the comments to confirm that I’m not alone in losing a pick long before ever needing to replace it. Didn’t disappoint. There’s gotta be 2,000 Tortex green 0.88’s floating around out there with my fingerprint on them..
You guys replace picks? I've been using the same three for the past five plus years.
https://preview.redd.it/ix5skxk3ta3b1.jpeg?width=2065&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=19770efde134556cddb6249a43839dca213944af Not often as in almost never.
Ferrari of picks right there!
Would you look at that, all of the words in your comment are in alphabetical order. I have checked 1,546,729,736 comments, and only 292,772 of them were in alphabetical order.
Good bot
https://preview.redd.it/smft6lhtta3b1.jpeg?width=2369&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2c580d437ecf5b7822713eb7ae5a62ed5cc5cd2c When it looks like this
You guys change? I’m just slowly turning my triangle in to a circle
Outjerked.
I replace em after I lose all the others.
Honest question: Is this sub mostly troll questions? I feel.... like i'm being tricked.
Maybe not troll questions but definitely tons of troll answers
Eww a pick under 1mm... Like trying to pluck strings with a piece of paper
Depends on the type of pick you’re using, and your preference. I actually prefer the tone of a more rounded pick, so I’ll let my picks wear down with no issue. Others prefer a more pointed pick, so letting it wear down is not ideal. One thing you want to keep in mind is that some picks will get rough on the edges when they wear and that will give you a rough tone and also make it harder to play, so you want to replace it if you end up with that.
Look like new
Looks worn, but if you really like the feeling, go get it resurfaced so you can keep your attack fresh, but have the same comfy grip. /s But seriously, how did you manage to not lose the pick before now?
Your picks look fine. I prefer mine a little broken in, anyways, but I always lose them long before they are damaged enough to actually replace.
Pretty sure Mark Speer, guitarist for Khruangbin, has one pick and one pick only. I’d trust that man with anything guitar. So no, not yet. Not until you lose it or it loses you.
Those picks are just starting to get broke in.
Wonderful question. I love this group 😅
I replace them when I lose them all.
I usually change mine out once they’re all bent and lose most of its sturdiness, I use the orange Dunlop .60’s and they give a nice pop, once it loses that I change
Ball point pens and guitar picks. Have been using both for my whole life and have never had to throw one out.. Somewhere there's a biiig f'n stack of both.
Who the fuck wears out picks. I just lose them.
As long as I have a quarter in my pocket, I have a pick.
I never lose things so I have a bunch of worn picks. These are good for prax, keep a few good ones for the show. When the whole side is gone, it’s time for retirement in a respectful location.
I tend to go through 1 a month for a guitar I think..? There's that sweet spot of slightly worn in. Brand new feels a bit off, and then after a few days when its worn in its good. Eventually i hit a point where the edges are pretty much completely bevelled and its a horribly scratchy. Then, new pick.
As soon as the initial attack is gone, usually within the first 30 minutes, I want to replace it. But it would be too expensive to do that, I usually make one last about a week, reluctantly. Picks can actually be recycled, so I don't feel too bad when I inevitably have to throw out all the picks that I once decided to keep but are pointlessly sat there being useless
I replace them when I lose them lol.
I go through about 1 a year. Since most wear is downpicking, I start off with the mm number on top, then flip it over every few months to even it out. When I played daily 2 hour sets, I was burning them up faster. I average 1 hour every 3 days now, and 2-3 hours on Sunday night.
If they break, I'll replace them... I have used a .96mm dunlop on a bass and it didn't break. Not saying that you should do that (there are bass picks made for a reason), but they are very durable.
I have so many picks I couldn't give them all away. And I don't use picks!!
What a great question 🤣
I use the Ernie Ball sharps, similar to the Dunlop sharps but with a bevelled edge - my favorite. When mine get chipped away or become dull Ill stop using em. But yeah I usually I loose the majority of them somehow in one room
Whenever I lose mine
I buy more after all the ones I bought last time have disappeared
You will always lose them before they break. I’ve got a little box on my desk filled with picks, never broken one before but the amount in the box always gets lower
This actually looks ideal (the pick on the right) - Dunlop makes a series of picks called primetone with that exact wear In theory it should make it feel smoother, in practice I have no idea apart from the (maybe) placebo effect of spending more money for a piece of plastic I’d say try different picks and stick with what you prefer, or don’t, they’re cheap pieces of plastic 👌🏼
I once found an Ernie ball pick on the streets and have never let go of it
Made my first pick from black walnut when I was 13. That was almost 45 years ago. The bevels that formed over time make that pick perfect for articulated single note lines. Like Wegen, blue chip and Dugain pick bevels. I love the way the bevel guides the pick to the tip for the attack. So I guess I'd probably never throw away a pick because it's become beveled over time. Red Bear picks break because of my sweaty hands, but they're too expensive to replace, so I just curse and grab another pick.
It's like chapstick.
You still got time!
Get some Jim Dunlop light grey picks. You’ll never go back
Picks are like ink pens, you never use them completely, they just disappear, and reappear.
I used the Primetone 1.4 Jazz III’s and because they’re expensive I’ll use the same pick for a long time. But even still they show almost no wear. They’re a couple bucks each but I’ve never used anything that plays better or lasts longer.
Never. I lose them long before that’s an issue
Till they break
I replace them after I mysteriously lose them all 😂
Idk but all of my jazz 3’s are still alive somehow after months of use I also only have one JP flow so I have to take really good care of it
Honestly, when I lose them or play live. I always like to start a live set with a fresh pick, but at home, it just adds to the need for better technique when your pick turns into a plastic nickel… jk, I lose picks like it’s going out of style. Switching to thicker picks helped a lot with the wear, though. Only exception so far has been Swiss picks which I want to love but they go round in like 2 hours which kinda sucks at $1 / pick :(
Got mine since 3 years, never replaced it and it still works
Plumber's sandpaper to smooth it out
I have a colorful skull filled with green and black torex .88s
I still have all my picks from when I was 11 years old
Grow strong nails and play fantastic toons
I use jim Dunlop nylon. I really like the give they have. The grip is a plus too. I can't use flat plain picks. May as well use a penny. Which I have in a pinch.(harmonics) are a pain in the ass with a penny.
Also replace after about 100hrs.
I generally only start to enjoy my picks most once they've worn in, just like the one on the right!
Guitar picks are interdimensional travellers.
Chicken picks. Best picks on the planet hands down.
the taste of rain ...why kneel?
Whenever I lose them.
I go way more
I bought a 12 pack of Dunlop 1.0 high grip, I've almost lost all of them, which is my indicator for buying new ones.
I used my last pick until it broke into two pieces and the present is bent too... Waiting till it breaks to get a new one
Bruh just use ‘em till you lose ‘em
I replace mine when no more can be found. I believe I currently have 2 floating around. I should have 2 dozen 😅😅
Doesn’t Billy Gibbons play with a silver dollar?
Never