"Picks"

[mbrown3]

Yeah, the tortex jazz IIIs are where it's at. Regular size picks just don't do it for me, but I love the tortex coating. I like the jazz III picks a lot, but they slip from my fingers too easily. The green tortex jazz IIIs are my pick of choice (though I still prefer fingers/nails 85-90% of the time).

 

[Powerslave214]

I've used black Jazz III for years now and I like the feel and tone of those picks. However, I would like to try some new picks maybe some with better grip. Are Cool-Picks CoolCats somewhat similar to Jazz III's? I'd like to find something that is only a little bit different from Jazz III's, not totally different.

You should try the Ultex Jazz III's. Exact same shape and size as the regular blacks/reds, but a much better grip due to the material. Same thing with the Eric Johnson classic J3.

 

[steve_k]

I always used the yellow Dunlop Tortex (.74 mil) picks. Recently though, I started using Everley picks. They have a start cut out of the middle of them where your index finger tip and thumb tip can make contact. I don't drop near as many picks these days!

 

[broknstuff]

I switch around, was a long time user of dunlop medium tortex, but then like matt mostly started using the green .83s. I sometimes use a pointy 1.14 tortex (it's standard pick size, but sharped).

Yo matt I found the same thing with nylon strings, but I find even the thickness of the pick and tip shape have an effect on tone. The Pointly 1.14's don't sound the same to me as the .83s.

Ultrex is really cool, I only have a .73 lying around but I want to get some thicker ones for sure.

man I used to have a whole stash of picks I had bought in an altoids box somewhere, I need to restart that..

 

[EWSEthan]

I switch around, was a long time user of dunlop medium tortex, but then like matt mostly started using the green .83s. I sometimes use a pointy 1.14 tortex (it's standard pick size, but sharped).

Yo matt I found the same thing with nylon strings, but I find even the thickness of the pick and tip shape have an effect on tone. The Pointly 1.14's don't sound the same to me as the .83s.

Ultrex is really cool, I only have a .73 lying around but I want to get some thicker ones for sure.

man I used to have a whole stash of picks I had bought in an altoids box somewhere, I need to restart that..

So you think the shape and thickness of the Jazz IIIs, not just the material was producing that tone I didnt like? Id believe this, but just wanted to make sure I read your post correctly. I find Tortex to produce a very neutral sound, letting tthe guitar, strings, pickups, and amp produce a more true tone. The green ones are pretty much the perfect thickness for me. I think they are .88? I play hard so I like a LITTLE flex, but these are riggid enough for accuracy as well.

 

[dfrattaroli]

I use the black or red Jazz III pick. I haven't found any Ultex Jazz III picks locally.

Dave

 

[RockStarNick]

Jazz IIIs are fun because you CAN really play fast with them, but on strumming big open chords, or arpeggios. Yuk. Just doesnt sound good to my ears. I also think they're too thick and impossible to hold on to. The Tortex Jazz's look pretty cool for someone who wants the speed of the Jazz, but the sound of the tortex. Hint Hint, Matt??? hahah.

I love the regular coolpicks,but they're definitely not the fastest pick out there. But if I'm singing and playing at the same time, like in my current band, I have YET to lose my grip on one of these bad boys.

These look kinda cool too, same sand grip, but more of a jazz shape:

The Cool Picks Juratex Jazz, for me, wore out SO so fast... got "hairy" on the edges way too quick. Good tone from the start, but just got an unuseable rough edge way too quick.

I feel like I've been stuck in a pick dilemma lately. On a whole, with my gear, I'm a "recovering vintage purist". Recently, though, I've kinda switched things up with my guitars, and got ones that aren't really "vintage", but *sound* vintage and play very modern and fast. And as far as amplifiers, I finally made the decision to switch to Egnater, which again, *sounds* vintage, but without all the hassle and quirks. 100% useablity.

As far as picks go, I'm just so hesitant to switch to anything other than a Fender 351 standard kinda shape, cuz part of me thinks it's "cheating". But EVERY TIME I sit down and play with a pick with a pointier tip, I play SO much better.

Looks like this is the last thing in my "setup" that I need to convert.

 

[bstaley]

I agree with what others have said. I used to use black and red Jazz III's. The Ultex works a little better when playing live because it has better grip. I find the red one sounds a little better for rhythms when I want more attack and the black one sounds better when I want something a little smoother for leads.

 

[broknstuff]

So you think the shape and thickness of the Jazz IIIs, not just the material was producing that tone I didnt like? Id believe this, but just wanted to make sure I read your post correctly. I find Tortex to produce a very neutral sound, letting tthe guitar, strings, pickups, and amp produce a more true tone. The green ones are pretty much the perfect thickness for me. I think they are .88? I play hard so I like a LITTLE flex, but these are riggid enough for accuracy as well.

Yeah, there's just something different about it that I notice more for strumming. I mostly use the .88 too, since I like thick strings and hit hard I like there to be some give in the pick, but that's probably just because I grew up playing on mediums and strumming through the strings with bigger sweeps. Anyways a few weeks ago I bought some tortex 1.14 it think (purple) to try it out, and didn't realize till after I bought them that they have the pointy tip. I love using them for lead playing, really makes my playing much cleaner and easier; but then when I compare it side by side with the greens for rhythm strumming I notice a difference. I don't know if it's the thickness or the shape or both, or maybe it's my playing style also, but I notice it. I found the lighter ones have more "snap" or clarity on chords, maybe like what Nick was saying.

I used to buy different set of pics when I'd get a pack of strings, and I never bonded with the sound of nylon either. Was a little too round in the top end for me. So I think for the Jazz III i didn't like the nylon when I tried them a long time ago, because I never bonded with nylon of any thickness. On top of that it was a bit too drastic of a jump to go from regular size medium picks to such thick small ones for me. I think it's easier to more slowly move up rather than go to a thick that's almost 4 times thicker in one go.

I really like the tortex, and found the ultex to be great too, and they have bit more top end. I want to try a thicker ultex so see if that will give me the right combination of sound and feel.

It is pretty surprising what a difference the pick will make hu? I have a friend who can rip it on even the thinnest picks, he's a monster player...wish I could be like that!

 

[RockStarNick]

I guess the edge does have an impact on tone as well. But I really think the thickness and material has a lot to do with it.

With the Nylon Jazz IIIs, those super thick ones, I feel like the string is bouncing off the PICK, rather than the pick bounce off the string. I know that almost makes zero sense, but I guess it's the lack of give in the pick that just makes it sound kinda stiff. That's why I hate those stubby picks. It just SOUNDS like you're hitting the string with plastic.

This reminds me; I forget what guitarist said it, but I saw a youtube video, and he was saying how he uses the bigger, rounder edge of the pick, not the pointier edge, because it makes notes fatter. I can't imagine playing ANYTHING remotely fast like that though.

 

[MarcoR]

This reminds me; I forget what guitarist said it, but I saw a youtube video, and he was saying how he uses the bigger, rounder edge of the pick, not the pointier edge, because it makes notes fatter. I can't imagine playing ANYTHING remotely fast like that though.

I've used these sharkfin picks for so long, I can'y play with anything else!

I use the ridged side and hold the pick with my thumb and middle finger. It’s a real bad habit I’ve never been able to break but it to the point where it’s become a big part of my sound.

 

[Qweklain]

I use V-Picks. http://www.v-picks.com/ Check them out if you've never heard of em'!

 

[muudrock]

I use V-Picks. http://www.v-picks.com/ Check them out if you've never heard of em'!

I've tried those but they chirp like a bird. They are great if your a fast alternate picker but the chirping sound is too much for me. They are also rather expensive.

I've pretty much settled on the Ultex Jazz III until I find something else.

 

[RockStarNick]

CHIRP! That's the word that I was looking for.

Yeah, I feel like the really heavy picks just chirp too much. Like the stubbys.

 

[Powerslave214]

I got a couple of the Small Pointed V-Picks in the mail the other day. I agree with muudrock, the chirp is something I just can't get past (the same thing applies to the Dunlop Stubbies and Jazztones). The acrylic material certainly looks nice but I have to wipe the pick and my finger & thumb to get a good grip.

Having said that, Vinnie and Mrs V are good people and I do want to see them succeed. It only took 3 days total to get the picks from CA to VA. I wish everything I mail order arrived that fast!

I'm sticking with the Ultex Jazz IIIs.

 

[Doubleneck]

I'm still using the Ultex Jazz III picks and love em. You can really do nice fluid lead runs, dig in for chords or back off and they work great for pretty much anything.

Took me a while to get used to using a smaller and heavier pick since i was brought up using the typical classic 351 type pick.

I've been putting in some serious practice time working on alternate picking, arpeggios etc.. for about two hours a day & I can honestly say that I am noticing a big improvement in my guitar playing skills.

I guess what it really boils down too is practice, practice & more practice, and if that pick works for you, stick with it!

 

[richedie]

I tried EVERY pick I could get my hand on. I ended up with Pyramid picks as the best. I can't find better and I have a drawer filled with picks! LOL. I have a deep stash of Ultex since I used those before moving to DeAndrea. Now, it is Pyramid or nothing for me.

 

[jlbaxe]

A buddy of mine sands down the point real sharp and man can he shred on the Dimeola type stuff.

He says it allows more accuracy and increases his speed substantially.
They wear out fast ten he resands

To me, I think the tip lasts a little longer on the Ultex than the red or black. Could just be me. Of course, I usually put at least one pick a day in my pocket and it gets washed, dried and ends up in the lint filter, bottom of the washer/dryer or on the floor. My wife hates that....She has quite a collection of picks now. She could sell them back to me and make a small fortune.

Sanding is too much like work. I just wanna play!

Yep know what ya mean. that's what that little pocket on ur jeans are for....isnt it....lol
and i like the purple .73mm gator grip dunlop, my brass pick or a peso

I use the round edge for rhythm and some how without thinking switch it to the point for leads.

 

[RockManiac]

Pyramid picks are the ones I use and prefer.