Heavy Picks Anyone?

[William Gray]

When I started playing acoustic guitar about a year ago, I felt most comfortable with medium gauge picks.  Thins were clearly too flimsy and heavys just seemed too stiff.  But as time went by I started experimenting with various picks and began to get comfortable with heavy (and even extra heavy) picks.  

I'd finally settled on the big Fender triangular extra heavy picks when I saw an Ad for Red Bear picks and thought I might give them a try.  Just got three Red Bear picks in the mail today (a couple of C-Heavys and an Original).  They are incredibly stiff but I assume I'll get used to them if I keep at it.

I'm guessing that the stiff picks might be good for speed picking because I would think that less flex means you set the string in motion and move on more quickly?  I'm not doing anything too complex or fast yet, just trying to connect the chords with bass line runs and what have you.  

I'm sure asking about pick preferences is like asking what's your favorite flavor of ice cream, right?  Everybody's got their own individual preferences.  But am I right that the heavier picks, whatever the manufacture, will ultimately lend themselves to faster flatpicking?  

And what about tone from heavier gauge picks?  It seemed to me that my Red Bear picks sounded better on my Gibson J-50 than they did on my Martin 12-fret dreadnaught.  I've only been playing them for a few hours, so perhaps it's just my imagination, but seemed like the Gibson tone benefited more from the heavier pick than the Martin.  Perhaps because those big 12-frets have so many overtones?

All you experienced flatpickers please help me out here.  And I know Steve Blanchard, one of my favorite flatpickers from the Great Northwest, is on the FG network and I'd especially love to here what he has to say.

[Clay Hess]

I use a small triangle blue chip .87 mm (35) pick. No flex is good!!! If your pick flexes, it flexes differently because the strings are all different gauges more/less tension.

[Paul Allopenna]

Clay, I'm curious: you find that the 35 Bluechip doesn't flex? I just got a KS 40 and it seems like a great pick, but even as small as it is I feel a very slight flex to it.

[Sharon Mabe]

That makes total sense. I like the picking technique you have on your video too, about having very little tip exposed outside of your fingers. I couldn't get anywhere with the methods I'd seen before, people telling me to "dig in deep." My speed, accuracy and tone have definitely improved since watching your video! Can't thank you enough - I'm finally starting to keep up with my jam friends. Hope to see you at Newgrass in 2011...

[William Gray]

Well, it's been about 10 months since I posted this discussion item and I sure do appreciate the suggestions and opinions that everyone has shared.  I have been using a Wegen TF120 for several months and I really like it.  I like the size and grip, the firmness, and warm clear tone it produces on my Martin flat tops.  I'm more of a strummer than a picker, so that affects my pick choice for sure.  I may move up to the TF140 for a little more stiffness, but probably will stick with the Wegen TF for the foreseeable future.  

 

But I'll still try new picks from time to time and I'm sure I'll eventually move on to another pick as my playing skills evolve.  My teacher and friend, Steve Blanchard, says that a good picker can play with anything---even a coin.  I think that's very true.  It's helpful to have the right tools, whether it be guitars, picks, or strings.  But in the end, great musicians make great music because they have something to say in their music not because they have great gear.  

 

Thanks again for all your great comments!

[Sharon Mabe]

I had a Red Bear and used it for 2 or 3 months, then got frustrated and went back to a Martin medium pick, but had trouble holding onto it, like it kept slipping out of my grip. Then I bought a Wegen 140 after a friend recommended it. I've been picking with it for about a month and have definitely noticed an improvement in my speed and accuracy. I'm picking tunes like Fisher's Hornpipe, Temperence Reel and Whiskey Before Breakfast, finally up to speed with my jam friends. Yay!

[Bryan Floyd]

I find this as well, Warren.  When I'm singing folk tunes, just me and my guitar, I find I have to find a different (quieter) pick other than my Red Bears or else the guitar is overbearing.  I also find nylon works best for this.  I sometimes wonder if I'd be better off with a smaller bodied guitar for singer/strummer stuff - maybe a 000 or 00 size :)