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The thickness of the pick is an important factor in the sound that is produced when playing the electric guitar. The thicker the pick, the more pronounced the attack and the sustain will be. The thinner the pick, the more delicate the sound.
20 Best Pick Thickness For Electric Guitar
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Dunlop Tortex Flex Standard .50mm Guitar Picks – 12 Pack
This Flex version is based on the classic Tortex formula but mixed with nylon to create a slightly more flexible feel and warmer tone. Tortex is the pick used by the top musicians worldwide, and has been for decades.
The Tortex material is made from a treated Delrin developed specially by Jim Dunlop; it’s favoured for its combination of maximum memory, minimum wear and matte grip surface which means you can make these picks last a lot longer than others.
For me this is the perfect pick (for sure, not for everyone). You can change the angle of the pick to get drastically different pick attack. Yes, indeed. Dynamics are very diverse with this pick. Sharp angle for heavy chords and bold single notes.
Nearly parallel for light chords and legato. Light touch gives less compression; cleaner more open sound. Heavy handed touch brings out higher output, which drives the preamp in to more intense breakup.
With thick picks, when you pick very lightly they tend to squeak extendedly, meaning it lingers in the air for a moment on the single notes, and it clacks and squeaks when playing chords. Not all thick picks do this, but it is an issue for many.
But with this super thin pick you can produce some of the thickest sounds you could desire; that is very surprising (At least, it was to me, since basically everybody says thin picks make for a thin sound).
One thing you must know, is that this pick gauge is very hard to master fast alternate picking with. 🙁 With practice you can achieve as great of speed as you could even want (Tony Abasi uses a. 73mm, which is quite thin for his application, and my goodness is he a fast player).
All things considered (which I don’t have the time to devote to an all out exhaustive breakdown to). This pick will make you a better player of you work at it. If you don’t want to refine your picking hand technique through tried and true practice, you may want to consider another option.
Really like these picks for guitar as well as bass. The shape is more rounded at the point than the regular green tortex picks, the slightly rounded tip on these is great for bringing out all of the pick harmonics.
They are also very durable and stand up well to pick slides without the strings cutting notches in the side of the pick. The larger size doesnt slip away as easily as smaller standard size picks.
These are my go-to picks. I like. 60mm best. For me, these offer the right balance of stiffness/flex, thickness and durability. I’ve tried dozens of different picks over the years. I need a little shock-absorption on the attack to make playing comfortable.
I don’t like that string contact shock that can go up one’s arm after a while. These picks have the right amount of flex. Also, a pick that is too thin and flexible will rattle across the strings (think playing cards in bicycle spokes).
I sometimes practice with Dunlop Gel Medium-Lights (the green ones), which are very comfortable, but rattle and don’t last long (I can destroy one of these picks in a 2-hour practice session). Price is good too!.
The TIII features the tone and feel of Tortex with the speed and precision of a Jazz III tip. Long StoryThe TIII features the tone and feel of Tortex with the speed and precision of a Jazz III tip. First released in 1981, Tortex Picks were originally intended to be a high quality replacement for tortoiseshell.
Jim Dunlop’s trail-blazing creation became so much more than that, however, establishing its own identity and becoming the new standard by which all other picks are judged. Building on the precision, consistency, and color-coded gauge system he introduced with Nylon Picks, Jim resolved to create a pick with a bright and snappy attack, superior memory and durability, and an improved grip.
He chose Delrin as his base material and then spent more than a year developing a special treatment process to draw out its full potential. This treatment process is what sets Tortex Picks apart from all others, providing their unique grip-enhancing matte surface and aggressive attack.
Finally, Jim expanded on his previous picks’ color-coded gauge system to create the bright and timeless palette that has become an industry standard. With Tortex, Jim Dunlop launched a revolution, and the world of picks has never been the same.
The turtle logo is instantly recognizable, and the vibrant Tortex palette has become a gauging shorthand for guitar players. Made in the USA.
The all new Ernie Ball Everlast picks are fashioned from highly durable Delrin material for a more secure- non-slip surface. Available in 8 thicknesses from thin to thick in 8 classic Slinky colours.
I never really get too bent out of shape regarding guitar picks. I usually just buy the thickness I like in bulk for the best price I can find and move on. I ran out of my bulk supply awhile back and experimented with a hand full of different brands.
These picks outlasted anything else I tried 3:1! Great edges, comfy fit, and more durable that any other I tried. Love these things. My only “con” if I had to dig deep to find one is that the thickness I like 0.
48mm is only available in like a baby bluish color. Not my first choice for color, but who really cares what color your pick is, right?? Bought 10 packs and I should be good to go for a long time now.
I was at Guitar Center and i saw these and thought i’d give them a chance. I buy the strings i might as well add the guitar pick to the arsenal. After playing for an hour, i realized the tip of the guitar pick was chipped and started to crack.
I thought maybe i was jamming a little hard. So I picked up my Dunlop guitar picks and played for an hour or so and realized that it wasn’t chipped at the tip. So my complaint is these are not built as tough as Dunlop guitar picks.
I was kind of disappointed in the quality of them.
Purchased for my father-in-law as this is the brand and gauge he prefers. Product arrived promptly before Christmas and was packaged well. No hassle. Will certainly use PMT online again.
The pick used by top musicians worldwide. Tortex picks are carefully designed and manufactured to give the characteristic maximum memory and minimum wear that made original tortoise shell famous.
Ibanez offers picks for just about every type of player, featuring different feels, functions and looks. The Grip Wizard series feature superior gripping functions which improve picking accuracy. The diamond plate-patterned rubber on the surface of the pick offers no-slip confidence.
Grip Wizard picks are made of for enhanced attack and long-lasting use. The high-quality, smooth-edged Grip Wizard picks are made in Japan with care and precision.
I needed a pic that wouldn’t change positions in my fingers when playing fast and sweeping and I tried so many other grip pics with no luck until I found these! These are perfect for me! They stay right where I need them when put to the test, I love the sharp tip and the tone they give me and the size is perfect, not too small, just right! 5 stars! ??????.
If you have dry hands, these are the greatest picks. I have tried rubber coated picks but you cannot do a pick slide, with these picks you can slide all you want. The thickness is a little on the heavy side, so if you use a stiff pick just get the.
Features packed 50 pieces in a box mixed 3 gauges: Light (Thin) 0. 53mm, Medium 0. 72mm, Heavy 0. 97mm material: nylon injection moulded Great attack. Slip-resistent because of widespread Ernie Ball embossing.
DescriptionInjection molded nylon picks. Bag of 50. Mixed Thicknesses. (Color coded thickness) Thin, 0. 53mm. Medium, 0. 72mm. Heavy, 0. 97mm. Part number 9133.
Dunlop Manufacturing produces many different types and sizes of plectra (or picks as they are also named) to suit the varied preferences of today’s musicians. Dunlop’s wide variety of gauges, shapes, sizes, and materials allows the player to select the exact guitar pick for his/her own particular style of playing.
Celluloid is one of the most popular guitar pick materials today. Available in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and thicknesses, celluloid is known for providing a natural feel and warm, fat tone. A man-made material, celluloid was first introduced in the early 1900’s as a substitute for natural tortoise shell picks.
Not exactly the longest lasting picks youll find but theyre a great alternative to the Jazz III. They glide right over the string but still give plenty of control and significantly articulate the front end of the note.
Timber Tones are designed around the classic 351 shape. They are 2. 5mm thick, chamfering down to 0. 7mm at the playing tip. They are Cnc milled to precise tolerances from the very best quality exotic timbers.
This pack has four guitar picks made from some of Timber Tones’ hardest timbers making them suitable for electric guitar. This pack contains one Timber Tones pick of each of the following timbers: Lignum Vitae, African Ebony, Sonokeling and Bloodwood.
The all new Duralin Precision Picks add a “sharp” small tip radius that glides across strings for greater articulation, speed, and control. It is the perfect pick for progressive rock, speed metal, jazz, or any style that requires increased control and dynamics while maintaining a bright sound and extreme durability which Duralin picks are known for.
Duralin (also known as Acetyl or Delrin) is a unique material with extraordinary combination of strength, stiffness, dimensional stability, toughness, fatigue resistance, abrasion resistance, and low friction.
Normally used as a replacement for metal bushings and bearings in industrial applications, this extremely durable polymer is ideal for picks. Duralin picks are known for their bright “clicking” sound when hitting strings and are preferred by many soloists for their clear articulation on fast single note passages.
Made of cellulose nitrate for best all-around feel and durability. Available in assorted standout colors; making them easy to find poor lighting situations. Outstanding consistent quality. Set 12.
For years i’ve used Fender 351’s but the last time i bought a dozen I found 5 bad ones and have heard others say the same. Never tried Ernie Ball picks but everything else made by E. B. has never let me down so since the name was on them I bought the 2 doz.
pack and out of 2 doz. not one bad and found 5 bad in ONE doz. fenders so never going back. Hooked on E. B. ‘s and they’re the same shape as the 351’s.
I have not bought any Ernie Ball Picks since the days when I went to the Penn Can Mall in North Syracuse. I used to go to this music store where I would buy these picks and they were the coolest. I would add them to my collection of picks like I did with these.
i switched from dunlop gator grips to the heavy ernie ball picks and i am happy with the switch. i dont see any need to switch again. these picks work great for many styles of music and playing. grip well and have great pick tone.
Gibson guitar picks help you get the most out of your guitar, whether you play acoustic or electric, mellow folk or screaming metal. Though guitar picks are inexpensive accessories, they’re critical to both awesome tone and comfy playing feel.
Quality guitar picks provide the ideal bridge between your strumming hand and the strings. Gibson guitar picks provide that feel, plus the consistent quality you need to be confident when you play. You know you’re getting the best possible when you see the name emblazoned in gold on these Gibson picks.
Dunlop guitar picks are a top choice of today’s pro musician! Dunlop’s wide variety of gauges, shapes, sizes and materials allows the player to select the exact pick for his/her own particular style of playing.
From classic country to nu-metal, every great player knows that their pick is an integral part of their tone, and Dunlop guitar picks are the picks that more pros rely on in the studio or on stage. Picks are a grossly underrated accessory.
Don’t sacrifice your tone – pick Dunlop guitar picks.
It’s surprising how much a pick affects the sound and feel of a guitar or other fretted instrument. I like this one a lot. The textured surface helps keep the pick from slipping from my fingers. The texture also improves control and tone, acting a bit like a violin bow, holding onto the string, instead of sliding off the way a shinier pick does.
I like the thickness, too; not too stiff, not too floppy. It’s all a matter of personal preference, but these work well for me.
Picks are one of those individual choices and everyone will have their particular favorite that works best for them and their playing style. I’ve been using these. 58mm picks for several years now and these are by far my favorites.
I’ve tried a ton of other pick types, thicknesses, styles and materials. Some standard designs to more gimmicky ones. Some of them do certain things very well, but none of them seem to be as versatile as these and these work the best for me.
They have the right amount of flexibility and control so I don’t have to change picks when I switch from rhythm in one song to lead in another song. I am a bit aggressive in my playing style, playing both rhythm and lead across multiple music genres (surf (think Dick Dale), blues, country and rock) using both 9 and 10 gauge strings, and I can go through 2 picks in a playing session pretty easy, but that’s really not bad news.
These picks can be re-profiled by simply rubbing them on a piece of denim, cardboard, rug, etc. so you can get some extended use from them. These also have some sort of very light coating/texture on them that helps you keep your grip.
I rarely drop one (but I always keep another on handy just in case). If I were a jazz player or just played lead guitar I’m not sure that these would be my first choice as there are other picks that excel in those areas, but for an all around workhorse pick these work good for me.
The Ultex Sharp has a rigid body that tapers into a thinner, sculpted tip for greater control and speed. The pick’s seamless, contoured edge offers a variety of playing surfaces and tones. Ultex Picks complement the advanced technique of today’s highly skilled players with crystal clear tones and incredible durability.
Inspired by the superior performance of this revolutionary aeronautical-grade material, numerous masters of the craft – from James Hetfield to John Petrucci – have taken it up and made it their own. Ultex Picks project every note at high volume with brightness and articulation while resisting wear under the most aggressive playing conditions.
Whether you’re playing single-note licks, arpeggiated runs, or heavy riffs, Ultex Picks ensure that you will be heard above the mix.
I am a longtime Jazz III XL Ultex user. I love the feel of Ultex, but wanted just a little bit bigger size that was similar in shape to one of my favorites, the Dunlop Jazztone 208. The pick point profile is very similar for me, as it’s not as acute as say the regular “Sharp” Shape Dunlop produces, it’s a bit more of an obtuse, wider angle.
My Jazz III XL’s are a little more acute than these, which means I don’t have to get rid of a shape. I believe I’ve moved on from the regular size Jazz III’s, however — too small for me. These Ultex sharps are great for me in 2.
0 and 1. 4. I gravitate towards these thicknesses over thinner picks. I use these picks with electric bass, 6-7 string guitar, and ukelele, as well as my 1/2 size Yamaha acoustic. I play primarily Stoner/Doom bass and guitar riffs as well as gypsy, middle-eastern/oriental type leads.
I don’t do a lot of chording with these picks, but that’s just my style. These picks are grippy when you first take them out, like a powdered asian hard candy (if you know what I’m talking about, you’ll know I nailed the description).
The edges are smooth, with not mold line (unlike the Delrin Dunlop picks I have). These picks will generally get lost before they are worn down in my usage. I use these with flat and round bass strings, 9-62 guitar strings, and 1/2 size and concert ukelele nylon strings.
I just placed another order for the 72 pack. The only improvement I’d make with these picks are to have some sort of raised lettering or embossing like on my Beloved Jazz III XL Ultex.
Dunlop Guitar Picks Ultex Standard 72 Picks. 60mm 421R. 60 condition: New Brand: Dunlop MPN: 421R. 60 Model: Ultex Standard Country/Region of Manufacture: United States Picks per pack: 72 Material: Ultex Pick Thickness:
The pick used by top musicians worldwide. Tortex picks are carefully designed and manufactured to give the characteristic maximum memory and minimum wear that made original tortoise shell famous. Gauges (mm):
50,. 60,. 73,. 88, 1. 0, 1. 14 The pick used by top musicians worldwide Made of the ever-popular Tortex material for a long life and bright tone Maximum memory, minimum wear.
Delrin 500 Picks have a super smooth surface with a specially designed beveled edge that glides across strings with little resistance. With a warm organic sound that produces little clack, using one of these picks is almost like plucking the strings with your fingers.
Rigid but not inflexible, Delrin 500 Picks will give as much as you need and then snap right back into place.
These became my favorite pick the instant I tried the first one. I love how they feel. The regular delrin picks (Tortex) work well and last longer than celluloid, but I don’t much care for how they feel in my hand.
I have dry skin, and They tend to move a lot. I feel like I have to grip them harder. The delrin 500, with the added teflon and the more polished feel are easier to hold onto. They just work better for me.
This is the second bag of 72 I’ve ordered. Great product!.
Opinions on picks are very subjective and one may use different pick materials & thicknesses depending upon the instrument & music style you play. After years of constant experimentation, I found these picks as my favorite for playing banjo.
They provide the correct overall balance, ie, they’re stiff enough to play chords in a typical combo environment while providing the correct flex that allows for smooth strum hand tremoloing. I would not use them for playing a Strat, an arch-top or flat-top.
All of this is just my opinion. I always advise musicians to try different picks; you may be surprised at what you discover. These are quality picks with consistency of material and a great value. Play on, my friends!.
Ibanez offers picks for just about every type of player, featuring different feels, functions and looks. The Grip Wizard series feature superior gripping functions which improve picking accuracy. The diamond plate-patterned rubber on the surface of the pick offers no-slip confidence.
Grip Wizard picks are made of polyacetal for enhanced attack and long-lasting use. The high-quality, smooth-edged Grip Wizard picks are made in Japan with care and precision.
These plectrums allow you to grip them without that much pressure. Very good product and well worth the money. Will buy some more of these, maybe some thinner ones, but these are great for playing lead guitar.
Ibanez offers picks for just about every type of player, featuring different feels, functions and looks. The Grip Wizard series feature superior gripping functions which improve picking accuracy. The diamond plate-patterned rubber on the surface of the pick offers no-slip confidence.
Grip Wizard picks are made of polyacetal for enhanced attack and long-lasting use. The high-quality, smooth-edged Grip Wizard picks are made in Japan with care and precision.
Best Pick Thickness For Electric Guitar Buying Guides
Different thicknesses for electric guitars
Some guitarists prefer a thicker pick for electric guitar, while others find a thinner pick to be more comfortable. Ultimately, it is up to the individual player to experiment with different pick thicknesses to see what works best for them.
Advantages and disadvantages of different thicknesses
Some guitarists prefer a thicker pick for its added stability and control, while others prefer a thinner pick for its increased speed and agility. Ultimately, it is up to the player to experiment with different pick thicknesses to see what works best for them.
How to choose the right thickness for your guitar
When it comes to choosing the right pick thickness for your electric guitar, there are a few things you need to take into consideration. The first is the type of music you plan on playing. If you’re going to be playing lead guitar, you’ll want to use a thinner pick, as this will give you more control over your sound.
If you’re going to be playing rhythm guitar, you’ll want to use a thicker pick, as this will help you get a fuller sound.
Another thing to consider is the size of your hands. If you have large hands, you may find it more comfortable to use a thicker pick. If you have small hands, you may find it more comfortable to use a thinner pick.
Finally, you’ll want to consider the type of strings you’re using. If you’re using lighter strings, you’ll want to use a thinner pick. If you’re using heavier strings, you’ll want to use a thicker pick.
Ultimately, the best way to figure out which pick thickness is right for you is to experiment. Try using different picks on different guitars and see what sounds best to you.
Different thicknesses for different styles of music
Some guitarists prefer thicker picks for playing heavier styles of music, while others find them to be too cumbersome and prefer thinner picks. Ultimately, it is up to the individual player to experiment with different pick thicknesses to see what works best for them.
How to change the thickness of your guitar
Some guitarists prefer a thicker pick for electric guitar, while others prefer a thinner pick. Ultimately, it is up to the player to experiment with different pick thicknesses to see what works best for them.
The benefits of having a thicker guitar
There are a few benefits to having a thicker guitar pick for electric guitar. One is that it can help create a fuller sound when you are playing. Another is that it can help add sustain to your notes.
And finally, it can help make your playing feel more solid and stable.
The benefits of having a thinner guitar
There are a few benefits to having a thinner guitar pick for electric guitar. One is that it can help with speed and accuracy when playing fast passages. Another is that it can help to produce a clear tone when picking individual notes.
Additionally, a thinner pick can help to reduce string noise when picking.
How to pick the perfect thickness for your electric guitar
As the thickness of your guitar pick is a matter of personal preference. Some guitarists prefer a thicker pick for electric guitar, as it provides more control and accuracy when playing fast lead licks.
Others prefer a thinner pick for electric guitar, as it allows for more speed and agility when playing complex rhythms. Ultimately, it is up to you to experiment with different pick thicknesses to see what works best for your playing style.
Conclusion
Some guitarists prefer a thicker pick for greater control and accuracy while others prefer a thinner pick for greater speed and agility. Ultimately, the best way to determine the ideal pick thickness for your electric guitar playing is to experiment with different thicknesses until you find the one that feels most comfortable and produces the sound you desire.