American Guitar Institute™ - Columns - Picks - How to Choose The One For You

Picks - How To Choose The One For You

By Britt Burch

I've had an obsession for the last six years on finding for the past six years on finding the perfect pick. I've had no luck. Why? Because they are all good. Maybe just not for me. But I'm getting there.

Here is a rundown of all the different materials, gauges and shapes.

Thin Gauge: .38mm - .65mm

Very bright, floppy feeling. Good for strumming.

Medium Gauge: .65mm - .73mm

Medium to bright sound. Ideal for strumming or picking single notes.

Medium/Heavy Gauge: .73mm - .88mm

Medium sound with a stronger string attack than the other two. Good for both strumming and single notes. A little more mid range and bass.

Heavy Gauge: .88mm - 1.0mm

Good for single notes and rhythm guitar. Best used with rock styles. Good bass, mid and treble. Maybe some pick harmonics also, depending on the picks material.

Extra Heavy Gauge: 1.14mm - 3.0mm

Best for single note solos and heavier rhythm playing. Maybe too hard for strumming. Good bass, mid and treble response with a lot of pick harmonics (the chirpy sound when the pick hits the string.) Easy to control because of the thickness.

Here is a rundown of popular pick materials.

Tortex/Delrex

- Very woody but warm sounding with a matte grip. Probably the most popular pick material sold.

Delrin

- Bright, fast and smooth. A little bit warm depending on the gauge. This is basically tortex/delrex with a highly polished finish.

Celluloid

- The best all around material (in my opinion.) Smooth feeling and warm sounding. Good for rhyhtm or leads. Most celluloid has a polished surface.

Nylon

- Probably the warmest, smoothest pick material. Not too many pick harmonics. Very good for rhythm and leads. The best for warm strumming sounds.

Polycarbonate

- Feels and sounds like a mixture of celluloid and delrin. Sometimes a little glassy sounding depending on the pick gauge.

Lexan

- Very polished and fast feeling. Very glassy sound with a lot of pick harmonics. Jim Dunlop uses this material for the Stubby picks.

Metal

- Very hard attack with a lot of pick harmonics. Not too warm sounding.

Use this info to help you find a good pick. There is no one perfect pick for anyone. Everyone is different so take time and find what is best for you.

Here is a list of exceptional guitar players and the different picks they use.

Yngwie Malmsteen - Dunlop 1.5mm Delrin
Al DiMeola - D'Andrea Heavy Celluloid
Dave Mustain - Dunlop .73mm Tortex
Marty Friedman - Dunlop .88mm Tortex
Paul Gilbert - Ibanez Heavy Celluloid (sharp tip) / Dunlop .73mm Tortex
Brian May - An English Penny
Metallica - ....who cares??
Eric Johnson - Dunlop 1.38mm Jazz III Red Nylon
Steve Vai - Ibanez Heavy Celluloid standard shape
Chris Impellitteri - Fender Heavy Celluloid
Michael Angelo - Dunlop 1.38mm Jazz III Black Nylon
Francesco Fareri - Dunlop 2.0mm Big Stubby
George Lynch - Metal (during the early Dokken days)
Slayer - D'Andrea Heavy Triangle picks
Shawn Lane - Dunlop 1.38mm Jazz III Red Nylon

-Britt Burch 2.20.2006