The Facts About Various Types of Guitar Picks
Every guitar player eventually discovers that not all guitar picks are created equal. A pick is a flat tool usually held with the dominant hand and used to pluck the strings. The most common shape used is a triangle that has two identically rounded corners and one that is less rounded. There are many styles of picks to choose from and they can be manufactured from a wide variety of materials.
D’Andrea Picks manufactured the first plastic pick in 1922. Before that, they were handmade from tortoise shell. Luigi and his son, Tony, came up with the idea of using plastic after finding sheets of celluloid that looked like tortoise shell. Picks made out of stone can be crafted by a mason but may also be found with a natural shape and thickness for use. The tone created by a stone pick will depend on the type of minerals it contains. Metal picks produce a bright sound.
photo credit: matsuyukiThese days, plastic picks can be found made out of celluloid, Lexan, nylon, Ultem and Acetal, just to a name a few of the materials that are commonly used.
Nylon picks are coated with a high-friction material to counteract their natural smoothness. They are popular for their initial flexibility but they tend to wear out quickly and need to be replaced often. Acetal is more durable and less flexible while Lexan is very stiff.
Musicians will choose the thickness of their chosen pick based on playing style and the kinds of strings they use. A thin pick will produce a wider range of sounds and one that is muddy and heavy with high amplification. Thicker picks are used for more delicate tones that require precision plucking. Most bass players will favor a heavier pick to accommodate the thicker strings on their instrument of choice.
There are also various shapes available including the ergonomic pick with its curved edge that wraps slightly around the thumb to allow for reduced wrist action. The shark’s fin pick has small nubs that produce a scratching sound when scraped against the strings.
Guitar players are encouraged to try different types of picks and choose the one that feels most comfortable and works best with their particular playing style.
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