How many guitar picks have you cycled through on your quest for the perfect one? Like many guitarists, the journey likely involved a diverse collection – from thick Clayton 1.0 mm picks to the super-grippy Dunlop Stubby Jazz (before finger sweat became an issue). Novelty rubber picks, flexible nylon, picks with raised textures, and ultra-slick options – we’ve probably tried them all, in every thickness imaginable.
Eventually, many of us gravitate towards a brand or material that resonates. For me, it was Dunlop Tortex. I experimented with the .66mm, .73mm, and .83mm before settling on the .83mm Tortex. The size and tone were key factors, and the green color and turtle logo were happy coincidences that added a bit of personal flair.
Years went by with the .83mm Tortex as my go-to. Then, a video featuring Nick Hipa of As I Lay Dying changed my perspective. He mentioned using the M3 (Jazz III size) version of the .88mm green Tortex, highlighting the enhanced picking accuracy from its sharper tip.
This was a revelation. I’d always focused on a pick’s tone and grip, overlooking the crucial aspect of picking accuracy. Switching to the sharper tipped Tortex M3 .88mm was a game-changer, and it quickly became my new favorite. Years later, it remains my pick of choice.
Beyond just material and size, each guitar pick offers a unique functionality. We’ll dive into these details, but first, let’s consider why guitarists obsess over these small, yet critical tools.
Why the Pick Obsession? Guitarists and Their Picks
Guitarists are notorious for being particular about their gear – strings, tuners, fret material, you name it. But this meticulousness is justified. Every piece of equipment, especially the guitar pick, is an extension of our musical expression, shaping our tone and playing style. Picks are the interface between us and our instrument, enabling the riffs, licks, and chords that fuel our creativity.
Like many guitarists, I enjoy exploring different sonic possibilities, which explains the collection of delays and overdrives. Picks, being relatively inexpensive, are perfect for experimentation. Buying a variety pack is a worthwhile investment to discover your ideal match. It’s about finding the “coolest” pick that unlocks your best playing.
Common Guitar Pick Materials: Classic Coolness
Guitar picks can be crafted from almost anything, but certain materials are standard for their tonal qualities and feel.
Celluloid: The Vintage Cool
Celluloid is the material behind those classic tortoise shell picks. Favored for a brighter tone, celluloid offers a vintage vibe and a traditional feel.
Nylon: The Grippy Cool
Nylon picks, like the Dunlop Standard series, are widely popular for their textured grip. This material provides a secure hold, even during fast or sweaty performances, making them a cool choice for players who prioritize control.
Acetal (Tortex): The Durable Cool
Acetal, the material Dunlop Tortex picks are made from, is a favorite for its durability and balanced tone. Often enhanced with a powder grip, acetal picks offer a long lifespan and consistent performance, making them a reliably cool option.
Ultem: The Stiff and Bright Cool
Ultem picks are less common but offer a unique stiffness and bright tone, regardless of thickness. For players seeking a crisp attack and articulate sound, Ultem is a cool material to explore.
Acrylic: The Clear and Colorful Cool
Acrylic picks stand out with their clear, dense, and durable nature. They can be tinted in a spectrum of colors, offering visual coolness alongside a slick feel that’s often paired with textured grips.
Exotic and Cool Guitar Picks: Stepping Outside the Norm
Beyond the standard materials, a world of niche and exotic picks awaits those seeking something truly unique and cool.
Purple Plectrums: The Ergonomically Cool
Purple plectrums What’s The Best Guitar Pick? Rock Stock Pedals blog
Purple Plectrums are known for their extreme thickness, ranging from 6mm to 9mm. This substantial size offers an ergonomic grip, reducing hand fatigue during extended playing sessions – a cool solution for comfort and endurance.
Dragon’s Heart: The Multi-faceted Cool
dragon
Dragon’s Heart picks, with their distinctive shape and 3mm thickness, boast an impressive 1000-hour lifespan. Their design incorporates a sharp tip and two rounded variations, providing versatile playing options in one cool pick.
Chibson Jumbo Guitar Pick: The Novelty Cool
chibson jumbo guitar pick What’s The Best Guitar Pick? Rock Stock Pedals blog
The Chibson Jumbo Guitar Pick is all about novelty and humor. Its oversized nature is a conversation starter and a fun, albeit impractical, addition to any guitarist’s collection.
Pick Thickness: Shaping Your Tone’s Cool Factor
Guitar pick thickness significantly influences your tone. Combining different thicknesses with various materials unlocks a vast spectrum of tonal possibilities, even if the nuances are subtle.
Pick thicknesses are generally categorized into:
- Thin: .40mm to .60mm
- Medium: .60mm to .80mm
- Heavy: .80mm to 1.20mm
- Extra Heavy: Above 1.20mm
Thinner picks generally produce a brighter tone with less body. A .40mm pick, for instance, will sound brighter and less full compared to thicker options. Acoustic players often use thin picks for aggressive strumming to achieve a cutting sound.
Conversely, thicker picks add body to your tone. While material affects brightness, thicker picks generally offer less perceived brightness than thinner ones.
This tonal difference stems from how picks interact with strings. A thinner pick flexes more easily, limiting string vibration compared to a thicker pick that moves the string more directly. Experiment with thin and thick picks to hear this difference firsthand.
Both extremely thin and extremely thick picks can hinder speed. Thin picks flex too much, resisting fast picking. Conversely, very thick picks require more movement across the strings, potentially slowing you down.
However, design variations exist to mitigate this. The Purple Plectrum, despite its thickness, has a sharp point to enhance speed. But a standard 1.50mm pick will be consistently thick throughout.
Personally, I prefer a middle-ground thickness, like the .88mm, which balances stability and speed.
Pick Shapes: Cool Designs for Different Styles
Beyond material and thickness, pick shapes offer another dimension of customization and coolness.
Classic/Standard Pick: The Everyday Cool
tortex guitar pick What’s The Best Guitar Pick? Rock Stock Pedals blog
The Classic or Standard pick shape is the most common, fitting comfortably between thumb and index finger. Its familiar shape offers versatility and control.
Jazz Pick: The Precision Cool
tortex guitr pick dunlop What’s The Best Guitar Pick? Rock Stock Pedals blog
Jazz picks, smaller and with a sharper point, are favored for their enhanced picking accuracy, particularly by metal and shred guitarists. While named “Jazz,” their precision makes them cool for various genres.
Tri-Tip/Triangle Picks: The Comfortably Cool
fender medium guitar pick What’s The Best Guitar Pick? Rock Stock Pedals blog
Tri-Tip or Triangle picks, larger than Classic or Jazz picks, offer a more substantial grip and comfortable feel.
Rounded triangle picks, like the Dunlop Ultex version, provide a different feel and attack:
dunlop ultex guitar pick What’s The Best Guitar Pick? Rock Stock Pedals blog
Finding Your Coolest Pick: A Practical Guide
My personal pick journey took years of experimentation. Working in a music store provided easy access to try countless options. I encourage you to do the same – test different picks on both electric and acoustic guitars.
For gigs, I used to bring two pick types: lighter for acoustic, heavier for electric. But to get you started, here are some recommendations based on playing style:
Coolest Picks for Shredding:
For fast, technical playing, choose a firmer pick in the .80mm to 1.00mm range with a sharper point. Jazz or Classic sized picks are popular choices for lead guitarists.
Coolest Picks for Acoustic Guitar:
For strumming, the options are vast. Heavier strummers might prefer under .80mm, lighter strummers above. A .66mm or .73mm pick offers a balanced starting point, with .73mm providing a good mix of brightness and body.
Coolest Picks for Joint Pain/Arthritis:
Ergonomic picks like Triangle, Dragon’s Heart, and Purple Plectrums are ideal. Their larger size reduces hand strain and offers easier grip.
Coolest Picks with Best Grip:
Textured grip picks offer maximum security, even with sweaty hands. Larger picks also aid grip.
Experiment and Find Your Coolest Pick!
The best part about pick exploration is the low cost and ease of trying different types. Get a mixed pack with various materials, sizes, and shapes.
Dedicate a week to each pick to allow for adjustment. Even initial “NOPE!” picks can reveal unexpected benefits.
Trying different picks can spark new musical ideas. Plus, you’ll have plenty of spares to share (or playfully flick at your bandmates).
Remember, in the quest for the coolest guitar pick, experimentation is key.
