Question for Fellow Users of Metal Fingerpicks

[6L6]

I've used a pair of metal fingerpicks (and a plastic thumbpick) to play fingerstyle since I was in college in the 60's. I've always used Dunlop 0.013's and love 'em.

For whatever reason, I'm having difficulty keeping them from sliding off my fingers. Just tightening them up doesn't help for long. Could be winter months and using hand cream, but that's never caused the problem before...

Do any of you have some stuff you put on your fingertips to keep your metal fingerpicks from slipping off? Appreciate any suggestions!

Thanks

[asguitar1]

I have used 'Gorilla Snot' which is rosin and really hold onto metal finger picks. At times I just lick my finger tips and that creates a suction and my finger picks stay on with no problem.

Spit. Lick your fingers before putting the picks on and they will stay put. It works! Found this on a banjo forum.

[6L6]

Spit works GREAT! And, it's dirt cheap!

Many thanks. I tried spit and it works fine. Gotta love this forum!

[ewalling]

I think it's a case of getting used to playing with them. After a while, it'll become less likely that you'll hit the string in such a way that one flips off.

Originally Posted by ewalling

I think it's a case of getting used to playing with them. After a while, it'll become less likely that you'll hit the string in such a way that one flips off.

I'll take issue with this, ewall. I played for decades with metal fingerpicks and was still plagued by this problem. They didn't fly off but they did get loose which required me to adjust my playing until the song was done or there was enough of a pause that I could adjust the pick. And factors other than skill were at play, most notably room temperature variation. Besides, if spit doesn't work and least it's not expensive to experiment with it.

[Steel and wood]

Even though I wear mine closer to the tips of my fingers (picks on fingers 1 and 2 only) whilst turning each on a slight angle (with a lot of the tip showing), they don't seem to fall off. (Well maybe once or twice).

A lot of players wear their picks further up the fingers (with a little bit of the tip showing) which I think lessens the chance of them coming off even more.

Sorry, this is the best I've got.

[Parlorman]

Spit worked for me when I used metal picks. I've since switched to aLaska picks for both guitar and banjo and saved a lot of spit.

[Toby Walker]

I think the problem is that you're using too light a gauge. No matter how much you tighten .013 Dunlop's, they will start to open up. I've been using .018 gauge for decades and the problem has been solved.

[bdjansen]

I use the split wrap picks from Propik. I find them to be a more comfortable and secure fit. I also have some of that finger moisturizer stuff that bank tellers use. I have dry fingers and that helps my fingers stick to my picks before my fingers build up a bit of moisture from playing. It's cheap and more sanitary then licking your fingers.

[buddyhu]

Originally Posted by bdjansen

I use the split wrap picks from Propik. I find them to be a more comfortable and secure fit. I also have some of that finger moisturizer stuff that bank tellers use. I have dry fingers and that helps my fingers stick to my picks before my fingers build up a bit of moisture from playing. It's cheap and more sanitary then licking your fingers.

I use Propiks with the split wrap as well. The split wrap allows me adjust them so that they are pretty secure; I don't recall them getting loose quickly enough to cause a problem mid-song. More often, I feel them to be tight or loose when I first put them on, and a quick squeeze or pull (or two) takes care of the issue for the rest of the night.

[Parlorman]

When I used metal picks, I used Dean Hoffemeyer picks. They are about as close to vintage Nationals as you can get. They also stay on very well.

http://www.hoffmeyerpicks.com/Hoffme...yer_Picks.html

[Malcolm Kindnes]

Originally Posted by Toby Walker

I think the problem is that you're using too light a gauge. No matter how much you tighten .013 Dunlop's, they will start to open up. I've been using .018 gauge for decades and the problem has been solved.

I agree, too light. I always use .025 and never have that problem.

[Steel and wood]

Originally Posted by Malcolm Kindnes

I agree, too light. I always use .025 and never have that problem.

Yep, a really good point.

[muscmp]

i used heat shrink tubing on mine and they never slip. i've heard of people dipping them in that liquid stuff for tools that creates a handle once it dries. check the steel guitar forum. these folks are very knowledgeable about these matters.

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/index...1e23e89bee6b54

play music!