Trimming Thumb Picks?

[OddManOut]

Do any thumb pick users here trim their thumb picks to better accommodate their picking position/style? If so, are there any special tools or techniques you use to get it done?



I find the Dunlop picks I have do not accommodate my thumb position well. They are too long and I think I'd like a more laterally-positioned point.


Thanks for your input!

[srick]

In short, yes, I have shaved thumb picks. You can use a Dremel tool to shorten the pick and emery boards\fine files to smooth it. One work around that I have used for long thumbpicks is wearing them further down the thumb, past the knuckle. This gives you a big heavy bass and IMO, is easier to control.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by OddManOut

Do any thumb pick users here trim their thumb picks to better accommodate their picking position/style? If so, are there any special tools or techniques you use to get it done?

Hi OMO

I use a bench grinder or my 1" belt sander (for knife sharpening).

And I smooth out the tip with an emery board.

[der Geist]

60 grit sandpaper and a metal nail file work fine for me. I also have to use a hair dryer to heat the curve and hold it open while it cools. They are normally way too tight. These two issues kept me from using thumbpicks for quite a while.

[rmp]

have you thought about a different pick?

I love these

https://www.deeringbanjos.com/produc...e%20%7C%20%245

[davidbeinct]

Originally Posted by rmp

have you thought about a different pick?

I love these

https://www.deeringbanjos.com/produc...e%20%7C%20%245

That still looks a good bit longer than the cut down ones.

[OddManOut]

Great info! I'll give it a try.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[Mr. Jelly]

I shaved mine for awhile using a file and sand paper. But every once in awhile I'd get a string slipping under the wrap around part. So I quit and got used to the long ones.

[Kerbie]

I use Fred Kellys and I just cut them down, then file them smooth.

[rmp]

Originally Posted by davidbeinct

That still looks a good bit longer than the cut down ones.

these are actually quite adjustable. Bend the ring part and they can fit any size you need.



I use the Fred Kelly's too.. They are nice, but these are more gooder.

[Wooly]

I use a toe nail clipper to cut to size and then a emery board nail file to smooth out. Don't make the mistake of cutting them too short like I did first couple of times.

[Mycroft]

I could not use thumbpicks until I learned to cut them down. I use Slick picks, cut it down into a very short sort of shark fin shape with the long side facing up my thumb. Just barely protrudes past my thumb. I use a exactoknife to rough it out, then finish with sand paper. I also use the point of the knife to score a cross-hatch pattern inside the pick facing the meat of the thumb, for better grip. I want it very short because I don't want to change the attack of my thumb from what it is when I am playing without the thumbpick.

[OddManOut]

Originally Posted by Mycroft

I could not use thumbpicks until I learned to cut them down. I use Slick picks, cut it down into a very short sort of shark fin shape with the long side facing up my thumb. Just barely protrudes past my thumb. I use a exactoknife to rough it out, then finish with sand paper. I also use the point of the knife to score a cross-hatch pattern inside the pick facing the meat of the thumb, for better grip. I want it very short because I don't want to change the attack of my thumb from what it is when I am playing without the thumbpick.

Very similar to my thoughts on the topic. I am hoping the preserve my thumb position/motion. A little trial and error on my part seems the ticket.


Thanks, all, for your thoughts.

[antvas1963]

Originally Posted by Mr. Jelly

I shaved mine for awhile using a file and sand paper. But every once in awhile I'd get a string slipping under the wrap around part. So I quit and got used to the long ones.

I had that same problem. I used a small candle and rolled the top of the thumb pick under my thumb so it doesn’t get stuck on the shorter pick after it is filed down.

[Skarsaune]

I hold a regular fender-style pick so I'm picking with the shoulder - so I trim thumbpicks down with a belt sander, files, and sandpaper to approximate the same edge/tip geometry.

I have heated some up with a heat gun or boiling water to reshape how they fit my thumb. Recently I bought a couple of Black Mountain spring-loaded thumbpicks
https://blackmountainpicks.com/
and I've really enjoyed them. Got a three pack, gave a couple away and trimmed one down - probably get a couple more so I can leave them in each guitar case.