[ifret]

I've been using National plastic (or the John Pearse vintage....same thing) thumbpicks and National nickel fingerpicks since 1973. Sometimes I hear the fingerpicks, but not often. When I do, I really pay attention to my striking angle and adjust so I'm not hitting the strings so squarely. I was playing for an owner of a guitar store last year and he said it was the first time he's heard someone playing with metal fingerpicks where he really couldn't hear the metal on metal sound. I think it comes with practice....pay attention to how you are striking the strings. Also, try different types of picks. I use what I use, because they are very comfortable....like an extension of my fingers. I have tried many other types and they all feel clunky. I keep going back to what I've used for nearly 47 years.