Thumb and fingerpicks 4 months in Part II

[TBman]

Ok, out with the ProPiks (for classical) and in with the Kalena plastic picks.

I think there is a good improvement. Maybe I have to file the middle finger pick a bit or maybe I have to get used to it. Tonight I'm flubbing with my left hand a bit, but for this purpose it'll do.

Here's a portion of Sor's OP 35 No 22 with the Kalena finger picks. I did not edit the file other than trimming the beginning and ending:



For comparison, here are the ProPik metal picks again, the sound clip has heavy "de-clicking" done on it, and I can still hear the clicking of the picks on the strings:



Tomorrow I'll get out a steel string and see what picks are the quietest on it.

I had bought a mic to use with my phone to make videos and when I did a test run with the phone on my desk the other night I couldn't believe how loud the metal picks were. I dismissed the result because I thought the mic was just too close to the guitar. Ok, maybe it was, but that was a hint they weren't working out

[Robin, Wales]

I'll be interested to hear the comparison when you record a steel strung guitar later.

Regarding the Kalena finger picks, which way around are you wearing them - the same as the ProPiks or like Alaska picks?

I'm more than happy with standard full-faced metal fingerpicks on my steel strung guitars. BUT, what I'm after is volume for Travis picking to accompany songs. Me singing, and background audience noise, masks any clicking that would inevitably be picked up by close mic'd fingerstyle playing like yours. Being able to spit out the notes is far more important. I need a thumb pick and metal fingerpicks to match the volume that I get when flatpicking - so that simply becomes the priority.

Like I said, my needs are very different. And, in general, I would guess that most players who use a thumb pick and metal fingerpicks on steel strung acoustic guitar come from my camp and have done for years (Maybelle Carter, Lester Flatt, Carter Stanley, Merle Travis, Townes Van Zandt et al).

What you need from fingerpicks is very different to the singer/player. It has been interesting following your posts. And I love to listen to your playing, whatever you are using!!!

[Howard Emerson]

Barry,
It's abundantly clear within seconds that you're getting a much fuller, fatter, fundamental tone from the Pro-Piks, clicking-complaints notwithstanding.

Even knowing this information I ordered a complete set of the Kalema picks because I don't know which size will be best, and they were out of the extra large, so I'll see what happens.

What you can try if you're willing is to get some duct tape, and put some on the contact edge of the Pro-Piks. Don't wrap it, but rather apply a piece, and using a razor blade trim it fit perfectly.

You'll probably get a few minutes usage out of it, BUT, if the clicking abates you're headed in the right direction.

At that point you can get a small package of 2-part epoxy in the dual syringe type applicator. Make sure you have good ventilation, mix a little bit of it, and apply a coat to the contact areas with a small brush.

After they set up you can use fine sandpaper to smooth it, and as long as there is still a coating it will change the pitch of the 'click' you were hearing.

In a perfect world the old-fashioned faux-tortoise clunky plastic finger picks would be my choice, but they're impossible to fit accurately. They sound AMAZING, and my friend Andy Pitt somehow uses them.

Anyway......best of luck!

Howard Emerson

[jwing]

I got inspired by my own reply in Part I of this thread and by Howard's description of modifications that he's made to the FingerTones. Before I put in the time and effort at the workbench, I decided to devote 100% of a few practice sessions to using a set of Dunlop 0.20" Brass Fingerpicks.

Wow! I'm impressed. Superb tone. Zero to barely perceptible clicking/scraping noise. Brass makes a warmer tone than nickel or steel do. Will they be the tool for every job? I don't yet know.

I'm glad that I spent so much time using the FingerTones. I'm sure it helped make playing the Dunlops easier than if I had started with the Dunlops.

[Leofunk]

I tried Tiptonic finger picks for the first time last spring. I have been playing fingerstyle steel string since the 70's, and studied classical guitar to improve in that area. Still play both styles now, and I was interested in Tiptonics because I have had to deal with the dreaded broken fingernail for years. Here's my take:

1) Firstly, they are very expensive, but they offer so many options to get a perfect fit, and the support is personal and dedicated.

2) I found the difference in volume and tone bumped immediately. Pretty remarkable. but...

3) They are a little clunky, and I discussed this with Britt West the creator of Tiptonic. Particularly noticeable when playing classical tremelo stuff. I altered the pick with a dremel tool so it resembled a fingernail more closely. It played better, with a slight loss of tone. (Less surface on the string = less tone/volume)

4) The site suggests that the thumb pick is not meant for Travis style picking, which is what I play, and I was determined to adjust the pick until I could use it for both styles. I did get it there, but there were still problems, so after about a month, I stopped using it on my thumb, and went back to my bare thumb.

I used them for over three months, and eventually went back to my fingers, mostly because it's a short process to put them on and remove them, and I play various times a day, and like the ability to just pick the guitar up at will. Biggest scare about the entire experience was trimming my fingernails which I hadn't done for over 45 years. Good thing is I have a fix for a broken fingernail at my fingertips now, so no worries about losing playing time when I break a nail.

Attaching pictures of my altered fingerpicks.

Hope that helps.

I'll try to record some comparison mp3s to post.

[rick-slo]

Leofunk, here is the image you tride to post:

[Leofunk]

Thanks rick-slo. Is there a better way to post? Just joined last week.

[TBman]

I have brass ProPiks, I'll test them out. I think for now the Kalena are my picks for nylon. I will add brass to the mix and see what works for steel strings.

To be continued......

(I may fool around with the tape Howard. In a perfect world plastic coated Fingertones would be really nice I bet.)