Those finger pick things.

[HarleySpirit]

Here's a picture of what I use!

[Scotch]

Originally Posted by HarleySpirit

Here's a picture of what I use!

I just had a giggle there. Never saw those before but seems like it would be a ruff scratchy sound when played or do you smooth them out?

[HarleySpirit]

Originally Posted by Scotch

I just had a giggle there. Never saw those before but seems like it would be a ruff scratchy sound when played or do you smooth them out?

You can giggle all you want, but these have a surprisingly very smooth sound, just like your natural nails.
These are all individually hand made, cut to size (not molded), and my camera work has not been retouched.
These are new and people seem to like them... no returns or complaints.

[Fngrstyl]

Originally Posted by HarleySpirit

Here's a picture of what I use!

serious? Id like to see/hear a sound sample of these if possible..

[Fngrstyl]

Originally Posted by Scotch

I personally love having short nails, with thumb pick or not really matters what im playing.

Also another thing that isn't too big well dont see many people use is Alaska Picks. They are picks but they extend the length of your finger nails but still a pick. Very hard to explain so 'll just post a picture

This is why I think these are the best as far as picks go. You can still srtum down with the back of the nail.

And these do have good tone.. Watch, I dare you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQyBYkJCtbk

[HarleySpirit]

Originally Posted by Fngrstyl

serious? Id like to see/hear a sound sample of these if possible..

Yes, I'm serious! Here is a sound sample and more to eventually come:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLhcm...ature=youtu.be

Hard to see but Ii'm strummin up and down. These will not snag like other picks. They are made for d/u/d/u picking! These are a very old design and I incorporated them in plastic, it to suit my guitar fingerpicking style (lots and lots of down strokes & up), very fast alternate picking. These picks do not fly off your fingers like most others. That's why this design is so good. They work great on both steel string and nylon strung instruments. I use them especially when I have a damaged nail. They're great for my banjo, my guild & breedlove steel strung guitars, and my classical nylon guitar as well. I use heavy gauge strings on my washburn lap steel and these picks save serious wear & tear to my nails. My plastic thimble picks are really that great!

[HarleySpirit]

Originally Posted by Fngrstyl

This is why I think these are the best as far as picks go. You can still srtum down with the back of the nail.

And these do have good tone.. Watch, I dare you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQyBYkJCtbk

Yes, that young girl is very very talented!
My plastic thimble fingerpicks would suit her rigorous fingerpicking and strumming as well. That's exactly what my fingerpicks are designed for, as well as more gentle playing. Tone is a major factor in my design!

[Fngrstyl]

Sample sounded good through my phone... Never would have guessed

[Blue Willy]

When I first met Brownie McGhee I asked him how he got that thumping bass. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of fingerpicks, a National plastic thumb pick and two National nickel-silver fingerpicks. I bought a set the next day. I had the same trouble as our thread starter, I couldn't get the hang of them. Finally I said to myself, "I won't pick up my guitar without using these ****ed things!" A week later all was well! I could play blues with damped bass as well as ragtime alternating bass stuff.

One thing I've found which seems counter intuitive...plastic fingerpicks give a harder edged sound than metal fingerpicks which give a soft "ching" rather than the "clang" of the plastic ones. I like Zookies plastic thumbpicks which come in different attack angles, I use 20. Your thumb may be different. I'm using Dunlop brass fingerpicks but I haven't been able to tell a difference in sound from the Dunlop nickel-silver ones. I find the Dunlops more comfortable.

[j3ffr0]

Nails are really an extension of bare fingers. I'm much, much more accurate with them than any finger picks I've ever tried. Once I decided to grow my nails out and give it an honest try a few years ago, I have never even thought about going back. I have much more dynamic range with nails than I did with bear fingers. They are not that much trouble to maintain either -- at least not for me -- i'm not very particular about it; I just file and go.

[Fngrstyl]

Originally Posted by j3ffr0

Nails are really an extension of bare fingers. I'm much, much more accurate with them than any finger picks I've ever tried. Once I decided to grow my nails out and give it an honest try a few years ago, I have never even thought about going back. I have much more dynamic range with nails than I did with bear fingers.

I agree 100%

Although I do use a thumbpick depending on the tune.

[HarleySpirit]

Originally Posted by Fngrstyl

Sample sounded good through my phone... Never would have guessed

Here's an updated picture demonstrating those same great sounding fingerpicks with a "new smooth finish":

[MrBJones]

Originally Posted by Fngrstyl

Just my thoughts here.............as far as picks go, these are second best to nails/acrylics. They mimic your nails. You can still brush down the strings with the back of your nails with these. I do this a lot when strumming, and it would be impossible with other picks (banjo type picks) They would catch on the strings for sure.

+1

They sound good (assuming you like picks in general) and are where you "expect" your fingernail to be. Much less learning curve getting used to them, as compared to most other fingerpicks.

[clintj]

Originally Posted by Picking Moose

Just to remain on the subject... anyone here using Alaska Picks? (http://alaskapik.com/)
I have been considering those for quite a while now...

I do, and I like them a lot. To me, they sound warmer than just nails and I can really go for volume if I feel like it without worrying about damaging a nail. I use 3 plus a Dunlop thumb pick.

[Picking Moose]

Thanks clintj. I aprreciate your reply.
I must say, however, that recently after I posted the question I bought a set (3) of those Alaska Piks just for testing. I was really impressed and within a few days I placed an order for a whole bunch in different sizes with the idea to find the best fit and also to experiment on shaping them.

I was indeed over-the-moon... my natural nails are very thin and weak and I constantly worry about breaking them, which happened (until recently, I'll explain later) on a regular basis.

For that I have been using Propiks for over 30 years but they are no good for gentle picking, or jazz or classical.

So, AlaskaPiks finally gave me the possibility to play as loud or as quiet as I wanted withouth worrying about nails breakage with the added plus that I could use them with all my guitars (6, 12 strings, jazz, classical, dobro) and still get a much rounder and fuller tone than I ever did with my own nails.

All well, then?

Well, not quite.

After a few weeks of honeymoon I started to find some downsides to using them... 3 downsides, in fact.

First one: the "large" size was really too small for my fingers, even after moulding them with hot water and the xtralarge size was too big, even after moulding them with hot water (done several times).. so playing with the large size risulted in discomfort after prolonged playing and using the xtralarge size resulted in the picks actually coming off my fingers onn first signs of sweat.

Second: the pick, after being shaped, resemble own nails and in that they are great BUT only if they stay precisely on your fingers as planned. In my case theyt would slightly move sideways (in circle around finger, I mean) so that eventually the pick's tip would not be centred anymore, changing the tone and sound produced.

Third: the picks were also difficult (for me) to keep "on" (or "in" if you like) at the right length. Place them a millimeter too deep into the finger or too "out" of it and the whole tone changes.

This led me to endless adjustments and frustration.
1 day everything sounded gread next day it did not....

Gradually I found myself using the old Propiks more and more until...

I entered a Nails Saloon and had my nails done with acrilic gel.
I thought "why not? Worth a try.. only cost me 20 euros and if it does not work I'll go back to my usual Propiks".

It is now several months since then.. am I happy? Very. Very very, in fact.
Nails never EVER break... sound warmer than my untreated nails (because they are thicker), I can play as loud or as quiet as I like and once every 10 days or so I file them to shape.

The gel treatment lasts for about 4 weeks after which time it needs re-doing.

I had been battling with my nails since I started playing guitar 40 years ago and now I have finally found a permanent, safe and great sounding solution.

If you (or anyone else) wants to know more about the gel treatment I'll be happy to write my own experience in details.. with pics too

ciao
Picking Moose