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  #1  
Old 01-10-2019, 05:00 PM
Les Young Les Young is offline
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Default Banjo Picks?

I'm going to try to learn bluegrass banjo. What would be some decent, but not to expensive picks. I would think i'd wear large ones since i have a pretty good size paws on me. Thanks
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Old 01-10-2019, 05:14 PM
frankmcr frankmcr is offline
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That's like asking what guitar pick to use. (I'm being serious, not sarcastic.)

This'll give you an idea of the options:

https://www.elderly.com/accessories/picks/fingerpicks

https://www.elderly.com/accessories/picks/thumbpicks
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Old 01-10-2019, 05:22 PM
Silly Moustache Silly Moustache is offline
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Hi Frank,

Your answer is here : https://www.propik.com/
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Old 01-10-2019, 07:15 PM
Les Young Les Young is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frankmcr View Post
That's like asking what guitar pick to use. (I'm being serious, not sarcastic.)

This'll give you an idea of the options:

https://www.elderly.com/accessories/picks/fingerpicks

https://www.elderly.com/accessories/picks/thumbpicks
Maybe i should rephrase my question then. What do most use as a complete beginner banjo player just starting to learn? I know what i like in a guitar pick, but have no clue when it comes to picks to start attempting to learn how to play banjo. I'm pretty sure i'd take a large. If i learn i'll upgrade. Any suggestions for a complete newby ? Thanks
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Old 01-10-2019, 09:48 PM
frankmcr frankmcr is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Les Young View Post
Maybe i should rephrase my question then. What do most use as a complete beginner banjo player just starting to learn? I know what i like in a guitar pick, but have no clue when it comes to picks to start attempting to learn how to play banjo. I'm pretty sure i'd take a large. If i learn i'll upgrade. Any suggestions for a complete newby ? Thanks
Okay, for bluegrass you want metal fingerpicks. Fingerpicks are uncomfortable at first, fact of life. This style is less uncomfortable than most:

https://www.elderly.com/accessories/...ick-106284.htm

Thumbpicks for bluegrass are plastic (usually), these are as close to "the standard brand" as any, and, hey, not as painful as fingerpicks:

https://www.elderly.com/accessories/...ck-ivoroid.htm

There is maybe slightly less contentiousness among BG banjo players regarding which is the "best" pick than among guitar players. Maybe. ("No! That's not the same nickel formulation as what Earl used!!!!" etc.) But at this point you'll be okay with what is suggested above.

You might check out the forums at banjohangout.org, they have a lot of useful information (and their fair share of the other kind).

PS- other places than Elderly carry these, I just used their site cause it came to mind first.

EDIT - Hey, ol' Earl is today's (01/11/2019) google doodle. How 'bout that!
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Last edited by frankmcr; 01-11-2019 at 12:17 AM.
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  #6  
Old 01-10-2019, 10:58 PM
momando momando is offline
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I would say +1 in general on the Acri finger picks, as they are way more comfortable than most, with pro-piks as a second choice. Honestly, all finger picks are terrible, though, and everyone's fingers are different so I'd want to find a place to try some on. That said, they're relatively cheap so if you don't like them you're not out a huge amount.

Thumb pick - The blue chip is IMO the most comfortable, but of course it is pricy like the guitar picks. Propik makes a decent thumb pick, or if you like to use hot water and bend the plastic, you can make the rest work OK as well. Again, I'd try a few on in person if you can.

My back story - I bought a banjo to learn, but just had cheap terrible finger picks and couldn't force myself to practice it. Got a dobro and decided to find some decent finger picks and now I am gradually improving with near daily practice. This is why I am a proponent of getting comfortable picks...
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Old 01-11-2019, 07:48 AM
Les Young Les Young is offline
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Default Thanks Guys

That helps a lot. I appreciate it.
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Old 01-11-2019, 07:49 AM
Nymuso Nymuso is offline
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Brass ProPiks with a #3 blade. I use these on banjo (when I play it) and on guitar.
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Old 01-11-2019, 08:24 AM
kathyson kathyson is offline
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Default Banjo picks

Two steel Dunlop fingerpicks. They come in gauges, light to heavy. For thumb-picks, (I've used them all). Dunlop ultex thumb pick. Clearest I've found and beats out the more expensive, boutique picks. I advise all my Banjo students to wear picks around the house even when not playing. After 2 or three weeks they'll feel less like 2x4's on your fingers. Another tip if I may. Make sure the fingerpicks are angled so the flat of the pick hits the strings and not the edge.
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  #10  
Old 01-11-2019, 11:25 AM
Earl49 Earl49 is offline
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I cannot help you much - I use my natural fingernails on the rare occasion when I pick a banjo, just like on guitar. A friend always hands me his bag of fingerpicks along with the instrument. But I always "bring" my fingernails with me. That is way quieter than metal or plastic fingerpicks, so more kind to anyone listening to me practice (mostly the cat and the wife).

If you need the incredible volume for bluegrass group settings, then finger picks are a necessity. Not something that I do much.
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  #11  
Old 01-11-2019, 12:40 PM
Les Young Les Young is offline
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Default Thanks Again

I’ll check out the different ones mentioned. I appreciate the help.
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  #12  
Old 01-11-2019, 07:52 PM
Grizzly Adams Grizzly Adams is offline
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I would recommend National finger picks and a Dunlop plastic thumbpick.
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