Thumb pick question/advise

[JayBee1404]

Originally Posted by mawmow

The pro picks (I did not know them, thanks !) look interesting to me as I dared file down a regular Dunlop thumbpick to shorten it.

They are very comfortable and, because you’re able to feel the string through the hole, they don’t seem to take as much ‘getting used to’ as standard finger picks - that’s my experience anyway. I find the ‘split-wrap’ style the most comfortable and easiest to adjust for fit.

I’ve never understood why people file down their thumbpick blades - it brings the ‘loop-end’ of the band closer to the strings, and increases the chances of getting ‘hooked-up’ with the string. I just use standard, unaltered thumbpicks - it keeps my thumb in the best position, and takes only a few minutes to get used to a new type of pick.

The usual disclaimers apply......IMHO, YMMV etc.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by PapaC

So I’m trying to get finger picking down, and enjoying the journey. When I play with no thumb pick I do fine, and the note volume is even. When I use a thumb pick, the bass thump is overpowering. I don’t mind playing with no thumb pick, but I see a lot of players using one and it sounds great.

I have tried to go light with the thumb, but it seems to disrupt my rhythm.

Do I just keep trying? Have any of you veterans gone through this as well?

Did you finally even things out, or just go pickless?

I’ve tried Fred Kelly pick sanded down a bit, and a good ol Dunlop med so far.

Hi PapaC

I've done pick and pickless, and prefer pickless. I never use the thumbpick as a substitute pick, even when strumming, and like the less articulate thumb's edge to a pointed pick.

Even when I used picks, I bought mediums and trimmed them to length to blunt them and lessen the amount of articulation…like this (this is a picture of how I ground them down on my bench-grinder and smoothed them with sandpaper).



I still have some, and occasionally I need to do some more muted strumming for a song so I'll pull one out, and they still work really well.

There are obviously many ways to moderate or accent thumb picks. Fred Kelly were always to flimsy and plinky for my taste.

[gfirob]

I don't know how you could balance the sound of a thumb pick unless you were using fingerpicks of one kind or another. I use metal fingerpicks and a National thumb pick, but metal picks are a sound not everyone likes. And there are many different kinds of finger picks. I have a whole drawer full of failed fingerpicks.

[Steel and wood]

I use a thumb pick and metal fingerpicks when I'm Travis picking. (Herco lights or Dunlop smalls using a light palm mute to stop the bass notes from ringing out). However if I decide to fingerpick using a more classical style approach then I don't use a thumb pick.

[fregly]

Artificial nails are a good way to balance things out. Any way to power up your fingers is needed for most. I don't know how TE manages it with bare fingers, with that bright articulation as well.

[PapaC]

Thanks again all!

After practicing today, I found that the Fred Kelly seemed to work for me the best. I like to anchor the heel of my hand on the bridge while playing, so I messed around with muting the bass notes some. Definitely a feel thing, and it’s getting better. I actually kinda like the thumping bass effect sometimes.

No finger picks for me. I’ve been in construction/manufacturing all my working life, so my hands are tough. I’m growing/shaping my nails just more or less as backing as my finger tip type is such that the flesh sticks out farther than the nail ends. I’d have to have claws sticking out to actually make contact with them lol. Which is fine, as I seem to be fine with the finger pads.

[chrismitchell]

I’ve had the same problem, I’m all nails and flesh, but if tried with a thumb pick and I had to practice for about 2 months before it felt natural, and it’s hard to switch back and forth.

[Joe Beamish]

Originally Posted by chrismitchell

I’ve had the same problem, I’m all nails and flesh, but if tried with a thumb pick and I had to practice for about 2 months before it felt natural, and it’s hard to switch back and forth.

But even switching back and forth becomes natural eventually.

[chrismitchell]

Originally Posted by Joe Beamish

But even switching back and forth becomes natural eventually.

True, I haven’t committed! I’m pretty happy with a bare thumb