10 Favorite Guitar Picks Ever Made ★ Acoustic Tuesday 252

Is a $50 guitar pick worth it? Is a wooden pick right for you? Does plastic reign supreme? All this and more will be revealed in this episode on my 10 favorite guitar picks ever made.
Guitar picks are the cheapest way to experiment with your sound. The thickness, material, and shape can all have huge impacts on your acoustic guitar's tone.
From super-hard mandolin picks to sharper tortoiseshell picks, you're going to hear how some of these picks impact your tone. Whether you want round, woody tones or piercing, steely tones, there's a pick in this list for you.
In addition to talking about acoustic guitar pick tone, I'll cover the comfort and usability of some of these picks as well. If you have trouble holding pick or if you find the pick is flying out of your hands all the time, you might just find something on this list that'll help you.
In addition, you'll see...
-‪@adammgrant‬
-‪@PiedmontBluz‬
-‪@TheFolkwayMusic‬
-‪@emeraldguitars‬
#acousticguitar #picks
00:00 - Intro
02:05 - 10 Favorite Guitar Picks
16:59 - TAC Guitar Lick Challenge
24:36 - Consistency and Confronting Obstacles
27:51 - Guitarsenals
33:00 - Acoustic Guitar News

[@SingSurfStrum]

When you fall out of love with a guitar, try another pick, change the strings. What a difference playing first thing in the morning makes, instead of my regular late night routine. The instrument is exactly that, a tool or conduit, it channels the musicians, energy, mood, passion and inspiration. This I have learned after buying and selling twenty plus trying to find the one. What I wanted was the pick, guitar and strings combo that suited that days mood. If I am not feeling it, a different pick is all it takes. Love the show Tony

[@mojo6778]

Totally enjoyed this episode featuring 10 favorite guitar picks. I think a show featuring thumb pick and finger pick would be interesting.

[@StevieMuso]

For strumming acoustic accompaniment for vocal I like a bit of flex to slap back on the string. I mostly use the red Dunlop Tortex .50mm. I can get 24 for $17.40 on Amazon. For electric lead & rhythm playing I like a slightly stiffer pick and I use Dunlop Tortex Yellow .73mm.

[@jeffsguitars3976]

Always an interesting show, yes on thumb picks. 1975 played a 90 min show on my 12 string, forgot to bring a pick played with folded matchbook cover.

[@18JR78]

Awesome. That's what we do! improvise!

[@sbolfing]

I really like the Dunlop Primetone (my current favorite is the 1.4mm triangle grip). I was kind of surprised they did not make your list! However, on my 12-string I tend to favor the Dunlop Tortex (0.6 - 0.3mm).

[@MoonhareStudio]

I bought a variety pack of the Dunlop Flows, everything from about 0.7 to 3.0 and they all give great grip but huge tonal differences. A very comfortable feel and I tend towards the thinner 1.0 to 1.5s.

[@abates226]

Love these. My range is 1.4 - 2.0, lol.

[@johngbradt]

My favorite guitar pick/plectrum is the rhino 🦏 Dunlop Ultex “Sharp” Picks because they come in several great sizes from 73,88,1.0,1.14,1.40,2.0 perfect for every occasion 😎🎸🎶☮️

[@americana1544]

Excellent !! Great details and tips.. Much thanks !!

[@pickersgrip]

Great pick review Tony! Perfect timing as I'm currently trying out new picks on my new Yamaha Red Label FG5 (love this guitar). Thanks Tony, Billy :)

[@bartholomewromero3383]

Great Acoustic Tuesday Show. I would love for you to have a show on thumb picks, I'm mostly a new fingerpicker and would like a show on thumb picks and fingerpicks. Thank you Tony for always having an awesome show.

[@TheBlueRoan316]

I recently started learning the ukulele as my first musical instrument. I didn't like the generic plastic picks that came with it. I'm not sure why, I have no previous experience with guitars or picks, I just didn't like them ... They felt awkward and cheap. So being the crafty sort, I made a pick from a slice of deer antler. It's probably between 1/16 and 3/32 inches thick in the body where you hold it, and at bevels down to an edge on the picking end. I gave it the right overall shape and profiles and then I sanded the picking surface with various grit until I got it as smooth as glass. Being a novice, there's no musical science or theory behind it, just a whole lot of what feels comfortable to me and what I like.

[@leftwrite]

The Blue Chip TPR-40 is my go to pick. I also like the Dunlop Pure Tone 1.3 mandolin pick. I also have the Wegen Bluegrass pick and the EML casein mandolin pick. It's a journey, for sure.

[@michaelmoenning6366]

Enjoy your videos and look forward to every Tuesday, yes please do a video on thumb picks

[@leonardwinchester4030]

What an inspiration. But 1st, I lwas drawn back to your channel due to the discussion on picks. Then you showcased Keith. I love playing. Since before the age of 12, I learned by ear and watching my Dad and uncles before I could walk. Listening to the family get togethers, eventually i became part of it. At 75, I'm still in pretty decent physical and mental shape. Many times over the many years, I've had to lay my guitars aside. I presently play I unfrequently. Mr. Grants message hit me square in the heart. I believe I'll put into practice immediately. To that point, I hear my Tacoma DM28, my Blueridge BR 183 and my 1956 first issue Musicmaster calling me.

[@jonlaurie-beaumont9830]

If BlueChip wasn't somewhere on this list I'd question all of it. Do they sound 80x better? Hell no! But if you hold on to your picks, they sound and feel amazing. I've played them for about a decade on acoustic and have only lost 1.

[@rdfox111]

The Blue Chip and Red Bears are my favorites only I use different thicknesses. Also Dunlop Primetone for me as a less expensive option.

[@RJThienemanGroup]

Dunlop Primetone 2.0 is 95% of a blue chip for 10% of the cost. Love them.

[@crouch0746]

The Blue Chip is my favorite too. Notes sound more clear/pure, less jangly than with most picks. Downside is its $40 clost. Almost as good is the D'Andrea Pro Plec 1.5 (12 for $12--a super bargain!). Would enjoy your doing a thumb pick top 10 as well. I like the red spring-loaded Black Mountain.

[@mccypr]

Good stuff! I used to choose my pick mostly by rigidity. I did a little experiment using my Tenor Banjo (vs. the Guitar or Bass). Interesting results. I went for a slightly thinner conventional Dunlop. The difference was noticeable. Thanks! 😎

[@sarahbrzezniak373]

Awesome Tony, great show thanks for showing my guitarsenal, after your resonator episodes, looking to add a Gretch (who was owned by Baldwin at one time )to my current guitarsenal! Also, when I retire I will be signing up to be in the TAC family! You got me playing Freight Train finger style! #small win!

[@RickCalhounplus]

Tony, thanks for the great Pick comparison.

[@josephpetrino1741]

Dunlop Flow picks are nice, but they are part of the Primetone family of picks. There are many outstanding picks in that line.

[@kennybluet5527]

Very geeky but love it haha. Tough to hear the difference but definitely hear when I'm playing . Those red free picks at GC I love for strumming . Dunlop Tortex 1. 0 matte blue for leads . Also Snark picks are worth checking out .

[@user-vu2gx4fn1z]

I have played for many years and tried a lot of picks. The last 7-8 years I only use Dunlop Prime Tone Standard Smooth Pick 0.73. The Max Grib version produces a more "clicky" sound, so for me it has to be the Smooth version

[@paulsmart5199]

Treepicks wooden picks made in Calgary. Best picks available

[@mikegilbertson7890]

Yes on the thumbpicks suggestion!!

[@sneakerhead6184]

Excellent choices! 👍 I'm a honey pick guy myself...you should give them a try. I prefer the honey jar shape.

[@guybross1200]

Yeah Tony, would love to see your choices on thumb picks, for us finger style & slide players. I was using the Dunlop for a time but for me i had to file down the point, and the tension would loosen up pretty quick. Lately i started using the Blue Mountain thumb pick, it has a nice spring tension that holds nice and tight. But that is just for me. Thanks your friend Guy B. Ruskin FL.

[@taulmusic7397]

Dava yellow and black rubber guitar pick. Easiest to hold for me.

[@fritsvanzanten3573]

#1 to #10: 13:44 Bluechip 80 TAD-1R 12:13 Red Bear Classic 10:24 Dunlop Ultex Sharp 2.0 9:02 Dunlop Flow 2.0 7:50 Red Bear "Tuff Tone" 6:37 Clayton *Acetal* (Not Ultem) 5:18 Wegen "Bluegrass Pick" 3:50 John Pearse "Fast Turtle" 2:55 Dunlop Jazz III (w/Max Grip) 2:05 Golden Gate Mandolin Pick (MP-12)

[@TonyObermeit]

My fav pick is the Bogstreet Lead. An ergonomic pick.

[@thefreese1]

I like the Snark Choice Celeuloid .. in both .88mm or .94mm depending on what instrument or song I'm playing.. these picks are a high polished pick ..and these picks not only sound good but also are 15 bucks a dozen...so you dont have to repolish them when they wear down , just toss it and grab another fresh one ...note: if you have trouble holding on to teardrop picks you might want to use something to make it so you can grip it better.. Once in a while if I am after that sharp slightly pick slap tone I will use an Ernie Ball medium...

[@wolkraus7749]

BlueChip CT 55 - use it for 5+ years, on acoustic & electric: always reliable and helps for most differentiated playing, no matter if rhythm or single notes

[@marcinstokowski7848]

Great video! The pick is an indeed underestimated part of the equipment. Also, Pro Plec D'Andrea 1.5 mm is worth checking out. Best!

[@1olddoggie]

I am in that Santa Cruz segment in Santa Cruz watching an outdooor jam session snd wearing my red hawaiian shirt. Finally got to play several emeralds and will be buying one in September.

[@ZacCostilla]

I have tried a ton of picks since I began playing in ‘89. I used yellow Dunlop Tortex for about two decades. Then I decided to experiment again. The Tusq picks are cool for picking a nylon string guitar and gets you close to the Willie Nelson sound, but I fell in love with the Dunlop Primetone picks, in both the Jazz III and the roundnose picks with the beveled edges in 2.0mm. The bevels make it very fast for a heavy pick, and I found I could play very accurate and fast, better than the Tortex picks. I had a ton of D’Addario reward points, so I tried their very thick casein pick and love the tone, but not the feel. So I rounded the nose and did my own bevels, and drilled holes in it to get a better grip. It is advertised as sounding as close to a tortoise shell pick as possible, but I have never played an authentic shell pick to compare it to, but the sound is just gorgeous, and sounds better than any pick I’ve ever played before. But now after watching this, think I HAVE to try the Pearse casein pick next. NGL, I have been wanting to try a blue chip pick, but I’m so happy with the casein pick that I just don’t want to spend that kind of money to experiment. So if that John Pearse pick is under $10, then I’ll try it next, Edited to add that all the Primetone picks use Ultex to make them, but they dye them brown instead of yellow. I have the Ultex picks, and they’re not bad, but I love the round nose shape with bevels, so I like the Primetone picks better.

[@remlaan6011]

Yes. Thumb picks please. Love your show.

[@davidpeirce7914]

Gotta try the tusq picks, they have a variety pack that’ll give you a great start the picks are sonically set up as bright, warm or dark! Awesome and won’t break the bank

[@markharwood7573]

Claytons are excellent. I use the Ultem, the Acetal and the Raven. Some of these on the video look interesting too. Thanks.

[@bbwolfe6144]

I can testify that #1, the Blue Chip is the best pick I have ever played. It's my go-to pick, it's my ONLY pick.

[@janrandles8683]

Thanks for the pick review. Is that a Breedlove Blue in the background?

[@johngbradt]

Thank you! I’ve been hooked on plectrums for about a year and it’s made a big difference to how I feel about playing different picks! Would you please consider doing a video about the plectrums that CHIRP the least? Regardless of how much I like a pick it always comes down to whether I can tolerate the clicking sound from certain picks! 😎🎸🎶☮️

[@skyfog3024]

On my D-28 the Dunlop delrin picks make the least string noise.

[@jezza46]

Thumb picks...yes please Tony 👌👍🤞

[@EdBencik-bl9xl]

Yes, please show comparison of thumb picks . Thanks

[@theodorekulber1357]

Picks: Dunlop Prime Tone 3.0 Standard. Gives me control over volume and tone rivaling fingertips.

[@allenwhite1978]

I used the big Clayton’s for year until I found similar ones from graph tech. There called Tusq and they are like the nut material they make. They sound wonderful to me. I use .88 just small enough to pick drag properly.

[@mylerism]

Cool picks - Ultra sand is my current favorite. It feels comfortable and gives a slightly brighter attack. I admire those that can use the thicker picks, but my technique is better suited for the 0.6 and 0.88 range.

[@Jess_Jones]

I’ve been digging the dava picks. Rubber grip. I ring them relatively inexpensive if I lose one but thanks to the rubber, I almost never drop it. I’d like to hear more about thumb picks. Steve Earle used one for strumming I think.

[@soniah4821]

Yes Tony, please feature thumb picks. Thank you.

[@everythingbobbywolfe]

I found the material that blue chip uses for their picks. I'm going to get the part number from McMaster Carr. I tried their pick, sent it back because it's not worth more than $10. Started selling them to friends and they are digging them. I may start seeing on reverb for $15 for 2. The material is actually super expensive. A 12x12 sheet is over $100. Worth it for a much lower price point, but $40 is beyond criminal.

[@skullkid112]

You ever start selling?

[@everythingbobbywolfe]

@@skullkid112 I sold a few, but don't really have the time to Mass produce and do a reverb thing, but maybe down the road

[@firecrackerheart]

tony, have you tried tagua nut picks? specifically, howling monkey? i just ordered a couple-the idea of another hard, glassy, sustainable natural material is intriguing to me .. .

[@nixternal]

I was using the Dunlop Primetone 1.5 triangle for about a year before I made up my mind to get a Blue Chip. BUT...While at CME I got a .88 Tortex & I liked it's feeling & sound. So I tried .88 Dunlop Ultex & the .88 Primetone. I really like the .88 Primetone so now I'm like confused at which size Blue Chip I'd go for. Then again, I don't have a fancy acoustic, though it is all solid, I don't know the benefit I would get from a Blue Chip. Good list!

[@CameraLaw]

I have a bowl of picks. The most unusual sound comes from a Darktone Taylor Thermex Pro 1.5 mm. Deep and mysterious. But it just rolls off the strings. Worth a try.

[@eclecticexplorer7828]

I have always been a fingerstyle player, using only bare fingers. I have been working a little on using picks lately -- both flat picks and thumb & finger picks. I would be interested in a thumb pick comparison. I did recently get a sampler of Black Mountain thumb picks, and I do like them more than the Dunlops that I started out with.

[@Billywagner22]

BC TP48 is my current fav😊

[@isadorealire5722]

The Bog Street mini beast picks have a grip that is second to none IMO. Wide variety of guages as well from their Big Street Labs site.

[@zororosario]

Pleasure listening to you, I hear you about bummer phase especially when arteritis begins to creep up every once and a while 🤔

[@abates226]

Love a d’addario casein 2.0. Also, yes, do a thing about thumb-picks!

[@masterzippo121]

Hi there. I have a large collection of Picks, some hand-made in the amount of a few - I love them and they are great but BlueChip is absolutely the best - you will not find out if you do not try it yourself, I have a small STP 60 triangle, I think I will order the same 1.4 thickness in a larger size. Thanks to BlueChip for your great tool. I'm also using Dunlop Primetone triangle smooth 1.4.

[@owenhuckabay7349]

Great comparison Tony. I thought I might see the one I like in this video but didn't. Have you tried the PRO Plec D'Andrea 1.5mm? Similar to the Golden Gate. After playing the same one for a while, using the same corner, the pick starts to conform to the finger grip in your hand. Stiff pick but soft enough to mold itself into your finger grip. Try one and let me know what you think.

[@robtemple2953]

Bluebird picks! especially nice for mando, but also guitar.

[@troubledjoe6201]

Dunlop ultex are great - apart from the colour which blends in with pretty much anything if you drop them

[@BanglaAve]

D'Andrea Pro-plecs are awesome picks! and YES - please do a review of Thumb Picks! ALSO: can you please do a lesson on the extended G-run you did when demo-ing each pick?! Thanks Tony, you da man, you da best, you da beast with the beard!

[@LL-bl8hd]

Awesome comparison! I'm being "picky" 😉 but I'd like to see a close-up of the picks side by side. Without having them in real life it's difficult to tell the size and for some reason pick manufacturers don't always include that information online.

[@Michael777Simmons]

I have a Preston Thompson Mad Adi Dreadnought on order. Would you upgrade to Brazilian ?

[@TheZedd33]

A video on thumb picks would be great!

[@angeldiaz762]

I grew up in and around Schaumburg too, Tony.

[@bznbrian]

Great vid Tony! I still have a couple Ultex I stole from you. Cheers

[@bettertvreceptionwithfoilf7100]

I've always like a medium thickness and a snappy pick. I have a candy dish with picks in it, many that i've put holes through to hang onto them better. I never put much thought into them, i've mostly just used the old standby Fender tortoise pick because it was what i started with and was used to i suppose. I tried some Dunlop nylon picks, Ernie Ball, Herco flex 75, and a teardrop green Dunlop Tortex that i like, but it's too small.. and right now i have one that i can't read. It glows in the dark and looks like an alien head. It looks like it has the letters ED3 with a little flying saucer.. all worn away, but i like this one better than most of the others. To be honest, i'm still trying to find something close to the actual tortoise picks. I admit to having them in my possession at one time. An old guitar instructor from New Jersey gave me a handful of them, told me they were contraband and not to advertise what they were. I broke them all eventually, shattering the last one in the late seventies.

[@guitardude4700]

This is a BIG subject dude. What pick to use when

[@jsutton1613]

No one talks about Taylor's dark tone picks. I like them very much. Am I alone? Are they too dark for most player's taste?

[@billdyke5280]

Thumb picks, YES!

[@jfgamuz]

Me encantan las comparaciones de picks ya que es como el santo grial de nuestro tono (por lo menos a un nivel menos costoso económicamente). Siempre usé 1.14 mm o 1.5 mm, pero hace 2 años comencé a utilizar 2 mm y particularmente algunas Dunlop. Lo que falta es que Dunlop fabrique la ultex en 2 mm pero en el modelo estándar y lo mismo podría hacer con las tortex, como lo hizo Ernie Ball con las Everlast la cuales llegan hasta 2 mm. Es solo una idea para poder complementar los picks hasta ese grosor como lo hicieron con el resto de modelos. Me encantan tus videos así que me suscribo.... 👍👍👍

[@michaelkoller633]

My favourite pick is the dunlop jazztone 207 i dont use another pick ever since i discovered it.

[@dfishken]

The blue chip, for sure. The tone, tone, tone.

[@always_pickin3565]

Dunlop primetone small triangle 1.3

[@storena]

Love the PrimeTone! Such a pleasure to play with these sculpted picks.

[@richardsuits9503]

Thanks for mentioning Mississippi John Hurt doc. Mary is MJH granddaughter.

[@storena]

Has anyone tried any of the "exotic tone wood picks" that they like? The Dunlop PrimeTone are so nice for Acoustic Guitar they're hand sculpted 2 for 5$ They're really a pleasure! I treat them like Gold. Also like the Dunlop Ultex

[@whittgreer8648]

Are thicker picks better for acoustic?

[@VanDelica]

Hey… I signed up last year for TAC. I didn’t follow it at all and today while reviewing my bank transactions saw that my credit card was charged for another year. I don’t recall agreeing to this. How can I cancel this and hopefully get my money back for this new charge?

[@MashaT22]

Hey Tony! I’m dying to know how you strum with such sharp, pointy picks! Can you do an episode showing us the techniques of using each type of pick you showed today? There must be different ways of striking the strings with these picks, depending on what is being played. For instance, When I think of the Ultex 2.0, I think of James Hetfield of Metallica(actually, I think he prefers 1.14 or 1.5 based on his signature picks’ gauges). I just cannot picture strumming my acoustic with an Ultex 2.0 the way you were in that demo. I use that particular pick for doing extend downpicking alà Papa Het. I’ve tried using it on my acoustic guitar for strumming, and though I can see where it’s useful for articulating individual notes, I’m just tripping all over the pick when I start strumming, lol. I’ve also had similar experiences with my strings getting caught in the grip of the the Jazz III you showed (which comes in different materials and sizes, btw). It also surprises me that you use that particular pick as it’s generally used by metal heads for sweep picking and going super fast. It seems technique and knowing the features of how to properly use each of the pick features out there (ie: bevels, rounded tips, gauge choice, etc.) and knowing how to use them is more important than the type of guitar being used or music being played. Perhaps you’d be willing to show us close ups so we can see what you’re doing with each pick. That would be extremely helpful to discovering new picks to use. Another suggestion: maybe you can compare similar picks from several brands to tell us which ones you like best. I’d also love to see you try a carbon fiber pick. I’ve seen some on Reverb. I keep wondering how they would sound and how long they’d last. It’s fun to experiment with picks. Sample packs are a great way to try new materials and sizes. Picks that I never thought I’d use a year or two ago are now some of my favorites. I personally use Dunlop Gator Grips 1.14mm and .96mm, as well as Dunlop Medium Celluloid picks (which are around .73mm).

[@abates226]

I think you’re right. I know exactly why you mean about the heavier picks seeming harder to use. At first. Once you get used to them, you may consider the

[@paulbennett8984]

yes on thumb picks

[@nancyshumway2251]

How thick is the blue chip

[@NathanB417]

Will tossing a $40 pick in the sound hole increase my guitars value? Asking for myself 😅🤷‍♂️

[@TheGimmelstob]

Eric Johnson by Dunlop unless blue grassing then Dunlop Primetone 1.5..mando gets it's own thick with smooth edge ( I love the feel of this one but it doesn't work for the guitar) Now if I could just get some more time playing

[@TommySG1]

Hey Tony, Have you already done a lesson teaching that cool little run you did during your guitar pick reviews? If so, can you give me the name of that lesson / lick? Also, if you haven’t would you mind doing one 😊 it sounded great and I bet it can be improvised into countless progressions. Either way… thanks in advance! Tommy~

[@TommySG1]

PS ~ I use the small Jazz pick with the gritty surface ( I believe it was #2 or #3 ) so it helps me have more control and stop it from spinning. It’s pretty darn small so when I grab a larger pick I’m completely out of my comfort zone 🤣 Thanks again man 🤙

[@deividasprunskas6689]

I kinda like Ibanez Elastomer 1.2mm

[@cph630]

I use the Dunlop MaxGrip frequently, I like the .73 for general use & sometimes a .60 for a softer strumming tone.

[@garrickwynne]

Charmed Life artisan flame (casein)

[@johnkhagler]

Yes, please. Roll out the thumb picks.

[@nancyshumway4418]

Black ice 1.10 by daardio (spelling?) this is great pick for woman guitarist but I think some of the gents. Would like it too

[@VicktoreBeskor]

Please do thumb picks PLEASE

[@grgrgrgrgrrg]

I hate picks. I feel like I am going to rip the strings off and they get caught. I found the thick jazz picks at a key turn angle are the only ones I can strum and isolate strings with. Maybe I just haven't used them enough.

[@dennism7532]

I watch Acoustic Tuesday to learn about porridge 🤣

[@chrisgabriel9497]

Apollo picks?

[@grgrgrgrgrrg]

oh, chicken pick works for me too

[@chickenlickin3820]

i make my own out of metal and tone woods.

[@johnwashburn3793]

Tony,I came back to the table with a bottle of wine (no whine) for you. If I may interrupt the meal for a moment, I have also brought dessert! You should (really and truly) check out Silly Moustache on KZbin. He is Andy, an English gentleman bluegrass picker in his 70s. He has a great bunch of acoustic guitars, Santa Cruz Roy Schmeck to Gibson F4, Collins etc. He has wisdom and his videos are short. Enjoy! Please.

[@nancyshumway4418]

Black ice 1.10 daddardio

[@abates226]

Red Bear = Goldilocks Pick