Best Picks For Metal

With so many guitar picks on the market I've narrowed down my favourite few that I think are great for metal.
Thanks for tuning in again, feel free to email me with any questions at [e-mail] Subscribe to the channel and follow on me Facebook lambchopper6...

[@LambChopper678]

Hey thanks for the great comments and suggestions. I'll be taking notes and doing this video again with the most favoured suggestions. It's an underrated topic which might be nice to put a bit of time into.

[@ethankrafft9386]

Where can i get the kerry king pick

[@jean-tintinlablanquetteduf7954]

Dude you look like a greek god

[@uncleal8992]

He looks like Thor lol

[@heydavid4883]

He literally is

[@omarrodriguez4237]

I was going to say greek philosopher but that works too.

[@Dalstrom01]

GGX gang

[@yolodrol7500]

no homo?

[@sheharyarkhan2384]

Yes mate. More videos like these, please.

[@ryantowe2454]

This was very helpful so great job as usual:)

[@umyes5246]

Really good post. I particularly liked the way you looked off into the distance when using the king pick lol.

[@crisytswag3732]

Yes man, please make more videos like this

[@michi4277]

i'm early!! you're such an amazing guitar player and i love your covers!!

[@swango1]

I have the Petrucci picks in my Sweetwater wish list so I wouldn't forget about them. You just sold me, I'll order a pack ASAP. I'll also have to check out those Hetfield Fangs. Thanks for the video, brother!

[@MetalBaller83]

I have been playing the Dunlop jazz iii pitch black 1.14 for about ten years. They wear down quick, but the attack, scratch, and the feel is perfect for me. I’ve tried the Black Fang, the standard green, the max grip carbon fiber, and countless others. I keep coming back to the pitch black. I tried the John petrucci and I couldn’t stand it. Awesome video! Please keep making these! Cheers from Denver bro! BTW AMAZING CFH tone!!!

[@jayvalle50]

The Kirk Hammett signature pick are great for a little more clarity,but they're a bit hard to grip considering the size is a bit small for bigger hands

[@guitargirl6323]

yeah gotta relearn how to hold it but the smaller size will help because you really only need the tip of the pick pointing out gives you more control as well

[@MuffDiver71]

You gotta give the hammett pick some time. It grows on you.

[@jayvalle50]

@@MuffDiver71 I've been using them about 6 months now

[@MuffDiver71]

@@jayvalle50 Yeh that's plenty of time. Probably a safe bet that it's too small then. I thought it was too small too, but then it grew on me. Or I figured out how to hold it.

[@H.E.M.]

Jeán Hubbard definitely I hated them at first but I love them now.

[@BenjaminCaris]

2.0 mm Ernie Ball prodigy is my go to atm, I love it. Thickness helps with chugging on my pretty thick strings (I play a 7 string), and the sharp point gives a lot of precision and attack

[@robinhansen292]

For some years I tried many different picks, I started with a Green Tortex 0.88, and used that for a while but then tried the Hammet one, which was a modified Jazz 3 and loved it. Since then I have been using Jazz 3`s, the regular ones for 3-4 years, and then about 3 years ago I started using the Max Grip Jazz 3`s, same pick as the regular one, just with A LOT more grip to them, which is perfect for me, since I kept dropping the regular ones all time and I got pretty sick of it, so now I have gotten so used to these ones that playing anything else now just feels weird.But yeah it is personal preference, just use whatever feels comfortable to you 👍😉 I enjoy watching your videos, keep it up and keep em coming ! 👍

[@ptdakos]

When I started playing in 2006 or so, I got a few Tortex regular shape ones in various thicknesses. After a while I switched to Ultex Jazz III XL's, which suited my hands perfectly and I haven't switched since. The only thing I keep changing is the thickness, from .77 to 2.0, mainly Primetones and a few Flows. For anybody starting out or still trying to figure plectrums out, focus on finding the shape that suits you first. Thickness comes second and the material really doesn't matter, unless you really don't like it if they wear down.

[@BatFan1]

Just discovered your channel, subscribed! I too use the green Tortex, but something i started doing over the last year or so to add more grip, i would take an x-acto knife or box cutter and i would put in a crosshatch pattern on both sides of the pick but leaving about 1/8" or about 5mm of the tip untouched. The thing is as I discovered, you have to make the cuts at an angle (not holding the x-acto or box cutter straight) this gives a raised texture for you to grip better and prevent any slipping.

[@Yodavich]

Been using Dava picks for years. Started with the dark green nylon picks but the ones with the black rubber grip are awesome. They are bendy but it depends on where you grip down on them, good for strumming cause they flex but you can close up on them for the tighter control stuff

[@jfo3000]

This is a great video, yes it is something that should be discussed more.

[@hadley101]

Used the Dunlop Hetfield Black Fang (Ultex)for a few years and recently tried the new Dunlop Flow Ultex, the Flow picks are the best I've tried so far and will use from now on.

[@toddlampron5799]

Love the Black Fangs 1.14 and .94. Great grip and awesome attack.

[@davemichael5203]

Yeah, I use Black Fang 1.14 It changed everything...

[@hadley101]

@@davemichael5203 Give the new Dunlop Flow a shot, Ultex

[@jfo3000]

I've been enjoying Andy James' picks lately, nicely shaped to a point with polished bevels. They don't wear fast either, but maybe slide off the string a bit to easily.

[@TarcisioCastro1]

I've tried dozens and discovered my way in the Dunlop Jazz 3. This small soft brick fits perfectly in my style and speed. It's truly personal. Nice video.

[@lemlem35]

Jazz III's are all I've used for 3 years now, i bring one everywhere because I don't trust other picks now

[@amcsmitty32]

Sick dude

[@diazgonzalezbruno1379]

Te pick jazz III is amazing, a great picks that I've played

[@timjenkins502]

I use the jazz III XL and they are awesome, been playing 15 years and just in the past year have I discovered them and I wont go back to other picks

[@midnightgaming4269]

@@timjenkins502 have you tried the jazz 3 xl in ultex? It's a pretty good pick gives a lot brighter sound

[@timjenkins502]

@@midnightgaming4269 yes those are the ones I play! Great picks!

[@Thomasdgolden]

I have been burning picks down for over 30 years. I used Clayton’s. Not only as picks but also my calling cards. Since I started getting the nasty forearm tendinitis, I started using the sides of the picks and it got me a downwards chug going up and down. Then when I needed just down or pinches I would go to the sharp side. Dunlop makes that black Jazz style with a good grip. I like it as it stays put. It really feels good.

[@simonelli88]

John petrucci (150mm) Jazz iii for me, absolutley awesome, helped my playing so much

[@doyouluvit]

great video thanks!!

[@joeyjones9041]

I have always used the .71 Gator Grips or the .73 Tortex. Mainly the Gator Grips because my hands would get so sweaty during shows and practice.

[@jav6665]

1.14 Dunlop sharp in purple are my go now.

[@jakefuckingsucks9647]

black fang / ultex sharps are the best picks out there IMO, so much articulation and attack but it doesnt wear out like the tortexes that i used to use consistently.

[@palmmute]

Those are all great, my personal favorites are any of the Jazz 3 XLs.

[@palmmute]

Especially the Ultex ones, they're awesome for everything imaginable.

[@addicted2tone349]

The John Petrucci Flows are great picks for everything. They are all I use now.

[@hadley101]

Best Dunlop pick made so far

[@dan_kay]

The Stubby or the Jazz III from Dunlop are my to-go picks. Nice small and thick.

[@isbee56]

If you like .88 tortexs i'd recommend .90 ultex sharps same shape but sharper and are less grippy

[@helpcomputah94]

If you love the regular Tortex size, feel & tone but want the Ultex/Hetfield sharper point, look for the Dunlop Tortex TIII's. Great picks, only issue is that sharp point really grinds down fast if you do a lot of rhythm work. I bought a boatload of 0.88 TIII's online a while back and I go through about one per week just jamming in the evenings after work. Like Anthony and many others, I used nothing but regular Tortex 0.88's for ages (almost 20 years). Definitely digging the TIII's, but I may go back to the standard at some point for the slightly thicker tone and moderately better durability of the more rounded tip. Plus you can get them anywhere, whereas the TIII are much harder to find.Still got about 90 or so TIII's to go through though, lol.

[@nicksaggiante9945]

I use only Dunlop Tortex 1.14 picks (the purple ones). 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@MNB730]

Them Hetfield Blackfangs are my personal favorite, the material is what gives it for me.

[@svmatuza]

Big Stubby 2.0mm are the bomb, fastest pick out there and gives incredible detail and harmonics.

[@iwannarockon2010]

KK did sound stellar 🤘🎸🔊

[@metalblades4]

Just bought some prodigy and james hetfield picks .. Very good for rhythm picking!

[@chickenbeek]

whatever pick is comfortable for you. though thicker usually better for attack there is no be all end all. one thing is everyone has a bit different picking hand movement and the thickness of the pick and or shape can affect for better or worse being able to sync up your fingering and picking hand. though you can get used to whatever eventually to some point, but others may be struggling for years trying to sync their hands and something as simple as a slightly thicker or slightly thinner pick can help greatly. 10ths of a mm can make a difference, or how pointy it is or isn't etc. I prefer a slightly used (beveled) 2mm dunlop as it glides through the strings better for me as a somewhat heavy handed picker.

[@alexpintea]

Hey mate, you can try the tortex III ones. Feels just like a tortex but with the attack of the black fang

[@TheoEclipse]

My personal favourite I have so far for metal is my Dunlop Flow 1.5. Super stiff and you can get that attack going, and it's got this little circle of dots on it that give heaps of traction so even if you get clammy hands like me it doesn't slip.

[@mrk4510]

I like the Fred Kelly blue grip picks.

[@randomguitarnote8887]

I’ve tried so many, i found i few i liked such as the 2.0 ultex sharp, but i keep coming back to the green dunlop tortex. 🐢

[@mooferoo]

I've always used the big green triangle dunlop picks. You have three different sides you can use, so i can just change when one feels odd or worn. They're also so big that they're easy to hold on to. The standard size & shape picks feel tiny to me. I don't know how people can use them.

[@crutnut]

Gravity Gold series are very nice! Got some grip on the strings, but are quiet (if that makes sense). And they last forever!

[@kimjunkmoon2298]

Try the regular jazz-3 picks, they have grip things on them so your hand wont slip, but it can kind of be annoying at the start

[@TETRARCHFREAK666]

I have some picks but I need some of those picks they look awesome

[@donbriggs6687]

I used those Kerry king style picks in the late 90’s. great pick but they wear out really fast

[@lynfastlynfast6706]

You should do a wear test on this and do a video of the results. And maybe more picks too? Like the new Flow from dunlop?

[@TwistedThrill44]

You should go back out and grab a Pick of Destiny, surprisingly nice pick for how weird it is Also Dunlop Tortex Sharp are pretty nice, I kept wearing down Jazz IIIs so I decided to get something a little bit thicker and beefier while still having the same kind of attack, and it's doing the job for me at the moment

[@millershredz2044]

I just use .88 Dunlop’s. Love em

[@ninopolis2787]

I personally religiously use the Jazz III but I have a profile on it for extra grip. Regular old smooth Jazz picks don't work for me either cause they more often than not shoot out of my hand

[@NathanMichalik]

I recently (about a year ago) switched to the carbon fiber jazz III. I used the regular jazz III for like 10 years, but drop them like crazy compared to the grippy/weird carbon fiber ones. I always wanted to try one of those titanium ones, but never had the chance. Cool video!

[@LambChopper678]

I made two of them and you can have one if you like.

[@NathanMichalik]

​@@LambChopper678 Appreciate the offer, but that's too much to ask for something so small. I might not even like it!

[@TheSalagamor]

There is only one pick for metal: the pick of destiny!

[@aleksey9438]

My favorite Ibanez sand grip

[@lilgodnasty4682]

I switch mines from the white fang to the hammet picks i think they both are amazing

[@bobeyejoe7050]

The blackfang is great for trail picking solos

[@jgmopar]

My new favorites are the Ernie ball Prodigy 1.5mm. But I still use Dunlop tortex .88 and 1.0 mm

[@AnonymousUser66649]

Ultex sharp 1mm is my way to go. Maybe a bit harder to play than rounded tip picks, but it has alot better sound in my opinion. Best pick attack so far.

[@adamcone6856]

Ultex 1.4 or 1.10. I sometimes use the Ultex Jazz 3. They don't slip out of my grip like any other pick would. I haven't tried any grooved picks or wood/special material. Curious on special picks, but the Ultex are the best I have tried to date.

[@97warlock]

Cool Pick Cat Tongue is the Best picks Ive ever used. I no longer search for a better pick. -Just a preference.

[@thracian2072]

If you like the tortex .88s, you might love the ultex .88 flow picks.

[@GeneraIRex]

By far the best pick I have, and ever tried, are the James Hetfield White Fangs (1mm). I don't think they're purchasable which sucks since they got really good grip. I only got one from concert when I caught it after James threw it in the crowd.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

question: I find smaller dunlop picks with pointy edges great for playing leads but difficult for metal rhythm chugging and the same issue thicker larger picks great for rhythm but terrible for lead solo playing. What is one pick that works for both rhythm and lead metal playing? I hate switching picks to play rhythm then leads.

[@rainingblood304]

Actually just switched from the tried and true Tortex 1.14 to the John Petrucci Flow picks. It's weird switching from long time pick to a new one, but the Flow really shocked me with how smooth and effortless it makes everything feel

[@jfo3000]

I know, the Andy James Flow picks are like that too, great picks.

[@Br00dje]

usually i use the kirk hammet signature picks but i find them kind of uncomfortable when playing faster rhythm stuff so i use 1.5mm dunlops sometimes too

[@falsegawd9050]

Recently picked up Dunlop flows, best grip on any pick and glides off strings like butter, anyone else try these?

[@kariayamkaridugong3575]

Dunlop big stubby 2-3mm is my favorite

[@parkesy82]

I used to always use the yellow .77 tortex but eventually realized they were too flimsy for me and had a hard time syncing my right and left hand trying to play faster stuff. Moved to the purple 1.14’s then settled on the 1.5 green Dunlop gator grips. Best pick for me by far but man they wear fast and get burred edges really easily 😩

[@joeyjones9041]

Gator Grips have always been my favorite and the Yellow Tortex ones, maybe I'll try the thicker ones.

[@619dar]

I've used a number of picks over the years and I found that the lighter the pick the better. Dunlop picks have to be the best I say. Try there 0.08mm

[@christianr361]

I personally use max grip 1.14 picks but might get something new just for fun

[@Mopopolis]

I'm a big fan of the Jim Dunlop Nylon 1.0mm but those ones wear out fast with heavy rhythm playing

[@gbirdo4718]

The John P are slippery. They don’t have any texture against the strings. The grit against the strings makes it have character imo.

[@HimuraKenshin666]

I use Dunlop Gator Grip 2.0 feels good and gives a great attack for hard rock and metal. The heaviness of the pick is also great for blues like Gary Moore.

[@Tony78432]

HimuraKenshin666 I use the same great picks, but not as ideal for rhythm work outside metal IMO

[@HimuraKenshin666]

@@Tony78432 I was actually in an 80's cover band. We'd play the cure, Cyndi Lauper etc. And it didn't affect the sound negatively. I play a Gibson Les Paul with 10-60 gauge strings through a Marshall 250DFX, Marshall Mode 4, and Marshall DSL 40CR. I use Monster Jazz cables. I naturally have a heavy hand. I started with light picks and slinky but I would either break the strings or picks within a few weeks. When I discovered 2.0 I immediately broke strings and went up to a heavier string set. Your right hand had a lot to do with tone. I figured that out after a few years.

[@aidencantrell8295]

My favorite pick recently has been the John petrucci trinity pick

[@Snoopdave2000]

Matt Bellamy from muse uses the yellow tortex too, great for picking strings from chords but maybe not quite thick enough for metal down picking. I use the james hetfield 0.94 quite a bit and Dunlop maxgrip. Occasionally jazz 3xl. The planet waves green tortex seem to last slightly longer??

[@ptdakos]

Honestly the 1.0 ones seem the most balanced between strumming and leads.

[@Snoopdave2000]

@@ptdakos depends what kind of strumming

[@ptdakos]

@@Snoopdave2000 True, I find them to be a bit too stiff for some funk rhythms.

[@PenguinzFTW]

I tried the Kirk Hammett signature picks for a while, they're good picks but they're just too small and do wear down quick. Now I've discovered the black jazz III from Dunlop and I haven't gone to anything else. They're phenomenal

[@bodhishounkwiler9019]

Are they bigger

[@SoleilGuitars]

Try a gravity pick. They blew me away

[@dust10g]

I use any kind of plastic as a pick. Mostly from sim cards or un used credit cards 😁😁😁

[@evane2808]

John petrucci’s picks are my preference. The black ones, not the newer purple ones

[@yeahnahm8632]

What about the pick of destiny??

[@wade_pisani]

Cool idea for a video 🤘🏻where abouts in Australia are you from? I’m in Perth

[@LambChopper678]

Townsville, thanks mate

[@martyleyeti]

It all depends on your strings. b4 I fell ill i used to play w Ibanez picks for the standard 10-46 6 strings. It was perfect to me. Thin enough for being comfy, but not too thin to keep it accurate. Very rigid of course, bc I can't see how to play trash w soft picks on 10-46. I think most of them were the white model, the Steve Vai Ibanez picks. That was it and I really loved it, always buying them 10 by 10 or more when they arrived at the store. Oh, I remember some of them had an added grip, which offered a like more comfort and grip, but that grip was soon gone after some days of fierce playing :-) I see no better picks to me actually. Oh, and I must say, you play really fuckin' well, man. You play so damm well. I wish Kirk Hammet had your level nowadays. He lost it after ''Justice''. In your case, there are no risks that the Kings of Metal burn you in flames for lame playing ! You have grown great guitar playing skills, man. Tons of respect for that. Finally it's funny to see that you seem super calm when you talk but your axe says you're an authentic oldschool savage #LovefromFrance

[@LambChopper678]

Thank you mate, appreciated

[@HassHeater33]

One pick that no one ever talks about is the Snarling Dog Brain Pick. The .88 is probably the best pick I’ve ever used. Highly recommend

[@LambChopper678]

Just added it to the book

[@BatEatsMoth]

Those are great. Unfortunately, they don't make them thick enough for my purposes. I need something at least 1.5mm. Alice makes 1.5mm nylons; I just ordered some to try out. They have beveled edges like the brain picks.

[@TocaPack]

Jazz 3 XL for me.

[@honeybling5228]

Yours guitar playing are amazing You are mark Morton version 2.0

[@nielguanlao2938]

i have thin ass fingers so i love nylon red jazz iii's

[@EDit23452]

whats the song that you demod the mustaine pick with?

[@MiikeyLawless]

My problem is always gripping. I like the way the JP picks feel, but i cant hold on to them. Also, the pointed picks are savage for rhythm but i find them to get hung up on soloing. I wish there was an easy answer to this lol. Oh, i really liked the Primetone picks or we. They play like butter.

[@antonstefanov2146]

Actually the grip is a problem for me too, and when I'm sweating it's a pain the ass. I usually sand them a bit, but sometimes I go a bit more extreme and burn them - pressing a hot needle, making a random stripes across the pick and it helps a lot for me. Weird I know..

[@ubertwerpify]

Its all personal preference- no right nor wrong - Tried about 50 picks including high end ones - for electric guitar my go-to is the herco flex 75 nylon ( go beatles ), or jim dunlop 1mm black nylon - honorable mention to orin- by micks picks , and dunlop ultex .88 mm- and the cactus picks were good…gravity, dava ,and metal picks didnt work that well for me.. (Did the same for acoustic and the orange dunlop .6 was awesome)

[@tryten9]

Maxx-Grip Jazz III picks.

[@MegaWild7]

Ever try a Dragon’s Heart pick? It’s been my favorite for the past 6 months or so

[@umyes5246]

Yep, trying it for a while too. Good on acoustic, but seemingly not enough ring on electrical.

[@Hannes789]

Anyone know dragonheart picks? Literally indestructible and they play so smoothly

[@jamescarter3708]

I've have some and tried them, but for thrash, idk. It's more than likely my technique, but I just can't jam as well with the Dragonsheart picks. The Tortex 88s are just right for me. But like Lambchopper said, it's all personal preference. Had a buddy that was a much more talented player than me, and loved the Dragonshearts, that's all he played.

[@dman3d]

try the Dunlop 427R Ultex Jazz III 1.38mm

[@chrismeyersofficial]

Brotha I am telling ya if you ever try a Gravity Master Finished Sunrise Standard 1.5mm Pick you will never go back for any other pick I promise!

[@Pepe_pita]

I use dunlop ultex 0.73.

[@jamesyellow3786]

I use the the Dunlop Vater Pick with 1,5 and 2 mm ....i like thicker picks =D

[@krlozrey5178]

Yeah me too,you should try the purple plectrum,i bought the "hetfield" i think and it's a 6 mm,feels awesome....

[@axxion231]

Mustaine bends the yellow picks makes it harder nd better grip

[@aureeel]

My favorite pick is my nail

[@Mr.Potato420]

I started using Chicken picks Shredder 3.5 mm and I cannot play with anything else now.