The Ultimate Guitar Pick Shootout

[@Hardcaslte]

That strum pick position is so freaking smooth, and how quick you change from that reverse position to flat picking so fast. Damn man lol

[@darrenwilliamson9325]

Just read on the Blue Chip website that 40 is 1.0mm, 50 is 1.25mm and 60 is 1.5mm. I just got a TP 48 along with various V-Picks. Going to do some experimenting outside my usual Fender Heavy picks. It was interesting how the picks did make the guitar sound very different.

[@sullyb23511]

Those cheap, orange Tortex (and their clones) sound incredible on acoustic guitar. Your playing is on point, too.

[@clancyrice126]

After watching this video I ordered a couple of V Picks. I love them. Thanks for the heads up.

[@RonBaker456]

I play acoustic solo and use the red tortex 98% of the time with the orange when I need something a little stiffer. Love the grip in your fingers and the perfect amount of give to strum or pick accurately. I'll go through 2 picks in a 3 hour performance though, as the tips do wear away.

[@RickCalhounplus]

Thank you for discussing the tonal differences that picks make. I’m actually the owner of a small pick company called Honey Picks, out of a small town in NC.

[@CasinoGuitars]

That’s awesome and we will look o to your company and would always love to learn more!

[@olliecarson5150]

Awesome!!! Heard of you guys and I’m all the way in NZ!!!

[@justaguy2365]

Which town?

[@petersouthwell5971]

Crisp playing manno nice. I agree about picks, great place to experiment.

[@TGKCD]

Nice run down of different pick choices!! Thanks Jonathan!

[@simonpark843]

I constantly try out different kinds of picks, this was a great video - many thanks!

[@sjazzp]

Great video with such a good advice at the end that can save lots of money to those who are searching the perfect tone. I got recently into the world of not so cheap picks and they really can make a good difference.

[@SeanKerns]

Good rundown. My experience has been that the overall size and shape can be whatever is comfortable, but the thickness and material matter more to the sound. The thin ones contribute "flap" to the sound. Mediums give less pick noise, but better articulation. And thicker ones have great articulation, but feel and sound less "sharp" to me. I have a default for size, thickness, and material, but I will vary a little, depending on the sound I'm looking for, especially on acoustic.

[@guitarjonathan]

I agree!

[@sandoncrowder7839]

I love the Dunlop rounded prime tone picks, they have a super wide range of tones just based on how you angle it, it's like having a tone control for your acoustic. You can go from sharp attack to taking the whole high end away the more you rotate it.

[@bob_right_now392]

My go to pick for acoustic 6 is usually a thin celluloid. When strumming I seem to use more of the pic surface, and when digging in I will choke up and use mostly just the tip. On my acoustic 12 I sometimes use a medium celluloid, but normally stick with the thin celluloid.

[@scoggers1628]

As someone who strums more than playing lead mostly use thin to medium picks with Dunlop Primetone and Dunlop Ultex being my favorites. For something a bit different, try Wegen picks. They're not as expensive as Blue Chip for example, but still have a speed bevel and come in a range of shapes and sizes and have a unique and very cool tone.

[@onlywhenprovoked]

I've become a bit of a pick fanatic/ collector, despite the fact that half the time I play without one. Got around 10k total. Mainstream picks, boutique picks, tour / artist picks, guitar shop picks, novelty picks, etc. I think the boutique side of my collection is up around 500 or so. Everything from metals, woods, seashell, coconut, tagua, carbon fibre, titanium, resins, composites, bone, horn, and others. All the way up to 7mm thick. They certainly do alter your tone and attack. Well worth exploring, and a good way to curb your gear collector urges without breaking the bank or ending up with buyers remorse.

[@edgarofnow6638]

I’ll have to try a Blue Chip! I’ve always used Fender heavy confetti picks, but I can burn through one pretty quick... Great video!!!

[@guitarjonathan]

Thanks! The blue chip picks are definitely cool.

[@stevevice9863]

Picks make a big difference in tone. I've been using plain old Fender heavys for years, but I play on the rounded shoulder. I think it gives the guitar a fuller tone. I'll have to experiment a little... it's been years since I tried any other type of pick. Thanks for the recommendations.

[@sandoncrowder7839]

Try out a rounded Dunlop prime tone pick, it's just like playing with the shoulder of a normal pick but it's more designed for it

[@wesleybird380]

Fun video! I've been learning to play for about a year now. Early on I noticed my instructor using a pick made out of bone....the company is in England. Timber Tones. African Ebony, various shells and bones. All kinds of different material. The main pick I'm using is a Blue Chip TD 35 that I bought about 6 months ago in Nashville but I definitely love messing around with tone by using different picks and different materials. Thanks for the video!

[@guitarjonathan]

I'll have to check out Timber Tones. Thanks!!

[@wesleybird380]

Definitely. And when you do, they usually always have stuff on sale for half price too....

[@TheGeniuschrist]

I'm all about the thumb picks. They've come a long way in 20 years

[@DavidLiraOfficial]

So apparently the Bluechip is made of a self-lubricating type of material that also gets very grippy while still feel loose in the hands if needed … the idea is also that it is extremely lubricated so all you should hear is the notes of the guitar when playing , and not the pick scratch sound that you typically hear with other picks as you’re playing . It’s even present in Jonathan’s example , very minimal guitar-to-pick scratchiness sound

[@soundcheck247]

Well they all sound great, probably cause Jonathan’s a beast and that d-28... that has the Martin magic

[@guitarjonathan]

The Martin definitely didn't hurt. 😂 Thanks for watching!!

[@xxtwnz2919]

That looked like an MD model that has been unfairly disparaged by traditionalists across the internet.

[@guitarjonathan]

Philip Wolfe, it is. I love them, I think they're great guitars.

[@stephencook7720]

I have an odd bunch, from standards, to felts, to shark-fins, tortex (.6 to 1.14), to JD Jazz red, to the 3mm clear beasts, to rough grip (.73 and thicker), to the 3 way T-M-H triangle, to the bizarre McPhearsons, and others, but my favorites are the discontinued .60-.88 LePiks for just plain strumming. Wide grip offset narrow point.

[@MrRumorg]

Excellent episode! Thanks a bunch!

[@hildolfrdraugadrottin7279]

Cool video! I just found a video about picks and decided to search for more and there's lots of them. That's one of the cool things about playing guitars, you'll never run out of subjects to discuss. I like Star Picks .60 and and Dunlop Ultex .60. I've tried all kinds of picks over the years but keep going back to the same ones. I think I'll pass on the Blue Chip picks. I'm too good at losing picks to spend that much. Plus just think how many picks you could buy for 35+ dollars. 🤔

[@jboughtin7522]

I like Clayton acetal and Dunlop tortex large triangle picks. The large triangles give you a little more to hang on to and you never have to be concerned with it getting turned around and using the wrong corner on them.

[@jaguarsunburst1570]

Great Video, Thankyou 🎸🎶🎸

[@inlovewithguitars]

Thanks for that great comparison. I got some learnings from it: With you playing, all picks sound great, so most of the sound is in the fingers. That said: I like the BlueChip best. Man, it is expensive, but it sounds full and rich to my ears!

[@Eric_K_Sr]

I love my Gravity picks!

[@guitarjonathan]

They're the best!!

[@arniebaird7852]

While each pick produces a slightly different sound, the picking and strumming were heavy handed, which didn't allow the listener to hear a more nuanced variety. Thr best answer is to buy a variety of thickness and shapes and try them for yourself. In the end it's the best way for a player to discern what suites them best. Thanks for the tour of brands and your assessment. It was helpful to at least decide on a good place to start, without unnecessarily buying a huge variety.

[@masterzippo121]

HI, thanks for the cool presentation. I love picks I have a big collection. lately I've been digging in to Dunlop Prime Tone jazz 1.4 and triangle 1.5 - I like them. love and peace

[@msspi764]

Fred Kelly poly mediums are my go to, they are bright and articulate well. Their delrin picks are a good strumming pick for rhythm, they have a better clearer bass tone. I got a handful of inexpensive plastic of some kind picks at Delta State University's blues events that are a good warm alternative on an electric. And they were free.

[@adoubleu___]

Interesting info, thanks. You’re a great player btw

[@goeldner87]

excellent playing! Fun side note, i named my dog Jonathan. he likes to watch me play guitar

[@guitarjonathan]

😂 sounds like my kind of dog

[@ajvc2233]

I’m using those Taylor ones now, I need to try the gravity and blue chip tho just to see what it’s all about

[@bottomkitchen250]

I think the gravity pick is really good. I've had one for a while now, it's actually pretty worn and i want to get a new one.

[@waynedean357]

Love the Jonathon "tech" videos!

[@rockytoprelics76]

Love the blue chips on my Martins. Great tone and last forever.

[@michaelcrocker3899]

I watched the whole video just to enjoy your playing

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

I've been using Fender mediums most of my life, so I figured it was time to try out something a little different. It may be the stupidest thing I've ever done (certainly cost-wise it was..), but I ordered a Blue Chip TD-35, last night. My @ss is still sore from the hit I took, but I'm hoping it will be worth the pain.

[@18JR78]

Do you recommend learning the reverse hold on the thicker pick strumming? Noticed your technique just now.

[@Indianawhiskeyandbourbon]

Strings are a fairly cheap sound change as well as picks. My favorite picks right now are Everly Star Picks. I went through numerous pick sizes and brands..... keep coming back to these Everly picks. My favorite strings are the Martin MA550T Lifespan 2.0 on all of my acoustics. Best sounding strings I've ever used, and I've tried many over the years.

[@gimpyjwilliams]

i love dunlop ultex........ is that in the video? sorry only watched some of it lol

[@earthsteward9]

Do the others in the shop pick on you for being so interested in picks?

[@justaguy2365]

I'm curious about blue chips. But I play with a 2mm pick. I think theirs only go up to 1.5 or something. They cost 80 bucks

[@4StringSling]

This video needs more WEGEN!

[@JiminTennessee]

Late again🙄 anyway - dig this topic. Have a few wood picks - each sounds different too. Guitar is too cool!!!

[@ikestoddard2458]

List the picks and the video times when they are demoed, please?

[@guitarjonathan]

Great idea! I'll see if Derrick can add that.

[@fretlesstuba]

BlueChip 💙 TP40.

[@fourocker]

Great demo for sure, 40 = 40 thousandths of an inch which is 1 mm, as a machinist it's apparent immediately 👍

[@CavemanWithAStringStick]

Jonathan, I will be bringing you some picks soon. You will probably hate them. That being said, I cannot wait to nerd out about picks

[@markharwood7573]

Clayton make Acetal, Ultem and Raven and I can recommend all three for all-round quality.

[@bradswanson6788]

BlueChip TD 40, the 40 is 40 thousands of an inch, so 1.01mm.

[@sam-ww1wk]

Ha, who's not going to lose a pick. Not me. Cool vid.

[@johnnycmajor]

Try the snarly dog Brain picks.

[@JakeSavich]

👍👍👍

[@TheGearPeddler]

You would probably sound good using a chicken Mcnugget as a pick. 🍻

[@martytallman3374]

Some many videos of people playing high end instruments with either a button shirt or jacket. I guess I'm old school and don't wanna scratch my gems.

[@themonovox7729]

I use the D'andrea doritos pick Heavy gauge. I can play both guitar and bass with it. Thick as crap

[@zeeb0w]

i’m gonna buy you guys a pack of dunlop primetones. it’s like tortex, last longer, and has an awesome grip. i’ll ping baxter to see what sizes you guys want

[@guitarjonathan]

I actually used those for a little while then gravitated back to acrylic for electric especially. Awesome picks! Hope you're doing well man!!

[@marcelchaloupka]

What gauge strings have you got on that guitar?

[@rjb.9305]

Great demonstration. Very informative. If you or your subscribers want to browse more pick options you can visit thepickShoppe.com and explore away. We carry a huge variety of different picks including BlueChips.

[@guitarjonathan]

Very cool!!

[@cowboybob0452]

What do you consider the best all around pick for country & western music?🤠

[@christineblack4654]

best new picks EVER! the 3d pick from Anatomy of sound, with asses or boobs to hold them lol what else could you need? lol you will thank me latter. the white ones, heart attacks they are pointy and hard. great company. it plays so great for shredding omg!!

[@MrAntifed]

Eric Johnson jazz iii.

[@col145]

First thing is it also depends on the wood you’re guitar is made of Mahogany has a much darker sound than say Spruce & so on, string gauge & make. It’s all subjective folks so use your ears. $40 for a pick 🙃🤣 who’s fooling Who ? Hey buy 2 in case you loose one 🤪

[@lilycat1694]

Dunlop Primetone standards are nice.

[@mannymejia7972]

No Winspear plectrums?? You should really try those

[@guitarjonathan]

Never seen those, I'll check them out. Thanks!!

[@mannymejia7972]

They are made in England by Tom Winspear , amazing picks , I’m currently using ones made from buffalo horn

[@waynechurchill7212]

Blue chip alway the thum pick wasn,t so great

[@TheCocaineCowboy]

Why haven’t we seen Sean in a while? WE NEED MORE SEAN!

[@CasinoGuitars]

He's very shy and we have been trying to coax him out of his self induced isolation (translation...he's busy organizing the case rooms and storage areas) Were very mean to him but I reckon well let him come out again soon!