Does a METAL PICK Make METAL Sound More METAL?

-Does a METAL PICK Make METAL Sound More METAL?
Check out all my lesson vids at: www.the-art-of-...
Facebook: / fansoftheartofguitar
/ theartofguitar
Patreon: / theartofguitar
Thanks!!!

[@seanmckelvey6618]

Metal picks are great, but you need to be careful of your picking technique, they'll do a number on the finish of your guitar (or fretboard). I also find they tend to wear through strings much faster, which makes sense really. Still a cool thing to have in your arsenal for sure.

[@ThrashRebel]

Yeah, they don’t work with the way I’ve always held my pick. I use a bit of the edge, kind of like Mustaine does, but I don’t use as much of the edge as he does. But, with a metal picks I’ve used it made a crappy, scrapping sound. But, maybe it’s just the thickness of the picks I’ve tried. Though they were very rigid picks the edges were actually thinner than the picks of other materials I use.

[@donbishop6994]

That's a fact for sure Sean. They destroy your finish and burn through strings. If you give the tiniest bit about the finish, stay very far away from them. If you don't care about the paint, have a happy, they do add a cool sound and can be used to play super fast if you're able to do that sort of thin.

[@jye_24]

@@ThrashRebel yeah it’s like if u use a pick with no point it just sounds scrapey when u attack with an angle so a metal pick is even worse 😂

[@redshirt49]

Protip, play in reverse pick grip if you're gonna be using these. Takes some getting used to but it does prevent you from hitting the body too much while playing.

[@the64Kquestion]

I used to play with a metal pick in my first years of playing guitar. The upside is richer harmonics, the downside is that strings are wearing faster. Brian May has always used a coin, and some players use titanium picks.

[@SealedKiller]

I use a coin as well and honestly the strings don't wear out that fast, I usually change every 2-3 weeks (playing every day for 1-2 hours). Depends on how hard you hit the strings obviously.

[@pedrolantyer]

@@SealedKiller 2-3 weeks for a change while playing 2 hours a day is a really short time mate. As long as I keep my hands clean, use fast fret, and wipe my guitar down with a microfiber cloth after playing, my strings can easily go 2 to 3 months before I need to change them (using D'addario EXL packs), and that's playing 4-5 hours a day

[@JS_Guitar09]

@@pedrolantyer So many people say to change them every 2 weeks, but mine are good for at least 3 months. The secret is, like you said, keeping your hands clean. Always wash before playing, and don't eat while playing.

[@chrispychreme02]

A coin can be a great pick in a pinch. I keep a couple select coins in my wallet in case I need to test out a guitar in the wild.

[@Chungusisdantheman]

I use stainless steel picks

[@CaptainPantys]

Metal pick all the way man, I thought it sounded better in every audio sample lol. It's way more clear and has a stinging high end. The metal on metal also produces a sound that makes the strings sound like they're brand new. I'm a huge fan of metal picks.

[@OzMike]

A friend of mine I played in a band with many years ago had his own business where he had all these machines that would punch out stickers and what not. He started punching out metal picks and even coating them where you hold it. They worked great and it was all going good but the action of playing, sharpened them like razor blades and the people that bought them were slicing their fingers open if they grabbed them the wrong way. Once he found that out he stopped making them.

[@metalrockstarizer89]

Now that’s heavy lmao

[@markcockerham646]

Just like you can sharpen a knife, you could dull the pick.

[@nef36]

Grind the side on a bit of fine sandpaper to dull them so that doesn't happen (you could sell the picks with a bit of sandpaper and instructions to dull them periodically)

[@fullmtlhood]

Back in the 80's there were copper picks, I forget the brand. I liked them, but my strings and wallet hated them. They shredded, literally.

[@Godmil]

Remember the metal pick can act as a movable fret/bridge. Try holding it on a high string between the pickup and bridge do a trill with your left hand and just start sliding it around. Sounds awful, but is fun 😁

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

My local shop has titanium picks in the display case. $12 each! But I had to try it so I bought one. A whole new sensation. Being titanium they were so light and just felt good in your fingers. The only issue is you all know how picks seem to vanish into the nether regions along with ink pens, sunglasses and pocket knives. I had it a week before it was gone, never to be seen again. Other than that, it was magic!

[@footrot17]

Your mates have sticky fingers

[@devilmyke]

Hetfield black fang is the absolute best pick I've ever used..The materials are a perfect balance and its slightly more pointed for precision

[@Riclmnopp]

I wonder if the metal pick might cause your strings to break down faster. especially if you strum really hard.

[@andym2612]

I was warned against buying a metal thumb pick by the guy at guitar store for that exact reason.

[@StackBundle]

They absolutely do. Steel picks can wear through the nickle winding and make it break off in small chunks. You used to be able to get steel wound strings. They may still be out there but I haven't been able to find any.

[@owlperchedsilo3745]

they do

[@phantomlord5707]

bruh, literally the whole comment section is talking about this

[@Riclmnopp]

@@phantomlord5707 there where only 5 comments when i left this comment. Bruh

[@williambelford9661]

Brian May reputedly used a sixpence, a pre decimal UK coin issued up until 1971, as a pick

[@kinetikthrash3501]

i have brass picks made by my drummer, the shape is the same of Ibanez sand grip or PG models (that i love). they are really resonant, specially on clean tones where the differences from a regular pick are insane, but you have to hold it almost flat or you can clearly hear the "sound" of the pick on the strings. with distortion they helps to clean up the lower range, like a tube screamer in front of the amp but without the more gain of the pedal.

[@HannahCope88]

I'm definitely hearing more clarity with the metal pick but like you say I can hear it cutting out a bit of the mid to low end there. I think it would really depend on what you're going to be playing and what tone you might be using as to which pick you chose. I personally will stick with the Dunlop Tortex picks. I do have a couple metal ones, but they were given to me by Vivian Campbell at a Last in Line meet and greet so they're special ones. I'd have to get a couple blank ones if I wanted to use them. I did try them when I first got them just to see what they were like and they were pretty slippy haha. I thought I recognised that riff.

[@PaulyDTheKiwi]

I’ve never used a metal pick. I’ve only really used the Tortex Yellows .73’s. I have experimented with heavier gauge picks over the years but seem to gravitate back to the trusty old yellows. Is it true that Sir Dr Brian May of Queen, uses a coin as his pick or plectrum of choice? I honestly don’t mind what people use, just as long as Guitars are still being played 🤷🏻‍♂️🤘🏻🍻

[@ravenstarr30]

I'd be interested to see what the difference would be for different pick gages compared to the metal. Also, for grip, you can get pick grips, or there are a few brands that make metal picks with actual grips on them...

[@teresathomley3703]

I've never used a metal pick but I can certainly imagine sweeping being more comfortable like you said.

[@vicarious7858]

Metal picks help to cut though the sound of any backing/band that you're playing with. The problem is the slip once you get some sweat going and I found they eat strings. Oh and don't use them if you have a nice finish you don't want marked!

[@andym2612]

I use thumb picks, the Jim Dunlop type. 30 years ago the plastic they were made of was really soft and wore out very fast. So I had the idea that I'd try a banjo pick. The guy at the guitar store told warned me that the metal of the pick is harder that the metal of the strings and the pick would cost me more in strings than I'd save on picks..

[@kagenotatsumaki]

I feel like the Ultex Prime tone Flow picks I use give a similar sound to the metal pick because the difference in these 2 sounds SO similar to the difference between my Ultex Flows and my Tortex Flows which is basically the exact same as the 1.14 Tortex used in the video.

[@VQindustries-wb7wf]

Will I ever use metal pics on my $2000 Gibson sg dark edition? No lol but I will on my epiphone sg

[@nikmay1696]

Can you please do "Paul Gibert greatest techniques?" This tipe of content is my fav!🤘🏻

[@demongeminix]

Metal picks tear up strings... and finishes if you're not careful.

[@donakahorse]

before they were available we used to cut down quarters, they sound better than the stainless ones you can get now. you can also play a bit of slide with them. I never broke strings faster with the quarters, but I tend to play with a light touch most of the time anyway.

[@donakahorse]

also the contours of the quarter keeps it from moving around in your fingers. I never put my picks on my knee, so I don't know if it would slide off. lol probably

[@kennethcarlin9629]

I know Criss Oliva of Savatage always used metal picks on all of their albums

[@StackBundle]

For me, hearing the attack of the pick on the strings makes it so much better. I have been using steel picks for metal for about a year now. They just have a special bite sound that plastic doesn't offer.

[@BigMateo24]

I just don't know if they are for me. One thing I cannot stand is excessive pick chirp, I've compared tortex, ultex and nylon against acrylic before and the acrylic chirped so bad against the strings it drove me crazy. I can't see metal picks being any better in that regard.

[@cranklabexplosion-labcentr8245]

Big Black did this to their instruments

[@Tom-oz7wk]

I think I tried using a metal pick when I first started guitar and I didn't like the way it felt against the strings. It was like a really harsh scraping on every note. I might have just been holding the pick wrong or been playing wrong though. Much prefer my hetfield picks these days

[@Davidmallen429]

Same here. Tried a metal pick early in my playing. Didn't like how it felt like it was "scraping" on the strings. Distracting all the way around.

[@kirkr1961]

Have played metal picks for a couple of years now. Helps to put a rough finish on it with sandpaper or a file. Others will argue but I, just like Brad Gillis, have never had my strings wear faster using a metal pick. You come up with some great topics BTW.

[@CDavis-oe8nm]

This is very sound.. we are dealing with physics laws here lol. Love your advice

[@deathound98]

Started to use metal picks a feel years ago because of my two heroes, Criss Oliva and Harry K. Cody, and never could use others again

[@domsrecords6353]

Yep Criss oliva is the reason I use them too

[@Rusty-METAL-J]

Tungsten, Titanium, and Sterling Silver picks are nice. I prefer Stone and Wood Picks overall. Wood Picks slide like butter. And the density of Stone Picks is on a level unattainable by other materials. They won't flex with most models. You can buy picks on Amazon, EBay, and Etsy anytime that are already textured.

[@Dungeon47]

Does METAL on METAL make METAL more METAL or is it just MENTAL!? Also, I think the sound difference of the metal pick can be mostly achieved through amp/EQ settings. AlsoAlso, JazzIII and never looked back.

[@Fister_of_Muppets]

If you pick metal pick in century 21, you be trippin. Only 15th century metal does pick good sound with amp. My homē G. Floyd toad me so one love

[@6stringmonk]

I've been using a Cymbolic metal pick for a couple decades. One thing you didn't test is the dynamic range you can get with one vs the other with a rolled off volume on a crunch sound. The metal pick has way more dynamic range once you learn how to play very lightly with it. I see both as tools in my toolbelt.

[@williamcozart8158]

Way back in the day I had these guitar instruction VHS videos by this guy named Kurt Mitchel. He made "Guitar Method in the Style of" vids about all sorts of metal and other genre bands. In his video on Pantera he claimed Dimebag used metal picks. IDK how he would know that or if he was correct..

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Curt and I are friends now, he’s been in three of my recent videos. Cool guy.

[@williamcozart8158]

@@TheArtofGuitar Hahaha that's awesome!

[@douglasbailly8519]

Great ANVIL reference! Metal on Metal!!

[@Curt-Mitchell]

Metal picks, when they are the right thickness, are stiff, so they are wherever your hand is, if that makes sense. And, because you can use a thinner pick it has more bite. Can't use plastic anymore 30 years of metal. Tears up the strings and the finish. They sound killer though.

[@rickschneider3887]

I’ve been playing for 40+ years and I’ve tried everything yet I still favor softer pick material because they create much less pick noise which can be annoying when it’s really pronounced. Even metal icon James Hatfield doesn’t use metal picks and his tone is killer because he gets his tone from his amp. I’ve never had problems getting harmonics from plastic picks because it’s all in your technique.

[@Malady]

You should try another pick comparison using the Edge pick - the blue Herdim held upside down so the dimpled grip hits the strings.

[@JunkfoodZombieGuns]

Was that tapping luck from the Testament Practice What You Preach solo?

[@DanielHuman1996]

Metal picks eat strings for breakfast! I prefer a medium nylon, but it has a much different feel.

[@jackshittle]

Without looking it up, how many times does Lips say the phrase "metal on metal" during the song Metal On Metal? A) 18 times B) 30 times C) 50 times or D) 76 times?

[@HCkev]

I think the difference is too small to be relevant enough, nothing that can't be compensated by the AMP's EQ in my opinion. Especially when you add the other instruments in the mix and not AB-ing the two picks. I never heard anyone listening to a record and say "Oh, he's using a Tortex pick! And the lead guitarist is using a Jazz III !". I think people should select a pick because it feels right for them, not because of a slight difference in sound. Especially for an electric guitar(I'll admit my dad would steal my Ultex picks all the time when I was living at my parent's house because he liked the bright sound of these picks with his acoustic)

[@23dvs]

You can re-sharpen your nylon picks using Steve Vai’s carpet method….you can find it on KZbin

[@kai223noa6]

I’ve used coins, but have not tried metal picks. I know George Lynch used them.

[@TheFullDegeneration]

Hi, Mike. Your channel is one and only for me to keep my mental health clear, because I’m from Ukraine and currently in trenches as you may see according to my avatar. Anyway, please, can you check and Helloween- les hambourgeois walkways. I think you would like it. After we’ll win, I’ll absolutely subscribe to your site, because it’s the only way I want to learn. Your videos helped me a lot in the beginning of war to not lose my mind. Thank you very much. You’re the best.

[@inperf3ct]

Ahh I don't know, it's cool and all but I'm just too used to the red grippy jazz III's to probably ever feel comfy with another pick

[@gral9440]

Once i scratched my 1994 N2 with a metal pick. Since then i’ve never used one again. Over my dead body

[@Kylora2112]

I'm not a fan of the feel of metal picks. I've been using 2mm Dunlop Gator Grip picks for about 15 years, and they feel perfect for me (and feel is the most important thing from a pick).

[@pedrolantyer]

I have owned an AT Picks Black Widow, and while it does look nice that's about it. Thing is extremely thick and heavy(at least for a pick) so it is not ergonomic. Plus they'll reduce the life span of your strings significantly, and they cause way to much noise (at least it's nice for pick scraps). I don't regret the purchase (because to be fair it's a silver coated pick for 20€, it looks great and it's really badass), but I use it more as as accessory (it has a small hole in it an comes with a cord so you can use it as a necklace).

[@leaharrington4472]

Meh. I've had a metal pick for ages and rarely use it -- i prefer the purple tortex. For most things, they sound the same, especially through distortion. The pick scrape sounds better with the metal pick, and that's because it's thinner than the purple tortex and can hit the windings more effectively. When i need to record a pick scrape, I grab a thinner pick.

[@BodhiSoftMobileApps]

Respectfully disagree at 08:54. In general I think it's best to get the brightest source sound out of the actual physical material (e.g. stainless steel frets, fresh strings, hard pick material) of the guitar and then shape that w/pickup selection, tone, eq, amp, etc. You can't make frequencies that were never coming off of your strings magically appear with an eq or tone control. If the sound out of the speakers is too bright for the situation, you can always cut frequencies using your signal chain.

[@minkorrh]

A buddy made me a silver pick with my initial cut out when he worked at a jewellery store. Sounded like crap but made a great necklace. Some might like it, i didn't.

[@luciferdzhugashvili]

Really doesn’t make that much of a difference. For overall ease of playing metal, a really thick pick with a nice ridged surface for good grip is perfect.

[@ozman6602]

I've never played with a metal pick but I did put a aluminum neck on my guitar sounded ok different but prefer wood maybe just use to it just did it for something different.

[@cakewalkbaby]

I have crap speakers and they sounds the same. Headphones recommended.

[@david_4246]

I'm using headphones and I don't notice a difference

[@warhorse6127]

To me the nylon pics sounds a hundred percent better it actually has tone it doesn't sound all chingy.

[@rayray5091]

Can you do a video on reviewing novelty strings? Like the glow in the dark strings and the coloured strings compared to Ernie balls or normal strings

[@Callmenobody174]

Speaking of being able to hold onto your pick, does anybody remember Gorilla Snot?

[@brydon07]

Have u tried a green heart Kirk Hammet pick? I’m Thinking about getting one they look cool

[@alfonspekala]

Does metal pick last much longer before it gets almost round like the plastic one?

[@CMM5300]

Be careful with that thing! Someone scratched the hell out of my guitar picking all crazy with one of those

[@marshxox5150]

If they made metal prodigy picks I would get em in an instant. The difference was subtle but I liked the metal pick more for riffs and the tortex for leads

[@xliquidflames]

Even with headphones, I can't hear any difference between them. For me, the difference would be all feel.

[@SuperTech123451]

Good comparison video, you should try V-Picks, they are very good

[@jayyoutube8790]

Eddie swore till the day he dies that him holding that metal pick in his mouth is what gave him cancer.

[@enethion]

I believe this is pure preference thing. If one's after finding their own sound and style, this might be worth giving a try.

[@owlperchedsilo3745]

not really but be prepared to change those strings OFTEN.

[@Jmilillo]

I have a Joe Satriani “Chrome Dome” metal pick. I don’t love the feel of it, but it has a little bit more attack

[@Sheepleton]

Metal pick sounds brighter like it's eq'd different.

[@ReZhorw]

I really liked the Sweeping sound of the metal pick actually

[@perpetualbystander4516]

The plastic pick has a warmer and rounder sound, whereas the metal one can deliver a more pointy bite where it's needed.

[@righty-o3585]

There is a very slight difference in sound, but if nobody told you to be listening for a difference, you'd never notice.

[@kagenotatsumaki]

Am I Metaly enough for the Metal club???

[@lukadoderovic3490]

I love the pick tapping lick , it sounds almost like an... Alien 😏

[@ericjenkins2737]

Dunlop 2mm Big Stubby picks for me.

[@jr2904]

When I see a metal pick, I always think of Marty McFly

[@karlar.7035]

Robbin Crosby of Ratt always used steel picks.

[@Lungolord]

Pour Some Sugar On Me was recorded with a metal pick

[@jameseddolls]

I hear no diffrence 🙊🙊🙊 in any of the overdriven sounds. in the clean there is

[@lewismaclean8849]

Both sounds great. Would love to see your next artist series to be focused on Linkin Park’s Brad Delson and Trivium’s Matt Heafy and Corey Beaulieu. Delson in particular has very simple parts but they’re so recognizable, would love to hear your opinion on them and just to see you play them. Trivium’s parts are particular are very complex sounding, and perfect for people who just want a great metal riff to headbang along to. In particular look up their song Strife. Can’t wait to see those videos.

[@Fuzzywuzz71]

Just realized now I have the same guitar.

[@patjacksonpodium]

MAD RESPECT FOR THE ANVIL SHOUT-OUT

[@danielbrowniel]

I can barely pick out which is which.

[@kristianthomsen8878]

Maybe the difference is more in the hand of the player? ⚡️

[@Jammaster1972]

0:55 "metal on metal." Anvil. Oh shit, that was funny.

[@starfall631]

I hear some Shotgun Messiah in that pick scrape Mike ;)

[@kc0lif]

makes sense more metal sound. be fine brain may of queen metal picks

[@johnhowe1501]

Well i guess I'm switching to metal pucks now

[@EVLer777]

Have you tried Ultex picks?

[@acidbath3226]

my favorite are graphtech picks

[@Monkeypole]

1:10 Joe Satriani - Surfing With The Alien?

[@vash1705]

0:41 what's the song? Somebody help please

[@springbloom5940]

Because you're using the wrong tortex 🤦

[@sheriewart8100]

Add some hockey tape to the metal pick for grip

[@216trixie]

A plastic pick has a much sharper attack then tortex.

[@lukecoverdale1]

What brand and thickness are the metal picks?

[@Sleepgarden]

now play on that concrete guitar that guy made

[@hockvids]

The (red) Jazz III picks are the best picks ever made. Your too good to be using that tortex crap Mike lol.

[@JimVincent]

Jazz III XL for me, in red or Ultex.

[@mylogify]

I like Jazz III XL the most. I don't like other most of the picks. And man I'd be concerned about longevity of strings, and some damage to finish around picking area with metal pick...

[@benjaminsmith3151]

I remember sending away for some metal picks out of a magazine back in the 80s. They had holes drilled in them for grip, a beveled edge, and were available in several anodized aluminum colors. They only memorable "Feel" I got from them was feeling like they were bad for the strings and the finish of the guitar, and feeling like there wasn't really any benefit from them.