Jim Dunlop Flow Gloss Review

[@robertbrockcoble7154]

The 3mm was such a night and day difference on the acoustic. It was so much more clear and articulate and there were very few masking overtones. The attack was strong but not distracting and had a pretty natural rolloff with the sustain. When it moved to the electric with the pushed midrange, I felt it lost some headroom in comparison with the 2 mil. I definitely have a stronger than usual sense of pick tone being an acoustic guitar builder for a major brand, but I think this is an excellent example even for more inexperienced ears. Great job!

[@Guanjyn]

I used Jazz 3 picks for years but I never really felt 100% with them. Recently got the Flow 1.14 and really been enjoying it. I'm feeling better about my chugs again. Also it's a pick I can use with both electric and acoustic so better for consistency.

[@agreenr6915]

Gotta say so far the flow picks are definitely a step up from the Gatorgrip personally I think the 1.5mm flow has the best balance

[@BreaktheMachine]

That acoustic is a lovely thing.

[@chuckrg550]

Nice review John! Will try out the Flow Gloss. I've been experimenting lately with heavier picks and have enjoyed a transparent V pick that is about 3 mm. and a handmade Pickboy wooden pick that is quite heavy as well. Keep up the great reviews and heavy repping!

[@Nachtmahr616]

Love the Flow series but they are around 1 mm wider than a Jazz III, and these 2mm seem to affect my ability to consistently get pinch harmonics when I want them. I switched to the Ibanez JTC because they are still in the Jazz III range but 26.5 mm in length, 2.5 mm thick, and also glide nicely over the strings

[@lo3572]

The thicker the pick - the bigger the chirp noise. The harder the material - the louder the chirp

[@LunatiqueRob]

I think Dunlop finally got it right with the Flow Gloss when it comes to that divot shape. They had done other modifications to the center of thicker picks before but I didn't like any of it. On the Stubby the divot was a bit too deep and the lip of the divot pressed against the fingers and didn't feel comfortable. On the triangle Stubby, the flat circle was also uncomfortable because it's too small, creating a pressure point against the fingers. They should have started the bevel further out towards the edge. With the Flow, the divot is just right and didn't create noticeable pressure points against the finger, and feels like it was molded by your fingers. The high gloss polish also makes it glide smoother across the strings. The entire Flow line is excellent (I have almost all the models) and I think Dunlop is pushing for it to become the new standard shape, to replace the 351 shape. The slightly rounder sides makes a noticeable difference in how much smoother the tip glides over the strings. Like you, I collect a lot of picks, including expensive boutique ones that cost close to or over $100 each, and if I had to only stick to the cheaper mass-produced picks, it would be the Flow series (along with Ibanez's Tritan and Elastomer models for when I need less chirp/click).

[@ourclarioncall]

I fancied having a go at making a “trainer plectrum “ of sorts. Well, it could be the main plectrum. It would look something like a double AA battery with a plectrum on top . But a bit more sophisticated and ergonomic. It’s very hard to get a full consistent tone out of a normal plectrum without squeezing the guitar pick hard so that it is rigid and will not fluctuate or flop around when playing . There is a certain “magic” or spark or life that happens to a note when a good amount of energy is transferred into the string . You can experiment with this on a strat type guitar on around the 10th to 14th frets on the g, b or e strings . Some notes really punch and leap out. When you find them , try hitting them from whisper quiet to as hard as you possibly can (tip- squeeze the pic very hard ). You will notice every now and then you will hit it and the note will be world class, on another level. My old guitar teacher emphasised hitting the string hard. I used to be a very quiet shy person and player and used light picks, but not any more. You don’t really need a rock hard thick 2mm pick but it can help . Just squeezing the pick between the fingers can be enough. But squeezing the pick hard while playing is not so desirable as we don’t really want to carry lots of tension in the hands . So my idea is that my “battery pick” for want of a better name , would be much more stable by being gripped by fingers wrapped around it (natural tension without having to be forced too much) . It would have more mass and be a bit heavier , helping to drive energy into the string with less effort

[@thechamp9696]

Great review, John! I am going to give this series a try. Looks and sounds great.

[@johnhoyland5274]

With the old Flow series, the 2.0mm came in two sizes, “regular” and “jumbo”. Flow 2.5mm, 3.0mm and 4.2mm were only available as “jumbo”. So are these new Flow Gloss picks both “regular”? Both “jumbo”? One thing I really don’t like with the old Flow picks is that the bevel angle at the tip of the pick varies significantly between the different thicknesses. It looks like the Flow Gloss has a more acute bevel angle. Are the angles the same on the 2.0 and 3.0mm?

[@HeavyRepping]

The angles are the same type of gradient on both the 2 and 3mm Gloss - at the moment the Gloss is only available in the Regular size, I'd imagine they might bring out a Jumbo version later. If you don't like the old ones, try the new ones, as the curve overall is more constant, rather than sloping away only at the edge.

[@michaelnugent9758]

@@HeavyRepping Glad to hear! I couldn’t get on with the jumbos (barring the 420 for whatever reason). Good shit. Appreciate the review!

[@ilovemurder8983]

Subbed!!" Waitin for my 2.5 and 4.2 picks to be shipped. Manila, Philippines here! Keep rockin!

[@ourclarioncall]

Ok, so you inspired me to buy plectrum 😄 Got one off eBay coming made of horn with grooves front and back for thumb and finger. And I been enjoying using a Clayton sharp triangle pick that I’ve never tried before. Have you heard of the “pykmax” ? Think it’s an American made gadget , but it’s a bit pricey. Videos on you tube. I like the idea as I’m a guitar teacher , and getting kids/adults to use a pick, use it “properly” and use it properly consistently is a big challenge .

[@prefacciprian7728]

Guitar sound reminds me of Lord Belial , Forlorned in Silence.Nice review.

[@davedavem]

Excellent video, JTD! Dunlop knows.

[@warmtoiletseat5596]

Good review!

[@5150forevermore]

If the Gloss didnt have that indentation it would be PERFECT. The indentation makes it harder for me to do pinch harmonics.

[@agreenr6915]

That's what I like about my 1.5mm flow pick makes it so much easier to get just the right position for pinch harmonics

[@rycardoantunes8152]

nice review, man! so, you think the gloss one has more of a "treble" sound?

[@HeavyRepping]

It's definitely sharper, and the matte has softer attack, but they both have value for sure.

[@ezrhino100]

how do these compare to the regular stubby?

[@zeralita0]

are these picks bigger than jp/andy james flow picks??

[@joshuabritton6013]

how is the grip, because I have to use maxgrip because my fingers sweat so much

[@ourclarioncall]

Cool guitar - what is it ??

[@HeavyRepping]

It's an Odessa - it's a new model that hasn't got a name yet.

[@ourclarioncall]

@@HeavyRepping cool shape, and contrast

[@ourclarioncall]

@@HeavyRepping I had a look at the website But couldn’t see what the scale length is ? Any idea? Cheers

[@HeavyRepping]

25.5", ash body, maple neck, ebony board, stainless steel frets, Creamery 65 Staple top in the bridge, Gibson LP Deluxe Rhythm mini humbucker in the neck, CTS pots, Hipshot tuners/bridge, and a bone nut 😊

[@ourclarioncall]

@@HeavyRepping ah, Interesting, must be an illusion , I just thought the scale might be a shorter