My 37-Year Journey To Find The Right Pick - Ask Zac 115

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The pick is how many of us strike the string and create a sound with the guitar. Like most of you, I have been on a pick journey for many years, and I must say an enjoyable one, as most picks cost a dollar or less. The pick we choose makes a huge difference in our tone, and also changes the way we feel and experience the guitar. Today I walk through the various picks that I have used over my 37-years of playing the guitar. What made each one good, but also why I moved on. I end on my favorite pick, a celluloid Medium-Heavy pick made by one of the original pick makers, D'Andrea.
These guys have some of the D'Andrea MH .84 picks
www.stringsbymail.com/dandrea...
Gear Used:
1957 Fender Esquire with an added vintage neck pickup. Restoration and aging on the body by Dan "Danocaster" Strain. Rewind of bridge pickup by Ron Ellis.
Strings:
D'Addario NYXL 10-46 Amazon affiliate link amzn.to/3uD1WnZ
Pick:
D'Andrea Medium-Heavy
Amp:
1964 Vox AC10
Effects used:
MXR M300 Reverb on the Spring setting
#askzac #guitartech #guitarpicks

[@stevenfrischling5908]

Zac is the only person I could imagine getting me to invest 18 minutes of my day to think about picks. Now I sit here questioning whether or not I even like the picks I I have been using ... maybe I don't like Ernie Ball Everlast .60 picks?

[@guymansfield-smith1135]

Another great episode Zac. My wife’s getting into your stuff. She’s starting to play a bit of guitar (she plays upright bass usually) and she finds your shows to be very informative.

[@AskZac]

That is awesome!

[@bryanfinkell5184]

I hope you appreciate your wife's interest in guitars. As you probably know. The biggest enemy of guitar purchases are spouses who don't understand this sickness. 👍

[@southernpride2003]

​@@bryanfinkell5184 Or if you're like me and 20 years old it's your mom

[@chefbarona3052]

I first heard about tortoise shell picks in the early 70's. Most people heard of them but had never seen 1. I was given 1 by an older country guy & worked w/it until it was lost. Looked for years, no luck. I started using buffalo horn, as it was closer to the tortoise, but not quite right. It could be sanded to your flex preference. I used those until I found a source of Tortoise shell from Japan(pre-Cities). They were really expensive & illegal. I spread a few around until I had 1 left. I had no reason to "break the law" so I kept searching. My wife was into antiques & dragged me to shows. I was looking around & found a full set of tortoise shell "boudoir" sets(hair brushes, files & such). A bolt of lightning hit. I bought the set & took it home. I removed all the shell & cut/sanded to shape & haven't looked back! Now I pick up tortoise whenever I get the chance. There was a resurgence where manufacturers started making imitation tortoise(like the binding, pickguards & picks that you find everywhere) so you need to be careful. When you find 1 heat a pin & insert it in an inconspicuous place. If it smells like burnt hair, you win. Obvious smell. I have since lost nerves in my index finger & couldn't do much flat6picking. None of the thumbpicks had the same feel. I learned how they formed/bent shell(not as simple as it sounds) & have been trying to get it right ever since. Haven't made "the" pick I am seeking but the failures have been entertaining. I've used some pieces as small pickguards for the custom instruments I make, so no waste. Just another treasure hunt to find "that" tone/feel. Great stuff Zac. I'm thrilled to have found your channel! Thanx for all the work you do!

[@muckinfunday]

Even after playing for 56 years, I still have that bug for trying new picks. Now you've given me a reason to try yet another..LOL Thanks!

[@Heavenreck]

Love the "ask zac" celluloid pics you kindly sent to me when I joined "friends of ask zac". I have recently started using the dunlop herco flat thumbpick after watching Brent Mason use them and those are a good hybrid between a flat pick and a thumbpick.

[@44dognut]

Jazz III has always been my fave

[@allanbedford3030]

Hello Zac! Love your channel. I appreciate your laid back pace. :) After my own 30+ year search for the right medium/heavy pick I finally landed on the .9 mm rosewood picks from Thalia. Just the right balance of flex and rigidity. At least for my style of playing. Highly recommended!

[@MrKevbo82]

I went on a pick journey a few years ago looking for something that sounded better with acoustic and the two things that happened to me were, I started playing using the shoulder of the pick and before long physically couldn’t return to using the point. The way I describe it is when using the point you hear the pick, when using the shoulder you hear the note. The other change for me was using Dunlop’s prime tone picks. They really seem to sound good, feel good, last longer and not cost anything crazy. I always used a lighter gauge for acoustic vs electric and now I can just use the prime tone in a .73 for everything. Until I find the next thing to try, cause like you said, it’s a sickness.

[@brentgarner]

I started using the Eric Johnson pick when I found out that's what he used... and I love it... just shows, you gotta just try stuff out.

[@teleclasster]

I've been playing for 42 years and have been mostly consistent with a Jim Dunlop 351 shape extra heavy, held sideways. Years ago I read SRV held his pick sideways, Guthrie Trapp too.

[@tball5677]

I have several picks I use. I'm always trying new ones. That using the shoulder of the pick has been a game changer for me. Thanks for the tip.

[@j.rozman7016]

I tried many picks...many shapes and measures...I just ended up with Blue Chip Jazz LG 60..amazing sound...no string noise, glides through them smoothly...Just love it!!! Well worth it and I dont want to loose it! :)

[@AskZac]

Very nice!

[@richsackett3423]

I’ve played Fender Heavy 351 celluloid for 27 years. Bought my first gross in 1995.

[@kyrandell3290]

Another great show Zac. Well highlighted that everyone is different and you have to find what works best for you - your playing, your hands, your style etc. Finding the right flat pick is one of the cheapest investments any guitar player can make and make - and will provide the greatest return! I'm sure many have found your advice today helpful and valuable. Thanks Zac. Best wishes Ky

[@chrisstamper1359]

I love this video so much, there may be one already but I’ve always thought a book of interviews with guitarists telling their pick stories would be very interesting. It really is the most under appreciated element of every players style

[@passionplayer7]

Loved hearing your journey Zac! Really does matter on the player, what they are playing, string gauge, rig, etc. Also a very inexpensive way to find new tones, cheers!

[@BenjaminHSmith]

Great video. I started out playing Fender Heavys and switched to green Tortex Dunlops somewhere along the way because they didn't wear out as fast. A few years back picked up a few different kinds of picks on a whim and couldn't believe HOW MUCH they changed the sound of everything on an electric guitar (I always kind of knew you heard it a lot on acoustics). The search never ends.

[@timothydaniels504]

The best pick I’ve ever had came to me from Jason Lollar’s company. I bought a couple of his pickups and each one came with a free pick made from the material used to make bobbins. It’s a black fibre material that’s impregnated with some kind of resin. It’s not that hard so it doesn’t sound too clicky. I think you can buy bags of them from JL. That said, I struggle with a pick because the person who started me on guitar was a great fingerpicker so I just copied her.

[@windmillcancersurvivor2568]

The JL pick adds something special to my Fender electrics. 2 of my YT favorites, Tim and Ian Meadows both are using the Dunlop Primetone .88 smooth. If it works for them they must be good, they are and well worth the $6 for a 3 pack Amazon.

[@seanmurphy26]

Dude, the Canadian company SOLO sent me some picks when I bought some JESCAR EVO Gold Jumbo fretwire, they are my favorite picks now.. Taylor makes some great picks too..

[@custerranch]

Another vote for Dunlop's hand-burnished Primetone picks with raised grips, 1.0mm. The poor man's Blue Chip, and I love it.

[@timchalmers1700]

Thanks for sharing your journey. I've been playing since 1965 and I'm still unsettled. At my local store I found a couple of Jim Dunlop variety packs for just a few bucks each: one is Light-Med, the other Medium-Heavy. Some are smooth, some are rough. I also found a variety pack of Clayton picks. So I'm trying them all. Cheers!

[@JoelyPera]

The Fusion pick from V-Picks is amazing. Super informative and interesting video. Thanks, Zac!

[@dhruvpatki2169]

Thanks for an awesome video!! As a pick enthusiast, finding good quality content is a struggle in itself. I’ve had the pleasure to play a blue chip before, and they are fantastic. Personally tho, I prefer the Ares from Purple Plectrums. Can’t recommend it enough.

[@MachineManMusic]

Great topic. I've experimented with a lot of picks over the years and keep coming back to Dunlop max-grip 1.5's. These seam always resonate with my playing and produce a tone I enjoy.

[@stratjed]

Many years ago, 1980s. Discovered that Jerry Garcia used Adamas graphite 2.0 mm. Could not always find them, so tried The Dunlop Gator grip 2.0 mm. Fell in love and still happily married. As a Strat/Tele/ bluegrass acoustic player the extra horsepower when needed is like amp headroom. Thin picks have no headroom. I use very little of the pick and due to the design love the beveled edge. The exception is when playing a 12-string acoustic a thin pick is hard to beat. The Dunlop has less pick sound than the Adamas but for a bluegrass jam outdoors a D28 with an Adamas pick is as LOUD as you ever need to be. And someone might even ask you if you can turn your acoustic guitar down. LOL.

[@IvorThomas]

I wonder if that Adamas pick is the same as what Modulus Graphite produced back in the day. I had a bunch of those and recently sold most of them on Reverb as I've found a better pick for myself. Still, those graphite picks are pretty nice.

[@stratjed]

@@IvorThomas Adamas is Ovation Guitars. Long before Modulus was born. Dunlop is making them again Thomann in Germany has them and will ship Globally.

[@IvorThomas]

@@stratjed Yep, I haven’t run across that Name in ages and just brain farted it. Thx

[@jasonaustin3270]

Great video Zak! I have always used a variety of different types of picks for different things. On bass I use tortex 1.5mm, on guitar medium heavy just like you, on acoustic I use many types depending on the sound I'm after. The most change to your tone for less than $20 is strings and picks.

[@toastoftowne1076]

Epic journey. So glad you made it through alive….God Bless

[@dennisflock3958]

I've settled on a brand called Star Picks. They've got a star-shape punched out of the middle for grippage. I use .73mm for electric and 1.14 mm for acoustics. They have tortex feel to it

[@ilias4156]

The trick is to get s heavy pick you like, and buff on 1000 grit sandpaper till its right, also dragging a pick through carpet, on edge is a perfect way to sculpt the tip, or refurbish a beat up or worn pick. Cheers Zac, you the mane

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

Thank you, Zac! I just ordered 24 of the MH picks. I am an old Fender Medium guy and just tried out a BlueChip TD-35 with a beveled edge. I sent it back, tonight, because of way too much pick noise with my acoustics. I discovered it was the bevel, so I requested an un-beveled replacement. But wow! $40 a pop is too rich for my blood. I'm looking forward to trying out the MH's.

[@KENMAN1357]

Zac, great video. I did the same, tried a bunch of picks and have been using V-Picks Euro. They fit what I do and everybody finds their own way.

[@fivewattworld]

I use two different Blue Chips these days. I thought I’d lost one…but then I found it. ;)

[@AskZac]

Wash your clothes, Keith! It's how I find my picks.

[@maggieo]

I too, went down the Bluechip rabbit hole, thanks to you, Keith. But I always wind up playing my JD Ultrex .68s, because I can't remember what guitar Bluechip is sitting on!

[@jltrem]

@@AskZac Also under couch cushions.

[@lastofthe4horsemen279]

Hey Kieth!

[@Jmarshall-kj4hc]

Trying to decide on a blue chip now. You recommend the speed bevel or not on the first order? Thanks.

[@raymondsurace2575]

Loved this episode. I am still on this journey. Narrowing in a bit though. My two faves for electric are the Jazz III XL Series Ultex and the white Tortex Flow 1.5 mm. I like the EVH Dunlop 0.6 mm picks for acoustic. My passion is hard rock and metal. With that said I love this channel and am learning so much. Thanks Zac!

[@SirVicc]

On your recommendation, I ordered some D'Andrea MH picks and used them for about a month before commenting. They are fantastic! It's become my main pick for Fender guitars. Has all the best attributes of a medium and heavy celluloid. Retains the high end and pick attack of the medium, but adds the fullness and single note feel of the heavy. Tried the pick the TPS guys use and it's just too muted. No life to it. But I immediately noticed that my picking precision with the MH was improved the first time I used it. Thought it might be a placebo effect, but it remains until now. So much more precise. For Les Pauls, I still go to yelllo Tortex, but this is my main pick for almost everything else. Thanks!

[@AskZac]

Welcome!

[@jejelad]

I randomly bought a handful of V-Picks with varied amounts of bevel and found the perfect pick to play with my Jazzmaster with heavy strings. I could instantly play better! Thank you V-Picks!

[@andycasile]

Thank you Zac, I thought I was the only one! In the last 2 years, I have gone from a Jazz III to a Tortex 500, then to Dunlop Gels, then to a Primetone, back to the Jazz III, then back to the Tortex 500, and now I'm using a Fender Medium. Love the video and may have to grab some D'Andrea picks now

[@treborikki]

Very very very true and thank you for elaborating your experience. Pick shape and size does matter very much, and differ for and from person to person. Thank you for showing this facet of execution in playing the guitar. Love your channel always try to find my own sound through learning from you.

[@AskZac]

My pleasure!

[@hearpalhere]

Congratulations on your years together Zac! If you care to do any more experimenting, my offer of sending you some of our handmade coconut shell picks still stands :-) Keith actually said they feel and sound quite a bit like the Blue Chip.

[@Colinjohnmusic]

Another fun episode Zac. I use my fingers most of the time, white Fender 358 for country style and Baritone guitar and Blue Chip thumb pick for Lap Steel & Weissenborn. Thanks

[@marshallsmountain]

I started playing at 12 in 1964. My mentors were a family, Charles and Norma Bell. They played country, but also jazz standards from the 30s through the 50s. Their recommendation for picks was Fender medium celluloid. I liked the light gauge version for the string slap on rhythm, but they broke too easily. This was offset because a broken celluloid pick suddenly had 2 points, which gives an interesting attack. Celluloid also is fun to burn, which impresses your friends. My dad made me a few picks using semisoft plastic, which didnt really work for me. In the 70's I used Herco and Dunlop nylon on the shoulder to emphasize that Doobie Brothers hi gain scratch on my Les Paul. I have hundreds of picks...i still like light gauge nylon for rhythm that doesn't break. I learned Chet style finger picking in my teens, starting with a crappy metal thumbpick, working my way through white Nationals and finally settling on Golden Gate mother of toilet seat picks, so i use both flat and thumb picks. I still have piles of tortex, and other types of picks from over the years. The Jellyfish was a real goofy idea, but fun, and like you, i find jazz picks to be a really bad idea!

[@AskZac]

Love your story. Thank you for sharing your pick journey

[@nickangelo3283]

This is such a timely topic and I am appreciative of this post. I have been struggling to find the right pick for some time. I had settled on the acrylic V-picks after years of searching, and they sound great for overdriven stuff, but for cleaner playing the acrylic material can be a bit bright and seems to overpower the strings a bit. So I have been back to Tortex, Nylon, and currently the Fender 351 heavy. I also use the shoulder of the pick. I also tried the D’addario heavy and it feels great but it is quite dark. I am going to order these D’andrea picks. I was about to try a Blue Chip, but I’m going to try these D’andrea’s first. Thanks Zac!

[@MartinCliffe]

I've gone pretty much full-circle with picks. When I started playing, it was pretty much .88mm Dunlop Tortex. I did Jazz IIIs, Black Ice, V-Picks, and a whole load of others, before coming back to .88mm Dunlop Tortex "The Wedge" picks. Although I have a beautiful pick-shaped stone I bought in Napa Valley once that I use for specific tones, and I'll switch up a bit for recording sometimes.

[@michaelschaefer7962]

Great discussion in both the video and the comments. I thought my decades-long pick odyssey had come to an end about ten years ago, when I settled on 1.5 mm small triangles with all rounded corners (three shoulders!). Then, about a year ago, the Fretboard Journal ran a laudatory piece on Apollo picks. They're in the same price range as Blue Chip, which gave me pause, but they looked really cool, so I splurged on one in my preferred shape and thickness. At that price, I really, really didn't want it to be the best-sounding and best-feeling pick I'd ever used, but a weekend's worth of playing forced me to acknowledge that it was both. I now have several, and I've learned to be extremely mindful of where I set them down.

[@lastofthe4horsemen279]

Picks are essential gear for me .I began my playing career as a classic guitarist and shaped my nails for picks.Over time I so love electric guitar that I began using picks that's how I felt I got my best sound. The light grey Dunlop was my first choice for many years but this year I discovered Dunlop Flo picks .88 and use the exclusively for me absolutely phenomenal. I saw an interview with Tom Bukovac and he informed me people in the know use the shoulder of the pick.So I have switched to that style because it does seem to produce a smoother well rounded tone.Any way love your dives into the important oft overlooked intricacies of guitar playing.The constant evolution of Ask Zac continues to inspire ( Though sometimes I miss the old Attic office and trying identify and unravel the story behind the gear leaning against the wall)Thanks for being you friend!

[@nathanpickett202]

I never gave picks much attention until I started playing clean tones. Celluloid picks made a big difference compared to many of my other picks. Thanks for the D'Andrea reference. I will check them out.

[@stephenschramm1233]

Good timing. Tonight I came home to a package on the porch containing a dozen Dunlop Max-Grip nylon picks in .73mm. I’ll get to try them tomorrow.

[@philvandel]

I loved the CT Blue Chip picks. Ended up with the Dunlop Primetone in a comparable size and have been very pleased for a fraction of the price. I still record with Blue Chips because they just sound the best to my ear.

[@guitareveryone]

Picks do make a huge difference in tone and feel and I’ve used many through the years but I find myself using a Dunlop tortex 1 mm pick a lot these days for electric when I’m not using my Herco Blue thumb pick. I use a 60 mm Dunlop nylon for acoustic. I may give those D’Andrea’s a shot. Thanks for the info and another informative episode!

[@thomkopal1740]

My journey with flat picks began decades ago. It didn't take me 37 years, but it did take me quite a long time to figure out what pick qualities changed the sonic character and feel in ways I enjoy best. There are many factors, but the main factors are 1) material, 2) thickness, and 3) shape. Everyone's journey is unique. What I want from my electric guitars is clean, clear and articulate. I'd rather chime and clang when I use a pick in my playing style. Many materials that feel great don't support the sounds I favor. Like Zac, I began with the same Dunlop shades of gray Nylons, because they were there. I eventually went to their thicker black because the feel was too soft and squishy, but then I lost the upper frequencies that define the attack. Other materials vary in hardness - polycarbonate being very hard, but brittle. Delrin is slick but dull. Horn/antler, wood, stainless steel, stone, copper, brass, titanium all have their character. I even tried genuine tortoise picks (antiques) of a couple different thicknesses - they were okay, but not stunning. Blue Chips were a big bust, for me - I gave mine away. All polymers have a kind of clackity quality that I don't prefer. Thin celluloid and certain thicknesses of Ultem/Ultex were my favorite. Like Redd, I found that celluloid are inconsistent, so only a few were to my liking, even though they appear the same. What do I use? I found that the thinnest copper alloy used in Ice-Pix "copper flex" picks bring the articulation I crave. Thicker copper picks are dull to me. This "flex" copper alloy contains a small amount of beryllium which stiffens it to the point that "flex" really is a misnomer. Whatever flex there is can be controlled by choking up on the tip. The feel has been the real challenge - I find that taking off just a little bit of the tip with a file can increase speed and ease. But too much taken off decreases the articulation. Oh yeah, like celluloid, there is variability among individual picks. I go through a 10-pack and will find the one or two that I like best. At $1.50 per pick, they're not too awfully expensive. Once you find your favorite, they will last a long time. I went 15 years on my last one, and am on my second year of its replacement. Yeah - it's a journey! And my journey isn't your journey - so I urge everyone to experiment if you are at all curious.

[@michaelogden5093]

Trying new picks in search of tone magic and feel are one of my favorite things.

[@BrianKlobyGuitar]

Indeed... picks make a difference and I can relate to your pick journey... I too have played a lot of various picks over the years... it's the only way to find what works best for us as individual guitar players.. and what a great experience it has been.. it's one of the things that makes playing guitar such an awesome thing... :)

[@AskZac]

Thanks for sharing!

[@ccchhhrrriiisss100]

Great video, Zac! I had a few picks that I hated during college. So, after graduation, I gave them to my wife's brother. I actually felt guilty about it because I hated those picks so much. A few weeks later, he called and told me that they were the best picks he had ever used. I finally ordered a couple of Dunlop variety packs and found a few picks that just felt (and sounded) right. I just order those individually now.

[@jeffkirpach4815]

Great vid Zac; really like your channel!

[@AskZac]

Thanks!

[@rossrowley4331]

I remember reading Billy Gibbons in Guitar Player say he used a Mexican peso. When he couldn't find one, he'd use an American quarter. Growing up in a very rural place, the yellow bread ties came in handy. Oh, and Tiran Porter of the Doobie Brothers talked about using a Clorox bleach jug cap.

[@architypeone8646]

Been using a Fender Heavy and playing on the shoulder for several years now. Keep experimenting, but always come back to the Fender Heavies.

[@emptypromises2962]

I am forever in love of my Chicken Pick Shred. It makes me feel in total control of my playing.

[@emptypromises2962]

Actually, it's the Badazz III, I got it wrong. 😅

[@justinbradfield6499]

Got Damn Zac !!!!!!! I commented earlier on how much I loved this video but Ive been playing Joe Walsh stuff all day long and the shoulder of my Jim Dunlop is the freakin tone Ive been lookin for !!!!!! Its heavier darker and more substantial !!!!!! Thanks Man !!!!!!!

[@legokid20001]

I love buying and trying different picks. I was a jazz pick player for years. I loved small, pointy 2.0 thick picks from Gravity but recently have changed to Dunlop tortex flow picks 1.0-1.5 regular size picks. I like the grip and how they glide over the strings. After watching Zach I’m gonna give the shoulder a try.

[@Dontchangemynameok]

JHS logo Gravity pick. 1.5mm. Changed my playing for the WAY better. Maybe going thicker just forced me to pay more attention to my right hand. I don’t know but I love it.

[@garybratton7756]

I gotta try some of those D’Andreas, they sound like they would be just right…unfortunately, I think they’re even harder to come by now that you’ve been spreading the word! :) Just realized that the picture over your shoulder is the colonel…very cool!

[@fiddlix]

great show. The Fender medium/heavey was always my pick of choice.

[@shawnmagee2640]

Oh jeez I’m right there with you. 40 years of trying to figure it out. I still haven’t. Started on nylons. Tortex through all my touring years it was the only thing I could hold onto. Had a jazz III phase. Tried the $40 hand shaped ones. Iron age Viking style picks lol all of it. I realized along the way standards size flats suit me best. I landed a couple years ago on Tortex Flex’s which are apparently a blend of tortex and nylon. A little warmth from the nylon. Always used celluloid for acoustic but I don’t play much acoustic. I roll my pick constantly. Pretty much any rhythm work is done on the shoulder.

[@AskZac]

I will check out the Flex pick. Thanks!

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

The Dunlop.88mm has a nice grip on it…nylon…try them dude

[@MezzMcGillicuddy1]

I bought a bunch of real celluloid picks from Italy because Redd Volkaert said they’re right. I must say, they are excellent! Last I checked my local store doesn’t carry blue chip picks, and 30 bucks is too dad-blamed much to spend to find out I don’t like ‘em. Tried the Eric Johnson’s, never took to ‘em either.

[@benjohnson4810]

My experience has been pretty similar to yours. Strangely enough, since i started playing guitar, medium or heavy were your choices. My dad plays guitar too and always had both gauges on hand. I used medium (.73mm) a lot for gigs over the years and struggled at times. I settled on heavy gauge (1.00mm) a few years ago and prefer it every time, even if i try to switch back to medium. If i can play the solo to Rock Around The Clock with little effort, then it's the right gauge for me. You can feel the tension build in certain areas with either pick, (in your shoulder with medium and in your hand with heavy), for me.

[@jameskrys5286]

My wife saves those plastic clips from loafs of bread. The hole in them is good for us older people with carpal tunnel. They have four corners and two have double tips so you can angle the clip and get two plucks with one stroke. You can take a file and sharpen the two single nubs. I got into the habit of playing like Albert King from many visits to the local GC. Jeff Beck also plays with the thumb. Saw him play at the Ryman.

[@kyzor-sosay6087]

Took me a long time to find the pick for me ,finally……..the Ed King V-Pick.Works fantastic for me.Great video.

[@markrobinson8410]

i have been playing over 40 years and the snark picks are all i use now.

[@65pancakes82]

Dunlop dark gray Nylon .88 with the bumps. Only the shoulder. The shoulder can bite or lay back more than the point. Until this vid, I didn't realize that so many preferred the shoulder. Hahh!

[@onenotesolo256]

I only arrived at the same place on the journey in the last couple of years too. Started on the grey .88mm Dunlop, went through everything from the shark’s fin one to a coin, and finally settled on Dunlop Prime Tone (the brown one with the raised dimples) and anything around the 1mm mark. I also prefer using the shoulder for a fatter tone. Great video - one for the nerds and yet a subject that impacts probably 99% of players.

[@teleclasster]

Just got the 1.5mm heavy D'Andrea picks, very nice! Will try the medium heavy when in stock.. Thx Zac

[@andersestes]

Dunlop Primetone.88 Play with shoulder. I find that it feels like it has some bite to it that I love. The perfect amount of flex. Great for acoustic and electric.

[@mattbrillhart2922]

I’m always on the search for picks. So many good options. I’ve landed on several and use according to my mood, guitar, style of music, and sound I wanting/needing. I’ve jazz size picks for years but did using larger size the past two years. Honey picks make a great pic that I really like for sharp attack. I mostly use Flow picks now. I’ll even use a felt pick on my bass and acoustics for softer attack.

[@jimmyjams1974]

Great advice!

[@petertiffany8096]

For years and years I was a die hard Fender medium user. I still have some of these that are 25 years old. Two or three years ago I tried some of the smooth Prime Tones and like them OK. I also tried 3 Blue Chips. 2 of these I don't like, but the thinest one I like fine. But you turned me on to medium heavies from D'Andrea. These are great. Perfect for me. I also discovered using the shoulder a few years ago.

[@dw7704]

Always cool to try different picks. I own & have used a bunch of different ones- including a stone pick phase I mostly keep coming back to Tortex, but I still use other ones I will rotate a pick while playing: tip, shoulder and even the full side, depending on the song & whether it’s single notes,power chords or other chords, fast or slow, mellow or heavy. It’s fun to experiment

[@davidbertoncini827]

I had the same problem and I bought some Dandrea MH them after your info…perfect combination. I also got some Monster Grips to keep them from slipping around which helps also.

[@ChadWork1]

After 35 years of Fender Mediums, I found the Dava picks that sound the same but are so comfortable to hold, and give my sore thumb joint some relief.

[@phillipasby9202]

Easiest and cheapest way to experiment with tone and feel.. It took me forever to realize this but such a big impact changing nothing else in your setup. Thanks for the encouragement as always Zac! (I have a blue chip which is really great - or ultex prime tones jazz III XL from Dunlop as my every day go to for guitar .88 for acoustic and 1.4mm for electric and mandolin - but every one likes something different!)

[@AskZac]

Glad it helped!

[@craiggendler2782]

I've been at it for 55 years and I'm still experimenting with picks. I like the heavy V picks for grip and for electrics, but not for acoustic guitars or mandolins. I recently started using a different pick hold, which changes everything. So the journey begins again.

[@rogergraves5467]

Thanks for the recommendation. Placed an order for some of the heavy ones to try. I have some old fender picks from the 70s that I love. Hopefully they’ll be really close.

[@AskZac]

Enjoy!

[@justinbradfield6499]

Thanks Zac very informative !!!!!

[@buddylobos5277]

After leaving my local music store here in Santa Fe, in frustration I concluded I'd have to make my own pic. Later in Trader Joe's parking lot, a shinny object caught my eye. It was a Mexican $1 dollar -peso coin. Brass center in a nickel ring with smooth edges. I laughed & picked it up. In a ZZ Top video . Elwood said Billy uses Dunlop's jazz pic's, never a coin but fans given them coins all the time. They have drawers full of 'em. Hmmmm. I gave it a try. PERFECTAMUNDO!!! No point. Right weight, slightly larger than a jazz pic. The Mexican Eagle on one side and the $1 on the other side are the perfect grip. If I lose it? Well. Easily replaced. Billy doesn't use them? He should. They work best on Les Paul's & Tele's. 5 years on still my #1 or my $1. Great one Zac..

[@doctordox6278]

Man, I got a blue chip TD 50 6 months ago, and ive been using the same pick since then. I cant switch. its perfect

[@utahprepper8925]

Red Bear T-II Medium with standard bevel is the best pick I've ever played. Three tones in one pick. Sounds just great on my Tele - it's all I use, FWIW.

[@TedSchoenling]

I started in the early '80s with fender celluloid thin and mediums, played them well into the late 90s, discovered Tortex, and started going thicker.. discovered Ultex and then sharps.. then this last year by total accident I got their Tortex in "Flow" shape.. and now have fallen in love with 1.5mm Ultex flow picks for lead stuff and 1.14mm tortex flow for other stuff. The Tortex is warmer and really helps tame my G&L asat down a bit Sometimes I'll want to change picks mid set just because of the different tones or textures. Zac, thanks for sharing your pick journey. I would echo your encouragement to younger or newer players. Get a bunch of different types, sizes, shapes, gauges. Try them. Some will fail, some will be meh, but you will find some you love... and interesting to hear the different tones just a pick can make

[@saffordpastor]

Loved Country Guitar magazine. Wish it was still around.

[@rcannonp]

I bought some Dunlop felt picks to use with my flat wound bass. I've found that I really like them for acoustic guitar and even electric too. They grab the string and snap it back in a way that gives a particular bite to the sound. My new favorite pick is a 1.5mm unpolished Gravity pick that came with a JHS pedal. I was unfamiliar with Gravity when I got the pedal and figured that the pick must just be some cheap souvenir thing. One day I thought that I'd try it out on my acoustic, and it was like a light turned on. I have other thick acrylic picks that never really grabbed me, but the way that unpolished edge plays with the strings really makes it for me.

[@ronrumsey3205]

Zac, I was a very "subtle" player when I started out in 1966. Can't tell you how many plastic picks and little E strings I broke! LOL! Eventually I calmed down and went with Fender Heavy picks. Then I moved on to hybrid picking and about 15 years ago I switched to bare fingers. I'm at home with me fingers! I've never gotten on with thumb picks.

[@ericpeterson9336]

I was a " shoulder" user since the 70's.....I didn't know it was a thing. And I hold the pick with 3 fingers as I move it around to do pinch harmonics. I kinda " forest gumped" my way into it...years later I find on the web others do it too. Not surprising ...I would never be dumb enough to say " I INVENTED THAT".....interesting though on our journeys we all figure these wanderings out on our though.....us guitar players......a weird bunch we are....I always had a pocket full of Fender Heavys........

[@faheykj]

Dunlop Nylon .73mm using the shoulder side of the pick, never the point. I learned this from my dad, and now my son as well. This has always been my pick and preferred use. Cheers

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Me too. I finally ( 2 years ago ) Discovered the Jim Dunlop = John Petrucci guitar picks . . . Love em. "Dunlop 427PJP John Petrucci Jazz III"

[@chrislestermusic]

I went through soooo many picks. Celluloid, metal, stone, plastic, tortex. I am in love with the Dunlop Gloss 2.0 for electric. Who knows if the love affair will last or not but they are great for me. I use different picks for acoustic. Not that you asked. 😜

[@castnoshadow82lr48]

I’ve noticed since buying my tele I’ve been upping the thickness of my pick in my beginner opinion they just work really well with overall tone. I know it’s not what the tele is specifically renowned for but I’m loving the sound of the neck pick up with the 76 nylon Jim Dunlop. Oh yea and congrats on 15 years 🎗

[@AskZac]

Thank you!

[@trushack]

Blue Chips changed my life, at least for acoustic playing. The sound, the feel....I love it. I feel weird playing almost anything else on an acoustic at this point. I've been using the same Blue Chip (purchased from Carter Vintage) for 4 or 5 years now and have a small stash of two others. For electric, I bounce around. I'm plenty happy playing a Tortex, which is what I've used since the '90s, but lately I've really been digging this old white 351 Fender heavy that came out of a stash of old Fender picks from the '60s, '70s and '80s that I have. Not sure exactly what decade it's from, but it's an old one and doesn't feel or sound the same as a current Fender celluloid. I also found a company that makes picks from old celluloid from '20s, '30 and '40s and I'm finding that I really like those, too. They actually feel a little bit like a Blue Chip, but definitely don't cost as much!

[@tysonshirey1]

I think Ive finally rested on one after all these years..Dunlop “ The Wedge” .88.. I love the blue chip. And I got an awesome genuine tortoise shell from japan that I love on acoustic. But best one for me on electric is Tortex Dunlop “The Wedge”. Excellent tone, doesnt slip when sweaty, and glides over strings nicely. Try em out!:)

[@AskZac]

Very nice!

[@atonofspiders]

I've always loved the "Ultex" material they use for those slightly see-through amber picks. Really love how light and strong they are. I did PRS's tonewood drop test on a variety of pick materiels and the Ultex material is always the loudest and crispiest when dropped on my wooden desk. I know this doesn't fully translate a lot of information but I gravitate towards the Ultex for that reason and many others I can't quite articulate. I just loved the material world's more than others.

[@benkatof5852]

So relatable for us guitarists. I tried like all the Dunlop jazz picks, and used to really like the xl size ultex. Played great for me but I couldn't get rid of the string clicking. I switched to D'Anderea proplecs jazz size which I loved - great tone and the least string click on any pick I've ever used. But, they are a bit slippery, and recently started to deform (apparently they absorb moisture). So I found these pickboy jazz celuose picks with holes for grip - almost identical sound minus the warping and with better grip.

[@ZeppelinUK]

Hi Zac, I've tried Jim Dunlop picks of various gauges but I eventually settled on Fender black mediums, they feel good and they're stiff with just a touch of flexibility, different strokes for different folks though when it comes to picks!... 🙂

[@CarstenGoeke]

First time i´ve heard about to use the shoulder of the pick was last years video of "Uncle Larry". Its so interesting after these years of playing. And as you said: Go to a store and check different picks. thanks and greetz ✌🏼

[@AskZac]

Cool!

[@brubakersflatcakes9755]

I recently tried out heavy Snark picks and could really hear a difference. They made my sound a bit bolder and full. They wear quickly but I love the tone.

[@bluesingmusic3443]

I had Medium/Heavy pick (the large triangular one) FMIC sent me about 50 picks when they replaced my set of strings I'd bought (2 packs came with 2 D strings). But the pick wasn't celluloid. Of course they only sent 1 of those. FMIC told me about the pick manufacturer you mentioned. Now I use Fender Heavy picks exclusively. But I miss that Med/Heavy. (I left it at my old Bass player's house, never to be seen again.) I've got all kinds of picks around this place. I'll look at the floor & in a corner will be a pick. LoL