You're Using the Wrong Pick! Picking the Best Pick for Acoustic

Have you ever wondered if your pick shapes your tone? If so, how much? Can you hear the difference between various shapes and sizes? We think about this sort of thing all day long, so in today's episode of Alvarez TV, we're doing a deep dive into different pick (or as we say, plectrum) gauges, materials, and shapes.
What picks do you use on your acoustic guitar?
Jump to…
0:33 Picking Your Picks
4:58 1.5mm Pick vs. .70mm Picks
5:30 Why Is It Different?
6:10 2mm Picks
7:44 The £25 Plectrum
11:58 Parting Thoughts
12:34 A/B Comparison Between Picks
Picks used in this episode:
D'Addario Casein Pick, Extra Heavy Gauge (2.0mm):
www.daddario.com/products/acc...
Wegen Gypsy Jazzpick:
www.wegenpicks.com
Dunlop Delrin 500 Pick 71mm:
www.jimdunlop.com/delrin-500-...
V-Picks Freakishly Large Round Ruby Red 3mm:
v-picks.com/shop/ols/products...
V-Picks Small Pointed Lite 1.5mm-1 (tip to tip):
v-picks.com/shop/ols/products...
ChickenPicks Light 2.2:
www.chickenpicks.com/shop/3x-...
V-Picks Medium Pointed Ruby Red (2.75mm -1 1/8 tip to tip):
v-picks.com/shop/ols/products...
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[@derekfromtauranga6012]

I have a variety of picks and thicknesses but still like the sound of just playing without a pick with my fingernails. It seems to be a more mellow sound and less high overtones coming off the strings. Everyone to their own.

[@Startplanting]

I lost my pick 4 months ago in the sound hole, I've since then mastered Travis picking.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Necessity is the mother of mastering Travis picking. 👍

[@jbanjo056]

As a banjo player who is used to the picks being literally attached to my fingers, I have the hardest time holding on to the flatpick lol. Cheers guys, lovely video!

[@waynzwhirled6181]

Excellent video. I've been watching a lot of your videos lately and just realized I hadn't subscribed, but I have now. This is turning into one of my favorite guitar channels, and has convinced me that I need an Alvarez acoustic guitar.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

We love hearing that, thanks very much for watching and subscribing! Hope you do get an Alvarez, if you need any recommendations let us know 👍

[@nadavnc]

Love these videos and discussions. Keep up the awesome work, gents!

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Thanks for watching, Nadav!

[@stevevice9863]

I've been using a Fender Heavy for years, but I rotate it so that the "shoulder" of the pick is making the contact with the strings. It really is an audibly warmer sound. I play a 1990 Alvarez Yairi DY77 and a 2009 Taylor 414ce Ltd. Tasmanian Blackwood and Sitka.

[@stephenpavlik9007]

Loved this discussion. The $25.00 pick does sound richer than the other picks he used on that quick one strum demo...but $25.00?!?...In my opinion sometimes you want a thinner, brighter sound. I use two different picks. One gives me a smoother, quieter sound (Dunlop Ultex Jazz III) and one for brighter, louder sound and faster picking too (Dunlop Big Stubby 1.0mm)

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Ha, $25 is definitely an investment! Thanks for watching, this was a really fun conversation for us, too. 👍

[@ryanbloom1738]

Bought a blue chip.and thought it's ok. Then after using for three months I'll never use anything else if I have a choice.

[@elholt7095]

Great video and excellent points made! It's not just the sound that will change with different size/shape, thickness and material type but also how it feels between your thumb and fingers. So yes a good pick will matter depending on what sound you are going for and how the strings respond to your various attack(s). You also have to adjust (get use to it) to how it feels in you hand and between you thumb and finger(s). Shoot if I want some different sound from my guitar(s) I will use a different pick or even fingers with acrylic nails rather than look to buy another guitar. Then yes there is also the strings...that is another video! A buddy of mine gave me a Blue Chip TAD-1R 60 ($35) as well as the D'Addario Cassin Chris Thile 1.4mm pick. Both are triangle shape. After playing all sorts of other picks like Dunlop Delrin and Primetone 1.5mm and 2.0 mm I almost always go back to the Blue Chip for it's tone and clarity (very little pick scratch Chris!) and how it feels and stays put between my thumb and fingers. Yes I would buy another Blue Chip if I lost this one but probably only after going through my vast collection of picks over the last 50 years LOL. Cheers!

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Great thoughts, EL, thanks very much for watching! Strings are definitely in the cards for a future episode. 👍

[@winogod917]

Enjoyed the video. Perhaps it was me, but the yairi guitar sounds like either the 12th fret action was too low or the neck was too straight as there was a lot of rattle going on???

[@johngbradt]

We’re still waiting for more great plectrum reviews Still waiting hint hint 😎🎸🎶☮️

[@752brickie]

I have a Blue Chip and love it but a friend gave it to me. I bought one from Martin Guitar for $22.00 and it is amazing. I have a one mill pick and a 1.5 mil and they really do sound so so so much better. Great videos and I am looking at three Alvarez guitars hanging on my wall. You guys make amazing instruments for the money. I feel they are the very best bang for the buck on the market !!! Thank you for your great videos !

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Thank you for watching!

[@markharwood7573]

I got home from work one day and my wife said she'd come home from a night shift, gone to bed, and been woken up by the postman to sign for a delivery. She wasn't happy when I told her it was a single plectrum. OK, it was silver, but it was also useless to me. At least I knew why I was in trouble that day.

[@amitm1]

Still using the Alvarez picks and also, Jazz 3xl

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Very cool, Amit!

[@johngbradt]

Tim should try the Gold Series Teardrop Gravity Picks. They’re my second favorite after Blue Chip Picks! 😎🎸🎶☮️

[@terrysmith7441]

Audio on the vocals are flat back , damped for lack of voice mike range,great tips on picks , thanx.

[@imannonymous7707]

Im interested in alverez guitars , the alverez yaris are amazing , and i want 1 someday. I like tortex picks myself different guages for different tones and technique. Id like to try the wood picks someday or real tortoise shell too

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Thanks very much for the love @im annonymous 👍

[@CharlieLuscombe-Guitarist]

I love my Wegen BigCity 1.8mm pick for acoustic 😀

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Yeah that's a great choice, Charlie!

[@rhiannonpage3974]

Now I can't listen to a song without hearing the pic and wishing they had used a thicker one 😂 great video though!

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

You're welcome 👍

[@RodClark]

I've been on the quest for the perfect pick and played literally every one I could find, and I swear, Blue Chips are the equivalent of spending an additional $1000 on your guitar. Get a TD40, TP40 or TP48 and you're all set.

[@camodup]

Amazing.

[@zyuthalon]

I would suggest trying Snark Teddy Neo Totoise guitar picks. They are great and only about $5 for 12! I believe they are made of Casein as well.

[@tomeisenmenger7048]

No, not casein (especially at that price!). They are great, though - I've tried both the .73 and .94 thickness Teddys and they are my favorite cheap pick.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

They are great picks 👍

[@gabrielcartier2714]

Best sounding to me is fender medium celluloid picks. They do wear out very quick though. And they slip a lot when my hands are sweaty. Most comfortable i've played with a great grip and a slightly less good sound then the fender but still very good is the snarling dogs brain 1.14mm(orange).

[@ToddKnauer]

Blue Chip TP48.

[@RodClark]

Absolutely yes. Best pick on the market.

[@musicbill369]

I've used Fender Confetti medium for years and tried the D'Addario caseine about a year ago and it was too thick. Great tone but too thick. Then found the Blue Ridge TD35 which is much thinner and more like the Fender Confetti medium and it grips a little better. The casein picks seem to hardly wear and I practice every day and gigs on weekends. The Blue Ridge TD 35 is becoming my pick of choice, although I keep the Fender Confetti medium in my pocket when I need the tone of a celluloid pick.

[@elholt7095]

Do you mean Blue Chip?

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Great thoughts there, Bill, thank you!

[@todzilla09]

The thing is you already own the best pick. It is your fingers, learn finger style. When I want the extra volume and attack of a pick, I use a Dragon's Heart GT. You can't beat the tone and clarity of this pick. They are 2.5mm thick and have three playing edges. A traditional type of edge for strumming and fills. A rounded edge more for strumming and percussive accompaniment. The pointed edge for single note runs and soloing.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Great addition, @todmil, thanks!

[@topsbottom2214]

I’m a big fan of the golden gate x-stiff pick.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Great choice 👍

[@scottfishkind5335]

I love Dunlop Ultex picks and have a variety of gauges both in the Standard as well as Sharp versions. I find some songs seem to favor certain picks both from a sonic and a playability standpoint. But no doubt the pick choice had a massive impact on the sound.

[@timchalmers1700]

Yep! If you're not using Clayton Ultem picks you're using the wrong pick. No, I don't work for Clayton, but I live in Oregon where they are made.

[@philipdeppen3189]

No such thing as a right pick or wrong pick. It’s a fact what one pick sounds good on one acoustic guitar won’t sound good on another. I have many acoustics and depending which acoustic with what strings I’ll use a different pick. Some sound best to me with a celluloid some with a primetone some a bluechip and some with acrylic and the gauge varies as well

[@timchalmers1700]

@@philipdeppen3189 I will admit to being a bit facetious. But yes, they are my favorite picks. I suppose I am being picky. Uh, sorry.

[@gregd.3278]

Well talking to each other, but a little, tiny sound of these acoustic guitars... hmmm...

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

We have lots more playing videos on KZbin. Scroll down this episode for a demo of the picks.

[@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!!

[@lebe220]

Thumb pick.

[@TRICK-OR-TREAT236]

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