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Post by Stevie on Feb 21, 2009 1:14:51 GMT
Has anyone else tried these fingerpicks? Nothing new in their design, but they are sold as being cobalt plated. They do seem very "slippy" as a result. More than just polished. Perhaps there is something in the plating. cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300291071662&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=020I purchased a set and they are so much better (in fit) than the plastic ones that I bought which stuck out like geriatric dogs dew claws! As a result, I'm prompted to persevere with fingerpicks. Stevie. |
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Post by Michael Messer on Feb 21, 2009 11:15:32 GMT
Those picks look excellent. I used heavy gauge metal National fingerpicks for many years. I changed to plastic for a few reasons; I prefer the tone of plastic, they were easier to get than metal. Nobody made good metal picks back then, we only had old ones. And finally, because I used to scratch up my guitars with metal picks. Most American Dobro players, pedal-steel players, banjo players and acoustic guitarists that wear picks - only use metal ones.
Those new Dunlop ones look great and should sound lovely.
Shine On
Michael.
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Post by SoloBill on Feb 21, 2009 12:05:48 GMT
Hi all,
Oh, I didn't pick up on this when reading the various threads about using fingerpicks; do you guys only play with thumb and two fingers?
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Post by Michael Messer on Feb 21, 2009 12:16:01 GMT
Yes - Thumb and two fingers. Most players these days do it that way. In the old days, many of the African-American guitarists played with thumb & one finger. Lots of African guitarists still do. My friend BJ Cole, pedal steel guitarist, uses thumb & three fingerpicks! The choice is yours  Shine On Michael. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2009 20:55:39 GMT
Hi There
The cobalt thing seems to be taking off in a big way in the states. I think Bob Perry may have started it. Just ordered a selection of his picks from Rob Ickes. On the Elderly instruments site lots of picks are being plated, including propik and national.
BR
Ben
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2009 16:31:59 GMT
Just got my Bob Perry Cobalt picks. Really good. I was sceptical about the less pick noise claims, but they are justified. Also have some Showcase 41's, really nice pre-war style that are more comfortable than most. Definitely worth a look.
Ben
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Post by robn on Feb 28, 2009 16:59:36 GMT
I usually play with Dunlop white plastic (large size as they have a stronger tone than the medium). I bought a set of propik reso picks last week for my dobro. I hadn't used metal picks for a while and it is good to keep checking that you are not missing out! Well I used them at band practice on Thursday and our banjo player said that it was good to see me using real picks so I could get some more volume  We did an a/b playing "old joe clark" through twice first with me wearing metal picks and then with the white plastic dunlops. I was a bit shocked to hear just how different the two sets were. The plastic were way louder and clearer than the metal picks. But I have to say the metal picks fitted like little gloves and were a lot easier to use. The banjo player's verdict was - wear the plastic picks !!! I have tape all over my Dunlop plastic picks to get them to fit, so it would be great to find an alternative with an equally solid tone that actually fitted  I may well try those cobalt coated picks out as well. Robin |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2009 17:53:30 GMT
Most Blugrass pickers seem fairly dismissive of plastic. I think it's probably a tradition thing, rather than a practical one. I like the combination of metal and plastic rather than just metal or just plastic. I like the variation in the sound. I started using plastic thumb, brass index and nickel middle for a change, like that a lot, but i will say that when it comes to atmospheric, swampy sounds i prefer plastic. Just hate the fit. I'm going to try and coat some metals in polyester soon to see if i can make plastic sound with metal fit.
Interestingly i heard a well known dobro player talking about the better tone of metal the other day. I'd call it different rather than better personally.
Changing the subject sightly, after watching Douglas, Ickes etc over the last couple of months i have been surprised at how much the thumb is actually doing. I assumed it would just stick to the bass, but they go over to the top strings as much with that as they do the middle and index.
Ben
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Post by robn on Feb 28, 2009 18:56:55 GMT
Yep - I wonder if it just happens to be the set-up I have on my dobro that needs the extra dig you can get from plastic? Still, I'll keep on experimenting - I certainly found metal fast and easy to use but I've got a bannanas banjo player, mad mandolinist, gnarly guitarist and bonkers upright bass player to get over the top of One other advantage of using plastic is that your strings last lots longer (particularly the 3rd). I can quickly kill string sets with metal picks. I've taken to using Zookie 10 deg thum picks. I work across the strings with my thumb and I get an even wear pattern with 10 deg. They don't last long, but then what thumb picks do? I used the calico ones for a while as they are quite hard but the plastic fatigued before the blade wore and they would just break it two  So I'll stick with the Zookie mediums for a while as they fit well and are really quick to play. Robin |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2009 19:40:00 GMT
Good point about string wear, maybe we need some Cobalt strings ;D ;D ;D
Zookies are good. Golden gate GP-12 are also worth a look, they are a bit thicker and seem to be pretty durable.
Cheers
Ben
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Post by Stevie on Mar 1, 2009 11:31:31 GMT
Reading all this has made me resolve to break the habit of a lifetime and grow my thumb and finger nails!
Stevie.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2009 12:48:23 GMT
;D ;D ;D
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Post by Gerry C on Mar 1, 2009 12:53:37 GMT
Be ready for all eventualities! I have acrylic nails on my right hand index, middle and ring fingers and usually use a plastic thumbpick - though on a couple of numbers I go bareback. Mostly if I'm playing slide or doing a long pub gig I'll put plastic picks on my index and middle, but when I'm practising bluegrass banjo I wear metal picks. If I had my way in this wicked world I'd wear metal picks on index and middle for everything as they are (a) much more comfortable than plastic picks, and (b) cheaper than having my nails done every six weeks, though I enjoy the company of the ladies wot lunch! BUT (and like mine it's a big one) I can't do with the clicky-ping of metal picks! They're OK on banjo where tone is not a big issue ;D but on my 000-28 or MML they drive me nuts. It's a grim life up ere in t'noorth, tha knows....
Cheerily,
Gerry C
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So I'll stick with the Zookie mediums for a while as they fit well and are really quick to play.