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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2015 8:13:16 GMT
I definitely see the appeal of playing without picks. I have no problem playing electric guitar this way. But for acoustic, unfortunately, the flesh on my thumb splits into crevasses before it ever callouses over. (And my index nail inevitably chips/breaks- I keep it trimmed just long enough to support the Alaska Pick). I also find I'm more accurate with a pick edge, since my fingers are on the larger size. I watched the Saddle pick video -- it's really close to what I'm looking for, except the pick edge seems HUGE. I guess I could file the pick edge down -- I'll probably order two, one for experimenting with. Seems to me it should be possible to "invent" my own pick though. Edit: I just came across this thread with a link to a make your own thumb pick video: michaelmesser.proboards.com/thread/3198/make-own-thumb-pickSeems like something to play around with...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2015 12:56:58 GMT
The Dunlop Zookies caught my eye too -- they're difficult to find here in France though. I think I'll try melting one of my Dunlops into that shape.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2015 13:33:34 GMT
I think part of the problem (for me) with thumbpicks is that the pick bit doesn't seem to anywhere near the same place / angle as if you were holding a flat pick. Now if there was one that was in the same location / vicinity, I'd think about it. (Think...) TT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2015 15:36:51 GMT
I stopped using picks several years ago, after buying a Martin 000 28C. It felt right. Just bought a MM Blues guitar though, and there seems to be a lot more tension on the strings and I'm thinking of getting a thumb pick again.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2015 12:45:03 GMT
I stopped using picks several years ago, after buying a Martin 000 28C. It felt right. Just bought a MM Blues guitar though, and there seems to be a lot more tension on the strings and I'm thinking of getting a thumb pick again. I get away with no picks fairly well on my Washburn parlor, especially downtuned to Open F. But my resonator is strung with very heavy strings for slide, they'd tear my fingers up without picks. I ordered a pair of the Saddle picks, I'll have them late next week. Very pricey -- it'll be worth it if they do what I'm hoping they will AND if they don't wear down too quickly. My effort to reproduce the Zookie angle failed miserably! I'm still interested in trying out the real thing.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2015 19:48:53 GMT
So I ordered the Saddle picks... took me all of about 10 minutes to realize they're just not for me. The pick edge is much too big, but the way they're molded, it's not possible to shave them down to something workable. And they still place the pick-edge at the bottom of the thumb.
On the other hand, a lefty player might find them more interesting -- when they're reversed onto the left thumb, it braces the thumb better and the pick-edge moves to the top.
Still haven't found any Zookies in the stores around me.
Oh yeah, I've been playing without picks for the last few weeks, mostly out of laziness. Broke the nail on my index finger a week ago though, had to trim it all the way down-- disaster!
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Post by slide496 on Jun 1, 2015 20:40:37 GMT
The saddle picks, which I bought as well, IMHO are ridiculous, its like putting a zip tie on your thumb - surprised they are being carried anywhere - unless they changed the design if you overtighten them you can't loosen them .
The zookies are carried on Ebay.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2015 22:02:53 GMT
As long as you don't glue them in place, you can still loosen them, but still, I don't see the appeal. Maybe for people with enormous thumbs?
The problem wtih the zookies I've found on ebay is that they're all shipping from the UK, and postage ends up costing 20 euros. My son will be going to the States this summer, he's going to carry things back for me (Shh! He doesn't know this yet!)
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Post by slide496 on Jun 1, 2015 22:12:32 GMT
I think they may have upgraded them in some way - I had trouble getting mine off a year or two ago. Sorry about the shipping!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2015 22:27:34 GMT
Affordable guitar parts is about the only thing I miss about the States. That and Al's Italian Beef. Oh, and Harold's Fried Chicken.
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Post by alexkirtley on Jun 2, 2015 0:10:44 GMT
I use Fred Kelly thumbpicks, either the white or orange ones, then a metal Dunlop fingerpick on my index finger, haven't found anything better
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2015 6:20:52 GMT
I like Alaska piks for my index. I have a Fred Kelly somewhere, I'll have to dig it out, give it another try.
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Post by twang1 on Jun 2, 2015 8:34:45 GMT
I've been using a thumpick both with electric and acoustic since '91. I couldn't get along with pointed thumpicks because I want to be able to use it also as a pick going up and down. So I always stuck with Herco heavy thumbpicks: www.jimdunlop.com/product/herco-flatthumbpicksThey work well for me. With a resophinic guitar and heavy strings I also add an Alaska or two on the other fingers. Frank
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Post by mikenewport on Jun 2, 2015 18:22:11 GMT
I dislike finger and thumb picks but realise the benefits of using them. I have persevered and the only combination of picks I can get on with is the Fred Kelly 'speed' pick for thumb and the Fred Kelly 'Freedom' pick for fingers, actually meant for frailing banjo. In the UK both are available from Eagle Music, no connections etc but they have always provided a prompt service for me. The 'speed' thumb picks work for me in that they are not to bulky, not to stiff and are easier to get the right angle to the string(as mentioned above) because they are not too wide across the face of the pick. The 'freedom' picks are similar to the alaskas but you don't have the piece of plastic under the nail, that feeling goes through me ,ugh!. They also have a good sound for downward strumming. You really have to try them all though and find out what suits. Thumb picks www.eaglemusicshop.com/banjo-thumb-picks/fred-kelly-speed-picks.htmFinger picks www.eaglemusicshop.com/banjo-finger-picks/fred-kelly-delrin-freedom-picks.htmMike
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2015 7:22:01 GMT
I really like the Alaska piks, but since I do a bit of frailing, those Freedom picks are very interesting!
I've been playing with the Fred Kelly thumbpick the last couple of days, and you're right, it's pretty great -- the smaller nub is a much better design for me than Dunlop's giant blade. And the plastic's soft enough to balance out soundwise with the Alaska pik.
I tend to play without picks most of the time - but at the moment I'm waiting for my index nail to grow out, so I've no choice.
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