I’ve just had a playing revelation: picks/plectrums do affect your playing skills. Ok, I know, of course they do, it’s obvious isn’t it? Yes, it is, but if – like me – you have been happy playing with one type of plectrum for years and years and years, you may not realise what playing benefits a pick change can do. Read on!
For a long time I’ve used Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.60mm picks (on left in photo). I love them. They are reasonably hard wearing, fingers grip them well (important for me as my hands get very sweaty on stage) and I’ve never dropped one in a live performance. Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever dropped a pick whilst playing, ever.
However, I was recently reading an interview with someone (can’t remember who, but it was a guitarist I admire) and saw mention of Dunlop’s Tortex III picks (on right in photo). So, next time I placed an order with Strings Direct I added a few Tortex III 0.60mm picks to the order.
Well, blow me down! I’m now changing to the Tortex III. Why? Because they are slightly sharper than the Standards which – for me – results in more accuracy and even a touch more speed. Cool!
I may go up to the 0.71mm size, to get a bit more pick rigidity when fast alternate picking. On verra…
Ade Phazy's Guitar Blog 