[scarecrow]

Hey everyone! I got a Yamaha F335 acoustic guitar (black gloss finish, looks nice i think) and started to play with a pick. It was thin (0.50 mm) and it kept bending too much everytime i strummed the strings. It is driving me mad!!! I am postive I am not stricking too hard or too soft, and that I am holding the pick the proper way. I belive the pick is too thin or made of bad material.
What pick would you recommend? There are a couple of materials that are avaliable for picks (that I am aware of, that is):
Nylon, Celluloid, Tortex / Delrex (Dunlop), Acetal, Ultem, Lexan

And which thickness would you recommend? (Thin, Medium, Thick, etc)

I was thinking this the Nylon or Tortex Medium by Dunlop: Picks including Daisy Rock, National Picks, and PikCard USA

What do you think?

BTW, plz mention what pick YOU use to play YOUR acoustic. I just want to get an idea of what is popular and what isn't. Thank you so much in advance.

[eXperiment63]

Well, when you pick the pick should be at a 45° angle to the strings. It shouldn't be parallel to them.

BUT, you should try .80-.88. Those are light-medium picks that won't bend as much.

[Fulltone]

I have to start out by saying that I really think pick choice is a personal preference. I think that the style, thickness or brand ultimately depends on the player and style of music he or she plays.

For instance I mostly use the Dunlop Tortex .73 mm. because I play a lot of country music and it hold up on acoustics (that have a medium to heavy guage string on them) or when you chicken pick. Just because I use primarily a .73mm pick doesn't mean I won't switch picks depending on the song and how hard I have to play. A lot of musicians stick with one pick I think again thats one of those areas that depends on the idividual. I have a friend who is in a band and he has a different pick for different guitars because of the way they are strung. He also will uses different picks depending on what he plays.

I also though play electric with Erine Ball Regular Slinkys on it (the gauge is 10-13-17-26-36-46) thats when I use a .60mm pick generally a Dunlop Celluloid (Light) it doesn't have a ?mm on it, it just has a L on it.

Like I said it all depends on what type of music you play. If you are playing slow country, slow blues/jazz or like a light rock type. I would recommend a heavier pick than what you have now but not a thick pick, maybe just slightly heavier than what you have now. If you are playing country then try what I use. If you play rock songs in an acoustic form then you will certainly need a thicker pick because most rock songs are played with the same type of roughness as they are on an electric.

Remember something else everyone has an opinion on picks and just because you like something and they say it wrong you need this one, it is ultimately your choice you are the one that has to play with it not them. Also just because I listed what I use doesn't mean it fits you. These where simply put here to give you an idea and to show you what is available, now its up to you to test drive some picks for yourself and make your own decision.

One last thing if you are learning chords and scales or haven't been playing long it is probably best to use the next gauge up that does have just a slight give so that you can better learn the amount of force need to play because a lot of time if you have a heavy pick you don't realize how hard you are picking the strings which for most is often why beginners break a lot of strings along with lack of proper stringing and guitar setup and maintence.

I hope this gives you some help. Like I said it boils down to more of a personal preference not a rule. Just test drive lots of picks til you find the right one. Remember a lot of guitar shops have those pick bins or boxes that you can pick one of each for like only .10 cents. Get 10 different sizes of picks. Hey for a dollar for 10 if you don't like one you can throw it a way and you are not out a lot of money.

Again I hope this helps.

[scarecrow]

Thanks Fulltone and eXperiment63! I was using the Dunlop Tortex 0.50 (the red ones) and they were very flimsy and flexible. I decided to use the the 0.73 picks (the yellow ones) that Fulltone was using and it made a huge diffence! (I want to play country and rock on my acoustic) I will keep all your advice in mind Fulltone, very informative! Thanks again!

[Fulltone]

Hey not a problem at all. Like I said my thing is country music and anything else I can help with let me know.

[P-90]

I find this a good summary of pick materials and thicknesses: American Guitar Institute™ - Columns - Picks - How to Choose The One For You

BTW, did you know that a century ago, only mandolin and banjo players used picks? That changed when professional guitarists wanted to increase their volume, so as to be heard by larger audiences. Before that, for guitarists, it was just fingers.

[79Lespaul]

I like Dunlop Tortex Standard .50mm

[Stratrat]

I'm with Fulltone on the Dunlop Tortex .73 mm. I have a bunch of other picks, but always come back to the Tortex as my favorite. The only time I like using a thinner pick is if I'm playing the acoustic and doing a lot of strumming.

[stalkofta]

Dude, get a few 'WEDGIES' - thick as you can....

[stalkofta]

Originally Posted by stalkofta

Dude, get a few 'WEDGIES' - thick as you can....

Wedgies are textured and concave.... Easy to maintain hold of. They can float smoothly with a soft grip. Or, firm up and let-r-rip!