[Jekyll]

what is everyones choice of plectrum for the acoustic guitar?

when I bought my guitar the guy in the store threw in a few of various sizes and said just to experiment with them. I have since bought loads more (well you can't go into a muso shop and buy nothing can you...) . I now find I change from 1 to another all the time.

Would I be better choosing one for now or is it better to get the feel of a few.?

I have 2 favourites and just wondered if this was hampering my progress (an excuse would be good)

j

[cshude]

I think that the main things you look for in your pick, not in any particular order:
1) Comfort- does it feel good in your fingers?
2) Tone - is it giving you the sound you want?
3) Wearability- just be aware of it- if you play a lot and only use the one pick, you'll be amazed at how worn down it can get over time.
4) Stick-to-fingers factor - I personally like picks with a little rough texture to them. It helps me keep the pick where it's supposed to be.

I will say, though, that 95% of the time when playing my acoustic it's fingerstyle rather than with a pick.

[geitenvla]

I'm a terrible advisor when it comes to plectrums since I don't really use them. I guess I could learn how to play with a plectrum but it would be an agonising journey 'cause I'm so used to using my fingers.

Anyway, it's not like plectrums cost tons of money - so my opinion would be: throw in a few bucks and buy some plectrums, sit down, relax and play. Feel what suits YOU the best.

Over the years I've bought maybe 20 different plectrums and it maybe costed me somewhere around 20 bucks or so (euro, to be accurate).

It's the same thing as using different strings tention... everyone prefers something else. It takes time to gather your equipment over the years, and sometimes your preferences even change. Even nowadays I'll buy at least a plectrum once a year to see if something has changed for me...

[scotty_b]

If I am strumming a chordal part for a recording, I often use a lighter pick as it sits better in the context of the band.
When playing solo I use a heavier pick - at least 1mm, if not more. I have been using a heavy Gypsy Jazz pick for a little while, and find it gives a very smooth tone and lots of control. That pick would be around 2.5 mm. The heavier picks allow for more dynamic playing too - from very soft to very loud.
I have just ordered some Wegen picks, the Fatone and the Gypsy pick. These are hand-made picks - and expensive, so hopefully worth it. The Gypsy is 3.5 mm, which is waht Tommy Emmanuel is currently playing. The Fatone is 5mm, which is meant to make the guitar really sing. I should get them on Monday, so will record with them sometime next week and post the results.

[jayprimm]

I like the snarling dog picks primarily because they do not slip out of my fingers while playing. If only Tortex coud have the same grip texture, that would be perfection (for me.)

[henry b]

Is there any round plectrums on sale,I find all mine tend to rotate and end up playing on the broad /wide edge of the thing. [just a thought].

[Jekyll]

Thanks for all the opinions,

Today I bought a load of them from 0.4mm up to 1mm, some very smooth, others with a bit of texture at the thumb end. I suppose it's just something else I have to figure out.

So far in my very limited experience I have found the lighter or thinner ones to be easier to strum with. However I don't think they song so crisp. The heavier ones 1mm or so seem to be difficult to strum with and slip round in my fingers a lot.

I'm not pickin much notes at the moment just tryin to learn chords and move between them so I'm concentrating on the strumming which is not that good irespective of the plectrum

I'll just keep experimenting, wish I could grow nails without biting them - I am 39 after all.

Once again thanks for your views all.