Pick Type & Gauge

[candid_x]

I'm sorta on a pick search. I've been using basic old Fender meds, but find them a bit too clumsy and flappy. I didn't like the Tortex picks I've tried, also thought the Dava Control picks were just a lot of hype and scratchy sounding. Maybe I'll give the nylon Jazz IIIs a try, though not sure whether to try the red or black. From what I gather from here, the red is a bit smoother or softer, but harder to hold onto? I like a little flex to my picks for rhythm work.

Questions to those here who use them:

Is there any give or flex at the tip of these Jazz IIIs?
Are the reds especially hard to hold on to?
Are either of them scratchy sounding?

 

[Fusionman]

I just went back from a Fender, standard size, shell color, extra heavy pick to black Jazz III picks. Much faster response. I have the red Jazz III's too but prefer the black.

 

[roburado]

Questions to those here who use them:

Is there any give or flex at the tip of these Jazz IIIs?
Are the reds especially hard to hold on to?
Are either of them scratchy sounding?

There's not much flex or give at the tip of the Jazz III. I also choke up on the pick so that there is very little pick between the edge of my fingers and the string. So, what I'm after is no give at all. That's why I went to the Jazz III.

Why not try the Fender Heavy or Extra Heavy?

 

[candid_x]

There's not much flex or give at the tip of the Jazz III. I also choke up on the pick so that there is very little pick between the edge of my fingers and the string. So, what I'm after is no give at all. That's why I went to the Jazz III.

Why not try the Fender Heavy or Extra Heavy?

As the Fender shape goes, I'm most comfortable with the medium. Never having taken a lesson, my pick technique probably leaves a lot to be desired, but I'm willing to try new things. I used to use Fender Jazz picks but found them too small for rhythm work; they'd fly when I got a little aggressive. I'm not interested in pinch harmonics and the only thing I shred is cheese and cabbage. My tone is usually only on the brink of distortion. A lot of picks I've tried, such as the Tortex, have a scratchy attack, which is why I've liked the smooth, round tips on the Fenders, but they do feel pretty cumbersome sometimes.

Maybe I'll give the Jazz III a try. Only way to find out, right?

 

[jeffrey]

I go through about 10 Jazz III's a week. Seriously.

I just wear'em out and end up rounding them off really bad.

 

[the24thfret]

As a pointless, yet totall fascinating (admit it) tidbit, my first Jazz III was a red one given to me by Michael Angelo (Batio) when he did a Randall clinic at a guitar store I was working at part-time (cleaning guitars mostly) in 1985.

Thats pretty damn cool! Like I said, I got my first Jazz III from JP at the one-off NYC show before Six Degrees of World Tourbulence kicked off in January 2002.

And 10 picks a week??? Im obviously not playing enough.

 

[candid_x]

I go through about 10 Jazz III's a week. Seriously.

I just wear'em out and end up rounding them off really bad.

Try playing more whole and half notes. Just kidding .

I plan on ordering more Hybrid strings anyway, will try a few red and blacks. I was surprised to see how many here are using them.

 

[the24thfret]

I plan on ordering more Hybrid strings anyway, will try a few red and blacks. I was surprised to see how many here are using them.

I tend to think you'll convert. They're damn versatile and extremely consistent, IMO.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

I use the Cool Picks Juratex Jazz style.... similar to the Jazz III but slightly larger, and with a textured grip area.

My attack is so poor that I can pretty much destroy any pick in about 3 songs, so I have to order these by the gross. That reminds me, we are all out at the store and that means I'm out...

 

[robelinda2]

they look great Pete, will try and locate some!

 

[jeffrey]

Try playing more whole and half notes. Just kidding .

I plan on ordering more Hybrid strings anyway, will try a few red and blacks. I was surprised to see how many here are using them.

It's not that.

Our music has a lot of notes, what can I say?

So do my solos.

 

[candid_x]

It's not that.

Our music has a lot of notes, what can I say?

So do my solos.

I know, I've heard a clip or two . Maybe if I get the same pick I can.... naaaa.

 

[roburado]

Maybe I'll give the Jazz III a try. Only way to find out, right?

Sure. It's not like they cost a lot.

 

[Dizzy]

It's not that.

Our music has a lot of notes, what can I say?

So do my solos.

Got me interested.
So I just found & checked out your MP3 Page.
Listened to "Stand" and the first seconds of "Venom of God".

OK, so I probably won't listen to the rest (each to their own ), but can you point me to the songs that contain the inferred Pick Killing solos ??
(assuming Stand is tame by comparison?)

 

[jeffrey]

Venom of God actually has quite a bit of a busy solo.

Stand is pretty simple really, and lots of legato.

The majority of our new songs (9 or so) are not recorded, you'll just have to be patient.

And in all reality, it's not solos that kill picks, it's the rest of the songs. You know, the long part, the song.

 

[Dizzy]

Venom of God actually has quite a bit of a busy solo.

Stand is pretty simple really, and lots of legato.

The majority of our new songs (9 or so) are not recorded, you'll just have to be patient.

And in all reality, it's not solos that kill picks, it's the rest of the songs. You know, the long part, the song.

Yeah, I guessed that........
I was just interested in your "advertisement" about your solos

 

[jeffrey]

While my solos DO have a lot of notes, I never really blamed them for wearing out my picks specifically.

It's definitely the low B on my 7 string.

Some songs are 5+ minutes of really rough triplets, fours and sets of 8's or 9's.

Venom of God was a rough demo we did in the bandroom in a matter of hours (hence the crappy sound quality and average performance). Listen close to the right hand on the rythm track, there's quite a bit going on.

 

[candid_x]

Jeff, I can imagine that low B grinds them down pretty quickly. I think you guys sounds great and hope you break through.

As leads go, I prefer soulful melodic stuff over buzz saw shredding any day. Not as impressive to other guitar players perhaps, but the audience isn't just other guitar players. It's the sound of the band and song which matters most anyway. Nice work, man.

 

[jeffrey]

Jeff, I can imagine that low B grinds them down pretty quickly. I think you guys sounds great and hope you break through.

As leads go, I prefer soulful melodic stuff over buzz saw shredding any day. Not as impressive to other guitar players perhaps, but the audience isn't just other guitar players. It's the sound of the band and song which matters most anyway. Nice work, man.

Thank you brother! And I agree with you 100%!

A solo for me is all about tastey licks and further conveying the point of the song.

My motto: A solo can't make a song but it can sure screw one up!

I really take my time writing solos, trying to be melodic and thoughtful while creating a composition inside the song.

it's really important to me that a solo has a "point".

 

[Plaschkes]

A solo can't make a song

Oh yeah? Just listen to "Floods" by Pantera.

Oh, and i really like your band! You guys ****ing rock!