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what gauge pick do you use?

appar111

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 10, 2006
Messages
83
I may be the odd man out, but I use the Dunlop Delrin 2mm bass picks. I typically use 9-42 strings, and because of the way I play, I almost never break strings (odd, because I don't have a "light touch"-- go figure). I'm currently trying to wean myself off them and go to progessively lighter gauges (currently on 1.14mm, which was the biggest leap for me, the rest should be easy). I hope to settle in on a medium gauge (.71 or .66mm).

Just curious to know what gauge and type of picks (delrin, tortex, nylon, etc.) everyone's using w/ their EBMM's for certain types of music, and maybe what gauge of strings.
 
I use the Blue 1.14mm Dunlop picks with 10-46 gauge strings. I like the percussive attack of the thicker pick on the thicker strings. I think the sound that comes from the combination is more full and more defined, and also I have a pretty soft touch unless of course there is a part where I have to dig into it some more. 2mm was just to thick for the grip between my index and thumb and consequently it slowed my alternate picking down A LOT. The 1.14mm Dunlop picks are the best right now for me also because of the matte texture which is not slippery and I also like the side contoures. Basically it is a very dynamic pick to play with.

Did anything I said make sense at all? :D
 
I've got 9-42's on both of my SUB's, but I think I'm going to try the "Not Even Slinky" gauge (12-56) on one of them and drop the tuning down for some of those "Train of Thought" riffs. I'm going to try out some Fender extra heavy standard white picks and some of the Dunlop Gator Grips this weekend.
 
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try the jim dunlop stubby's. the ones i use are 3mm, but they are tapered, so they give a nice attack and then roll off of the string. they feel fery natural to me. i also use the dunlop jazz picks, as they are similar in shape but without the tapered edges
 
Roubster said:
I use the Blue 1.14mm Dunlop picks with 10-46 gauge strings. I like the percussive attack of the thicker pick on the thicker strings. I think the sound that comes from the combination is more full and more defined, and also I have a pretty soft touch unless of course there is a part where I have to dig into it some more. 2mm was just to thick for the grip between my index and thumb and consequently it slowed my alternate picking down A LOT. The 1.14mm Dunlop picks are the best right now for me also because of the matte texture which is not slippery and I also like the side contoures. Basically it is a very dynamic pick to play with.

Did anything I said make sense at all? :D

Sure did-- I can't play with stuff like the tortex picks, since they aren't beveled on the edge-- creates way too much drag on the strings when you hit them hard. The beveled edge on the Delrin 2mm may be what keeps me from breaking strings.. the string just glides right off the edge since the delrin is beveled and super slick. Helps me get those Warren DeMartini/George Lynch pick harmonics.
 
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I also use the Dunlop 1.14's - I go back and forth with either the gators or the tortex. Tried using the smaller jazz picks but they just never felt right.
 
Depending on the mood and or song, i.e. digging in or strumming...

Dunlop Ultex - 1.14 & .73
Ernie Ball - light, medium & heavy
Black Jazz III's
 
I was playing Dunlop Ultex 1.0 mm for a quite long period of time but after I've started to play Jazz III's I can't play with anything else on the electric, they're the best for me. They seem small at the beginning but after a few days the Dunlop Ultex seemed huge :D Jazz III made me play a lot faster especially on the low strings
 
maybe you are using Jazz III XL ? I have the regular black only with the Jazz III and Jim Dunlop logo, and they are a lot smaller than the dunlop ultex
 
fred,

dunlop ultex are yellow and transparent aren't they? with some white animal logo on it?
 
Philip said:
maybe you are using Jazz III XL ? I have the regular black only with the Jazz III and Jim Dunlop logo, and they are a lot smaller than the dunlop ultex

You're right they are the XL's... I'll have to try the other type.

thanks
 
I use Fender x-heavy picks. I prefer the tortise shell-----just a visual thing there. I use EB 10-46 and I turn my pick side ways like Pat Metheny does(in other words I use the side instead of the small end) and I use a travis picking style most of the time. Once I turned my pick side ways---it was like the heavens parted for me!!!!! I finally started getting some speed. Just could never get used to using a pick normally.
 
Philip said:
fred,

dunlop ultex are yellow and transparent aren't they? with some white animal logo on it?

Yep, tequila colored... :D with a rhino on them. I really do like the feel of those and they wear really well.
 
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