Message Board Archive: Thread Number 78

For you fingerpickers, do you prefer the plastic or metal? Myself, I
prefer metal ones, but it seems they are much harder to find. Is this
because more people prefer plastic ones?

Also, if you use fingerpicks, how many, and on which fingers? Me, a
metal thumbpick and only one fingerpick - on the index finger.

Date: Sat, 18 Apr 1998 18:16:08 -0400 (EDT)
From: dboas@wam.umd.edu (darren)
Subject: More: Re: Thumpicks: Plastic or Metal
Message Number: 78.1

I don't use thumb or finger picks that often, but when I do I use
propiks. I chose them after much trial and error, finding that I
couldn't use plastic thumb or finger picks because I couldn't find any
big enough for my big fat thumb & fingers. I like the pro-piks
fingerpicks bacause they allow damping. When I use them, I use them on
my IMA - even though I pick with only the IM, 99% of the time, the A
finger comes in handy on those four note turnarounds & the like.

Date: Mon, 20 Apr 1998 21:48:22 -0400 (EDT)
From: zeppa@earthlink.net (Frank Basile)
Subject: Feedback: Re: Thumpicks: Plastic or Metal
Message Number: 78.2

I think you'll find that most of the original artists who used
thumbpicks used the plastic ones. The metal ones don't seem to me to
have all that much to recommend them, especially if you're going to
balance it with nails (as opposed to fingerpicks). The sound of metal on
metal on the bass strings sounds too harsh, IMO. A regular National or
Dunlop does just fine.

Date: Tue, 28 Apr 1998 16:55:06 -0400 (EDT)
From: jvtdc@electro-net.com (DocJohn)
Subject: plastic all the way and here's why...
Message Number: 78.3

I had a metal set many years ago. With them I developed a very
percussive technique frpom listening to John Hammond, Jr, Fred McDowell
and others. I put some scratches on my Alvarez with those picks, which I
didn't mind all the much but when I bought my metal body Dobro, I
decided to try the plastic picks. Now, they are all I ever use. Even
when playing lead electric stuff I end up alternating my Index and
middle fingers to pick. I also sometimes use my thimb pick as a flat
pick. The best part of the technique I have developed is the brush with
the nail side of my fingers. So I can pick to me and brush back. I can
do this with the plastic picks but not the metal ones. Incidentally, If
I play for an afternoon or play a few hours with some friends I will
wear the finger picks down to sharp points. They were getting rare there
for a while. I heard a rumour that someone destroyed the only mold there
was to make them. They are plentiful now, though I don't think they are
as high quality as the older ones.

Best regards DocJohn