Also tortex refers to it being made when tortoiseshell picks were really common (made from actual tortoiseshells), meaning tortoises were being killed for their shells(these picks have since been made illegal to make). Dunlop created this pick material to make it a better alternative, and named it tortex as a reference to tortoiseshell picks.
The sharps are my favorite pick for a reason you never mentioned. The narrow and sharp point actually makes strumming sound better than any pick I've ever used. I've even tested this among both musicians and casual music listeners. When I do a double blind sound comparison between the sharps and any other pick, the sharps always win. I think I know why too. Strum the guitar using the opposite side of the pick (the round dull part). You'll notice that it sounds completely gross and is littered with tons of unwanted pick noise. Well what's the opposite of round and dull? Sharp and narrow. Thus, the sharps produce the least amount of pick noise and I get the purest sound of the strings I've ever heard.
I've been playing about 35 years. I've also been down this road more than a few times. A couple of years ago I finally landed on the Dunlop Ultex Sharp . 73. It works great for all aspects of my playing style. My Rythmn playing , my technique for Economy picking , and Sweep Picking. I've tried the exact pick you're suggesting and it came close. But then I tried the Ultex . 73 and finally that was the one. Enjoyed your video. Stay safe. 🎸
picks are such an increeeedibly personal preference thing.... kinda like strings but, because you are so passionate about this, I am going to try a pack.
You forgot to put "IMO" in the title description..There is no such thing as "The BEST guitar pick ever made!!". There IS such a thing as "The BEST guitar pick ever made FOR ME!! I tried the .73 Yellow Tortex and didn't like it..to thin..
Everything everyone says is their opinion. This is understood. People state opinions as facts. This is in the nature of debate. It's unfortunate that many people think it's necessary to use "IMO" or "IMHO" every time they post on the internet. Nobody agrees on everything with anybody. People present their arguments and their opponents present theirs, but neither party prefaces or ends their point of view with the puerile "IMO" or "IMPO". Notice that the other two replies casually take this as understood.
@@jameshetfield8289 you can also play tortex 3 ;) . the y are jazz 3 mixed with tortex. ive got one but 0.66 and i play it rarely. But still preety cool pick!
I like the sharp .88s atm. I have a bag of the 1.5 mms as well. I don't pick super hard, so thickness doesn't affect my playing too much. If anything, I am more consistant with thicker picks. What's important is the tip. Playing with tortex sharp feels weird at first, because it doesn't hide bad picking technique. However, the tone is super clear and articulate, and it essentially trains you to pick better. Very underrated pick in my opinion. Glad to see you're enjoying them as well.
The Tortex is a great pick, but I prefer the more rounded one. If you like sharper picks try the Ultex Sharp 1.14. You refer the snap on thicker picks but you can control it, you just have to adjust your technique. The Ultex material has a lot more grip than the Tortex.
These are my fav as well. Started with the thicker purple Sharp, then thinner light blue and finally settled on the .88 green Sharp. It has the brightest sound of the three.
I love them for lighter stuff, they sound amazing. I just find them a little thin for all the Hetfield down picking stuff. I find the Tortex 1.14 to be a little more versatile personally.
I listened to Cobain for a few songs he was known for. I don't even remember the songs' names. I didn't like his "music", so I can't make any decisions based on his pick preference.
@@bigchinger2368 just stop. Even dave grohl said he wrote super simple stuff, he wasn't much of a musician amd he had a bad voice, plus his excuse for a bad solo was that he was "mocking" 80s shredders who were way better than he ever was, there's no point in defending him
Colin Demmons why do mentally challenged virgins who think speed = good keep replying to me? Again kurt cobains worst song is better than anything you could come up with
I just tried these and the sharp 1.35 mm and wow... they do really make a difference! I have been playing for only a year and 6 months or so and was using some super cheap picks and felt like I may need to use something better... and yes.... The control and sound I get from these tortex picks is just outstanding... thanks for sharing this!
I like these as well. They have the same feel when playing as the standard, but I like them because it makes trem picking easier since its a sharper point that keeps from getting caught on the string.
Considering I use nylon picks and jazz picks because they’re sharp this looks like the holy grail for me. It’s thin and sharp. I’ve always liked thin picks over thick ones even though thick boys are what a lot of people swear by for metal.
I use the sharp 1mm (blue) in C std with 11-59 strings and this is useful to add some attack to such big bottom strings ! And it is easier to play stand up so definitively the best guitar pick ever (in my death metal amott like case)
the best thickness for a pick is between 1 and 2 mm, a pick too light can cause serious loss of velocity for lead shred or very fast riff plus it create a loss of precision in the timing due to the over reacting matérial that bending on fast note, this is my point of view, but i play this damm axe for almost 30 year now and that my conclusion on that but everyone have his own taste, in fact i like medium pick for playing chords (ex rythm part of confortablity numb) cause it give a more mellow sound on clean
Man, I've been sharpening my rounded picks FOREVER!!! I didn't even know sharp picks like this even existed! Thanks for the tip and I'll definitely come back and let you know if I've "arrived". :)
@@18JR78 Yeah, I did! These are my two "pick picks": For soloing work - Dunlop Ultex Sharp 0.73 For "windshield wiper work" - Dunlop Nylon Max Grip 0.60 It's been a year of intensive use and I'm totally happy with these!
I use the regular .73mm tortex. Best pick for me. I can’t stand the powdery feel at first so run it under just alittle water and it gets smooth yet still having grip. That’s what I’m used too
the reason people use jass picks are because they are small and thick which is good for shred but if you like the feel of a thick pick but dont like the tone you can get rounder/sharper picks and you can tilt the pick for metal thick picks are better cause you can get a more agressive tone and a stronger feel
I couldn't agree more with you . My aproach to Tortex picks was because I found a new .50 pick at a bar . Lol . I thought it was a terrible pick but after gave it a try I got very impressed how effortless and clear tremolo picking was , chords were brighter and clearer too , the only problem I hated was the fact that .50 wear out so fast and pitch harmonics were dificult to pick . I simply switched to Tortex .73 and problem solved . Still using .50 every now and then .
The Yellow Tortex pick is of the best picks ever made....💯 💯 💯 The Orange, and the Red pick are equally as good depending what strings you use and how "strong" and the quickness of the song or rift your playing....💯 💯 💯 💯 but the Yellow, Orange, and Red Tortex picks are the best ever made....💯 💯 💯 💯
Dude, i was just drinking a beer telling my dad about why the yellow tortex in general is the best pick for your exact reasons, Dave mustaine had it figured out. I have never tried the sharp one. Thanks for the recommendation 🤘🎸🎶
you might as well use a toothpick) ,meaning to say the point is too long. I love John Petrucci Jazz3. It's perfect to me: sharp but not so long pointed.
Its cool that youve found the best pick for you... Ill be over here with my ultex 1mm sharps... They come to a point, but on a curving line rather than a straight taper. The ultex is slicker, so it glides off the string, but i use a soldering to melt in a few reference points. I can feel how it sits in my hand and how it touches the strings.
Happy New Year. I've thought that "Tortex" refers to tortoise shell which decades ago was the premier plectrum material that was replaced with celluloid and other plastics due to the limited availablity of tortoise shell material. So the challenge then became to find the plastic material that best replicates the properties of tortoise shell for mass production. I've tried about everything and have come to prefer celluloid. I don't believe that I've tried ABS yet, but I've tried PVC and consider that to be horrible. Thanks.
The thing with these picks is that you don't need to hit the strings hard in the first place. The attack is naturally there due to the shape of the pick. I use 1.35mm which works for me, haven't tried the 0.73mm.
This is by far my favorite as well. Luckily, I already discovered it after a year of playing guitar. Haven't looked back since then in the past 7 years.
When I didn’t have any picks I would take the little plastic things that hold sliced bread bags closed and shape them into more of a pick shape. They actually weren’t half bad
I haven't played much since I am mostly a keyboard guy, but I think I like .88-1mm best so far.... but I need to play more to really know. I am using that same shape with the point....I haven't tried that thinner one in that shape to be fair, let me pick one up and see.
Every guitarist has a "best pick ever". It's a matter of personal taste. Some guitarists like very hard picks and others like very flexible nylon ones. By the way, I have never liked Dunlop Tortex at all, neither for their feel in the hand nor for their sound. Lately I like the Ultex in 60mm and 73mm; tomorrow we'll see.
I only use this pic, but not the sharp one.. Still .73 all the way. Never liked the colour, yet I'm not that stupid to stick with a colour I like just for that reason. The lesson is try a few, but this one is a keeper.!
Thanks, Bret. This is the best explanation I've seen on pointed- vs rounded-ended picks. I use the 0.73 Tortex rounded pick mostly, but now I will be ordering the pointed Tortex to try. You're quite the convincing fellow, and you obviously have the experience to give such a compelling discussion on this point. Therefore I will order these. Thanks.
Not every pick is for every player. I’ve used all gauges of that tortex delrin sharp series and it’s basically impossible for me to play with a pick under 0.91, and the regular 351 shape works in that gauge but making it sharp makes it feel thinner, in fact the “thinnest” gauge I use for tortex sharp series is 1.5mm NO FLEX to the pick, which creates that sharp yet full sound your talking about BUT we’re using different picks? THIS is what I’m talking about, you may have found your pick of destiny for your playing but there’s no “correct pick” so it’s not good to trash other picks out there as maybe a jazz 3 is someone’s calling for being a guitar legend, more specific a jazz 3 Max Grip. Those are fantastic picks for me too but it’s just because I need a lot of pick to use thickness wise, but my friend plays with a 0.4 mm pick effectively and it’s his all time FAVORITE gauge, and I’m always playing with that gauge like I’m about to bend the pick in half, so every player is definitely different. Cheers man! Congratulations on finding your perfect gauge! It’s just a shame you had to trash the other gauges, lol
Really interesting analysis. My faves are 1.0 mm tortex teardrop, but you've made me curious to try this pointy yellow guy. Agree that tortex "sandblast" grip is unbeatable. These picks almost stick to the fingers making it impossible to loose.
I started using the black 1.35 in the late 80s after catching a pick from dimebag Daryl threw a handful out at the end of a Pantera concert at Hara Arena Dayton Ohio and I still have the one says Pantera on one side and dime on the other
The turtle in the logo isn't because it's "tough." The original "ideal" picks were made from actual tortoise shell. Use of tortoise shell for this type (and other types) of things was outlawed in 1973. The Tortex material was engineered to, as closely as possible, to approximate the feel and flexibility and attack as tortoise shell material. I agree, though, these are great picks - but I don't know that they're the "best" ever.
But its been jazz iii ultex sharp for a while. Been forcing me to be more accurate. Anymore normal picks feel bulbous and overly large. Still can't pinch harmonic worth a damn with an jazz iii though
I'd like to discover the ultimate bluegrass flat pick! Any suggestions people? The only way to find the correct one, to suit personal requirements, is to trawl through as many types as you can afford, including different shapes, thicknesses and materials. Or make your own as some do including Tony Rice. Store them too, as preferences and playing styles change over a lifetime. Grip is critical, but so is tone, according to your playing style and instrument. I have been playing the same Dunlop nylon picks for over 35 years to cover all but have only recently discovered new designs/materials which prove nylon doesn't extract such a good tone by comparison, except perhaps for nylon strings or jazz/electric styles. Dunlop have developed great picks for guitar and banjo, and have been doing so for decades. For guitar, Tortex, and Ultex particularly, project good tone from the strings. In my opinion, around .88 is about right for most styles, and the two I am turning to is Tortex .88 Sharp, Ultex .88 Triangular which seems to deliver the optimum tone, though the grip appears slightly less effective (unless moistened). Ultex .73 is also excellent for acoustic strumming. Personally I would like to see more in-between thicknesses to get it absolutely right, if that doesn't seem like nit-picking!! The handy little tins you can buy to store them are really useful too.
maxwellfan55 take a look at Wegen, a hand cut Dutch brand that you can direct from the maker. I have two bluegrass picks from them and they are the best I’ve tried on my 1944 J45 and my Martin 0-28vs. I have a brighter one which would be about 1.2mm and a warmer 2mm.
I think exotic picks are the best. Ground fetus picks slide off the strings. Great White Shark tooth picks are great for metal. Bald Eagle Claw is a good one. But the best pick I've ever played (once upon a time) was Unicorn horn. They're ground down from a whole horn just to make one pick. It also put Unicorns on the endangered species list but they're worth it. They're like magic and flow across the strings. Plus chicks dig em. These picks can be hard to find but the old standby is the Dunlop Ultex they're harvested from the big toenail of senior citizens. They're this brownish yellowish color and you can almost cut glass with these baby's. They last forever. And they have growth rings like a tree so you know how old they are. They come in heavy only and have very little flex. They smell like mothballs though and are really salty if you hold the pick in your mouth while tapping or finger picking parts. I especially like that no growth hormones are used in the manufacturing process. That's important to me. And they're not as expensive as V picks.
I use the InTune jumbo jazz .73, killer pick (kinda like this one)! Btw, no pick should ever snap a string. :) I've played the Dunlop 420, the Flow 2 and 3mm, great picks, and my strings lasted as long as ever before. ;)
I'm not compatible with this pick, I always find it 'trips' over the string and ends up sideways in my hand. Evidently Jeff Loomis and Alex Hutchings never have that problem...
I tried the pick and catches the strings if I play fast. For me the best pick so far is the tortex flow .60mm, my strumming is a bit aggressive and pretty much I'm pounding the strings so anything above .60mm I can't play
You just expressed your opinion, just as Bret did. Nobody's opinion is a fact. That's a given, as is your statement. You have your opinion; Bret has his. It's not a big deal.
I have been hearing a lot of talk about "Chicken Picks" lately.... Haven't tried any. I might give your preferred pick a go and see if it helps my picking style get a more smooth flow to it. Thanks for bringing this up, pick selection is a pretty important part of the deal...
I agree and I'll only add .. try the Dunlop Primetone in the Jazz III. I like the 1.4mm thickness but it ranges down to .88mm. I used to use the Petrucci XL and the Eric Johnson red but dropping a Primetone on a hard surface sounds like dropping a poker chip. Rock solid material that gives you better high frequency detail and pick chirp and the hand beveled edge facilitates picking motion.
Pink Dunlop Derlin 500 1.14 mm is the best for me. I swear on those picks and only this picks. I will continue to buy those picks until they are discontinued.
It depends on what type of strings guy play, whether or not you edge pick or flat pick, your grip, your finger shapes, your picking technique etc. You think your opinion is fact. I hate sharp picks because they slow me down. I love Jazz III because they allow me to be faster. Even better are flow picks. I find a Jazz III versatile. I can play anything with it. If you can't, your problem. Don't tell others that you have discovered the perfect and most versatile pick when all that depends on the aforementioned factors.
i started with thin picks and over the last 50 years have changed my picks for how it feels in my hands so i will have less arm motion and more relaxation .i now use the 2mm dunlopvery comfy.I use my fingers and the pick for playing .I have tried these like dave mustaine picks but i keep going back to the 2mm or 1.5 .its what i like.
Also tortex refers to it being made when tortoiseshell picks were really common (made from actual tortoiseshells), meaning tortoises were being killed for their shells(these picks have since been made illegal to make). Dunlop created this pick material to make it a better alternative, and named it tortex as a reference to tortoiseshell picks.
The sharps are my favorite pick for a reason you never mentioned. The narrow and sharp point actually makes strumming sound better than any pick I've ever used. I've even tested this among both musicians and casual music listeners. When I do a double blind sound comparison between the sharps and any other pick, the sharps always win. I think I know why too. Strum the guitar using the opposite side of the pick (the round dull part). You'll notice that it sounds completely gross and is littered with tons of unwanted pick noise. Well what's the opposite of round and dull? Sharp and narrow. Thus, the sharps produce the least amount of pick noise and I get the purest sound of the strings I've ever heard.
Interesting... I use a Jazz III but these look sharper.
I've been playing about 35 years. I've also been down this road more than a few times. A couple of years ago I finally landed on the Dunlop Ultex Sharp . 73. It works great for all aspects of my playing style. My Rythmn playing , my technique for Economy picking , and Sweep Picking. I've tried the exact pick you're suggesting and it came close. But then I tried the Ultex . 73 and finally that was the one.
Enjoyed your video. Stay safe. 🎸
picks are such an increeeedibly personal preference thing.... kinda like strings but, because you are so passionate about this, I am going to try a pack.
So am I. They're really cheap, so we don't have much to lose. I buy mine from Sweetwater after I have a few things on my list.
How is it? hahaha
@@charliedapotato7221 they sucked! Catch the strings like crazy
@@glytch5 Hahahaha, what I expected to be honest. This is so funny hahaha! Anyway, thanks for the answer!
My dad used to cut picks out of margerine tubs when he was in his punk band
You forgot to put "IMO" in the title description..There is no such thing as "The BEST guitar pick ever made!!". There IS such a thing as "The BEST guitar pick ever made FOR ME!! I tried the .73 Yellow Tortex and didn't like it..to thin..
Yup.. cant play that pick. Jazz 3 only for me. I cant play other picks unless it is jazz 3 sized pick.
Everything everyone says is their opinion. This is understood. People state opinions as facts. This is in the nature of debate. It's unfortunate that many people think it's necessary to use "IMO" or "IMHO" every time they post on the internet. Nobody agrees on everything with anybody. People present their arguments and their opponents present theirs, but neither party prefaces or ends their point of view with the puerile "IMO" or "IMPO". Notice that the other two replies casually take this as understood.
@@jameshetfield8289 you can also play tortex 3 ;) . the y are jazz 3 mixed with tortex. ive got one but 0.66 and i play it rarely. But still preety cool pick!
I like the sharp .88s atm. I have a bag of the 1.5 mms as well. I don't pick super hard, so thickness doesn't affect my playing too much. If anything, I am more consistant with thicker picks. What's important is the tip. Playing with tortex sharp feels weird at first, because it doesn't hide bad picking technique. However, the tone is super clear and articulate, and it essentially trains you to pick better. Very underrated pick in my opinion. Glad to see you're enjoying them as well.
I was thinking about getting either the .88 or the 1.0 sharps
i play the 1.5 sharps and i love them. i like them better then the ernie ball prodigy picks.
The .88 Sharps are perfect for me.
The Tortex is a great pick, but I prefer the more rounded one.
If you like sharper picks try the Ultex Sharp 1.14.
You refer the snap on thicker picks but you can control it, you just have to adjust your technique.
The Ultex material has a lot more grip than the Tortex.
These are my fav as well. Started with the thicker purple Sharp, then thinner light blue and finally settled on the .88 green Sharp. It has the brightest sound of the three.
Thanks for the tip, Pier. I'll add them to my Sweetwater list.
I love them for lighter stuff, they sound amazing. I just find them a little thin for all the Hetfield down picking stuff. I find the Tortex 1.14 to be a little more versatile personally.
Kurt Cobain used a 60.mm normal orange one
I listened to Cobain for a few songs he was known for. I don't even remember the songs' names. I didn't like his "music", so I can't make any decisions based on his pick preference.
Fly On The Moon lol kurt cobains worst song is 1000 times better than anything you could ever come up with
@@bigchinger2368 just stop. Even dave grohl said he wrote super simple stuff, he wasn't much of a musician amd he had a bad voice, plus his excuse for a bad solo was that he was "mocking" 80s shredders who were way better than he ever was, there's no point in defending him
Colin Demmons why do mentally challenged virgins who think speed = good keep replying to me? Again kurt cobains worst song is better than anything you could come up with
I don't like sharp pointed picks as the sound is very thin. The green, regular-tipped .88 ones are great.
I just tried these and the sharp 1.35 mm and wow... they do really make a difference! I have been playing for only a year and 6 months or so and was using some super cheap picks and felt like I may need to use something better... and yes.... The control and sound I get from these tortex picks is just outstanding... thanks for sharing this!
I'm using 1.35 Sharps too, love them
I use them too.
I like these as well. They have the same feel when playing as the standard, but I like them because it makes trem picking easier since its a sharper point that keeps from getting caught on the string.
1:58
correct..the matte tortex picks are the best ever made..💯
Considering I use nylon picks and jazz picks because they’re sharp this looks like the holy grail for me. It’s thin and sharp. I’ve always liked thin picks over thick ones even though thick boys are what a lot of people swear by for metal.
I use the sharp 1mm (blue) in C std with 11-59 strings and this is useful to add some attack to such big bottom strings ! And it is easier to play stand up so definitively the best guitar pick ever (in my death metal amott like case)
the best thickness for a pick is between 1 and 2 mm, a pick too light can cause serious loss of velocity for lead shred or very fast riff plus it create a loss of precision in the timing due to the over reacting matérial that bending on fast note, this is my point of view, but i play this damm axe for almost 30 year now and that my conclusion on that but everyone have his own taste, in fact i like medium pick for playing chords (ex rythm part of confortablity numb) cause it give a more mellow sound on clean
Man, I've been sharpening my rounded picks FOREVER!!! I didn't even know sharp picks like this even existed! Thanks for the tip and I'll definitely come back and let you know if I've "arrived". :)
Did you arrive?
@@18JR78 Yeah, I did! These are my two "pick picks":
For soloing work - Dunlop Ultex Sharp 0.73
For "windshield wiper work" - Dunlop Nylon Max Grip 0.60
It's been a year of intensive use and I'm totally happy with these!
I use the regular .73mm tortex. Best pick for me. I can’t stand the powdery feel at first so run it under just alittle water and it gets smooth yet still having grip. That’s what I’m used too
the reason people use jass picks are because they are small and thick which is good for shred but if you like the feel of a thick pick but dont like the tone you can get rounder/sharper picks and you can tilt the pick for metal thick picks are better cause you can get a more agressive tone and a stronger feel
I couldn't agree more with you . My aproach to Tortex picks was because I found a new .50 pick at a bar . Lol . I thought it was a terrible pick but after gave it a try I got very impressed how effortless and clear tremolo picking was , chords were brighter and clearer too , the only problem I hated was the fact that .50 wear out so fast and pitch harmonics were dificult to pick . I simply switched to Tortex .73 and problem solved . Still using .50 every now and then .
The Yellow Tortex pick is of the best picks ever made....💯 💯 💯
The Orange, and the Red pick are equally as good depending what strings you use and how "strong" and the quickness of the song or rift your playing....💯 💯 💯 💯
but the Yellow, Orange, and Red Tortex picks are the best ever made....💯 💯 💯 💯
The best pick for everyone doesn't exist. Every hand is different, what is comfortable for me could be very unusable for you and vice-versa. ;)
I use those picks too. The bright colours are great for spotting them when you drop them on the carpet.
Dude, i was just drinking a beer telling my dad about why the yellow tortex in general is the best pick for your exact reasons, Dave mustaine had it figured out. I have never tried the sharp one. Thanks for the recommendation 🤘🎸🎶
I prefer the Dunlop .73 Ultex sharps myself. To each his/her own.
you might as well use a toothpick) ,meaning to say the point is too long. I love John Petrucci Jazz3. It's perfect to me: sharp but not so long pointed.
Its cool that youve found the best pick for you... Ill be over here with my ultex 1mm sharps... They come to a point, but on a curving line rather than a straight taper. The ultex is slicker, so it glides off the string, but i use a soldering to melt in a few reference points. I can feel how it sits in my hand and how it touches the strings.
I use his pick
I 've been searching for THE pick all my life I will give these a try. Thanks
Happy New Year. I've thought that "Tortex" refers to tortoise shell which decades ago was the premier plectrum material that was replaced with celluloid and other plastics due to the limited availablity of tortoise shell material. So the challenge then became to find the plastic material that best replicates the properties of tortoise shell for mass production. I've tried about everything and have come to prefer celluloid. I don't believe that I've tried ABS yet, but I've tried PVC and consider that to be horrible. Thanks.
I love the John Petrucci flows.
Regardless if you agree with him or not on "best pick" the points he makes about the design are valid.
The pick I became drawn to years ago and still use to this day is the Dunlop Jazz iii Tortex. Perfect for me
I like using the. 73mm usa naylon for strumming on my acoustic.
not bad
The thing with these picks is that you don't need to hit the strings hard in the first place. The attack is naturally there due to the shape of the pick. I use 1.35mm which works for me, haven't tried the 0.73mm.
This is by far my favorite as well. Luckily, I already discovered it after a year of playing guitar. Haven't looked back since then in the past 7 years.
7 years later do you still play this pick?
You should try playing with half a pistachio shell....works better than you would think 😂
When I didn’t have any picks I would take the little plastic things that hold sliced bread bags closed and shape them into more of a pick shape. They actually weren’t half bad
I haven't played much since I am mostly a keyboard guy, but I think I like .88-1mm best so far.... but I need to play more to really know. I am using that same shape with the point....I haven't tried that thinner one in that shape to be fair, let me pick one up and see.
I actually had a dream I was using this pick
Louis C. K. started playing guitar?
The pick I've been having luck with is the Dunlop 208....for now....lol
Yellow 73 mm to a text on lock pick is the best. Hands down.
Every guitarist has a "best pick ever". It's a matter of personal taste. Some guitarists like very hard picks and others like very flexible nylon ones. By the way, I have never liked Dunlop Tortex at all, neither for their feel in the hand nor for their sound. Lately I like the Ultex in 60mm and 73mm; tomorrow we'll see.
I only use this pic, but not the sharp one..
Still .73 all the way.
Never liked the colour, yet I'm not that stupid to stick with a colour I like just for that reason.
The lesson is try a few, but this one is a keeper.!
Thanks, Bret. This is the best explanation I've seen on pointed- vs rounded-ended picks. I use the 0.73 Tortex rounded pick mostly, but now I will be ordering the pointed Tortex to try. You're quite the convincing fellow, and you obviously have the experience to give such a compelling discussion on this point. Therefore I will order these. Thanks.
I’m sold. I’ve been using fender mediums but not super happy with them. I’m going to get some of these!
Not every pick is for every player.
I’ve used all gauges of that tortex delrin sharp series and it’s basically impossible for me to play with a pick under 0.91, and the regular 351 shape works in that gauge but making it sharp makes it feel thinner, in fact the “thinnest” gauge I use for tortex sharp series is 1.5mm NO FLEX to the pick, which creates that sharp yet full sound your talking about BUT we’re using different picks?
THIS is what I’m talking about, you may have found your pick of destiny for your playing but there’s no “correct pick” so it’s not good to trash other picks out there as maybe a jazz 3 is someone’s calling for being a guitar legend, more specific a
jazz 3 Max Grip.
Those are fantastic picks for me too but it’s just because I need a lot of pick to use thickness wise, but my friend plays with a 0.4 mm pick effectively and it’s his all time FAVORITE gauge, and I’m always playing with that gauge like I’m about to bend the pick in half, so every player is definitely different.
Cheers man!
Congratulations on finding your perfect gauge! It’s just a shame you had to trash the other gauges, lol
The pick I liked best was the .96 Violet Gator Grip..IMO The BEST guitar pick ever made FOR ME!!..YMMV..
Any video about your playing?
Really interesting analysis. My faves are 1.0 mm tortex teardrop, but you've made me curious to try this pointy yellow guy. Agree that tortex "sandblast" grip is unbeatable. These picks almost stick to the fingers making it impossible to loose.
I started using the black 1.35 in the late 80s after catching a pick from dimebag Daryl threw a handful out at the end of a Pantera concert at Hara Arena Dayton Ohio and I still have the one says Pantera on one side and dime on the other
Best pick I lost my today I had for 6 year of gigging.. :( I cried a little lol 😂 but gonna get some tomorrow
I got a 12 pack I think it'll last me a lifetime.
The turtle in the logo isn't because it's "tough." The original "ideal" picks were made from actual tortoise shell. Use of tortoise shell for this type (and other types) of things was outlawed in 1973. The Tortex material was engineered to, as closely as possible, to approximate the feel and flexibility and attack as tortoise shell material. I agree, though, these are great picks - but I don't know that they're the "best" ever.
Tortex flow is superior has the attack of the jazz 3 but the familiar feel of the reg tortex (ymmv)
You forgot the thingamadodad that comes with a loaf of bread... Cheers!
I use the yellow tortex rounded tips to play bass with. I would never consider using another pick.
Whats ur address so I can send you this pack of Tortex sharp .73? I absolutely cannot play with these at all.
Thanks for your opinion!
They use a turtle because its supposed to sound and feel like tortoise shell
But its been jazz iii ultex sharp for a while. Been forcing me to be more accurate. Anymore normal picks feel bulbous and overly large. Still can't pinch harmonic worth a damn with an jazz iii though
I'd like to discover the ultimate bluegrass flat pick! Any suggestions people? The only way to find the correct one, to suit personal requirements, is to trawl through as many types as you can afford, including different shapes, thicknesses and materials. Or make your own as some do including Tony Rice. Store them too, as preferences and playing styles change over a lifetime. Grip is critical, but so is tone, according to your playing style and instrument. I have been playing the same Dunlop nylon picks for over 35 years to cover all but have only recently discovered new designs/materials which prove nylon doesn't extract such a good tone by comparison, except perhaps for nylon strings or jazz/electric styles. Dunlop have developed great picks for guitar and banjo, and have been doing so for decades. For guitar, Tortex, and Ultex particularly, project good tone from the strings. In my opinion, around .88 is about right for most styles, and the two I am turning to is Tortex .88 Sharp, Ultex .88 Triangular which seems to deliver the optimum tone, though the grip appears slightly less effective (unless moistened). Ultex .73 is also excellent for acoustic strumming. Personally I would like to see more in-between thicknesses to get it absolutely right, if that doesn't seem like nit-picking!! The handy little tins you can buy to store them are really useful too.
maxwellfan55 take a look at Wegen, a hand cut Dutch brand that you can direct from the maker. I have two bluegrass picks from them and they are the best I’ve tried on my 1944 J45 and my Martin 0-28vs. I have a brighter one which would be about 1.2mm and a warmer 2mm.
Ultex Sharps are better.
I think exotic picks are the best. Ground fetus picks slide off the strings. Great White Shark tooth picks are great for metal. Bald Eagle Claw is a good one. But the best pick I've ever played (once upon a time) was Unicorn horn. They're ground down from a whole horn just to make one pick. It also put Unicorns on the endangered species list but they're worth it. They're like magic and flow across the strings. Plus chicks dig em.
These picks can be hard to find but the old standby is the Dunlop Ultex they're harvested from the big toenail of senior citizens. They're this brownish yellowish color and you can almost cut glass with these baby's. They last forever. And they have growth rings like a tree so you know how old they are. They come in heavy only and have very little flex. They smell like mothballs though and are really salty if you hold the pick in your mouth while tapping or finger picking parts. I especially like that no growth hormones are used in the manufacturing process. That's important to me. And they're not as expensive as V picks.
.88 Dunlop’s maxi grips for me. Each to their own.
The Dunlop .71 Gator grips are good too,they are purple.
You obviously have not used a blue chip pick they are brill
I go with 1.14
Does dunlop turtex make star picks?
If i offer you a pick and you throw it in my face, im waiting till youre not looking and im stealing your guitar
Those are good picks indeed. I prefer jazz iii tortex .88 . And I've really tried pretty much everythin out there. This is the best for me
My favourite pick is the rainbow fender heavy
I use the InTune jumbo jazz .73, killer pick (kinda like this one)! Btw, no pick should ever snap a string. :) I've played the Dunlop 420, the Flow 2 and 3mm, great picks, and my strings lasted as long as ever before. ;)
I'm not compatible with this pick, I always find it 'trips' over the string and ends up sideways in my hand. Evidently Jeff Loomis and Alex Hutchings never have that problem...
Jeff Loomis has a Dunlop video where he says he grips up really close to the edge on his sharp picks
I discover the Alice water drop 1.0 (clear) and now they are my favourite
I tried the pick and catches the strings if I play fast. For me the best pick so far is the tortex flow .60mm, my strumming is a bit aggressive and pretty much I'm pounding the strings so anything above .60mm I can't play
"My opinion is a fact", "what is perfect for me is perfect for anyone" etc... sigh.
You just expressed your opinion, just as Bret did. Nobody's opinion is a fact. That's a given, as is your statement. You have your opinion; Bret has his. It's not a big deal.
I have been hearing a lot of talk about "Chicken Picks" lately.... Haven't tried any. I might give your preferred pick a go and see if it helps my picking style get a more smooth flow to it. Thanks for bringing this up, pick selection is a pretty important part of the deal...
I got these teehee
nvm I used a round one
bruh
Nothing like a red Jazz III ... or even better: a Jazz III JP. This floppy smooth non-sens can’t compete with that.
I agree and I'll only add .. try the Dunlop Primetone in the Jazz III. I like the 1.4mm thickness but it ranges down to .88mm. I used to use the Petrucci XL and the Eric Johnson red but dropping a Primetone on a hard surface sounds like dropping a poker chip. Rock solid material that gives you better high frequency detail and pick chirp and the hand beveled edge facilitates picking motion.
I usually gravitate towards the Jazz III because of its smaller size, but do you think I should give these a try anyhow?
That is a perfect pick for liter anything no cap if u gonna play solo id u going to strum lightly
Not sure coins is a dumb thing to play with, Brian May seems to have done ok using one.
.55 black ice jazz pick is nice
Aye but not for bass!!!!
Try Tortex 0.60 mm or Jim Dunlop Nylon 1.00 mm.
I mean to play bass of course!
Good video.
Thank you mate.
👍🏻 👌🏻
Lol brian may of queen uses coins as picks.
Pink Dunlop Derlin 500 1.14 mm is the best for me. I swear on those picks and only this picks. I will continue to buy those picks until they are discontinued.
Actually the turtle on the pick is because they used to make the picks of tortoise shell.
Graduate to .71 gator grip
I like Dunlop ultex sharp. They are not too sharp
It depends on what type of strings guy play, whether or not you edge pick or flat pick, your grip, your finger shapes, your picking technique etc.
You think your opinion is fact. I hate sharp picks because they slow me down. I love Jazz III because they allow me to be faster. Even better are flow picks. I find a Jazz III versatile. I can play anything with it. If you can't, your problem. Don't tell others that you have discovered the perfect and most versatile pick when all that depends on the aforementioned factors.
This but in purple is the best pick
Medium and heavy picks are the best
bought jazz iii jason richardson 3 days ago… don’t like classic jazz iii as much now😂highly recommend (doesn’t flex tho, for the people that dig that)
I play guitar with my big toe nail that fell off in 2015 after i got a bad case of skiers foot.
Now THATS barbaric!?!
I guess John McLaughlin & Eric Johnson got it wrong the red jazz III...
i started with thin picks and over the last 50 years have changed my picks for how it feels in my hands so i will have less arm motion and more relaxation .i now use the 2mm dunlopvery comfy.I use my fingers and the pick for playing .I have tried these like dave mustaine picks but i keep going back to the 2mm or 1.5 .its what i like.
Hard to find those shiny pink Tortex I think they are more snappy