I do agree that thick picks are more versatile for the reasons you said, but it's worth noting that strumming with a thick pick held lightly makes a *different* pick sound than a thin one, a harsher pick sound in my opinion. That's not a significant issue with an electric, but acoustically it does matter. I tend to use a .78mm Dunlop, not super thick but definitely not too thin. I like to hit single strings *really* hard sometimes, and in those instances I find a truly inflexible pick is just murder; it hurts my fingers more, it makes too much harsh pick noise, it's harder for me to get consistent dynamics, and it'll break strings. I'm a bit of an edge case tho, most people don't want to get that percussive. I also sometimes use my pick for some rough staccato muting, and a truly thick pick is a totally useless mute because it acts like a tiny slide, making notes as it makes contact. If my comment sounds contrarian, that's not my intention. I think you're making a very good point, and I want to flesh out a few details about it.
Interesting! I’d agree that it’s a different sound from thick to thin licks as well but I prefer the sound of the thick! There’s no definite right and definite wrong, mostly just preference. I also like to dig in excessively every now and then but don’t seem to have the same issues as you with thick picks when doing so. I imagine it has to do with us picking at different angles etc that cause our different experiences!
I've been using 6mm Gravity Stealth picks for couple of years and will never go back to anything else. These play and sound like a dream. Literally made me a better player.
I gravitate to a 'Prime Tone Sculpted Plectra' from Dunlop. At .96 mm, is pretty dang stiff and has great texture. When I put on lighter-gauge strings, thin picks got put away essentially, but I always liked them for strumming on acoustic at times. I have a trey with a wide assortment of picks and I like trying out different kinds. Maybe I'd use one on electric if I was aiming for a thin tone. The thinnest I have is a .46mm Martin L pick.
I'm coming from the opposite direction. Started w/ Jazz III's and moved down to .58 Dunlop gators. I kinda like that I get a jangly sound from a thinner pick since like you said it has to travel further to hop the string. Maybe I should try thicker picks again though. The smaller surface area of the III's was a problem for me but that Petrucci pick looks pretty nice.
I started using 1mm Dunlop Flow picks a year ago after using various Jazz 3s for over 10 years. As soon as I played with one, my Jazz 3 phase was over lol
I thought i had the whole pick thing figured out, that is before I watched this excellent argument as to why thick picks are best. You did such a good job that I just headed over to Sweetwater to pick up Dunlop 548RJP200 John Petrucci Flow Guitar Picks 2.0mm. I'm not so focused on playing fast, but playing efficiently and more clearly, yes and yes. Thanks Matt!
OMG I want that! I tend to play thinner because I am not good, but I do a bunch of weird "snap/plucking between the pick and thumb" techniques that make it hard to keep a consistent grip on a non-textured pick.
Not a great guitar player, but i don't even use pick anymore. I got sick of losing them and there's no music store anywhere near me. I use my index fingernail held in a position you would hold a pick for playing faster stuff. I'm sure that would make any professional cringe, but I feel I can still play reasonably fast without a pick.
I do agree that thick picks are more versatile for the reasons you said, but it's worth noting that strumming with a thick pick held lightly makes a *different* pick sound than a thin one, a harsher pick sound in my opinion. That's not a significant issue with an electric, but acoustically it does matter.
I tend to use a .78mm Dunlop, not super thick but definitely not too thin. I like to hit single strings *really* hard sometimes, and in those instances I find a truly inflexible pick is just murder; it hurts my fingers more, it makes too much harsh pick noise, it's harder for me to get consistent dynamics, and it'll break strings. I'm a bit of an edge case tho, most people don't want to get that percussive. I also sometimes use my pick for some rough staccato muting, and a truly thick pick is a totally useless mute because it acts like a tiny slide, making notes as it makes contact.
If my comment sounds contrarian, that's not my intention. I think you're making a very good point, and I want to flesh out a few details about it.
Interesting! I’d agree that it’s a different sound from thick to thin licks as well but I prefer the sound of the thick! There’s no definite right and definite wrong, mostly just preference.
I also like to dig in excessively every now and then but don’t seem to have the same issues as you with thick picks when doing so. I imagine it has to do with us picking at different angles etc that cause our different experiences!
I've been using 6mm Gravity Stealth picks for couple of years and will never go back to anything else. These play and sound like a dream. Literally made me a better player.
Interesting! I live in fear of monstrously thick picks but maybe I should try one and see!
Jazz 3 guy here.
A reliable classic!
Love my jazztone 205s. They're basically 2mm jazz 3s that last at least thrice as long. Same material as the red John Petrucci signatures.
Ooo I just may have to order a pack of these and try them out!
Purple Dunlop 🤟😎🤟
Old faithful!
Jazz III carbon fiber (471P3C)
These used to be my go to many moons ago!
I gravitate to a 'Prime Tone Sculpted Plectra' from Dunlop. At .96 mm, is pretty dang stiff and has great texture. When I put on lighter-gauge strings, thin picks got put away essentially, but I always liked them for strumming on acoustic at times. I have a trey with a wide assortment of picks and I like trying out different kinds. Maybe I'd use one on electric if I was aiming for a thin tone. The thinnest I have is a .46mm Martin L pick.
Cool! The dunlop primetone's are fantastic
You might as well be searching for the holy Grail. The journey never ends.
Part of the fun!
Truly!
I'm coming from the opposite direction. Started w/ Jazz III's and moved down to .58 Dunlop gators. I kinda like that I get a jangly sound from a thinner pick since like you said it has to travel further to hop the string. Maybe I should try thicker picks again though. The smaller surface area of the III's was a problem for me but that Petrucci pick looks pretty nice.
Interesting! I went through a brief Gator grip phase many moons ago but I found that after awhile they started sounding scratchy as they wore down.
I started using 1mm Dunlop Flow picks a year ago after using various Jazz 3s for over 10 years. As soon as I played with one, my Jazz 3 phase was over lol
Haha yes! I was hesitant to try the flow picks but after 20 minutes I was sold!
I thought i had the whole pick thing figured out, that is before I watched this excellent argument as to why thick picks are best. You did such a good job that I just headed over to Sweetwater to pick up Dunlop 548RJP200 John Petrucci Flow Guitar Picks 2.0mm. I'm not so focused on playing fast, but playing efficiently and more clearly, yes and yes. Thanks Matt!
Let me know what you think of them!
1.0mm snarling dog brains are my fav. the nylon is a little flexible still and it has a texture that is almost like velcro for your fingers
Never heard of the brand before but they look cool!
OMG I want that! I tend to play thinner because I am not good, but I do a bunch of weird "snap/plucking between the pick and thumb" techniques that make it hard to keep a consistent grip on a non-textured pick.
Not a great guitar player, but i don't even use pick anymore. I got sick of losing them and there's no music store anywhere near me. I use my index fingernail held in a position you would hold a pick for playing faster stuff. I'm sure that would make any professional cringe, but I feel I can still play reasonably fast without a pick.
Interesting!
Big alice 1.5 enjoyer here
I've never tried these but they look great!
This is all true but to each their own ofc. Great vid 👍👍
Absolutely!
I had to switch from light to heavier picks due to breaking strings too often. I have been using tortex 1 mm but now im gonna experiment with 2
Interesting! I personally don't think I can ever walk away from 2mm. I've tried and always come back to that gauge!
Confusing. Most people find that thinner picks cause fewer string breakages.
I’ll swear by the John petrucci signature pick😀
Yes!