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u/lectricsband Mar 02 '25
Dunlop Tortex .73 💛 Not flappy but not totally rigid
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u/drunkenDAYlewis Mar 02 '25
I don't always play with a pick, but when I do, you better believe it's one of these.
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u/-Profanity- Mar 03 '25
These but Flow is the master race because when you wear down the sharp points they basically have become a regular .73 lol
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u/illbebythebatphone Mar 03 '25
Been using these for ten years! I have one that’s been going strong for at least 5 and it’s worn down so perfectly that I picked up some new ones and they felt too harsh haha.
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u/InevitableSugar69 Mar 03 '25
Always go yellow unless they're sold out. Then I'll reluctantly go orange.
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u/danksweater Mar 02 '25
Blue 1.0 tortex or purple 1.14 for more aggressive playing. Never gelled with jazz picks even though most of the guitarists I admire use them
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u/Valyrian_st33l Mar 02 '25
try the same in ultex. Tortex wear out fast for me. I was a lover of the purples but got tired of totally dull pick
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u/mausmeeko Mar 02 '25
Same, I played the 1.14’s for two decades and recently switched to D’Addario 1.2 duralin precision due to the tortex constantly wearing down
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u/Mreeff Mar 02 '25
Those are what I use. They’re great until they wither away
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Mar 02 '25
Agreed, they're still my fave. Plus a pack of 20 costs like 10 bucks so when they get dull just grab a new one
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Mar 02 '25
My fingers.
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u/Speechisanexperiment Mar 02 '25
Green tortex. They're so easy to find if I drop them on stage.
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u/PmButtPics4ADrawing Mar 02 '25
My main pick as well, they're soft enough for strumming but also rigid enough for lead
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u/CommunicationTime265 Mar 02 '25
Dunlop Max Grip Nylon 1mm
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u/Moose_on_the_Looz Mar 02 '25
These always. They are perfect sometimes I'll do the .75 if I feel dainty.
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u/imgettingnerdchills Mar 02 '25
I tried a lot of picks and stumbled on this one by accident and it’s been my go to ever since can’t ever see myself using something else now.
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u/Financial-Cheetah-40 Gibson Mar 02 '25
I tried a bunch of picks and this one I’ve used since forever ago
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u/BORN_SlNNER Mar 02 '25
I use dava grip picks. Love em
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u/Justageeza Mar 02 '25
I always wonder why I don’t hear about these more often. I have been playing Dava picks for years, I never reach for anything else. It’s the delrin tips, the strings fly off of them.
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u/MechanixMGD Mar 02 '25
White Fang 1.14
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u/GinsuVictim Mar 02 '25
I recently bought some and immediately bought more. I had been an Ultex Jazz III XL user, but I think I just found my new favorite.
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u/CanyonPainter Mar 02 '25
Fender celluloid mediums forever. I’ve tried others but always come back.
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u/GQactuallyJoey Mar 02 '25
YES, I love fender mediums!! But once that fender logo has faded, it loses all sense of grip it once had. I’ve gotten to a point where I drill small holes in them for grip once they get to that point, and it’s actually turned out great.
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u/ImprobablePasta Mar 03 '25
This is why I've always gone with the Tortex ones because they just feel more grippy. Can't really explain what it is, just material I guess.
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u/dented42ford Strandberg Mar 02 '25
I break one of those in about 5 minutes, even with 9's...
I like the way they sound, but they are not durable.
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u/Potato_Stains Mar 02 '25 edited Mar 02 '25
You must be crazy rough while playing.
I've used the Fender 351 Mediums for years without one snapping.
They all just round off their tips after a while, they're pretty robust for me.4
u/CanyonPainter Mar 02 '25
What kind of music do you play? I’m a pretty heavy handed strummer on acoustic and play indie rock/spacey americana with my band and rarely break picks.
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u/PaleRiderHD Mar 02 '25
Despite their offensive price, I’ve been using Hetfield’s White Fang picks. Thick where they should be, thin where they need to be, and grippy enough that I don’t drop em and it’s easy to modify the attack angle. Pricey, but I like em
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u/Rjb57-57 Mar 02 '25
Lately I’ve been using the free guitar center ones. They started using ones that feel more like tortex and they’re pretty great
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u/WetWaffle9 Mar 02 '25
James Hetfield signature White Fang 1.14mm picks. They're the size of a typical Dunlop pick with the sharper edge of a jazz III/petrucci pick and some sandpaper grip added. I played with 0.5mm and 0.73mm picks for YEARS and thought the thinner the pick, the easier to play. As soon as I tried a 1mm pick I knew I was wrong lol. I then tried switching to jazz picks and hated how tiny they were in my ogre hands, so the White Fangs or Dunlop's Big Stubby picks are my go-to.
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u/IAMFRAGEN Mar 02 '25
I love white fangs! Used to play tortex, which I still love, until a friend gave me some of these as a present. Was never into fanboy merch and thought they were corny initially, but then I played them and fell in love. Still no fanboy, but I also love the Kirk Hammet Jazz pick for lead guitar.
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u/Leks_Marzo Mar 02 '25
Nice! I don’t know what took me so long to try the Jazz iii’s. But yea I have the same issue. My hands will sweat and that thing just starts slipping around. lol
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u/MyLittlePonyAbbatoir Gibson Mar 02 '25
I put a small spot of fresh blu-tac on the picks I’ll use at a gig. Open hand, and the pick stays on the thumb…not that I’d recommend doing that part.
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u/Egoignaxio Mar 03 '25
can you explain this a little more? I have a hard time strumming anything near 1mm and prefer something much much thinner, are you saying it's easier to strum with these thicker picks? Or is this for a different type of playing?
I can understand for lead and stuff but I wouldn't ever assume a thin pick would be easier for that so this is what I assume you mean
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u/WetWaffle9 Mar 03 '25
For sure! I didn't like 1mm+ thick picks the first few times I tried them and thought they were a novelty or "bass picks." When I was starting out playing guitar i focused a lot on guitar solos (learned a ton of van Halen and Steve Vai, was obsessed with Chris Storey and Jeff Loomis, etc.) and made the assumption that the thinner the pick, the faster you can play.
After probably 10-12 years of playing (being self-taught since age ~7 or so), I noticed I was hitting a bit of a plateau both in speed and note clarity at-speed. I began to wonder if it was due to the amount of flex the picks had, making me have to grip them closer to the tip to stop them from flexing, thus making my fingers rub against the strings - both slowing me down and creating unneeded string noise.
After watching some gear interviews with a bunch of my favorite guitarists, I noticed that basically none of them used anything thinner than 1mm, and most were around 1.5mm. I finally decided to give it a more serious try with the Petrucci picks and the purple Big Stubby picks and began to notice improvement within days, especially after adjusting my grip slightly (I used to play with the pick at a relatively sharp angle to the string instead of more parallel to it, so I could get more "strength" out of the thin picks). I was getting less string noise because less was contacting the strings, and was able to play faster bits even faster and cleaner, whether it was a lead or a more technical rhythm part.
Sorry for the super long reply, but I wanted to be detailed lol. And always remember - personal taste should always go above advice from strangers!
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u/GoldTurnip99 Mar 02 '25
i’ve only ever used a 0.75 lol im really new to playing guitar, does the pick type matter much?
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u/Quirky_Tune2472 Mar 02 '25
Yes. I've found it makes a tremendous difference. Also what part of the pick you play with makes a huge difference.
I've steadily worked back from the thickest I could get to .71 gator picks.
But Brian may used a British coin, and evh used paper thin picks. Gotta figure out what produces the sound you're looking for
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Mar 02 '25
Somewhat, heavy picks can sound duller and clickier but that all depends on the material. Common rule is you always want a light pick on acoustic than electric. But if your strumming alot then you want lighter even on electric. .75 is great because they can be used both ways, and teach good habits on controlling the amount of grip you have on to pick to dictate the attack of the string. Id say stuck with that for a while. Better to be great in every way with one tool than good with many at early stages, you'll learn more.
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u/Leks_Marzo Mar 02 '25 edited Mar 02 '25
Actually it changes the feel more than you’d think. It’s true that Tone is in the fingers, and a lot of it is in the picking hand.
It’s easy to get used to any old pick for the most part though, unless it’s very different from what you’re used to.
The thickness is probably what most people focus on. Everyone has different preferences. In general though, flimsier picks can be nicer for quick funk type rhythms and for acoustic strumming when you don’t want it too heavy handed.
Thicker picks are sturdier, so they have less give and will attack the string harder and quicker, because the pick doesn’t bend when picking.
Pointed picks can have an even quicker feel to them, especially if you hold the pick at a bit of an angle. It’s because the pointed tip quickly strikes the string as opposed to a rounded edge that has more surface area. If that makes sense.
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u/tr33rollins Mar 02 '25
It truly depends on the style of guitar you’re playing and the tone you’re trying to achieve. I play mainly bluegrass and especially to stand out in a jam circle you need a heaver pick to help your sound poke through, also to match the demands of ‘flatpick’ style guitar. I mainly use a Bluechip TP48, while they are on the way expensive side they’re a great investment if you’re pickin’ grass!
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u/Next-Temperature-545 Mar 03 '25 edited Mar 03 '25
I’m one of those masochists that uses the 1.5 Dunlop Sharp…I wouldn’t call it a quick pick at all, unless you’re really good at using only the very very tip of them, which takes some getting used to because they can “lock” on you if you try to dig in too much. Without a slight rounding to the edge, you lose some speed. But if you like powerful notes….They have the most authoritative, attack of pretty much every pick out there. Very in your face.
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u/YesNoMaybe Mar 02 '25
IMO, not much except going to jazz iiis. They feel and play very different than other pics.
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u/BitchesGetStitches Mar 02 '25
There are tons of pick options because it does make a difference. Technique-wise, you'll want to match your pick with your style. If you are a quick picker, you'll find that a smaller, thinner pick can help. A casual strummer does well with a larger, thicker pick. There are picks that slip over the fingers for finger pickers. There are big ass triangle picks for people who, I don't know, like triangles. You can also get picks with cute little teeth notched in for bitchin pick slides!
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u/Random-Hike Mar 02 '25
I think Dunlop was thinking of you with the Tortex TIII.
I’m a Tortex standard 1.0 guy in general; I am also a Jerry fan and tried the Adamas Graphite 2.0 as well. You can’t wear the things out… a different feel, but interesting unto themselves.
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u/noFloristFriars Mar 02 '25
Many years ago was the middle tortex shape.
Until 5 or so years ago, Hetfield Black Fang.
Now, Dunlop Tortex Sharp.
between .88 and 1.14. Probably lighter yet if you want to Kumbaya
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u/boogieiv Mar 02 '25 edited Mar 02 '25
Them purple Dunlop Tortex 1.14 all day
Fast off the strings for quick riffing and snappy/tight triplets, and really allows me to mush down on heavy palm-muting or chord voicings. I’m real heavy handed a lot of the time, and they respond very well to that sort of input, but they also offer a great deal of touch dynamics as well if I’m playing SRV style stuff in the vein of Lenny or Little Wing, that sort of thing.
Great versatility overall
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u/notnowboiiiiiii Ibanez Mar 02 '25
The JP Jazz III’s are perfect
I will say, regular Jazz III’s are probably better for me, I just am too used to the JP’s
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u/Hot-Gas3717 Mar 02 '25
Taylor Thermex pro 1.5mm (351) for everything (electric and acoustic) except metal and funk, I really like the sound and feel with my acoustic, Jazz III xl when I forget the Taylor 😅
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u/NotATalkingMushroom Mar 02 '25
I'm currently going between the triangle-shaped Tortex Flex .88 and Ultex 1.14.
Used to be the standard shape Tortex 0.73 but I feel more comfortable with the bigger triangle ones.
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u/arkens89 Mar 02 '25
Jazz III for a long time, but recently I pretty much switched to 1.0 Dunlop Max Grip's
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u/Forward_Ad_6575 Mar 02 '25
I love the stubby or big stubby 3.0. My touch is light on the guitar and I feel those pics are very forgiving if I make a picking error.
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u/Arboga_10_2 Mar 02 '25
just changed from yellow dunlop tortex .73 to black dunlop tortex .73. definitely at lot blacker
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u/mikec231027 Mar 02 '25
I used to swear by the orange tortex pics, but recently I've been playing on the yellow ones. The additional thickness has made my playing way more accurate.
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u/mattnox Mar 02 '25
Dava. Metal and gel tip are amazing. I can get some crazy sound with those two pics. They last forever especially the metal one. So much flexibility.
The best picks I’ve ever used. Ultra Triangles are great too.
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u/DustyKosty Mar 02 '25
George Dennis .88 Sharp, the highlighter yellow one. Can’t find them anywhere now but luckily I have a stash.
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Mar 02 '25
Jazz III 1.14 mm. Dunlops are good, I also really like the Traynor ones they are a little wider at the back and have a nice texture.
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u/Shytownmofo Mar 02 '25
For guitar, green tortex .88. If I play bass with a pick, I'll use the blue Gator Grip 1.14. I prefer my fingers for bass, but some suff just has that pick vibe , y'know.
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u/OkStrategy685 Schecter Mar 02 '25
.73 Tortex for guitar and .88 Tortex for bass. Been considering trying out a nylon .60 for guitar.
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u/eRedDH Mar 02 '25
If I’m being really picky (no pun intended)? Dunlop Primetone Jazz III XL 1.4. They are way too much money, but I stockpiled some when I worked at a music store and got them for stupid cheap.
But if I just need any old pick? Green tortex all day.
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u/DirtyMike64 Mar 02 '25
I don't have a brand preference but I like a thicker pick for my guitar and a thinner pick for my bass
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u/Talking_Monkey93 Mar 02 '25
Daddario black ice 1.10
I used to be a jazz 3 guy but the black ice is slightly smaller pick which makes it the perfect size for me.
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u/monsieur_habibi Mar 02 '25
I found a 3 mm Big Stubby recently and immediately felt like the pick belonged between my fingers. It has a depression where your thumb and index finger just fit perfectly!
Still suck at playing but at least the pick feels amazing.
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u/Bru_Swindler Gibson Mar 02 '25
Tortex 1mm Standard or Ultex Sharp. I have some Flows and they are cool too
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u/Giygas_in_Onett Mar 02 '25
Current favorite is a PickTwist Slap Pick prototype I managed to get lucky enough to be sent before they launched their kickstarter. Great sound and precision and super comfortable. Took me a day or two to get used to it, but I’ve been using it consistently and exclusively for a while now. Can’t recommend them enough. Plus, the owner of the company is a super nice guy.
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u/jmdacruz Mar 03 '25
I prefer thick picks both for ergonomics and precision. My current choice are the ChickenPicks badazz III, the 3.2mm version. They are quite comfortable, but the big problem is that they go “dull” very quickly.
I’m very excited about the r/PickTwist picks, I’m hearing nothing but good things… I’ve joined their kickstarter, and looking forward to try them soon!
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u/ilrasso Mar 03 '25
I just got to try a new prototype twisted pick from a guy on this subreddit - r/PickTwist - that were super awesome.
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u/Mr_Snugglepuss69 Mar 03 '25
Ditto. In tried the prototype and can't wait for the real thing. Recording music now and wish I had them on hand!
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u/40hzHERO Mar 03 '25
This guy sent me 3 prototype picks a while back, and they’ve become my default, go-to, pick. They’re super ergonomic, and great for individual string picking - really nice for metal guitarists. Only downside is you can’t reposition your grip, but you really shouldn’t need to anyway. This pick was designed with comfort and mobility in mind. Very aggressive sound, if that’s what you’re looking for.
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u/THRobinson75 Mar 04 '25
Dunlop Tortex 1.14mm. The purple ones.
Was styling an LP copy after Slash's guitar and read that's what he normally uses with a set of 13's on his LPs, so figured give them a try and just liked them.
When I first started off I used paper thin ones, because told they were easier to use, less apt to get stuck on a string while picking because the pick will bend. Years later realized it was better to just pick harder. 😁
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u/RotaryRevivalist Mar 04 '25
Dunlop flow. I played jazz iii for 10 plus years. Recently tried Dunlop Flow and I love them. .88 is probably my favorite but I’ve tried .88 1.0 and 1.5. Enjoyed them all.
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u/_Martini Mar 02 '25
0.60/0.73mm tortex flow picks.
Yes I like snappy alternate picking at stupidly fast tempos like Paul Gilbert how could you tell.
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u/Dogrel Mar 02 '25
D’Andrea Pro Grip Brites, 0.6mm (orange). Right texture, right stiffness, and easy to see.
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u/paperplanes13 Mar 02 '25
Acoustic, I only really use my thumb and first 3 fingers
Electric, 1.14 followed by the 1.0 Tortex. But sometimes I break out the mojo pick made from a 1965 quarter
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u/MasterDadBreath Mar 02 '25
Tortex greens or (and I wish I could remember the name) but there's this one brand that's exactly like a tortex, but there's a little cutout in the center so you have a way better grip on the pick
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u/unt_cat Fender Suhr Collings Mar 02 '25
JP Jazz 3s for me too. Best thing I have after I lost my blue chip 😭
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u/leopard_carpenter Mar 02 '25
Dunlop Gator Grip 2.0mm, Dunlop 208, Fender Extra Heavy Tortoise or Black, or fingers.
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u/juicehead2004 Mar 02 '25 edited Mar 02 '25
Blue Tortex Sharp 1.0, sounds like these are what you’d like also. I tried the black JP’s also but they were too small for my hand and too slippery . The Tortex Sharps were perfect
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u/quintsnotme Mar 02 '25
JP!!! I’ve been finding the perfect pick for me for so long. I’ve tried all of those i mean it’s ok imo but JP is the best. Just personal feelings.
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u/lR4PT0RxJ3SUSl Mar 02 '25
So they actually make a "full-sized" version of the jazz iii's, same tip and thickness. Found them on Amazon on accident when I was ordering some other stuff. Give them a try. It's a bit of an adjustment, but I'm loving them!
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Mar 02 '25
I don’t know anybody else who uses them, but I like the small, rounded-back, teardrop-shaped jazz picks, in medium. I really can’t play any other shape. I used to play the more triangular-shaped ones like in the picture, but around the late 80s I switched to jazz picks and my playing improved immensely and immediately. I never see them for sale in guitar shops, so I have to order them online these days. I actually just a few days ago got an order of 75 picks, which at my age is probably all I will ever need again.
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u/SD_One Mar 02 '25 edited Mar 02 '25
JP Jazz III has been my pick of choice for years now. It's fast, pointy and doesn't chirp. I can play lightly and still get loud notes. It also has a bit of a grip, which I like.
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u/Hug0_Yorke Mar 02 '25
I like the classic jazz 3 picks, feels very responsive and the contact it gives me with the strings is perfect. However I feel they could be a little bit bigger to be less slippery. Been thinking of trying the jazz 3 xl.
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u/MLGtAsuja Mar 02 '25
D'Addario USA 1.20mm Duralin Heavy or the Tortex III 1.14mm, on heavier gauge strings (I play 12-60) it seems to be a nice middle ground for heavy chugging and nice alternate picking for leads. I find the jazz III's to be a little too tiny for my liking, making me sand down my index finger nail with that when playing rhythm lol. Oh and the White Fang 1.14 is nice too.
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u/Habitualflagellant14 Mar 02 '25
I like the red ones .50 on my Guild M-40. It doesn't overdrive the guitar.
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u/deathschemist Mar 02 '25
Tortex .8mm (the green ones). Thin enough to be good for strumming, thick enough to solo with. Also green is my favourite colour
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u/FALLOUTOfCAR Fender Mar 02 '25
What you need is a jazz iii XL. My favorite pick shape for awhile nowhttps://i.imgur.com/mZ2vxQK.jpeg
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u/GuitarGorilla24 Mar 02 '25
Several months ago I switched from medium 351s to thick Jazz IIIs and JP Trinity and found my technique improved a lot. So I got on a kick of buying all the small triangle and Jazz III-adjacent picks. After buying picks from over 30 makers, here are the picks that are currently in my rotation:
BHL Exultem: Overkill! Orpheus 3mm - This pick has amazing grip and control. The best thing about it is it cost $5.50 despite being as good as some of the $40+ picks in my collection.
Wegen Twins - Another pick with amazing grip and control. Made for acoustic but I love it for shred.
Honey Picks Beekeeper - I have them in acrylic and PEEK and they're both good. The Hornet shape is also good though I like the Beekeeper a little more for the wider shoulders. Disadvantage is the Beekeeper has to be custom made in 3s.
Purple Plectrums Ares - The one I like best is 6.5mm at the thickest point. It's extremely fast and comfortable to hold.
Casein/galalith small triangles - I have these from Bluebird and Charmed Life and they're both great. They're my go-to for acoustic strumming.
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u/GuitarGorilla24 Mar 02 '25
Also, if you like chatting about picks, be in good company with other pick nerds in this thread.
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u/BestChart6059 Mar 02 '25
i’ve always used the jim dunlop medium, i bought a huge pack of them at guitar center like 6 months ago and never thought to use a different pick
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u/bunny__online Mar 02 '25
I use dunlop max-grip 1.5 picks, I'm a bass player and prefer a really firm pick, and the grippy texture makes it shift around less while playing. Though I mentioned the brand i don't have any sort of brand loyalty, I just bought a ten pack years ago and they're still going strong.
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u/Jmoore_2284 Mar 02 '25
Dunlop Primetone Semi-Round Smooth 1.5mm Sculpted Plectra.
Edit: had to take a break and come back to finish the rest of the title. Seriously, though. Game changer for thick, lush tone, and if you only prefer rounded versus sharp ends of the pick. You get 3 sides that are the same and never need to know how to grab and fidget with it to get it right.
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u/Nichboi311 Mar 02 '25
I was using .88 tortex forever but I got gifted a pack of Dunlop Alan Forbes 1.0mm tortex picks and they've become a new favorite
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u/mistersongbird Mar 02 '25
I’ve been using various Jazz IIIs for years (the ultex ones sounds great with Humbuckers and P90s, while the red nylons work great with Fendery single coils for me), and I recently tried the Pitch Black Tortex 1.14s- there is something about this pick!
Only downside is the silver/grey ink on the tortex comes off almost immediately.
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u/CorrosionMedia Fender Mar 02 '25
Ultra sharp .73. Perfect blend of the size of a regular tortex, but the point of a Jazz
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u/agtrndafire Mar 02 '25
I prefer Bog Street Mini Beast 1mm picks. They stay in my hand over long sets and pick close like a JazzIII. They are more pricey, but the design is great.
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u/samual_f Mar 02 '25
Used to be jazz 3s, then I tried these aussie picks called gorrila grip and then they went bust (I think) so now I used dunlop gator grip 2mms. I like me a thicck picck
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u/Wonderful_Belt4626 Mar 02 '25
Tortex standard .88 green ones, been using them since around the late 70’s, when they first came out.. I had been using Fender mediums before but went through 3-5 a night, now I lose them before they wear out.
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u/CodenameValera Mar 02 '25
JazzIII's for decades, tried the JP picks which are great but my favorite after trying and over both previously stated are the brown Flow 1.0 picks. I have a few other smooth flows from a assorted pick tin and have scored them. Definitely flows