Frequently Asked Questions...
What plectrum gauge should I buy?
I have been playing guitar for around 6 months now, using plastic Yamaha picks that I was given for free. However, I have been looking at other picks to buy. I am considering Dunlop tortex picks - any opinions there?
I mainly strum chords just now although I have been working on picking.
Am I best going for the .73yellow - would that be considered medium?
Thanks:)
I have an acoustic steel stringed guitar.
Answer:
well, i only use what i find comfortable: for metal i use Dunlop Sharp (they are pointed to a tip) on Extra Heavy, very good for dropped tunings. for blues I use a dunlop gripped medium gauge. and for bluegrass i use extra heavy metal picks, and metal fingerpicks
it took me about a year to find the right setup of picks, so it takes a while to find them, and you may find it hard to find what youre looking for (my plectrum tastes are rare but im weird =P )
forget about gauges and colour and style, use what you feel COMFORTABLE with.
 6 Dunlop 413 Tortex Teardrop Guitar Picks 1.14 Heavy Tear Drop US $4.94 
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 Guitar Picks- Mix Lot of 6- Dunlop Tortex/Gibson/Alice/Gretsch/Fender US $.99
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 24 DUNLOP 418 TORTEX STANDARD GUITAR PICKS - .50MM US $7.12
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 DUNLOP-TORTEX-GUITAR-PICK-ULTIMATE GRIP-THE PICK BAG US $6.55
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 Dunlop Standard Tortex Red .50MM Gauge Guitar Picks US $19.95
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 Dunlop Standard Tortex Orange .60MM Gauge Guitar Picks US $19.95
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 Dunlop Standard Tortex Yellow .73MM Gauge Guitar Picks US $19.95
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 Dunlop Standard Tortex Green .88MM Gauge Guitar Picks US $19.95
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 Dunlop Standard Tortex Purple 1.14MM Gauge Guitar Picks US $19.95
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 DUNLOP TORTEX .50mm RED EXTRA LIGHT 72 GUITAR PICKS BAG US $19.95
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 Dunlop Tortex Guitar Picks 1.00mm 12 pack Blue - 418P US $3.64
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 Dunlop Tortex TIII Guitar Picks .60mm - 36 Pack US $11.95
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 Dunlop Tortex Triangle Guitar Picks .60mm - 36 Pack US $12.95
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 Dunlop Tortex Small Tear Drop Guitar Picks 1.0mm - 36 Pack US $11.95
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 Dunlop Tortex Standard Guitar Picks .88mm - 36 Pack US $11.95
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 Dunlop Tortex Tear Drop Guitar Picks - 1.0mm 36 Pack US $11.95
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 Dunlop Tortex Pitch Black Standard Guitar Picks .60mm - 36 PACK US $11.95
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 Dunlop Standard Tortex Picks Guitar Picks 1.14mm/Purple 418P114 (12Pack) US $3.19
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 3 x Dunlop Tortex Standard Guitar Picks Plectrums - Your Choice Of Size / Type US $2.45
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 6 x Dunlop Tortex Standard Guitar Picks Plectrums - Your Choice Of Size / Type US $3.87
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 Dunlop Tortex Fins guitar picks Set of 6 diff US $5.99
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 Dunlop Tortex Fin Guitar Picks .73mm - 36 Pack US $11.95
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 Dunlop Tortex T3 Sharp Tip Guitar Picks 12-Pack .50 MM US $3.95
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 Dunlop Tortex Standard Guitar Picks .88MM 1 Dozen US $3.95
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 NEW Dunlop Tortex Guitar Picks .50mm 12 pack Red - 418P US $5.63
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 Dunlop Tortex Guitar Picks .73mm 12 pack Yellow - 418P US $5.63
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 Dunlop Tortex Guitar Picks .60mm 12 pack Orange - 418P US $5.63
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 Dunlop Tortex Guitar Picks .88mm 12 pack Green - 418P US $5.63
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 Dunlop Tortex Guitar Picks 72 per pack US $31.95
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 Dunlop Tortex Pitch Black Standard Guitar Picks 1 Dozen 1.0Mm US $3.95
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 dunlop tortex guitar picks-lot of 3 thins,very good shape US $.99
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 New 12 Pack Guitar Picks Dunlop Tortex .88 MM Medium (418P.88) US $3.89
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 Dunlop Tortex(r) Wide Teardrop Guitar Picks 1.14mm/Purple 413P114 (12 picks) US $2.79
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 Tortex .60mm Jim Dunlop Guitar Picks (6) ~New~ US $1.85
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 Dunlop Tortex T3 Sharp Tip Guitar Picks 12-Pack .73 MM US $3.95
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 Dunlop Tortex T3 Sharp Tip Guitar Picks 72-Pack .88 MM US $17.99
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 New 72 Pack Dunlop Tortex Fins .88 guitar picks US $19.99
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 12 Pack Dunlop Tortex Wedge Guitar Picks 1.0 424P1.0 US $4.99
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 10 x Dunlop picks, Tortex Standard Picks, guitar picks, guitar pick, bass picks US $3.50
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 Dunlop Tortex Pitch Black Standard Guitar Picks 1 Dozen .60Mm US $3.95
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 Dunlop Tortex Sharp Guitar Picks 1 Dozen 1.35Mm US $3.95
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 6 x Dunlop Tortex Pitch Black Std Guitar Picks Plectrums - Your Choice Of Size US $6.31
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 6 x Dunlop Tortex Sharp Guitar Picks Plectrums - Your Choice Of Size / Type US $4.73
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 Dunlop 418R.50 Red Tortex .50mm Standard Guitar Pick - 72 Picks US $20.95
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 Dunlop Purple Tortex 418R1.14mm Guitar Picks Standard 72ct US $20.95
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 Dunlop Tortex Pitch Black Standard Guitar Picks 1 Dozen .73Mm US $3.95
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 Dunlop Tortex Jazz L3 Red Sharp Heavy guitar pick 36ct. US $11.50
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 12 COLLECTOR GUITAR PICKS *DIRTBAG * DEVIL- Skull with wings Tortex .50mm US $5.00
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 Dunlop Tortex Tear Drop Guitar Picks - .73mm 36 Pack US $11.95
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 Dunlop Standard Tortex Blue 1.0MM Gauge Guitar Picks US $19.95
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 Dunlop Tortex The Wedge Guitar Picks 1.14mm - 12 Pack US $4.69
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 Dunlop Tortex The Wedge Guitar Picks 1.0mm - 12 PACK US $4.69
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 Dunlop Tortex The Wedge Guitar Picks .88mm - 12 Pack US $4.69
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 Dunlop Tortex The Wedge Guitar Picks .73mm - 12 Pack US $4.69
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 Dunlop Tortex The Wedge Guitar Picks .60mm - 12 Pack US $4.69
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 Dunlop Tortex The Wedge Guitar Picks .50mm - 12 Pack US $4.69
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 DUNLOP GUITAR PICKS ~TORTEX FINS- (6) ALL PURPLE 1.14 US $3.10
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 DUNLOP GUITAR PICKS ~TORTEX FINS- (6) ASSORTMENT US $3.45
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 12 Dunlop Tortex Blue Standard Guitar Picks 1.0mm US $5.93
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 10 Dunlop Tortex Blue Standard Guitar Picks 1.0mm US $5.14
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 12 Dunlop Tortex Yellow Standard Guitar Picks 0.73mm US $5.93
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 12 Dunlop Tortex Red Standard Guitar Picks 0.50mm US $5.93
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 Tortex .73mm Jim Dunlop Guitar Picks (6) ~New~ US $1.85
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 New 72 pack Dunlop Tortex Sharp .88 picks 412R.88 guitar picks US $19.94
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 6 Dunlop Tortex Jazz Guitar Picks 472 M3 Medium Sharp US $4.94
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 72 Dunlop Tortex 1.14 Heavy Guitar Picks US $2.99
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 Dunlop Tortex Triangle Guitar Picks .73mm - 36 Pack US $12.95
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 Dunlop Tortex Wedge Guitar Picks .73mm - 36 Pack US $11.95
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 Dunlop Tortex Standard Guitar Picks .50mm - 36 Pack US $11.95
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Tortex Guitar
Dunlop Tortex TIII & Black Fang guitar pick demo
The Pick - The Guitarist's Key To Achieving A Great Tone
Controlling Your Tone
There are numerous factors which contribute to a guitarist's sound: guitar, strings, pickups the amp, effects, etc. However, it's the pick (or plectrum) that produces the initial attack which generates the sound. It is often overlooked, perhaps due to it's size and low cost, when guitarists look for ways to vary their tone. Experimenting with different types of picks is cheapest and easiest way for a guitarist to achieve a varied sound.
Personal preference, comfort & musical style is a big influencing factor when a guitarist chooses which pick to use. Rhythm guitarists and guitarists who do a lot of strumming often favour thin picks. Lead guitarists typically prefer thicker picks which give a feeling of control and accuracy. Every material used for picks will have different molecular properties and densities which means that they will interact with the string differently
Picks come in a variety of shapes & sizes but the vast majority come in the "tear-drop" format. The thickness of the pick and the material have a significant effect on the overall sound.
Thick or Thin?
Thin picks (anything less than about 0.5mm) produce a sound which is noticeably different to that of a heavy one. They tend to give the guitarist a brighter sound with accentuated overtones but will be result in less depth. The sound will be softer and the dynamics will also be a little more controlled or "flatter" with thinner pick. Thinner picks are best suited for acoustic guitar playing, especially when one is doing mostly strumming!
Heavy or thick picks will produce more volume and to some extent, a fuller tone. More dynamics are possible with a thicker pick and these are favoured by most jazz guitarists search for a richer tone. Heavy picks are those which measure at least 1.5 millimetres in thickness and are good for loudness, deeper bass, durability and accuracy. However, beginners will find that these are difficult to grip and increase the likelihood of broken strings.
Some players prefer to stick with a general all-purpose medium gauge pick such as the Dunlop USA Nylon 73mm. They provide great grip, are almost indestructible and deliver a good balanced sound in volume and tone. These are the ideal choice for discerning acoustic guitar players.
Manmade or Natural?
The most common modern-day materials for guitar picks are plastic, nylon, Tortex (introduced by Jim Dunlop) and more recently, Ultem / Ultex which provide a good manmade alternative to tortoise shell. These picks are cheap, durable and also less likely to damage the guitar than metal, glass, stone or wooden picks. However, guitar picks are also available in a wide range of natural materials, and each with its own tonal character. Many professional guitarists use hardwood guitar picks which have a deep, rich, resonant tone and are responsive to the strings. Others use metal picks and Brian May used a coin!
In Search of the Perfect Pick
For those starting to learn guitar, a good choice would be a "plain vanilla" medium pick such as the Jim Dunlop .73mm Nylon. This offers an acceptable compromise for strumming and lead work. After a few months, you can begin to look at some alternatives.
Don't just use a particular pick because your favourite player also uses them. The pick connects your hand with your guitar. Your fingers & hands are unique, and the way in which you attack the strings with your strumming and picking techniques may differ to other guitarists. For this reason, you need to experiment and find out which pick gives you the most comfort and desired tone. However, even when you find one that works well, try new picks from time to time because you might be surprised to find one that's even better! Also, bear in mind that when playing classical guitar, you should learn to play "finger style" to achieve an authentic classical sound.
The ultimate goal is to find and use the most appropriate pick. The experienced guitarist learns to use different picks in the same way that a great artist distinguishes between different paint brushes.
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