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dodgedougak - Posted - 11/20/2009: 08:57:33
I am fairly new to reso playing. I have not found finger picks that seem to fit on my fat fingers! Does anyone have suggestions for the best fingerpicks for big/fat fingers? Currently, I am using metal Dunlop finger picks and a plastic Herco thumb pick. Thanks
Slideman1939 - Posted - 11/20/2009: 11:48:31
Slideman suggests: Plastic thumb picks are fairley easy to modify to owner's needs.Depending on the "memory" within certain kinds of plastic you use very warm water to modify the shape and then after cooling the pick returns to "new memory" and new shape.You would find a piece of dowel rod similar in shape to the fatter finger and stretch fit the finger pick onto the dowel and give it the hot water dunk. Most plastics would have "memory" return to the (adjusted) fatter shape. ANOTHER EXAMPLE: I like the heaviest of the 3 types of GOLDEN GATE brand thumbpick because it has an ergonomic tab and shape on the thumb part--it doesn't twist on your thumb. However the tip that touches the strings is equally thick plastic and kind of clunky.Since I like some flex (some whip on the tip) I use the belt sander lightly and quickly to make the tip thinner like a dunlop plastic thumbpick. Another simple way is using nail file or emory board to do this same thinning and shaping. The best of both world's is the solid heaviness of the Golden Gate on the thumb portion and the flexible whip of a dunlop pick on the tip due to simple OWNER MODIFICATIONS. It costs very little to get several picks and experiment several variations until you experiment onto the perfect -for-you changes.
SlimPickins - Posted - 11/20/2009: 13:29:29
Hey Doug,
I don't know if you've tried the Perfect Touch fingerpicks yet, but they stay on well. They also sound really good and somewhat allow you to get that "playing with your fingertips" feeling because they really conform to the shape of your fingers. There are also many styles to choose from to suit your comfort and playing style. The Perfect Touches are a little pricey, but they might be what you're looking for. Here's a link to them at Elderly Instruments:
elderly.com/brand/PKFG_perfect...ouch.html
Edited by - SlimPickins on 11/20/2009 13:30:35
MissouriPicker - Posted - 11/20/2009: 15:49:38
I have a very hard time getting used to fingerpicks. I've tried and tried, but can't get comfortable with them. I play all steel strings (except my Uke) and I use my fingernails, aside from a plastic or metal thumbpick. For the last several years I've used a fingernail hardener called "Horse Tail" and also called "Hard as Nails." in some areas. I got it at Wal Mart. I fingerpick almost everything I play. Not much strumming with a pick... I'm not exaggerrating---it's been 3-4 years since I'm broken or torn a nail. I keep-up with the rough edges and try to file them every week or so, but that's about it. For me, I just can't get used to the feel of the picks. I can't tell precisely where my fingers are like I can without them.. IF you can get used to the fingerpicks, I suggest that you use them. However, keep your fingernails in-mind as an alternative....
SlimPickins - Posted - 11/20/2009: 16:33:54
Hey Larry,
Not to try and force you into using picks again, but maybe you might want to look into the Perfect Touch fingerpicks too. Like I said before, they conform to your fingers, which also makes them very comfortable. This little feature is probably as close as you can get to playing with your fingernails while still wearing picks. Just a suggestion.
gladgrover - Posted - 11/20/2009: 18:27:58
As far as I am concerned, Dunlops are fine. I have used them fom many years and don't see the need to change. I use a Pro-Pik thinmb pick (the one that is metal with the delrin point.) It is a good combination and seems to work well on my husky hands.
El Dobro - Posted - 11/20/2009: 18:50:18
I've been using Dunlop picks for years now. I can pick them up at local music stores so I can go through the box to find the thumb picks that fit the best.
Arrowsmit - Posted - 11/20/2009: 19:29:30
Dunlops here too....
Vic
Square Neck - Posted - 11/20/2009: 20:27:28
I use a nickel Dunlop nickel silver thumb pick that has been re worked and shorter with a more rounded tip. It is the only pick that does not spin for me. I also don't have to work as hard to get volume. Started with this........
elderly.com/images/accessories...PK4-R.jpg
And for finger picks, I use ProPik F-Tone.........
elderly.com/images/accessories...K47-M.jpg
They work great for pick blocking and you can still feel the strings. Without these I fear I might never be able to use picks.
Dean Upson - Posted - 11/21/2009: 06:11:07
Perfect Touch finger picks and thumbpick, also the Blue Chip thumb pick is a real keeper (and expensive), The Acri stainless finger picks are nice as well.
dodgedougak - Posted - 11/21/2009: 11:54:33
Thanks all, I have ordered up some Perfect touch picks, we will give them a try.
Arrowsmit - Posted - 11/21/2009: 13:31:31
+1 on the Blue Chip thumbpick!
billy bob - Posted - 11/22/2009: 04:53:52
Ok here we go i tryed perfect touch and used them for a while they were hard to get use but i stuck it out for about 2 months and was playing 8 to 10 hours a day .About two weeks before i took my lesson with Mike Auldridge i was going through my box of picks and put on the dunlops and they felt really good and i did some mods to them so they wouldn't kill the out side of my finger tips .Then i tryed pro-pik thumb pick very nice it doesn't slip at all .I also have a bluechip thump pick witch i use all the time now .You'll see i bought 100 dollars worth of picks in the begining and ended up with dunlops and bluechip i'll never go back.I did alot of mods to the dunlops to make them good .I put some liquid metal on the holes because they were digging in to my finger tips i also used my dremel tool to grind some of the outside portion because it was digging into my cutical but after all this i have a one off set of dunlops that fit great and stay put .i wish i new how to post pic's i'd show you
Dean Upson - Posted - 11/22/2009: 05:11:43
Asking folks what kind of finger picks or strings are best is like asking what kind of reso or for that matter, which truck is the best. It is all a matter of opinion and in the case of picks, peoples fingers are different. I butchered my right middle finger many years ago and the Perfect Touch medium fits my index and the small does well on the middle. I called Rusty at Perfect Touch perfecttouchpicks.com/index.htm and he asked me to send a picture of my hand and he fixed me right up. He is a great guy. The Blue Chip ($40) thumb pick is really liked by just about everyone as far as I can see.
Edited by - Dean Upson on 11/22/2009 05:13:51
bmizell - Posted - 12/12/2009: 11:14:45
I have been thinking of the Bluechip thumbpick. I have heard good things about it from some of you guys here and on the resonation board. I have heard a couple who said it wasn't for them.
I believe MitchC was one.
I would like to hear what they didn't like about them. Before I spend 40 bucks to try one out, I am getting all of the opinions I can.
Thanks
Bob
Edited by - bmizell on 12/12/2009 11:15:39
Dean Upson - Posted - 12/12/2009: 11:20:31
I cannot say what I do not like about them because I really like them! I think you have to give them a chance and I think there is a 30 day return policy (better check). I just bought a second one, but I doubt that I'll wear out this one very soon. I notice that Jerry D. has them on his site.
Dean
squareneck - Posted - 12/12/2009: 11:27:05
I just heard about the Blue Chip thumbpick the other day when it when it was advertised in the Rob Ickes email. I was thinking about getting one but was curious how the fit was compared to the XLarge Goldengate that has the extra tab on the wrap around. I've found that is the only kind I can use that stays put but I go through them pretty quick about one per month and I thought the Blue Chip might last longer.
Steve
benspinks - Posted - 12/12/2009: 12:06:55
I've got the large JD version and think it's a great pick, although I feel I'm in-between sizes and may try a medium in future. That seems to be the only issue with most people, size. It's a lot of money for a pick if it doesn't fit, but thankfully BC has a money back within 30 days option if you don't like it.
B.
Edited by - benspinks on 12/12/2009 12:07:36
Arrowsmit - Posted - 12/12/2009: 12:27:33
Ickes is using em now too? Cool.
Vic
benspinks - Posted - 12/12/2009: 12:29:18
Bet his one hasn't got JD on it. 
Edited by - benspinks on 12/12/2009 12:29:38
Arrowsmit - Posted - 12/12/2009: 13:50:44
Hmmm, it might have. The JD on the Bluechip thumbpick is for JD Crow. hehehe
Vic
Dean Upson - Posted - 12/12/2009: 14:11:54
I just double checked the Jerry Douglas site and under gear he shows the Blue Chip JDL pick.
Dean
Ride - Posted - 12/14/2009: 04:48:59
I used to use nickel dunlop fingerpicks. But for me they weren't so comfortable, sometimes they cause me pain in finger nails, the same problem with National.
Then I tried ProPik fingerpicks with double band. They have one model designed for resonators (the blade is a little angled). They're the most comfortable I've tried so far. But, the blade is a little to long for me.... 
guptillmusic.com/propik/reso.html
I've got a Propik thumbpick, and also it's very comfortable.
jwstahl - Posted - 12/14/2009: 05:02:09
I've found Showcase fingerpicks to be the most comfortable. I use a Zookie thumbpick to improve my angle of attack.
It takes a little practice to get used to fingerpicks, but it becomes second nature after a while.
Good luck.
John
bbjork - Posted - 12/14/2009: 09:17:22
I use the zookie 20's and brass 0.025 dunlops with no problems. I also have a handful of antique nationals that work well on the banjo but don't cut it for the reso.
Tom Jr. - Posted - 12/16/2009: 13:06:40
You can go broke with the good stuff. I wear $75 of stuff on my picking hand. I'm hooked on Bluechip. Got a thumbpick and a flatpick for flatpicking stuff. A few summers ago I saw Lonesome River Band play and Sammy had some of his stainless steel fingerpicks and I bought a set of those. I should never wear out either of those items. Sammy wore one set for almost a decade and he does a serious amount of picking. His stainless fingerpicks are pretty stiff and you can dig into the strings when you need to but they are very smooth and slick, as is the Bluechip thumbpick. One of the best sounds from the thumbpick is the chop. It just glides across the strings.
angiedobro - Posted - 12/18/2009: 13:42:26
quote:
Originally posted by Arrowsmit
+1 on the Blue Chip thumbpick!
I'd love to get one. My husband plays mandolin with a Blue Chip and he loves it. I keep watching the site for a left-handed, size small Blue Chip thumbpick to become available. I see they've had other inquiries about it in their FAQs. It doesn't seem a size small left-handed thumbpick even exists, though. I've searched everywhere for one. I have to wrap a medium in electrical tape to get it to fit.
billy bob - Posted - 12/19/2009: 05:44:27
I have one of jerry's bluechip picks .The guy who makes them sent me it because i broke the first one i bought.He had just made 5 for Jerry and sent me one of them.There thicker then the standard pick he makes.He told me that Jerry was going through his standard pick to fast and he made these for him.I come from the Mike Auldridge school of plucking the strings flat and i've been using this pick for 4 months now with no signs of wear .It is the best pick i've used so far.If you don't want to spend that kind of money get a the pro-pics one it's also a really good pick.The reason i went to a metal pick is that the plastic ones slip when your hands get sweetty
Edited by - billy bob on 01/16/2010 19:54:31
littleb - Posted - 12/22/2009: 03:22:43
What about plastic fingerpicks ? Anybody tried some ? How do they feel/sound ?
benspinks - Posted - 12/22/2009: 05:34:58
They're bulky, so take a bit of getting used to, and sound just like your thumb pick, so fuller and rounder sounding. I think Stacy Phillips uses them.
BR
Ben
Preston Thompson - Posted - 12/23/2009: 08:06:20
MP........I too have used the finger picking style for some time. Mainly from playing the catgut strings. But if you ever get past playing the pretty, sweet, soft stuff and pick like Rob or Randy Kohrs, your finger nails will be worn down to the tips of your fingers. I told Randy one day these darn finger picks hurt. He showed me his two fingers with the picks and they were just about to bleed. You will get used to what you need too.
pt
ryusachi - Posted - 01/02/2010: 03:47:38
I use golden gate thumb pick and straight propick finger pick. The reso model of propick had an angle, and it was bad feeling in for me. As for my being interested, do the other people make several millimeters from a finger-tip? How long does they bend it along a finger?
benspinks - Posted - 01/02/2010: 04:37:57
Hi Ryusachi
I wear mine pretty long. Somewhere between 6 and 10mm, bent slightly around the finger tip . I started with fingerpicks and it's feels more comfortable keeping my fingers out the way (if that makes sense).
Ben
bmizell - Posted - 01/02/2010: 06:39:33
As I said in my earlier post about the bluechip thumbpick. I have one and its taken a little getting use to but I like it. I still think its way overpriced for a thumbpick.
I keep going back and forth between Propicks and Perfect touch finger picks.
The propicks do a great job, but the Perfect touch's are the most comfortable. The sound is good from both. I have had some problems with the Perfect T's. they don't seem to be tight enough or fit etc. I have had the string to get between my finger and the pick on fast rolls etc. It doesn't happen often but once in a while is still too much in a jam. I PLAY BAD ENOUGH AS IT IS ALREADY. It may be me but it doesn't happen on the Propics. I have decided to tighten them more on my fingers and wrap them around more then use them for a week or two without changing and see if I can correct my problem. any Suggestions are most welcome
Bob
ryusachi - Posted - 01/02/2010: 06:50:46
Hi,Ben
Probably I fit it in comparison with the other people deeply. Probably it will be around 4mm from 3mm. It will affect it that I was a banjo player before. The Dobro player of my friend does not bend and plays it in the stock. It is not this imitates another person in a personal thing, and to change. JD is considerably long, and Rob is the same as me and seems to be short. This will influence a sound and a touch of Rob.Probably I fit it in comparison with the other people deeply. Probably it will be around 4mm from 3mm. It will affect it that I was a banjo player before. The Dobro player of my friend does not bend and plays it in the stock. It is not this imitates another person in a personal thing, and to change. JD is considerably long, and Rob is the same as me and seems to be short. This will influence a sound and a touch of Rob.
propick double wrap which I use is not surely painful, but it is easy to come off from a finger and feels it.
For a player, the selection of pick is a theme of the eternity.
benspinks - Posted - 01/02/2010: 11:04:55
I guess it's one of those things all of us do differently, but in the end they all work. It's just that we end up with pick collections to get there :-))
Bob - Yeah the Perfect Touch do feel weird at first, but I just bent and tightened them accordingly. I think they work good, but it takes a few tries to get used to the different feel.
dobro man 56 - Posted - 01/05/2010: 10:49:48
I use Sammy Shelor finger picks and love them. I got them for playing banjo, but I use them for dobro, and to finger pick guitar also. Best picks I have ever used, and the most comfortable. Expensive though. I've been wanting to try a Blue Chip as I have heard good things about them. I use Dunlop or nationals now, but I have to re-shape them for the fit I like.
tgrassdash - Posted - 01/19/2010: 09:29:12
Ditto.. the ACRI's
Learned about these from a workshop with Junior Barber (of Gibson Brothers)..
Once you get em' don't lose em...
David
drubin - Posted - 01/19/2010: 19:07:20
Nobody's mentioned the Fred Kelly Slickpick thumbpick yet. Jimmy Heffernan turned me onto them and now I won't use anything else. Haven't tried the Bluechip or the Perfect Touches yet, but I just got a set of the new Fred Kelly Freedom fingerpicks in the mail and test drove them tonight. Not as much volume as the cobalt plated Propik Reso picks I'm used to, but much less string noise. Just as much accuracy and they feel pretty good too. For jams where I need that extra bit of volume I'lll probably stick with the Propiks, but for practicing at home I think I'm going to try these new Fred Kelly Freedoms for a while.
bmizell - Posted - 01/20/2010: 06:43:04
Drubin
Talking about pick noise. I have found that the cobalt propics did reduce string noise for me, more so over all the other picks I have tried.
I have tried the perfect touch and liked the sound but not the feel when pickin, they were comfortable through. The bluechip thunbpick I love, but not the price.
Bob
Dean Upson - Posted - 01/20/2010: 06:58:52
Bob,
That Blue Chip might not be such a bad deal if you figure the longevity in. That has been my experience anyway and the sound is very good to my ear.
Dean
MarkC - Posted - 01/25/2010: 23:39:08
Picks are highly personal. Try 'em all. They respond according to your touch. Everybody's a little different. Especially finger picks.. tweek and bend them with needle nosed pliers til they're just right for you. (use cloth or a paper towel to prevent scratches). Plastic thumb picks can be scratchy at first and need time to break in. Shave parts with a razor if needed. Anything goes.
Then, picks take a while to break in to your touch. Play them for a while and adjust. Play 'em til they smooth out.
I use Zookie #20m thumb picks ( which I trim), and Sammy Shelor finger picks ( which are expensive and I tweek with pliers). Try them all and use what works best for you. Everybody's different.
Mark
therake - Posted - 02/10/2010: 17:29:39
I just received my perfect touch fingerpicks in the mail today.I got them from Angies Banjo,alot cheaper than Elderly.I`ll tell ya,they look alittle weird and feel the same.I just finished playing my new Mahagony Meredith for almost an hour with them.I LIKE THEM.They sound great and you get some great note definition with them.By luck,there is a clip on Reso-Nation with Jerry playing with Dan Tyminski.I`m so glad I saw that.Jerry is wearing these picks,but it looks kind of weird.They seem to stick off his fingers abit.Not at all like I would wear my Dunlops or Propicks.But the way he has them on seems to be working for me!I think i`ll get the hang of it and really enjoy using these picks.Now to my other problems............
claudeW - Posted - 02/23/2010: 12:07:48
I can't say enough good things about the bluechip thumb pick it is awesome! I've had the perfect touch for about 2 months now I like the way they do not move on my fingers but iI can't seem to stop the strings from going inbetween the pick and finger tip. I've tried bending and moving alot. I really like the comfort but never had this problem with the propiks I used to use.
Claude
Grizz - Posted - 02/23/2010: 17:14:23
Everybody has to find what is comfortable and works for them. FWIW I use Perfect Touch finger picks, Blue Chip thumb pick and a Tipton RT-1 bar and they all work well for ME.
Mike
Steevarino - Posted - 02/23/2010: 17:47:48
Hi All --
I don't think I have mentioned it here yet, but I have recently become a dealer for Perfect Touch picks. I am involved in an instrument making project with Rusty, so it only seemed right that I should offer his picks too. I just got a fresh batch of all sizes, both thumb and finger picks. Our prices should be the best, so let me know if you are interested.
Oh yeah, I also just got in a few Bradley capos. I'm not always able to keep these in stock, so if you are looking for just what might be the best resophonic guitar capo out there, and some awesome picks, give me a shout!
Steve Smith
RedLineResophonics.com
CumberlandAcoustic.com
Grizz - Posted - 02/23/2010: 19:47:33
Here, here Steve, too bad I got mine before you started selling them For any of you who don't know Steve he is A number 1. A tremendous asset to this website and the resonaphonic community at large.
Mike
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