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

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.

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:

http://elderly.com/brand/PKFG_perfect%20touch.html

Edited by - SlimPickins on 11/20/2009 13:30:35

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....

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.

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.

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.

Posted - 11/20/2009 :  19:29:30    

Dunlops here too....

Vic

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........
http://elderly.com/images/accessories/PK/PK4-R.jpg

And for finger picks, I use ProPik F-Tone.........
http://elderly.com/images/accessori...K/PK47-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.

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.

Posted - 11/21/2009 :  11:54:33      

Thanks all, I have ordered up some Perfect touch picks, we will give them a try.

Posted - 11/21/2009 :  13:31:31    

+1 on the Blue Chip thumbpick!

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

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 http://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 - wyattu on 11/22/2009 05:13:51

Posted - 11/22/2009 :  12:00:09  

Try Acri fingerpicks.

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

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

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

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

Posted - 12/12/2009 :  12:27:33    

Ickes is using em now too? Cool.

Vic

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

Posted - 12/12/2009 :  13:50:44    

Hmmm, it might have. The JD on the Bluechip thumbpick is for JD Crow. hehehe

Vic

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

Posted - 12/12/2009 :  18:02:19  

Yep Ickes is using them too, he is even selling them from his site.

http://www.resorevolution.com/holid...als#bluechip

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....

http://www.guptillmusic.com/propik/reso.html

I've got a Propik thumbpick, and also it's very comfortable.

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