Slippery Pick

[jom]

While this is not a problem in comfortable situations (practice or jamming with friends), when I get nervous my fingers get all sweaty and my pick (tortis) becomes really elusive. I don't drop it all that much, but it rotates on me and starts stressing me out.

I'm really happy with the pick, so I don't want to change it, but I was thinking about putting some tape with "friction" on it.

Wonderin if anyone has any ideas.

[mandofiddle]

I took an exacto knife and scraped both sides of my pick up with crosshatches. #Works good for me http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[jom]

*That's* an idea...hadn't thought of that. Thanks!

BTW-used to live out there in Boulder. One of my best friends, Caleb, played b*njo with ya'll a few times?

[8ch(pl)]

I make grips for picks by putting 2 sided tape onto a piece of sandpaper, leaving the paper backing on. Then I use a fabric punch (like those used to cut holes for grommets in canvas) to cut 1/2 inch disks out of the paper. Remove the backing and stick the disk to the side of the pick.

If you try this use sandpaper in the 180 to 240 grit range.I usually use a small Clayton pick, about .80mm.

I had the same situation with the pick rotating in mid song. I have a lot of these items and will send you some if you give me your address. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Mark Normand]

I had that problem all the time until I switched to BigStubby pics, which come in 1mm, 2mm, and 3mm, and all have a depression on each side that helps my fingers stay put.
Somewhere way down the line, I'll get a look at the Pick Tourbus, and see what else is out there.

[mandofiddle]

Hey Jom,
Yeah, I just picked with Caleb at his 30th this past Saturday. Great picker and great guy, though I do hear they're expecting to bring another banjo player into the world in November. Doh! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[jom]

Glen, thanks for the suggestion. I was thinking about something along these lines. In my head I was thinking about buying some velcro strips, and using the "softer side". I will experiment on some less expensive picks and see what I like best. Its very helpful to have the grit range (Thanks!)

Mnormand, my problem on the pick tourbus is that I got off at every stop, and liked every one. I really like what I'm getting from the tortis, therefore, I need to somehow make my current pick have the grip-qualities of the big-stubbies.

Mandofiddle, if you were in the womb and heard nothing but banjo (I know for a fact "all night long"). Then you entered the real world and heard nothing but banjo until you were old enough to close your door, would *you* play banjo?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Actually, by that point, you'd be deaf, and thats all you'd be able to hear.

But seriously, bravo to those two...they are going to be great parents (or judging from Jada the dog, they already are!)

[duuuude]

Ya could use a round pick. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[ShaneJ]

I score crosshatches with a pocket knife, and then drill a few holes in the "grip area" with about a 1/8" bit. I havn't dropped a pick since I started doing that.

I like the sandpaper and tape idea. It might be a little quicker to do.

[Nolan]

Buy a real tortoise shell pick. The more sweat you create, the better they stick. I too had that same problem... being up on stage, trying to keep the chop going while also trying to rotate the pick to the right position before my break... while trying to remember lyrics... it was enough to give this kid some grey hairs!

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Stillpicking]

Try using some "Gorilla Snot" really you can buy this sticky stuff in a jar made for holding on to the pick, I bought a jar almost 2 years ago and still have some left all you do is put a little between your thumb and index fingers and then grab your pick you can actually pull apart your fingers and the pick will hang on to the index finger with this stuff it smells a little like pine sap but it must have some other thing in the mix as straight pine sap would not come off so easy when you are done picking. Every player that I offer it to likes it. I think it goes for around 4 or 5 bucks a jar.

[GTison]

OR go to a bowling alley or sports store and buy a very small rosin bag. dust your pick fingers a little . rub 'em to gether and then play It helps.

[Brian Aldridge]

if you use genuine tortise shell picks, the higher you have them polished, the better they stick to your fingers. I used to carry mine around in my change pouch, but found the coins mar the gloss finish, and then I couldn't hold onto it until I took a smooth fingernail buffer and glossed it back out to shiney smooth again. The same priciple as race car slicks (tires).

[Flowerpot]

Exactly, Brian. For fairly hard substances, I think that it's almost counter-intuitive; in the presence of a little moisture, a rough sanded pick doesn't grip as well as a mirror polish buffed to an optical sheen. For real TS, it really does make a huge difference to keep it polished to a high degree. If it starts slipping, I just lick my thumb and it grips just fine. Skin oil or french fry grease is bad news, so if you go the polished pick route, wash your hands well before playing, and keep the gripping fingers just a bit moist before latching onto the pick. Works great. I don't know if the same holds tru for tor-tis... maybe.

I've heard the same principle applies to the bottom of racing boats. A smooth, glossy, polished surface makes more friction on the water than a slightly roughed up surface. Well, maybe that's not the same principle, but it's interesting.

[jom]

Thanks everyone! These are all great ideas, most of which I hadn't thought of. I will make my way down the list and see what works best.

Anyone have a round highly-polished genuine-tortoise gorilla-snotted rosin-covered pick they're not using ;) ?? Maybe I could do the cross-hatching and sandpaper-gluing to my fingers.

[John S]

Go to the hardware store and get some of that stick-on stairstep tread. It comes in a roll with adhesive backing. Cut off a small appropriately shaped piece and stick it on your pick, and you won't have any more slippery pick problems.

At present I'm using a Wegen that comes with small holes drilled in the center, and I don't have a problem holding on to that.

[Blind_Cowboy]

A BIG second on the Gorilla snot. Before you beat up an expensive pick, try using the gorilla snot. Guitar Center, and most independant stores have it. It's excellent. I've used it on several different pick surfaces, and it's never let me down.

[creekwader]

or if you're too lazy to do anything to the picks you already own, take a look at the everly star picks, they have a little 8 pointed star shaped hole in them that supposedly makes them easier to hold on to. Anyone tried these?

[ngzcaz]

If you want fast, easy & inexpensive
try non skid stair tread material available
at any carpet place. Its sticky one side and
has great non skid rubbery material on the other.
For a couple of bucks you'll have enough
for life.

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[MANDOLINMYSTER]

I found a little trick that works nice for adding grip to picks, simply take a soldering iron with a fine point and just tap the pick to melt a little dimple, add as many as you like. This gives a nice grip. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[jom]

So many great ideas. Thanks all!