pointed vs rounded tip

[Cary Fagan]

I've never been able to pick with a rounded pick--Dawg, Golden gate, etc. I used Fender extra heavies and have switched to Wegen bluegrass. I thought maybe I'd gain some speed if I rounded the Wegen some, so I filed and sanded it, but the sound I get out of it is thin and quiet. Just like always. But I know that Compton and Long and many other pros use more rounded picks. (I heard David Long say, "I can't play with a point.") Any suggestions?

[Eric F.]

If you like the tone you get with Fender heavies, use them. Roland White does, so you're in pretty good company.

[red7flag]

Cary, That is why I prefer the Dunlop "Big Stubbies", as I prefer the point. I personally don't feel comfortable with the rounded tip. I am sure with time, comfort would come.
Tony

[Tom C]

I am like using the point more and more. From a previous post, here are my top 10 reasons why...

10)Cleaner tone.
9)Less plectrum noise
8)Easier to attack string.
7)Less brushing or missing a string.
6)Feels like I have a shorter stroke over a string.
5)I can pick just as quick (timed)
4)They are easy to find
3)My rounded ones wore down to a point
2)Gibson says that's the way it should be.
and ...1) I'm Chris Thile

[Celtic Saguaro]

I'm not quite sure what you're asking. #I'm not a huge fan of blunt picks, and Golden Gate picks especially. But, I have tried turning an x-heavy Fender teardrop around and playing with the blunt end. It sounds and plays fine. I just prefer the point. #I respect people who say they can't play with a point, because you get used to whatever you are using. In theory it's faster to brush the strings with a blunt pick rather than pick the strings, but I'm not sure the speed difference is noticeable to anyone but the players themselves.

[jasona]

I used to like the sound of a Golden Gate, but I played with its more pointed shoulder (in contrast, most who play with the shoulder of a pick, like say a Fender extra heavy, want a more rounded tip). This has lead ultimately to me using to the large triangle ProPlec. Many talk about the time it takes to get used to using the rounded picks. The same could be said of using the pointed pick--it takes a looser grip and plenty of practice time, but you can get those tremolos sounding smooth, and with the point, more defined, at the same time.

Of course, the celtic and classical and jazz players seem to naturally use the pointed picks--the rounded pick being preferred by bluegrassers or Dawgies predominantly.

I don't think there is a real answer for you.

I think it all boils down to feel.

Hmm... I have seen lots of good players use a variety of pick types. One of the best players I have ever seen, Matt Mundy, used to use a pick that was worn down to a shape similar to that of a bean or misshapen penny. It was tiny too. I think it was a full sized pick when he started, and as he whittled it down (through playing), he adjusted to its shape.

I do think that a rounded pick gives a smoother sounding tremelo. But I think a pointy pick produces a sharper chop.

[Pen]

All my picks start out pointed and end up rounded.

[tjg]

I've changed picks over the years to what I feel makes me play better and sound better. What I found is, I liked the thicker pick so Dawg picks gave me that. But I couldn't get the attack that I like on the strings, so I went to the triangular Pro Plecs. These picks worked great, until I tried the jazzmando picks. With the more pointed corner, I can get cleaner notes and a better tone. I A-B'd the Pro-Plec triangular picks with the jazzmando picks and found I played better with jazzmando picks and the notes were noticably cleaner.

And I previously never liked pointier picks. The journey still continues, but I'm set for now.

[GBG]

I like the tone of the Dunlop 207 better than any pick I've ever used, but I much prefer the shape/feel of the triangle Pro Plec. I wish I could find a pick that produces the tone of the Dunlop with the feel of the Pro plec.

[Daniel Nestlerode]

My pick is the Wegen TF140 I think (tricorner, holes, made for guitar players). #I use it on mandolin, mandola, and guitar mostly because I hate switching picks when I switch instruments.

I do, however, prefer the point (as shallow as it is) on the Wegen to the rounded Wegen mando pick or the Dawg pick. #I can play more cleanly and with better speed. #Tone doesn't suffer, though it is a little different.

Yep, put me in the "pointy pick" camp! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Daniel

[fredfrank]

I guess I've tried about every size and shape of pick I could get my hands on and I'll tell you what I've discovered.

If you try hard enough, any of them will work.

I could never play with a Dawg pick, too rounded, but I have a friend who loaned me a tortoise shell shaped just like a quarter, and I could play with that!

The large triangle Pro Plecs are a favorite, big warm tone, lots of power, and a smooth beveled edge for easy tremolo.

Except when I want a bright sharp attack, and then I like the twenty dollar Tortis triangles. They have a sharper point and almost sound as good as the real thing.

One thing I found when I try to use a thin pick, is that even though I'm able to go fast, my hand cramps up from trying to dig some more tone out of 'em. It's easier to use a heavier pick and hold it looser.

I guess the answer lies in the results of your exploration. If you don't have a billion kinds, shapes and thicknesses of picks, you're not done. Keep looking.

[Dale Ludewig]

I keep looking, but have pretty much stopped. Large triangle Proplecs. Heavy. I really like then. If they get too rounded, I reshape them. Real tortoise is also a great sound. Stiff pick in general. Proplecs in in my mind sound very close and cost about 1/80th as much.

[merv]

Pick style doesn't affect me too much . I almost always used ultex 1.14 pick preferred the triangles . Then one day while tremoloing I noticed that the pointed pick was at a 45 degree angle to strings , using the side and not the point . Had a bunch of Golden Gaates from last Christmas so modified the angle to get the tone I wanted and so far it works for me. Down side is the Golden Gates are not very strong so after a hard session the pick needs to have the nicks polished .

[dasspunk]

This is an easy one... play with what you like until you change your mind.

I like a point and play mostly Tortis heavy Cs but dabble in other trangle picks I find. I too like the Pro-Plecs and like GBG mentioned, the Dunlop 207 has a fine sound. Now if only they made a Dorito! I like the Clayton jazz picks too (black ones). Very little pick noise.

To me, picks are like microphones, they all seem to serve at least one purpose...

[fiddler]

I use the 3 mm Big Stubbies most of the time, but there are exceptions. For instance, I play a piece or two by Debussy and the mellow, almost muted sound of the Dawg pick really helps to set the mood. I think that one kind of pick is not likely to fit all occations.

[Jim Yates]

I can't seem to use the Dawg type of pick, but I don't like a sharp point. A Fender or Gibson rounded tri-corner suits me fine. As Hutto #39 said, the rounded point seems to make a smooth tremolo easier, especially double stops.

[mandolooter]

my 2 cents and a pic (pick)...

My favorite is the tortoise, shaped like a Pearse, bottom 2nd from left, it does it all on mando & guitar...3 totally different attack formats. #It basically a standred teardrop with one side rounded like the Dawg. The tortoise bottom left started out same size as the Dawg above it...3 years later its now quite smaller, but Im used to it. The 2 nylon Cool picks have a great grip to them with the non-skid and they really slid over the strings fast & easy and have a nice bright sound. The Pick-Boy carbon black one 2nd from left, top row is a great sounding pick on my oval hole Gibson and has the built in grip enhancer shaped like a leafy substance. The others are just some others I use depending on the tone I wanna hear at that day/time. I like the shoulders and semi-rounded points a lot but use the sharp points at times too. Remember, your pick shape and thickness has a HUGE effect on the tone you pull outta your mandolin! #IMHO way more than string type/gauge, mandolin brand/type to a certain degree...plus they are soooooooooo cheap! #Major Bang for the Buckola!
Jeff