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Thread: Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

  1. #1

    Default Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

    For those of you who play both instruments, do you use the same size pick for each, or do you use a smaller pick for guitar and a larger for the mandolin? Thanks!

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

    I use a Wegen Triangle 1.4 mm pick for both mandolin and guitar.

  3. #3
    Registered User mandobassman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

    I use the same pick for mandolin and guitar, which until recently, has been a custom made Wegen TF180 1.8mm triangle shape. However, I just started using the new Dunlop Primetone sculpted 1.5mm. It sounds unbelievable on mandolin and guitar.
    Larry Hunsberger

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    Default Re: Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

    I use the same size/shape pick (the classic 351 shape) on both, but I use different picks: a Wegen 1.2 mm bluegrass pick on mandolin, a Dunlop 1.0 mm "stiffo" nylon on guitar.
    EdSherry

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    Work in Progress Ed Goist's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

    I use the classic Fender 351 guitar pick (medium, preferred color Green Moto) for guitar, and the JazzMando Signature ProPlec mandolin pick (1.5 mm) for mandolin. The JazzMando pick is a little larger:

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    c.1965 Harmony Monterey H410 Mandolin
    "What a long, strange trip it's been..." - Robert Hunter
    "Life is too important to be taken seriously." - Oscar Wilde
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    Registered User jmp's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

    I use the same for both. At the end of the day it is a pick hitting some steel strings, so I like the same one on both instruments, and I've tried many alternatives on each.

  8. #7
    jbmando RIP HK Jim Broyles's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

    I use a generic celluloid 351 heavy for guitar and the Dunlop 1.14 Ultex rounded triangle for mandolin.
    "I thought I knew a lot about music. Then you start digging and the deeper you go, the more there is."~John Mellencamp

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    Registered User almeriastrings's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

    I use Clayton Ultex .90's on guitar and BC TAD 60's and (also, now) Primetone triangle 1.5's on mandolin.
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  10. #9

    Default Re: Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

    Like Ed, I always used a Fender 351 for guitar, and the JazzMando ProPlec was my first foray into larger triangular picks for mandolin. My pick preference for guitar has shifted, and I now use larger triangular picks for guitar. Most recently I bought some of the new Dunlop Primetone 1.5s to try with my mandolin. I actually prefer them with guitar. I like changing between different picks just to switch things up and find new textures from my instruments.
    "Well, I don't know much about bands but I do know you can't make a living selling big trombones, no sir. Mandolin picks, perhaps..."

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    Default Re: Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

    Usually it's the large triangular JazzMando ProPlec on mandolin, and similar-sized but thinner pics on guitar. The thicker mando pics, IMHO, just kill the sweet trebles of my D-35 and most other guitars... but maybe not so much on a bluegrass-approved D-18?
    - Ed

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    Registered User SincereCorgi's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

    I use a BC CT55 (a fat triangle shape) on mandolin, tenor guitar, and conventional guitar. I could probably find better picks if I wanted to micro-manage (i.e. Wegen gypsy jazz pick for jazz rhythm guitar), but the CT55 is versatile enough to make me happy.

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    Default Re: Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

    I use the same shape and physical size pick which is a rounded triangle BC..... I tried out the CT-55 on mandolin and found that I liked it. I use a TAD 60 on guitar.
    I love hanging out with mandolin nerds . . . . . Thanks peeps ...

  15. #13
    Work in Progress Ed Goist's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by EdHanrahan View Post
    ...snip... The thicker mando pics, IMHO, just kill the sweet trebles of my D-35 and most other guitars... but maybe not so much on a bluegrass-approved D-18?
    Totally agree! and on my HD-28 it's even worse - Anything heavier than medium makes the boominess of the bass totally uncontrollable.
    c.1965 Harmony Monterey H410 Mandolin
    "What a long, strange trip it's been..." - Robert Hunter
    "Life is too important to be taken seriously." - Oscar Wilde
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    NY Naturalist BradKlein's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

    Without getting into the specific brand and thickness of picks that I use, I too use a 'standard' small Fender shaped pick on guitar, and a large triangle on mandolin.

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    I play bluegrass/country, and I think it's worth mentioning what style you're playing on any of these question/answer threads. (If I was emulating Joe Pass, I'm sure the answer would be different.) I started down this path, because my favorite bluegrass pro did the same. As it was explained to me: 'on guitar, I find it easier to control the changing pick angle with the smaller pick'. I'm not a hot picker myself, but I suppose that I do find myself changing the attack angle to a greater degree playing guitar, and the pointier pick accentuates those changes.

    That is, it's less a matter of the overall size of the pick - the difference is the angle of the 'sharp' end which is what I play with. I know there is an entirely different school of guitar and mandolin that uses the 'dumb' end of the pick, and some great players among them, too!
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    Default Re: Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

    I play bluegrass, jazz, blues, folk, classical, and rock. I use a JazzMando V-pick for almost any genre on the mandolin, but switch to BCs, Dunlop Ultex, ProPlecs, and (a new favorite) an old Fender extra heavy large triangular depending on my mood. On the guitar, the Dunlop Ultex triangle is becoming my default for just about anything, but I'm still enjoying the new Primetones quite a bit. I often use a pick when playing my classical guitar - typically a JazzMando V-pick. I love the mellow tone of that pick on nylon strings.
    "Well, I don't know much about bands but I do know you can't make a living selling big trombones, no sir. Mandolin picks, perhaps..."

  19. #16
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

    never tried fingerpicks on a mandolin. . . Watched Wayne do it once or twice though.

    f-d
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    Work in Progress Ed Goist's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by BradKlein View Post
    ...snip... I think it's worth mentioning what style you're playing on any of these question/answer threads. ...snip...
    Great point. I play what I call Americana: A sinister combination of Rock, Folk, Blues, Psychedelic, Alternative, and "True" Country.

    I always enjoy "pick threads" because it's one of the few areas where I have very decided preferences: I can't stand anything but a medium pick when playing guitar, and can't stand anything lighter than about a 1.5 mm pick when playing mandolin.
    c.1965 Harmony Monterey H410 Mandolin
    "What a long, strange trip it's been..." - Robert Hunter
    "Life is too important to be taken seriously." - Oscar Wilde
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    noodlin' noodler PaulBills's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

    I use a Dunlop stubby 2.0mm on my mando, and a Gibson T on the guitar....on the rare occasion I pick my guitar up, that is...

  23. #19
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

    Hot Club D'Jango style melodic players seem to also like thick stiff picks, for same up and down note picking .
    Chording , accompanying singing strummers something less stiff ..

    ( I take out my guitar occasionally, just to remind myself I own one)
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    Default Re: Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

    I use any rounded triangular shaped plastic pick costing under $1. Medium thickness. Preferably green. Used for guitar, mando, banjo.

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    Eccentric plucker TwoByFour's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

    I use the same picks for both. Dunlop Primetone sculpted 1.5 mm triangle and 1.3 mm rounded, and the B# V-pick for a super thick jazz pick. I tend to experiment a lot with different picks on the mandolin, but keep coming back to these. I have some Surfpicks coming in the mail, we'll see how those go.
    "I honestly think it is better to be a failure at something you love than to be a success at something you hate." -- Jethro Burns

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    Registered User foldedpath's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

    Same pick for mandolin and guitar here: a Blue Chip TAD40-1R. That's the medium triangle shape with one rounded corner, the other two sharper, and about 1mm thick. I use the rounded corner on mandolin and the sharp point on guitar. That keeps the tone a little darker on mandolin.

    The music I'm playing on mandolin these days is mainly Irish/Scottish trad, so I'm probably using a thinner pick on mandolin than I would for Bluegrass. I've tried heavier picks but it's harder for me to do quick treble ornaments with a thick pick. YMMV on that; I've seen people use thicker picks for those ornaments.

    As for guitar, I only use a flatpick for strummed Drop-D backing on the faster tunes like strathspeys, jigs and reels. I accompany the slower tunes like "slow reels" and airs fingerstyle, with bare fingers and nails. That's also how I play Blues guitar on electric or acoustic. I hate fingerpicks but I'll use 'em when playing bottleneck Dobro, because the cone likes to be driven at a certain level for good tone.

  29. #23
    Certified! Bernie Daniel's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by TheMandoShop View Post
    I use a Wegen Triangle 1.4 mm pick for both mandolin and guitar.
    Me too -- if fact I got all mine from YOU!
    Bernie
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  30. #24

    Default Re: Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by TwoByFour View Post
    I use the same picks for both. Dunlop Primetone sculpted 1.5 mm triangle and 1.3 mm rounded, and the B# V-pick for a super thick jazz pick. I tend to experiment a lot with different picks on the mandolin, but keep coming back to these. I have some Surfpicks coming in the mail, we'll see how those go.
    Whatsa Surfpick?? Time to dust off the wallet (which never seems to get all that dusty...)
    "Well, I don't know much about bands but I do know you can't make a living selling big trombones, no sir. Mandolin picks, perhaps..."

  31. #25
    its a very very long song Jim's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick Size: Guitar v. Mandolin

    351 shape here, generally heavy on both mandolin and guitar. I don't mind a medium on guitar and they'll do in a pinch on Mandolin.
    Jim Richmond

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