Multi-instrumentalists--do you use a different pick for mando?

[Timmando]

I am still trying to find the pick that works best for me on mando, but I have found that I need different picks for guitar and mando. It seems at this time that the mando needs a thicker pick, but at other times a thinner pick 1.0 or a little less is needed, for a thinner, louder sound. If I am plugged in, I use a bluechip td50 shoulder, nice full, sound. If I am not plugged in I use a guitar pick, for more volume...still experimenting though...seems to never be just right...probably my technique.

[jim simpson]

I used to use a lighter pick on guitar but have found it easier just to use the same pick that I use for the mandolin. I am a long time user of the Dunlop Ultex 1.14. I have tried a thinner Ultex for guitar and it sounded fine too, I just don't want to mix them up and end up at a gig with the wrong pick for the mandolin.

[Perry]

I find the rounded corner of a Fender Extra Heavy to be a good crossover pick for mandolin and guitar. Cheap as chips too....

But my Blue Chip does draw more oomph out of my guitar; mandolin too but sometimes too brassy for mandolin.

[Justus True Waldron]

I don't play guitar all that often, but when I do (I did last night for a while) my mando pick seems to work just fine. Since I lost my bluechip I've been using Wegen TF140s. Seemed to work find for me with guitar. The only difference I've noticed is that I can get away with playing a standard teardrop pick on guitar, while I can't on mando. However, I can use my triangle mando picks on guitar just fine, and since that's usually what I have in my hand, that's usually what I'll use...

[laura809]

I think the mandolin requires a much different pick than guitar for the best tone. I like cheap Jim Dunlop nylon picks, .88 and 1.0, for guitar. For mandolin, my favorite pick that I have found so far is the Wegen TF 140. I haven't had a chance to try Blue Chip yet. I tried a red bear, which was nice, but they didn't have a shape and thickness I liked in stock. In general, the mandolin seems to sound much better with a thicker pick.

[shortymack]

Blue chip TP-1R 50 on both sounds best to me. I also like wegens as well but the BC's are in their own league. Am getting a CT-55 to try as well. There isnt a better pick out there that I have tried for both mandolin and guitar.

[Chip Booth]

I use the Jazzmando ProPlec pick for both mandolin and acoustic guitar. On some guitars that pick can be a bit dull sounding, but if it's a good one it will generally work. I use a Blue Chip TAD-1R 60 rounded point for tenor banjo, and a triangle shaped 1.2m Clayton Ultex for electric guitar. If I could find that in a heavier gauge I would probably use it. Triangle shape all around for me these days, though I use to use teardrop Ultex for electric guitars.

[CrazyMandolin]

After years of using progressively heavier picks for both guitar and mandolin I've settled in nicely over the last few years. For mandolin I currently am on a Blue Chip STP 50 and at this point I don't see going back. On guitar I've used a Medium triangle Red Bear for years but I'm currently auditioning a Blue Chip CT55. For me it's not about thickness (I like a pick with some meat to it for both instruments) but the shape/size. When I finally tried a smaller pick on mandolin I became much happier. I don't hit the Florida of my fingerboard nearly so much, now.

[sarai]

I'm using a 1.15mm gator grip and I am using it for guitar too. I actually like it for both. Both instruments have medium gage strings. I just started using the thicker/smaller pick on guitar and I'm hoping it will help clean up my technique. I don't pick much on guitar - I play rhthym regularly for a contemporary/traditional church praise group. But I need to clean up my rythym technique and I'm hoping it will help. I like it so far.

[Buck]

I primarily use TPR shaped (more or less) TS picks about 0.075"/1.9mm thick, or a TAD 80 that I reshaped to TPR size. I use those on both acoustic guitar and mandolin. Sometimes I use a thin pick (BC TPR 60) on electric. I also occasionally use a Dunlop 207 - my favorite cheap pick.

[shortymack]

Lol Buck.....a BC TPR 60 a 'thin' pick.

[fatt-dad]

CT-55 on the mandolin.

Fred Kelly Slick Pick (heavy) for my thumb and Dunlop 0.025 for my index on guitar. Any flatpick if somebody really wants me to strum chords, at least medium.

f-d

[mandobassman]

I primarily use TPR shaped (more or less) TS picks about 0.075"/1.9mm thick, or a TAD 80 that I reshaped to TPR size. I use those on both acoustic guitar and mandolin. Sometimes I use a thin pick (BC TPR 60) on electric. I also occasionally use a Dunlop 207 - my favorite cheap pick.

What is the blue one in the photo? Is that the TS?

[Mandolin Mick]

I use a Dawg on my mandolins, a Hofner Heavy for the bass, and a Fender Medium for the guitar which almost never happens because I fingerpick.

[David Lewis]

I use Dunlop picks, jazzmando picks an v- picks for mando. fingers for guitar.

[Billy Packard]

I find that different mando's like different pic's. One mando is rather bright and a heavier pick with a blunter point sounds better. Another mando has a much fuller, rounder sound and she likes a bit thiner pic with a bit more of a point. Similar approach with various guitars, the very bright '45 L5 sounds best with a thicker, blunter pic. Surprisingly, when I'm doing rock and roll with my MIA '93 Strat with hand wound pickups from a guy in Texas named Van Zant the pic that sounds really great is super thin, like construction paper thin. Go figure. At any rate, have lots of pics of all kinds and experiment and you will find what works best.

[i/vibe]

i need thick picks between 2.5 to 3.5. Dunlop Big Stubby, Dunlop 207, V picks, Clayton Stone for me on mando, acoustic gtr, elec gtr.

i will sometimes use a 5.0 Wegen Gypsy Jazz pick or one of the 5.0 DUNLOP Primetones which are very similar on acoustic gtr when playing gypsy jazz. they're too thick to use on mando but i do want to try some 3.0 Primetones on mando (and gtr).

[Mandogar The Vile]

Dunlop Jazz III on electric guitar, always. Acoustic guitar it could be a Dunlop Ultex 1.14 mm or a Dunlop Tortex .60 mm, Dunlop USA Nylon .38 mm, national Finger picks & thumb pick or bare fingers, depends what I'm playing. Bare fingers on my Uke but Mandolin I've got to have that big rounded shape, Wegen M100 or M150 or maybe my new V-Pick Tremolo 1.0 mm.

[sarai]

I find that different mando's like different pic's. One mando is rather bright and a heavier pick with a blunter point sounds better. Another mando has a much fuller, rounder sound and she likes a bit thiner pic with a bit more of a point. Similar approach with various guitars, the very bright '45 L5 sounds best with a thicker, blunter pic. Surprisingly, when I'm doing rock and roll with my MIA '93 Strat with hand wound pickups from a guy in Texas named Van Zant the pic that sounds really great is super thin, like construction paper thin. Go figure. At any rate, have lots of pics of all kinds and experiment and you will find what works best.

I never thought about the characteristics of the specific instrustment having an effect. I have a takamine guitar, pretty much an el cheapo - just not the el cheapo-est. And I play it for church but I had been finding that my light strings and light pick did not help the guitar's tinny sound one bit. There are a lot of folks saying they liked the lighter picks for guitars, but I was so pleased using the heavier pick - it really improved the sound (in combination with a heavier gage string). Sorry a bit off-topic.

[John L]

Yes and no... I always used a fairly heavy guitar pick. When I settled on a mandolin pick, which is not particularly heavy - Dunlop Ultex 1.15 - I was using a somewhat lighter 1.0 nylon pick for guitar. After awhile I just stared using the heavier and larger Ultex for both. I use the Ultex which is a rounded triangle and a bit bigger than a typical guitar pick, but it works for me on both instruments.

BTW, I also drill 6 holes in them.

[Buck]

What is the blue one in the photo? Is that the TS?

The one on the right is the TS. It's not really blue, just a mediocre cell phone picture.

[JeffD]

I find that different mando's like different pic's. .

Heck I use different pics for different playing situations. A small intimate group or solo I like my Red Bear. Fast playing of fiddle tunes and traditional Irish, I like my BC, large group where I need a little more punch I use Wegen, sacrificing some warmth of tone for more brightness and punch through.

On my bowbacks I use a Fender or Gibson Heavy likely as not.

[cammtb]

I assume a lot of us are also guitar players. Do you use the same pick for both? Do you use the weirdo little mando picks?

Hi Nathan,

Mostly I use Dunlop .073 picks for mandolin. I also use the picks on my guitars.
It's just a personal thing. If it feels good and gives you the sound you want, then who could ask for more?
Sometimes for just playing rhythm, on my mandolin as on my guitars, I use a Dunlop .060. It plays a little smoother in my opinion,
and the sound is less choppy.
Take care, Robert

[if6was9]

On mandolin and mandola I normally use the rounded corner of a Blue Chip TAD-1R 60. I use the same on my very bright Taylor guitar. But for most guitars I use either the sharp corners of the TAD-1R 60 or at CT 55 (slightly brighter than TAD-1R 60) depending which sounds best in the particular playing situation.

Norman Blake once told me in an interview that he experiments and finds the best particular pick/string combination for every instrument he plays. His tone is amazing!

[jesserules]

It seems to me that thick mandolin picks don't work on guitars because of the string tension. The highly strung mandolin needs a thicker pick to move the strings. The guitar with the longer scale has a lower tension thus a thinner pick seems to work better. Any thoughts?

Bingo!