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Thread: Thick Picks?

  1. #1

    Default Thick Picks?

    I just got my 5mm wegen fatone last night and so far I'm really liking it. I like having a lot to grab on to, and surprisingly it feels really effortless to play quickly. Anyone else use really thick picks? What other kinds are out there?

  2. #2
    Registered User Mandobart's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thick Picks?

    I like a minimum of 2.0 mm. I use this thickness on mandolin, my banjolin, resonator mandolin, mandola, octave mandolin, mandocello and guitars. The thick blue chips have a darker, warmer tone. My Gravity acrylics are pretty bright. The Wegen M200 is right in the middle, and my favorite.

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    Registered User Craig D.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Thick Picks?

    I've always used thin celluloid picks on guitar (around .6mm) and somewhat thicker ones on bass guitar (around 1mm) but for mandolin I prefer much stiffer picks made of different materials, typically in the 1.4-3.0mm range. If I were forced to settle on just one pick, it would be a tough call, but I'd probably go with a Dunlop, most likely either the 510P2.0 (Ultex Primetone Standard) or the 475P3.0 (Lexan Big Stubby). I would hate to give up my Wegen TF140 and M250, but the Dunlops seem to work best for me (and they're a lot less expensive).

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    Registered User Joey Anchors's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thick Picks?

    I love thicker picks and use an 2mm EML rounded triangle with no beveled edge. (It’s the thickest I can go without a beveled edge)
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    Registered User John Bertotti's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thick Picks?

    I always thought I liked thicker picks but I think it came down to stiffer picks. I notice with teh Blue Chip picks I don't need a 3mm big stubby to get the same feel for me and results.
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    Registered User Elliot Luber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thick Picks?

    I just don't get the appeal of thick picks like the Dawg or Golden Gate. Sounds good when Dawg uses one, but for me it sounds thin. I much prefer an old Red Bear or Wegen or Blue Chip. I'd rather use a D'Andrea Proplec than a Dawg; I often do. Are EMLs any different? I know they cost much more.

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    Registered User Classicalcomp's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thick Picks?

    11.85" big enough for ya??

    https://v-picks.com/shop/insanity/

    honestly it does get use. It's very easy to use when learning chord tremolo as the pick will not fall between the strings and stays in good position, but I can play it like any other pick. I still view it as a training pick vs a performance pick
    (I was) my own teacher and pupil, and thanks to the efforts
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  8. #8
    Registered User Craig D.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Thick Picks?

    Quote Originally Posted by Classicalcomp View Post
    11.85" big enough for ya??
    11.85" would be truly remarkable (not to mention unusable), but that one is actually 11.85mm. It would be interesting to try one of those, but I think 3mm is about my limit.
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    Registered User Classicalcomp's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thick Picks?

    Surprisingly usable... with good technique
    (I was) my own teacher and pupil, and thanks to the efforts
    of both, they were not discontented with each other. -- Segovia

    Lawrence Smart Stern 2-point Mandolin
    Lawrence Smart Stern 2-point Mandola
    Weber Gallatin Mandocello
    Weber Gallatin Soprano (Piccolo) Mandolin
    Breedlove Prototype Mandolin

  10. #10

    Default Re: Thick Picks?

    Quote Originally Posted by Classicalcomp View Post
    11.85" big enough for ya??

    https://v-picks.com/shop/insanity/

    honestly it does get use. It's very easy to use when learning chord tremolo as the pick will not fall between the strings and stays in good position, but I can play it like any other pick. I still view it as a training pick vs a performance pick
    Now your speaking my language! The 5mm has been great and I'm already itching for a bigger pick.

  11. #11
    Registered User DougC's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thick Picks?

    Quote Originally Posted by Classicalcomp View Post
    11.85" big enough for ya??

    https://v-picks.com/shop/insanity/
    I'd love to try an Insanity V-pick.

    I did notice that the part that touches the string comes to a small bevel like any other pick. So the weight or mass may have some effect and the position of thumb and finger, like he says, may be more comfortable. The material looks darn slippery. (a help in doing tremlo, or fast picking?) It looks like the Hope Diamond. Blue poker chips, diamonds, what next?
    Decipit exemplar vitiis imitabile

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    Default Re: Thick Picks?

    Nope, 1.5 mm is about my upper limit, but if you like thick ones, roll with it!
    Chuck

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    Lurkist dhergert's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thick Picks?

    Ok, someone's got to say it...

    Fender Heavy!!!

    (Lots of chord-melody double and triple stop tremolo work.)
    -- Don

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    Default Re: Thick Picks?

    i use a 2.0 mm pick, rounded, for both guitar and mandolin. I love the fat tone and presence thicker picks can give. Here is where I get mine. Best picks in existence in my opinion: https://www.manouchepicks.com/
    It doesn't matter . . . I'm going to WINFIELD!!!!!

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    Registered User Elliot Luber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thick Picks?

    Quote Originally Posted by Classicalcomp View Post
    11.85" big enough for ya??

    https://v-picks.com/shop/insanity/

    honestly it does get use. It's very easy to use when learning chord tremolo as the pick will not fall between the strings and stays in good position, but I can play it like any other pick. I still view it as a training pick vs a performance pick
    Vinny Smith's outdone himself with that one! Heck, I'd give it a try; If it's too hard to use I can always mount it on a cuff link.

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    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thick Picks?

    Quote Originally Posted by goose 2 View Post
    i use a 2.0 mm pick, rounded, for both guitar and mandolin. I love the fat tone and presence thicker picks can give. Here is where I get mine. Best picks in existence in my opinion: https://www.manouchepicks.com/
    Interesting picks. What material and shape do you like? Do you order direct?
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  18. #17
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    Default Re: Thick Picks?

    I like the gypsy mando shape and the material is the nouveau tortoise material. That gives a dark warmth but a ton of punch and projection. The Trias is slightly larger shape which I like on guitar. I like 2.00 thickness but Jokko will do specific thicknesses
    I used to order in 1.75 thickness and he would make them. I have gravitated to the thicker 2.0 lately. These picks last a very long time and I just couldn’t be happier with them. I just send him an email with what I want and he emails me back to confirm. A pay pal is sent and a few weeks later the pick shows up in your mailbox. Easy as pie
    It doesn't matter . . . I'm going to WINFIELD!!!!!

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  20. #18

    Default Re: Thick Picks?

    i use a .45mm never tried a thicker one , I guess I might some day

  21. #19

    Default Re: Thick Picks?

    I’ve settled on 1.6372981 mm Blue Chips. They are a bear to sand down though.
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    man about town Markus's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thick Picks?

    Quote Originally Posted by Tyler Craig View Post
    I just got my 5mm wegen fatone last night and so far I'm really liking it.
    I absolutely love the Wegen M250 which is 3.5 mm with the same slices cut out for grip.

    It seems to have improved my tremolo and fast picking, perhaps because it makes `digging in' impossible and I end up `rubbing the top of the strings' as I seem to recall Compton or someone like that describe it a lot of years ago.

    After upgrading to an MT2 in May, I found that the Wegen M150 and M200 were good, but not perfect. Primetones and the like had some good qualities .... both are in my case as backups.

    Then I decided to splurge and try the M250 and see what super thick was like. I'm sold. I can switch to a thinner pick if I want a sharper attack - but this pick seems to be able to `turn it up to 11' in a jam and have my mandolin cut through everything. And it's great quiet and at home. Sticks in my hand a lot better than the others.

    I got a spare, but am likely done experimenting as these picks ain't cheap.
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