Pick thickness - how to choose?

[Bob Gnann]

First pick you mentioned the Ultrex 1.00 is my pick of choice. Has been for years. But as others have mentioned try many others if you're so inclined. You'll find one you're comfortable with and gives you the sound you like.

[Randi Gormley]

I don't know about Dagger -- he'll chime in on which pick he uses -- but most of the celtic mandolin players i know use a medium weight relatively thin pick with a point since ITM mandolin is a melody instrument, not a backing instrument, and you need to be able to compete with the fiddles, banjos and boxes so brighter is better.

[Joed]

How about these "neopolitan" picks..long and thin. I'd try one if I knew where to get it. I saw a clip of some serious chord tremolo on a bowlback with one, guy held it like a pencil.
Any opinions on the value of radius vs flat fingerboards for chord tremolo?

[Caleb]

How about these "neopolitan" picks..long and thin. I'd try one if I knew where to get it.

http://www.osiamo.com/PBMS1P
^^^ These are great. I have one and mess around with it sometimes.

[Bill McCall]

Sometimes you just close your eyes and grab one

[Sue Rieter]

Thassalotta picks!

[Chris Daniels]

FYI, the infamous traveling pick sampler(s) is/are about to relaunch so keep an eye out for my announcement in the next few weeks. No better way to try out 100+ different types of picks for just the cost of shipping them on to the next adventurous picker.

C. ~/:/~

[Mark Wilson]

Assuming there's a 'best all round average choice' for me in this material, how do I find it, and what qualities would I be looking for please?

To misquote a line in a popular novel "the picker doesn't chose the pick - the pick choses you" Your part in the matter is to collect as many as you can of all sizes, thicknesses and points etc and keep playing and trying different picks until you find the pick that works for you. As you improve you may find a pick that was awful the first time - become your new favorite. There's no right answer for one but try them all and don't get rid of any too soon.