Mandocello and finger picks?

[Keith Erickson]

Any recommendations on what types of finger picks to use for a mandocello?

I just bought some metal ones and I'm a little disappointed with them

[EdSherry]

The folks at ProPicks make a fingerpick with the center cut out so that the flesh of the fingertip touches the strings before the metal edge does. I like them a lot for fingerstyle guitar when standard metal picks are too "harsh". Available from Elderly or lots of other suppliers (NFI):

http://elderly.com/accessories/items/PK47SP.htm

Some folks like the "Alaska" picks (whether metal or plastic) that slip under the fingernail.

http://elderly.com/accessories/items/PK40-M.htm (plastic)

http://elderly.com/accessories/items/PK40B-L.htm (brass)

Personally, I'm not a big fan, but YMMV.

[Keith Erickson]

Ed,

Thank you for your insight on this. I bought a couple of the metal ones and they sound too scratching on the A and D strings. I believe I might go for the plastic ones.

What is your opinion? Am I not using the metal pics correctly?

Thanks,

[allenhopkins]

Bend the tips of the metal picks up so that they closely follow the contours of your fingertip. I also distort the "straps" (the parts that fit around the finger) so that the picks aren't centered on the fingertip pad, but are off to the side a little bit, just as my fingers hit the strings at an angle.

I don't use fingerpicks on the mandocello, but do use them pretty invariably on steel-string guitar, banjo and Autoharp. Sometimes get a bit of a scratchy sound on the wound strings, but I've been using metal picks for so long, I'd be lost without them.

[Bertram Henze]

What Allen said: off-center is the key. When I put my fingerpicks on (ProPik Fingertones, the cut-out ones), they are tilted towards the thumb, so they hit the strings straight.
It is not possible to completely avoid the odd scratch now and then, but after a while you tend to accept that as part of the sound sprectrum.

[Keith Erickson]

Okay Allen & Bertram,

I kind of see where you're going. Let me figure this one out. I believe I can make this work

Gosh I love the Mandolin Cafe!!!!! This is the reason why I keep coming back.

Thank you both and cheers!!!!

[EdSherry]

There are plastic fingerpicks shaped like the traditional pick, as contrasted to the Alaska pick, which is an entirely different concept. They come in clear plastic:

http://elderly.com/accessories/items/PK370-M.htm

as well as white:

http://elderly.com/accessories/items/PK38W-M.htm

and a shell color:

http://elderly.com/accessories/items/PK38-MED.htm

Personally, I'm not a fan of plastic fingerpicks, preferring a combination of a plastic thumbpick and two (or three) metal fingerpicks.

Here's a couple of YouTube videos on choosing and fitting b*nj* fingerpicks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW43FN8goEc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQqgC...eature=related


I've been playing b*nj* and Dobro with metal picks for over 30 years. As Allen says, the sound of picks is part of the "traditional" sound of those instruments.

I used to use metal picks on guitar, but have largely stopped doing that, relying on a (plastic) thumbpick and bare nails instead. When I need more volume, I often use my b*nj* picks or the Propick Fingertones.

I rarely fingerpick my 'cello. When I do, I usually use a thumbpick and bare nails.

Allen and Bertram are right: it takes some experimenting to find the right way to shape the picks so as to strike the strings at the right angle, and there's always some degree of pick noise.

[Jon Hall]

I've played with plastic dunlop finger picks for years. Mine fit tight so I can either pick up on the string or brush d&u ala Maybelle Carter. I marked them so that I always wear them on the same fingers.

[Rob Gerety]

I have used the real light and soft brass finger picks for guitar and they are less harsh and more comfortable. Look for the light weight ones.

[John Cadd]

15 years late but here`s a tip for the stainless steel picks. If you look very closely at the edges you will see some roughnes where they were chopped out . Run your fingertip along the edges . That can only be smoothed out with a diamond sharpening plate . I use that for sharpening chisels and the smoothing action for picks takes the same amount of effort.Once you have polished the edges they will be kinder to strings . The thinner brass ones are pretty smooth to start with.and less trouble to adjust to your fingers .The brass ones are always advertised upside down. The best position in on the finger pad. Upside down the side clasps just do not work .