Different Picks for Different Licks

[Bellycaster]

Yes.
I use Jazz XLs for most things, but find thinner picks useful for some fast funk stuff.
This is because I can maintain a better grip on them, whilst still having a light touch on the strings.

You read my mind

[Bellycaster]

I've mostly been using those same Ultexes for the last couple of years, recently leaning slightly more towards the thinner 1.40mm version. I do find that they wear very quickly, though[1], losing that nice pointy tip, so I'm forever reshaping them until they get too small.... Before the Ultex Sharps I was a staunch Jazz III user of many years, but I now find larger picks easier to keep a relaxed grip on. Weeny picks now cause uncomfortable choking. I like the attack of the Ultex better, too, in terms of both sound and feel.

I find changing between wildly different sorts of pick is really useful when practising picking licks – it helps me break out of ruts by forcing the adoption of better technique when I'm pushing my "maximum playing height" upwards. But I'll then go back to my default choice for performance.

[1] This is probably because the thrash metal I practise for my band serves as a high-speed angle grinder. I probably pick more notes in one gig than a blueser does in four or five! Plus, my choice of techniques includes pick-slides and Rhoads/Satriani-style pick-edge tapping, so it's no wonder they wear out so fast....

What do you use to re shape your picks? Like you said, you hate losing the "Point" on the pick. Me too, some play them down to the fingernail. I tend to just toss em away. I often wondered if I throw them away too soon, but the difference is noticable. I even miss a note sometimes when the pick is worn and it must only be like 1mm difference in length.

[digitalscream]

I don't use different picks for different styles, but I do have uses for different types. I use Timber Tones ebony picks when I'm actually playing, but I switch to Jazz IIIs when my fast picking gets a bit sloppy - a couple of hours of practice with those, and I find my picking's much cleaner when I go back to the wooden picks.

[guitarfishbay]

I don't use different picks for different styles, but I do have uses for different types. I use Timber Tones ebony picks when I'm actually playing, but I switch to Jazz IIIs when my fast picking gets a bit sloppy - a couple of hours of practice with those, and I find my picking's much cleaner when I go back to the wooden picks.

Have you heard of a Stylus Pick? Sounds like you'd like one for practice. I used to have one back when I practiced a lot of shred style stuff, and it definitely helped. No idea if anywhere in the UK still stocks them and unfortunately mine got lost a long time ago. They force you to use the tip of the pick only. They're really good for alternate picking and sweep picking technique practice, but useless for strumming/palm muting powerchords. I always felt practicing my scales and sweep picking with a stylus pick translated really well to improvements in technique when using a regular pick.





http://www.styluspick.com/

[DLM]

What do you use to re shape your picks? Like you said, you hate losing the "Point" on the pick. Me too, some play them down to the fingernail. I tend to just toss em away. I often wondered if I throw them away too soon, but the difference is noticable. I even miss a note sometimes when the pick is worn and it must only be like 1mm difference in length.

Concrete then carpet, usually.

Carpet? Yes, like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyYKT0SzrBo

(I've posted that before, but can't find it....)

[Bellycaster]

Concrete then carpet, usually.

Carpet? Yes, like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyYKT0SzrBo

(I've posted that before, but can't find it....)

WHAT! I can't believe what I just watched. Big cheer for friction!

[Grunfeld.]

What do you use to re shape your picks?

I wipe them along carpet. Works a treat. Just do a long arc with your arm and wipe the long edges of the pick along carpet two or three times, as if you're filing them down to sharpen the point. Job done in seconds.


EDIT: ah, there's another carpet wiper!