Developing a strong bond with your guitar is an intimate process, and the right pick can make all the difference. From plastic to nylon, metal to wood, the variety of pick materials can greatly change your playing experience and, most importantly, your sound. From high notes that glitter to bass tones that rumble, the pick you choose can unlock a world of sonic possibilities.
Ready to take your guitar playing to the next level?
Dive in, as we dissect and discuss the best pick for your acoustic guitar. With thoughtful insights and comprehensive analysis, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your unique sound. You’ve got the talent; we’ve got the knowledge. Let’s make sweet music together, one strum at a time.
D’Andrea USA Pro Plec 351
Overview
The D’Andrea USA Pro Plec 351 is a top-notch guitar pick meticulously built in the United States. This pick, a member of the renowned Pro Plec line, is made from robust, industrial-strength thermoplastic. It’s the go-to pick for many, thanks to its industry-standard shape of 1.2″ x 1.0″. It comes with a unique shell finish and a 1.5mm gauge that adds to its appeal. The Pro Plec 351 comes in a pack of 12, offering plenty of opportunities to experience its performance.
Key Benefits
- Articulate picking and effortless strumming due to precisely cut edges
- High-quality grip and smooth release due to deep embossing and meticulous polish
- Preferred by professional guitarists
- Versatility in use for both lead and rhythm guitar playing
- Known for its durability and longevity
- Enhances clarity and articulation of the guitar sound
- Reliable and consistent in delivering tone and feel
Pricing
Considering this picks high-quality manufacturing and the numerous benefits it offers, it promises to provide excellent value for guitarists.
Pros & Cons
In our experience, the D’Andrea USA Pro Plec 351 brings a lot to the table. Its precise cut and deep embossing allow for articulate strumming and picking with a fantastic grip. This pick is a favorite among professional guitarists, demonstrating its high-quality performance. It’s a versatile pick, suitable for various playing styles, be it lead or rhythm.
However, it’s worth noting that some guitarists might prefer a thicker pick for a more aggressive attack. While the Pro Plec 351 is known for its durability and ability to enhance the guitar’s clarity, the thickness is a personal preference that might vary from player to player.
In conclusion, the Pro Plec 351 is a reliable and consistent pick that’s received high praise from customers. They’ve commended its grip, smooth release, and accurate tone, making it a top choice for those looking to improve their playing style.
Dunlop Tortex Standard Plectrum
Overview
The Dunlop Tortex Standard picks are a product of Dunlop Manufacturing, a well-respected brand that excels in the production of guitar picks with various series tailored to different players. These picks are recognized for their slim profile and narrow tip, characteristics that make them perfect for fast music sequences and old-school shredding. They are made from treated Delrin, come in various gauges to attain the desired tone and playability, and have a signature color-coded gauge system for easy comparison. The Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.73, in particular, is a popular variant known for its durability, flexibility, and smooth playing surface.
Key Benefits
- Made from Delrin, a plastic-type known for producing a unique tone
- Distinct texture enhances grip and reduces friction against the strings
- More durable than other materials and does not produce a clicking sound when picking a string
- Can be customized with logos and messages
- A soft and smooth surface provides a comfortable grip
- Matte finish and slightly rough texture further enhance grip
- Well-suited for rhythm guitarists and strummers as it produces bright, full, and crisp chords
Pricing
Dunlop Tortex Standard picks are both durable and affordable, making them an excellent choice for beginners. The Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.73, specifically, comes in a pack of 12, ensuring a long-lasting supply of picks.
Pros & Cons
As a frequent user of these picks, I have noticed many pros and a few cons. On the pros side, the Dunlop Tortex Standard picks are notorious for their durability and reliability. The wide variety of shapes, thicknesses, and designs captivate many players, making them a top option. The ability to customize them with logos and messages is an added perk. The pick’s soft, smooth surface offers a comfortable grip, enhanced by the matte finish and slightly rough texture.
On the downside, the logo on the pick tends to wear off quickly. However, it is essential to note that this minor issue doesn’t affect the pick’s performance in any way.
Blue Chip TD
Overview
Blue Chip TD is a top-of-the-line guitar pick renowned for its durability and prolonged lifespan. Crafted from a composite material, the pick is designed in a standard teardrop shape featuring two rounded corners and one sharper playing corner. The Blue Chip TD, available in various thicknesses, offers an optimal solution for guitarists seeking a long-lasting pick that can handle rigorous use.
Key Benefits
- Exceptional durability reduces the need for frequent replacements.
- Offers a warm and pleasant tone.
- Minimizes pick noise.
- Features a comfortable grip that sticks well to fingers and glides smoothly across the strings.
- Its TD shape provides two rounded corners and one sharper playing corner for versatile use.
Pricing
The production of Blue Chip TD involves the use of a composite material costing $4,800 for a 10″x10″ square. This factor significantly contributes to the pick’s higher price point. However, given its stellar features and performance, most users consider it a worthy investment.
Pros & Cons
As a musician who has used the Blue Chip TD, I can attest to its commendable features. It stands out for its warm tone that surpasses other picks, such as the Dunlop Prime tone. The lack of pick noise and comfortable grip are other aspects that make it a top choice. Notably, the pick adheres well to the fingers, ensuring a smooth glide across the strings, which enhances the overall playing experience.
Despite its high-quality features, the Blue Chip TD pick does come at a higher price point compared to other picks. This might be a downside for some. However, the quality and performance of the pick justify its cost. Additionally, while there are other alternative picks like V-Picks and Red Bear, none match the exceptional durability, warm tone, and comfortable grip that the Blue Chip TD offers. Overall, it’s a favorite among serious musicians who prioritize quality and long-term usage.
Dunlop Nylon Standard Plectrum
Overview
Among the plethora of guitar picks available, the Dunlop Nylon Standard Plectrum stands out as a preferred choice for many guitarists. This pick is crafted from durable nylon and designed in a standard shape that caters to a variety of playing styles. The plectrum is offered in a range of thicknesses, from .60mm to 1.0mm, enabling players to select a thickness that aligns best with their playing style and tone preference.
Key Benefits
- Long-Lasting: The nylon material used in the Dunlop Nylon Standard Plectrum contributes to its durability, ensuring that the pick lasts over an extended period of time.
- Suitable for Various Playing Styles: Its standard shape and varying thickness options make it versatile, and suitable for players with different styles.
- Better Control: The pick features a textured grip that aids in better control and reduces the chances of slippage while playing.
- Personalization: The plectrum is available in several colors, allowing players to choose a pick that matches their individual style.
Pricing
We would recommend checking on Dunlop’s official website or popular music stores for the most accurate and up-to-date pricing.
Pros & Cons
From our perspective, the Dunlop Nylon Standard Plectrum has much to offer. Its flexible nylon material is perfect for smooth strumming. The textured grip enhances control, and the variety of color options adds a fun element of personalization. In terms of thickness, the range provided caters to both rhythm and lead guitarists. Thin picks offer a more delicate touch, while the heavier ones provide greater control, especially suited for rock rhythm playing.
However, the choice of material influences the tone, and nylon may not suit everyone’s taste. Also, the lack of pricing information might be a downside for some interested buyers. But overall, the Dunlop Nylon Standard Plectrum stands out as a reliable, versatile pick that delivers durability, flexibility, and control, making it a worthwhile choice for guitarists at all levels.
Fender Medium 351
Overview
The Fender 351 pick is a well-respected piece of equipment among guitar players, particularly those who favor a medium-thickness pick. Crafted from celluloid and available in a variety of colors, designs, and thicknesses, this pick has a rich history dating back to the mid-20th century and has remained a preferred choice for guitarists of all genres and skill levels. The 351 pick is medium-sized, with a length of about 1.5 inches and a width of approximately 1.25 inches. Originally, it was created to pair with the Fender Stratocaster guitar, but its popularity has since spread to guitarists of all kinds.
Key Benefits
- Renowned for its clean, precise string attack, ideal for strumming and fast picking.
- Offers a warm, rounded tone, providing precision in picking and strumming.
- A trusted accessory bundled with Fender guitars, enhancing its reputation as a reliable and respected pick.
- Its versatility makes it suitable for guitarists of all styles.
Pricing
The Fender 351 pick is a cost-effective choice for musicians. It’s conveniently accessible at music stores and online retailers, providing guitarists with an affordable, high-quality pick option.
Pros & Cons
As a long-standing guitarist favorite, the Fender 351 pick has its unique set of advantages. Its precise attack on the strings offers a warm, rounded tone that’s ideal for both strumming and fast picking, making it a versatile choice that offers a balance between thickness and flexibility.
However, it’s worth mentioning that thinner picks, such as the Fender 351, are more susceptible to wear and tear, including shredding, cracking, and breaking, compared to their thicker counterparts. Interestingly, this variance in thickness can affect the tone, with thicker picks producing a fuller, rounder sound, while thinner picks lean towards a brighter, twangy tone.
Dunlop Tortex Flow
Overview
The Dunlop Flow Picks series is a popular choice among guitarists for its precision and speed. It’s also known for providing a unique blend of bright and mellow tones. The series includes three variations, namely, Flow Standard, Flow Jumbo, and Flow Gloss. Plus, it has a few signature picks from renowned musicians like Misha Mansoor, James Hetfield, Rebea Massaad, Andy James, and John Petrucci.
Key Benefits
- The Dunlop Flow Picks are available in several variations, suitable for different playing styles.
- Made from Ultem or Ultex, the picks are highly durable, promising a longer lifespan than other picks of the same gauge.
- Not just durable, these picks also deliver a bright sound, enhancing the overall musical experience.
- The Flow picks are designed for a fast and comfortable playing experience, offering a range of gauges to cater to different players.
Pricing
Dunlop Flow Picks offer value for money with their high durability and versatile features. Depending on the variation you choose, the price ranges from around $11 for a pack of eight picks to $11.50 for a pack of two.
Pros & Cons
From our perspective, the Dunlop Flow Picks have quite a few things going for them. The Standard picks are versatile, fitting various playing styles, while the Jumbo picks are slightly larger, offering better control and a less aggressive grip surface. The Gloss picks come with a comfortable gloss finish, specially designed dents for the thumb and index, and a rounder bevel.
On the flip side, one thing to note is the difference in bevels. The Standards and Jumbos come with a V-shaped bevel, which might not be to everyone’s liking, and the Gloss picks have a round bevel, making them slightly different to handle. But overall, the Dunlop Flow Pick series comes highly recommended for its balance of speed, comfort, and audio quality.
Dunlop Primetone Standard
Overview
The Dunlop Primetone Standard is a guitar pick that’s highly favored in the music scene. It’s crafted from a unique material that ensures a smooth, comfortable grip for the user. The pick comes in various thicknesses, with 1.5mm being one of the options. One of the key qualities of the Primetone Standard is its ability to deliver a warm and well-balanced tone, making it a versatile pick suitable for different musical styles.
Key Benefits
- Famous for its durability and precision, the Dunlop Primetone Standard is known to withstand wear and tear, making it a long-lasting choice for musicians.
- The pick provides a warm and balanced tone, enhancing the overall musical experience.
- It offers an excellent grip and responsiveness, enabling musicians to play with more control and accuracy.
Pricing
Considering this pics unique features and the value it offers, it’s worth investigating further. We’d recommend checking out various music stores or e-commerce websites for current pricing details.
Pros & Cons
From my experience, the Dunlop Primetone Standard has sculpted edges that allow for improved control and accuracy while playing. This feature greatly enhances the playing experience.
However, the thickness of the pick might require some adjustment. It might feel a bit unusual at first, particularly if you’re accustomed to thinner picks. But trust me, once you get used to it, you’ll find it to be a fantastic tool that can really enhance your playing.
D’Addario Celluloid Medium
Overview
The D’Addario Assorted Pearl Celluloid Guitar Picks are a collection of 25 beautifully crafted guitar picks in a variety of pearlescent colors, including red, white, blue, green, and black. Created from celluloid, a thermoset plastic popularly used as a cost-effective alternative to tortoise shell in the early 1900s, these picks emanate a classic, nostalgic charm. Boasting a standard shape with a smooth, slightly curved edge, each pick is imprinted with the D’Addario logo and the marking “CLASSIC 0.7mm”, indicative of their thickness. Manufactured in the USA, they are designed to produce a strong, classic sound akin to that of a robust fingernail.
Key Benefits
- The D’Addario picks provide a strong attack and distinct highs, making them an excellent addition to the D’Addario lineup, which is already renowned for its high-quality guitar strings.
- Their smooth edges ensure a comfortable playing experience, free of snags, while consistently producing the same sound and feel.
- They come in five different colors, giving guitarists the opportunity to personalize their music-making process.
- They are a cost-effective option, offering consistent performance and quality at a fraction of the price of premium picks.
- Suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to experienced players, and versatile enough for both home use and touring.
Pricing
These guitar picks present a wallet-friendly option for musicians. At an approximate cost of $5 for a pack of 25 on Amazon, they offer good quality and consistent performance without breaking the bank. This makes them a desirable, disposable option for those seeking an affordable yet quality pick alternative.
Pros & Cons
From our experience, we’ve noticed several pros and cons of these D’Addario picks. On the plus side, they offer a fairly stiff feel, delivering a strong attack and detailed highs. They also have smooth edges that don’t snag, and always produce a consistent, classic sound, regardless of the guitar or player. Their production quality is also commendable, with well-formed shapes and a smooth, rounded edge that is not always found in other celluloid picks.
However, it’s worth noting that different materials and thicknesses of picks can alter the tone of the guitar, and while these are designed to provide a classic sound, they may not cater to guitarists seeking a more unique tone. But overall, whether you’re a seasoned player or a newbie, these picks are definitely worth considering for your guitar-playing needs.
What Is A Guitar Pick?
A guitar pick, also known as a plectrum, is a small, flat tool used by musicians to pluck or strum the strings of a guitar. It is typically held between the thumb and index finger and helps to produce sound by striking or plucking the strings, adding variety and distinction to the tones produced by a guitar.
Guitar picks are crafted from a variety of materials such as plastic, nylon, bone, horn, carbon-fiber, rubber, felt, stone, wood, and metal. Each material has a unique impact on the tone and playability of the pick, with some materials resulting in a warmer tone while others produce a sharper, brighter sound. For instance, plastic picks, including celluloid, tortex, ultex, and delrin, offer varying levels of flexibility and durability. In contrast, nylon picks are more flexible, producing a softer sound, while metal picks offer a strong attack, though they can be slippery.
Additionally, the shape and thickness of the pick play a vital role in the overall guitar playing experience. Shapes can vary from pointed tips to standard, teardrop, triangle, and jazz-shaped picks, each offering a different sound output and playing style. Thicker picks generally result in a louder projection and more tonal attack, while thinner picks tend to produce a lighter, more delicate sound. It’s crucial for guitarists to experiment with different materials, thicknesses, and shapes to find the right pick that aligns with their playing style and preferences.
Sonic Qualities of Different Acoustic Pick Materials
Every guitarist knows that the choice of pick can significantly impact the overall playing experience and tone. The sonic qualities of picks largely depend on their material, shape, and thickness. Exploring different pick materials, we find that plastic picks, including celluloid, tortex, ultex, and delrin, offer varying levels of flexibility and durability. Celluloid picks, for instance, produce a warm tone but may not be as durable as some other materials, while tortex and ultex are known for their durability and unique tonal characteristics.
Nylon picks offer a different sonic quality, being more flexible than plastic ones and producing a softer, warmer sound, which makes them suitable for extensive strumming. Similarly, picks made from delrin or acetal are recognized for their durability and the snappy tone they provide, making them a popular choice among many guitarists.
In contrast, picks made from more experimental materials like carbon fiber, acrylics, and metal each have unique sonic characteristics. Metal picks, for example, provide a strong attack and tone, but can be slippery, affecting the grip and overall playing experience.
Thickness can also play a significant role in the sound produced by a pick. Thicker picks generally result in a louder projection and more tonal attack, whereas thinner picks tend to produce a lighter, more delicate sound.
It’s essential for guitarists to experiment with various materials, shapes, and thicknesses to discover the pick that best matches their tone preference and playing style. Through this exploration, guitarists can unlock the full potential of their instrument, enhancing their musical expression and enjoyment.
Take Your Pick
Through this comprehensive exploration of acoustic guitar picks, we have considered different brands, such as D’Andrea, Dunlop, Blue Chip, Fender, and D’Addario, each with unique characteristics, benefits, and potential downsides. Ultimately, the choice of pick comes down to personal preference, playing style, and the tone one aims to achieve.
While some might prefer the warm tones provided by celluloid picks, others may lean towards the strong attack offered by metal ones. Regardless of the pick you choose, remember that even this seemingly minute tool plays a pivotal role in shaping your guitar’s sound and your overall musical experience.
Perhaps the journey towards finding the perfect pick will involve some trial and error. But don’t fret! Use this guide as a stepping stone on your quest to improve your sound, explore different styles, and master your guitar’s true potential.
Remember, experimentation is key in music. So, don’t be afraid to explore, string your notes together with the right pick, and keep on strumming to the rhythm of your beat!
