For the guitarists in the house.. Picks?

[Nostril Cheese]

I've reached some new levels in my playing in the last year. I'm now able to do a lot of EVH, Blackmore and Dave Murray stuff.

One other thing I'm burning up are guitar picks. I've never used anything other than Fender Mediums. They always had the right amount of flex to me. I've tried using Fender Heavys, but it makes it harder for me to do harmonics and such.

Does anyone have any recommendations for picks with flex that can hold up a little longer?

[Cajundaddy]

I have been using Ernie Ball and they seem to last forever. They are also super bright colors so I can find them easily on a darkened stage floor.
http://www.ernieball.com/products/guitar-picks/4991/everlast-medium-guitar-picks




i used to use Fender heavy in the small size but tended to drop them often, These seem just about right for me.

[stomachmonkey]

Coins.

[Rick Lee]

I use Fender heavies and now throw them away after a few hours. My picking style really rounds off the front point and it then feels like playing with one of the other two corners - too rounded.

FWIW, I caught a pick from EVH once and it was about as thin as paper. I have no idea how he could get any sound out of it.

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I use Fender heavies and now throw them away after a few hours. My picking style really rounds off the front point and it then feels like playing with one of the other two corners - too rounded.

FWIW, I caught a pick from EVH once and it was about as thin as paper. I have no idea how he could get any sound out of it.

Yeah, same here. The thing that really unlocked it for me was doing pinch harmonics with the leading edge of the pick. The picks in the photo lasted about two hours each.

In a way, it doesnt surprise me that Eddie would use thin picks. I find it much easier to get his speed and attack with a good amount of flex. I can't get that speed with heavy picks.

Of course, there is no "right" way to do it. But checking off the "Play guitar like Eddie Van Halen" box from my life goals is a big one for me.

I have to say that it is an amazing feeling to get to this level of playing after so many years of study. I sat down over the last two years and really put in my time. Now I HAVE to play at least two hours a day. I'll post a video of my playing when i get some free time to set up the camera.

[Nostril Cheese]

BTW, really great video about figuring out Eddie's style. One even non-guitarists can enjoy.

The great thing about growing up pre-internet was that it forced you to develop a good ear...

[slodave]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I use Fender heavies and now throw them away after a few hours. My picking style really rounds off the front point and it then feels like playing with one of the other two corners - too rounded.

FWIW, I caught a pick from EVH once and it was about as thin as paper. I have no idea how he could get any sound out of it.

I have one as well. I'll have to go look what it was.

[puddy]

I'm far from a heavy shredder now days, sold my Les Paul and have an awesome Larrivee acoustic. I use a medium 3 sided pick by Ernie Ball I believe. But I've also traced the 3-sided shape onto old gift cards and hand cut copies. They work great. I was always losing picks so this has allowed me to always have plenty of picks kicking around when needed.

[Christien]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

FWIW, I caught a pick from EVH once and it was about as thin as paper. I have no idea how he could get any sound out of it.

I don't know, but I suspect this has as much to do with practicality as with tone and technique. A live show is different than playing in the studio. At our shows I'm extremely active on stage, and for years I broke strings all the time because I wasn't able to be careful with my picking. I switched to thinner picks and the string breaking stopped.

I use the grey Dunlop 73s, with the grip. I used to use the orange tortex picks but switched because the Dunlops are slightly thinner and have a sharper leading edge which makes for better pick slides. I buy them in bags 72 on ebay once or twice a year so I always have plenty in the studio, gear bag, and a couple extras in the case.

[Jandrews]

Please do post a video Nostril....I am always amazed at people who can play EVH and other top guitarist styles.

Thanks,

JA

[Rick Lee]

Go to 3:09 here.



I learned this whole solo one summer when I was about 16, just spent hours every day with the remote control, hitting play, pause, rewind, rinse, repeat.

I have a gig coming up in a month where we're playing Mean Street and I will fade it in with a volume pedal, just like on the album. That intro is really kicking my ass. I can just about nail it sitting down, but then it's totally different when I stand up, so I keep a guitar with a strap by the tv and stand while I practice it now.

[ledhedsymbols]

Mean Street is my favorite VH song of all time!

[scottmandue]

I suck at guitar... managed to make a lot of noise playing bass in rock/punkish garage bands.

I like the Dunlap nylon picks for bass and guitar.

Do they still make tortex (sp?) a synthetic tortoise shell pick?

[hberwald]

blue chip.

[puddy]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Go to 3:09 here.



I learned this whole solo one summer when I was about 16, just spent hours every day with the remote control, hitting play, pause, rewind, rinse, repeat.

I have a gig coming up in a month where we're playing Mean Street and I will fade it in with a volume pedal, just like on the album. That intro is really kicking my ass. I can just about nail it sitting down, but then it's totally different when I stand up, so I keep a guitar with a strap by the tv and stand while I practice it now.

Great solo and if you can play it congrats! In the video, I guess there's some editing happening. His cigarette goes from his mouth to the floor to his guitar neck between :45 & :50 seconds.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by peteremsley

I like the nylon Jim Dunlops. Seem to last pretty well, though I don't play much electric.

+1 Love them.
I use an ulta thin pick on a 12 string to get a certain sound. The nylons don't break and have a very consistent amount of flex. They also have a texture to help with grip.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Coins.

Back when I read guitar magazine I believe reading that is how that is Billy Gibbons got his signature sound.

Also seemed some other rockers used coins as picks... too many brain cells have gone to the great beyond for me to remember.

[Rick V]

Originally Posted by peteremsley

I like the nylon Jim Dunlops. Seem to last pretty well, though I don't play much electric.

Same here but I only play electric.
I like the "handle" they have, they stay in my paws well

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by Jandrews

Please do post a video Nostril....I am always amazed at people who can play EVH and other top guitarist styles.

Thanks,

JA

Here's a quick one. '74 Les Paul Custom through a Marshall stack. A bit drunk, but you get the idea.

[Nostril Cheese]

Sort of a one-off.