#ultex

Most of our attention is on the instrument, amplifier and technique while ignoring the smaller part of the equation: the lowly guitar pick. These cheap little pieces of plastic don’t get the attention they deserve. My quest for the perfect pick started when I got my new guitar.

I ordered my PRS Custom 24 online because I played one in a store and thought it was great. I was replacing my broken Les Paul Epiphone and was curious about PRS. I found out a lot about guitars after this purchase because this was not an easy transition. Learning is a good thing ultimately, but it can be frustrating.

The first thing I learned was this guitar was set up with light gauge strings. The second thing I learned was that changing the gauge meant setting it up again because a luthier would have to widen the nut slots for thicker strings. Since I had been using regular strings, my 1mm pick was now too heavy for this lighter gauge.

I found out my pick was too heavy when I had tuning issues in the band workshop. Sean said the pick was bending the strings and sounding too hard. A softer attack with a different pick fixed the problem but the lighter pick was more flexible than I was used to. I found a medium pick I could adjust to but it wasn’t perfect, rhythm and lead is more sensitive to pick gauges on lighter strings.

Changing the string gauge was not an option because I was experiencing fretting hand problems. The workshop involved more chording and there was less time for practicing my scales. My hand was going tingly and numb from the new regimen, I didn’t want to exacerbate it by increasing the string thickness. At my age I have to start doing things more lightly.

When the workshop ended, I went back to practicing scales sequences and found my new pick was now too floppy. I ordered the next gauge up and it was too stiff for rhythm. I bought an assortment of picks and found some that were close but left me wanting. Thus began my search for the Holy Grail of guitar picks.

For regular gauge strings playing rock/metal, a heavier pick is the norm. Lead with a heavy pick is faster because of how the pick pushes through the strings in directional picking and more accuracy in alternate picking. Rock rhythm is mostly power chords, rock strumming and palm muting. Doing this on lighter strings is a challenge for me but I found out a lot of guitarists do use lighter strings. 

A thick pick on light strings must involve a lighter playing style and I briefly tried that in some of the workshop sessions. I daintily strummed for a softer sound and found too many dynamics for me to control when not striking the strings properly. I heard one technique is using different picks for rhythm and lead. Great for some people but I’ll keep looking for now.

The other factor is string breakage when playing a thicker pick on light strings. The shape affects how the strings are hit, a sharper point has more articulation. Maybe a thicker pick would be viable if I found the right shape and held it at the right angle. In any case, it’s apparent the perfect pick may also be a compromise in style but at least I’ll be closer to where I’m trying to go.

I ordered various packs of picks at different gauges, finding no more comprehensive assorted packages so now I’m building my own small collection. I’m getting closer to the ideal, zeroing in on the 60mm to 73mm range. The strange thing is that thickness is not the same as stiffness, material is important. A 73mm nylon will feel softer than a 60mm derlin.