THICK plectrums (everyone loves a tedious plectrum thread)

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 8:31 pm

So, on a whim, and because a few terrifyingly fast technical players I know swear by them, I thought I'd try some thick plectrums. I bought some of these:

... then moved house and forgot I had them. Anyhow, found them the other day, and they're weird but quite good. I've got a 2mm and a 3mm, and they look (and feel) a bit like a boiled sweet, but they're quite good. Anyone else using, or tried, thick plectrums?

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Josh · Post by **Josh** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 8:34 pm

I have a couple big stubbys. even though I mainly use purple tortex picks. I like em, they are a bit awkward though.

Ankhanu · Post by **Ankhanu** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 8:42 pm

I used to use 2mm Big Stubbies almost exclusively; now I mostly use ~1mm Tortex. They play similarly, but I find the Tortex nicer to hold. That said, the Big Stubbies wear better than the Tortex.
My preference might come from the fact that I come from playing bass rather than guitar, but, I never got on with bendy plecs.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 8:45 pm

I prefer thick plecs Tim, they seem to offer more accuracy and dynamics. Even use a brass plec at times.
You cant 'dig in' with thin plecs, i hate them and i imagine my old English teacher used them on his shitty acoustic...

Gabriel · Post by **Gabriel** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:05 pm

I used the 3mm small stubbies for ages, playing jazz they worked really well, but something was not perfect - I don't really like sharp points on picks mainly.

Now I've ended up back with what I first started with 10 years ago, the purple Tortex picks, and they sound great.

rps-10 · Post by **rps-10** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:13 pm

Thick/heavy preferred, just got a few of those Dunlop Teckpick things, in Brass colour but they are actually aluminium. Added squeaks when playing, excellent comedy value.

BearBoy · Post by **BearBoy** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:25 pm

I use the purple Tortex ones for lead stuff (sometimes use something a little bit thinner if recording rhythm only parts). Have done for years now.

Post by **Doog** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:25 pm

Maaaan, I remember buying a few Big Stubbys when I was like 15 or so.. such heady days.

I don't remember having any specific problem with them then, but I fear trying one now would be akin to playing with a marble.

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:27 pm

They very much have a cough sweet vibe about them.

Thom · Post by **Thom** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:32 pm

I have mostly used medium or medium/light plectrums all my guitar playing life, but in my last band when we were playing much heavier stuff I played with thick ones and it did make a massive difference. If you want staccato crisp chug-a-chugs and precise riffage I found them much easier. Thick ones definitely brought teh brutalz.

Progrockabuse · Post by **Progrockabuse** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:54 pm

For three solid years I used a 50p piece, I found it great as it has so many edges. Gutted when I accidental paid for a drink with it. Still check out my change in case it ever lands in my change.

Now I flit between blue and purple tortex. Might dig out my dava metal tip ones.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 10:27 pm

i can get away with a blue tortex, but even then i tend to break strings a bit more. i'm strumming daft, me. ultra-thick ones would be no use.

damienblair17 · Post by **damienblair17** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 10:50 pm

I can't play bass with a pick, but when I try I use a purple stubby. Tried it with guitar once, was not a fan. I use 1mm nylons for six stringin'.

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 11:20 pm

When I was about 14 I was using a 2mm pick. It was like the thickness of a nickel. I used these Dunlop 500 purple ones. Looking back on it I don't know how I did it... I used 9s as well. Ever since a couple years later I've used .60mm picks and 10-52/11-48 sets, but since I buy picks by the gross I still find purple ones every now and then in a gig bag or one of my parts boxes with a mess of squier wiring harnesses. When I try them again I just think "Paul, you dumb little bastard, these are ridiculous".

I do have fond memories of trying 1mm Pickboys, though the raised logo right near the tip used to catch on my high e.

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 4:38 am

don't really like tortex. I use the black dunlop nylon picks. big stubbys are cool though. they're not all really thick, I had some of the red ones. I like their shape quite a lot. they seem to increase your picking accuracy.

lorez · Post by **lorez** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 9:58 am

Being more of a chord shambler and not a arpeggiating lead playing wizard i tend to like the more lighter picks (Pink 0.96mm Dunlop 500 currently)

Ainm · Post by **Ainm** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 1:58 pm

Progrockabuse wrote:For three solid years I used a 50p piece, I found it great as it has so many edges. Gutted when I accidental paid for a drink with it. Still check out my change in case it ever lands in my change.

Nice. I filed down a (euro) 5c piece to use as a plec. It worked pretty well on bass, but was just too thick and heavy for guitar. Another downside I found is that it likes to stick to pickups.

gusman2x · Post by **gusman2x** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 3:39 pm

Gotta be Jazz III

Switched to them when I was trying to be shredder (still trying) and can't play with anything else now. Normal plectrums feel like flying saucers (not the sweets)

gusman2x · Post by **gusman2x** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 3:39 pm

Gotta be Jazz III

Switched to them when I was trying to be shredder (still trying) and can't play with anything else now. Normal plectrums feel like flying saucers (not the sweets)

Gabriel · Post by **Gabriel** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 6:00 pm

I've just ordered some Fender Celluloid Extra-Heavy picks, I'll report back when they arrive.