Guitar Tone - Who would have ever imagined?

[mojobone]

I'm with Keith on this one; I quit using my amps in the studio when I realized I couldn't tell the difference between tracks I'd done with a miked amp and the mic + cab simulation in my X3Live, given the same guitar and part. If you need to feel your bell bottoms flapping in the breeze from your 4X12 cab in order to be inspired to play better, it's all good; ('til the cops come) I've always believed in using whatever works, and I can generally get inspired by coming up with a great part and a sound that works for the song. Being able to quickly audition a metric crap-ton of sounds without all the cartage is a godsend for me. Given time and the option, I do still use a tube amp, on occasion.

As to picks, I've been around that barn and back; metal and stone picks are hard on strings, so I settled on Dunlop Tortex. They neither sound nor feel like plastic, have a decent, but not excessive amount of grip, and are both widely available and reasonably priced. I use different gauges for different things; sometimes a thin red Tortex pick adds a little extra scrape to a strummy acoustic part, and I go pretty heavy for electric leads, orange for .10 string sets, yellow for medium gauge acoustic and .11 electric sets. (tens on the Gibson type axes and the Variax, elevens on the single-coil Fenders and the DeArmond)

If you want something even closer to tortoise shell there's a guy that makes 'em out of cow hoof for 'bout thirty dollars a pop. Nix that, Allparts has 'em at 5 for ten bucks, now; I jes' checked. (jes' don't leave 'em in your pocket, they absorb water and will be ruined in the wash machine)

I'm hearing good things about graphite as a pick material, too, but I think anything that's consistent and available will do, though pickers who play primarily acoustic may disagree. If I weren't the sort of person who loses picks, I'd be willing to give these a try:

http://bluechippick.net/

Reportedly identical to tortoise, needs no maintenance and laundry doesn't faze 'em, but north of $30

[jazzstan]

I've started to "texturize" my picks with a special coating designed for for non-slip surfaces. Works pretty good. But, sigh, they are still plastic.





After seeing the pick next to my picture, perhaps I can use it on my head.

[jfraizer]

@ Jazzstan


For me it has always been a comfort thing. I find Fender thins the perfect extension of my fingers and very comfortable. I look to my guitars & amps for tone.

Keith, that looks like a good book. Like the credit card pick

I hear the difference in the audio tracks William, that's cool.
Whatever works, right?

[ggalen]

I'm perfectly happy with the tone I can get out of my Strat with a Boss GT-8 direct into the board.

Whether it is "real" doesn't matter to me. I only care if it is wonderfully musical. And it is.

After all, there are some tones that I consider awful and unmusical that can come out of a big, classic tube amp, too.

It's all just a sound.

In my opinion: whatever moves you, there's your happiness.

[ernstinen]

I've started to "texturize" my picks with a special coating designed for for non-slip surfaces. Works pretty good. But, sigh, they are still plastic.





After seeing the pick next to my picture, perhaps I can use it on my head.

HaHaHa! Stan, after seeing that pick, I was just going to say the same thing as your last sentence before I read it!

Here's been my choice for an electric guitar pick for many years, 'cause it's got that built-in grip so you don't drop 'em:



When I can find them, I'll buy about 20 of 'em! Herco Nylons.

But for acoustic guitar, I use hard plastic Fender picks, almost always. In fact, ALWAYS! lol!

Ern

[mazz]

I stopped using a pick years ago. That "clicky" sound when I ran it up and down the keys drove the other band members crazy. And I threw my back out carrying around that piano capo, but that's another story.

[t4mh]

I've started to "texturize" my picks with a special coating designed for for non-slip surfaces. Works pretty good. But, sigh, they are still plastic.





After seeing the pick next to my picture, perhaps I can use it on my head.

I stopped using a pick years ago. That "clicky" sound when I ran it up and down the keys drove the other band members crazy. And I threw my back out carrying around that piano capo, but that's another story.

You guys! Stop my ribs!!!
Keith

[Hookjaw Brown]

My songwriting partner and I have endless arguments (when we are bored) about picks, heavy VS light, glass slides VS metal, amps, strings, stomp boxes etc. I have on my mike stand a carrier with picks from paper thin to heavy for various songs (in different colors)......but.....IMHO the sound you get is with your fingers (or ligature) and your brain. The rest of it is just ..well..stuff. If you can sing it, you can play it, no matter what the instrument or equipment.

le Hook

[ernstinen]

My songwriting partner and I have endless arguments (when we are bored) about picks, heavy VS light, glass slides VS metal, amps, strings, stomp boxes etc. I have on my mike stand a carrier with picks from paper thin to heavy for various songs (in different colors)......but.....IMHO the sound you get is with your fingers (or ligature) and your brain. The rest of it is just ..well..stuff. If you can sing it, you can play it, no matter what the instrument or equipment.

le Hook

Right you are, Hook! Haven't heard from you in awhile!

My picks are finally stable, my guitars are stable, my amps are stable, my fingers are stable, and my ears appear to be stable. So I go with what I have learned.

But my BRAIN? Not too stable LOL!

Ern

[wta]

I've started to "texturize" my picks with a special coating designed for for non-slip surfaces. Works pretty good. But, sigh, they are still plastic.





After seeing the pick next to my picture, perhaps I can use it on my head.

I stopped using a pick years ago. That "clicky" sound when I ran it up and down the keys drove the other band members crazy. And I threw my back out carrying around that piano capo, but that's another story.

You guys! Stop my ribs!!!
Keith

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!