Last year we saw Andy Irvine at Bidddulph Folk Club. He was fantastic and afterwards he and I chatted for a while about all things bouzouki and, amongst other things, plectrums.
He uses a large green triangular one called a Rhino which I can't find hide nor hair of anywhere. He says Donal plays with a large triangular orange one which I assume is the Dunlop 60mm.
I have heard Herdims are good (with the three thicknesses in one) but can't find any to buy and I currently prefer a Clayton 56mm clear plec to pluck my zook.
I had problems with picks turning as I play unless I grip them tight, but no longer... these are plectrum shaped but look like a thumb pick. http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/Catalogue/ViewProduct.aspx?productId=318
I have customised mine to fit using warm water and gently bending to shape. The medium seems fine for banjo and mandolin.
Andy Irvines were definitely green . . . I've got some of those Rhino plecs but prefer the Claytons.
I might try one of those thumb plecs Lurcherjohn - I suppose it depends on how you hold your plec, but as I hold mine between my thumb and at the first joint of my index finger (rather than at the end), these might work well - especially in hot sessions.
Ya they are green.........." Dunlop Tortex 88mm" that Andy uses.....I have one in my bouzouki case that he gave me a few years back....
I used herdims for years, but use Dunlop 60s.
Hope this is a help!
Good point Sugarfoot, the thumb plecs only work for the grip with the thumb tip and first joint of index finger, a bit like a fist.
The best traditional plec I found for a good grip were these: http://www.guitarbitz.com/469.htm
The black ones, .88 seem best for me, similar in stiffness to Dunlop .73, pale grey.
I use the Clayton .60mm ones on my zouk for the most part.
And the Snarling Dogs that Lurcherjohn put a link up to are great! I use the green .53s and purple .60s on banjo. (Although, I usually get them as "Cool Picks - Cat Tongue" ones - same manufacturer, I think) http://www.elderly.com/accessories/items/PKB-100.htm
I keep experimenting and I keep coming back to the Dunlop black 1mm. I do wish they were ever so slightly taller.
As for the pick slipping and squirming out of your grip, I solved that problem years ago with some of that liquid rubber that’s used for dipping tool handles. I dip the grip of the plectrum and hang it up to dry. One coat does the trick without adding noticeable thickness. Two will last longer and actually feels better to me.
I am currently using a yellow pick .73 that I got from Steve Kaufman. Not sure what the material is. These picks seem to give a brighter sound. I was using a 1.5 Wegan teardrop but the sound was so nice and warm, too warm for my rosewood guitar.
Reverend - based on your recommendations in previous threads, I went out to my local Guitar Center and got some of the Snarling Dogs "Brain Picks" and LOVE the .60s for banjo.
On a side note, I've been going into music stores for almost 30 years now - I wonder, do guitar stores play ANY other videos other than Led Zepplin's "Song Remains the Same?" It's like a perpetual time warp in those places....
I use Dunlop Tortex 1.0mm (light blue color) for picking out tunes on octave mandolin and guitar, but change to a Dunlop nylon .73mm for strumming if possible, as the Tortex is too loud. I use the 1.0mm for both on mandolin; no problem with that being too loud!
LOL, JNE! Hey good music stands up to the test of time, I guess
I haven't tried the Brian Picks (or Cat Tongue) in a heavy enough gauge for the bouzouki yet... It might be interesting. But for some reason, I like the big triangular Claytons. I think it may have to do with how my grips differ for the two instruments. On zouk, I have the pick held a lot more firmly in my hand. On banjo, it is looser, and when I was really trying to relax, I used to drop the pick every now and then - so the Brain Picks are great for that.
I also went through a phase where I used the softer, white Clayton picks on banjo, and I used a hole punch to put holes in them. That would help with holding onto the pick. But it also was cool, because with the big triangular picks, you could put 3 holes at 3 different distances from the tip, and so you automatically had 3 different weight picks to choose from...
...For ITM tunes (playing the melody) I generally use a 1.0 Wegen Bluegrass pick. I call the 1.0 BG "the compressor" because of the way it tends to add volume and compress the sound at the same time. Great pick! Highly recommended. I also use the M100 for octave mandolin and a Twin or GP250 for zingy steel string guitar leads. For Backing I almost always use a .73mm Dunlop nylon and occasionally a .60mm when I'm wanting more "flap" from the pick--these are the standard teardrop-shaped gray ones.
Cheers seaniemcg - for some reason I didn't think the ones Andy Irvine used were the tortex ones, but I'm glad to be corrected as I've wondered ever since.
You don't actually own plectrums - you are simply a cusotodian for a while.
Check out Herco plectrums, very hard to get, in Dublin they are available in Perfect Pitch. Their big advantage is that they give more grip than Dunlops so you can hold them more loosely. The late great Rory Gallagher swore by Hercos.
The Plectrum Thread
The Plectrum Thread
Last year we saw Andy Irvine at Bidddulph Folk Club. He was fantastic and afterwards he and I chatted for a while about all things bouzouki and, amongst other things, plectrums.
He uses a large green triangular one called a Rhino which I can't find hide nor hair of anywhere. He says Donal plays with a large triangular orange one which I assume is the Dunlop 60mm.
I have heard Herdims are good (with the three thicknesses in one) but can't find any to buy and I currently prefer a Clayton 56mm clear plec to pluck my zook.
What's your favourite?
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by Sugarfoot Jack
Re: The Plectrum Thread
These might be what he is using:
http://www.music123.com/Dunlop-426P-Ultex-Rounded-Triangle-Guitar-Picks-6-Pack-110036-i1123452.Music123
I use the smaller version of them (.73):
http://www.music123.com/Dunlop-421P-Ultex-Guitar-Picks-110032-i1123448.Music123
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by rob zouk
Re: The Plectrum Thread
I had problems with picks turning as I play unless I grip them tight, but no longer... these are plectrum shaped but look like a thumb pick.
http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/Catalogue/ViewProduct.aspx?productId=318
I have customised mine to fit using warm water and gently bending to shape. The medium seems fine for banjo and mandolin.
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by Lurcherjohn
Re: The Plectrum Thread
Oops - you could flag the garden with 60mm plecs.
Andy Irvines were definitely green . . . I've got some of those Rhino plecs but prefer the Claytons.
I might try one of those thumb plecs Lurcherjohn - I suppose it depends on how you hold your plec, but as I hold mine between my thumb and at the first joint of my index finger (rather than at the end), these might work well - especially in hot sessions.
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by Sugarfoot Jack
Re: The Plectrum Thread
Ya they are green.........." Dunlop Tortex 88mm" that Andy uses.....I have one in my bouzouki case that he gave me a few years back....
I used herdims for years, but use Dunlop 60s.
Hope this is a help!
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by seaniemcg
Re: The Plectrum Thread
I've been using "D'andrea pro grip Brites" .50mm for Banjo and .60mm for bouzouki lately, and find them excellent.
http://saitenkatalog.de/shop1/product_info.php/cPath/87_146_389/products_id/17709?osCsid=aa159ad0d49a8247d3593a7b3d6d30c5
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by Backer
Re: The Plectrum Thread
Or if youre stuck on tortex and never want to run out!
http://saitenkatalog.de/shop1/product_info.php/cPath/87_146_310/products_id/5469?osCsid=aa159ad0d49a8247d3593a7b3d6d30c5
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by Backer
Re: The Plectrum Thread
Good point Sugarfoot, the thumb plecs only work for the grip with the thumb tip and first joint of index finger, a bit like a fist.
The best traditional plec I found for a good grip were these:
http://www.guitarbitz.com/469.htm
The black ones, .88 seem best for me, similar in stiffness to Dunlop .73, pale grey.
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by Lurcherjohn
Re: The Plectrum Thread
I use the Clayton .60mm ones on my zouk for the most part.
And the Snarling Dogs that Lurcherjohn put a link up to are great! I use the green .53s and purple .60s on banjo. (Although, I usually get them as "Cool Picks - Cat Tongue" ones - same manufacturer, I think)
http://www.elderly.com/accessories/items/PKB-100.htm
Pete
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by Reverend
Re: The Plectrum Thread
I keep experimenting and I keep coming back to the Dunlop black 1mm. I do wish they were ever so slightly taller.
As for the pick slipping and squirming out of your grip, I solved that problem years ago with some of that liquid rubber that’s used for dipping tool handles. I dip the grip of the plectrum and hang it up to dry. One coat does the trick without adding noticeable thickness. Two will last longer and actually feels better to me.
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by Bob himself
Re: The Plectrum Thread
I am currently using a yellow pick .73 that I got from Steve Kaufman. Not sure what the material is. These picks seem to give a brighter sound. I was using a 1.5 Wegan teardrop but the sound was so nice and warm, too warm for my rosewood guitar.
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by old and in the way
Re: The Plectrum Thread
Reverend - based on your recommendations in previous threads, I went out to my local Guitar Center and got some of the Snarling Dogs "Brain Picks" and LOVE the .60s for banjo.
On a side note, I've been going into music stores for almost 30 years now - I wonder, do guitar stores play ANY other videos other than Led Zepplin's "Song Remains the Same?" It's like a perpetual time warp in those places....
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: The Plectrum Thread
I use Dunlop Tortex 1.0mm (light blue color) for picking out tunes on octave mandolin and guitar, but change to a Dunlop nylon .73mm for strumming if possible, as the Tortex is too loud. I use the 1.0mm for both on mandolin; no problem with that being too loud!
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by Jameson Stew
Re: The Plectrum Thread
LOL, JNE! Hey good music stands up to the test of time, I guess
I haven't tried the Brian Picks (or Cat Tongue) in a heavy enough gauge for the bouzouki yet... It might be interesting. But for some reason, I like the big triangular Claytons. I think it may have to do with how my grips differ for the two instruments. On zouk, I have the pick held a lot more firmly in my hand. On banjo, it is looser, and when I was really trying to relax, I used to drop the pick every now and then - so the Brain Picks are great for that.
I also went through a phase where I used the softer, white Clayton picks on banjo, and I used a hole punch to put holes in them. That would help with holding onto the pick. But it also was cool, because with the big triangular picks, you could put 3 holes at 3 different distances from the tip, and so you automatically had 3 different weight picks to choose from...
Pete
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by Reverend
Re: The Plectrum Thread
I use Dunlop .73's and I punch holes in them too.
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by dafydd
Re: The Plectrum Thread
Does everyone not just borrow plectrums and forget to return them? Maybe I have been playing for years with the wrong type of people.
# Posted on August 22nd 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: The Plectrum Thread
reposting from Manouche pick thread:
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/14877
...For ITM tunes (playing the melody) I generally use a 1.0 Wegen Bluegrass pick. I call the 1.0 BG "the compressor" because of the way it tends to add volume and compress the sound at the same time. Great pick! Highly recommended. I also use the M100 for octave mandolin and a Twin or GP250 for zingy steel string guitar leads. For Backing I almost always use a .73mm Dunlop nylon and occasionally a .60mm when I'm wanting more "flap" from the pick--these are the standard teardrop-shaped gray ones.
# Posted on August 23rd 2007 by gw
Re: The Plectrum Thread
Dunlop Jazz 3's - the pointy ones and nuthin else!
# Posted on August 23rd 2007 by Splendid Isolation
Re: The Plectrum Thread
Cheers seaniemcg - for some reason I didn't think the ones Andy Irvine used were the tortex ones, but I'm glad to be corrected as I've wondered ever since.
You don't actually own plectrums - you are simply a cusotodian for a while.
# Posted on August 23rd 2007 by Sugarfoot Jack
Re: The Plectrum Thread
Check out Herco plectrums, very hard to get, in Dublin they are available in Perfect Pitch. Their big advantage is that they give more grip than Dunlops so you can hold them more loosely. The late great Rory Gallagher swore by Hercos.
# Posted on August 28th 2007 by lysaghtm