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The cartilage in my right index finger is pretty much gone, and holding a flatpick is becoming a serious problem for me. I've been using Dawg picks, and the Wegen copies for years, and I'm wondering if one of the high end, beveled picks might help.
My main problem is when I am in a situation where I have to play hard, I can't keep control of the pick very well. Has anybody been through this kind of thing and found that a certain pick helps? Thanks!
I would use a pickup and a preamp with a boost to keep from having to play hard ever and not doing anymore damage to your finger. I used rounded picks for a long time, but hand problems made me change to a pointed, TF Wegen. A pointed pick has less drag making it easier on the hands, finger in your case.
I have only used these "kodiak thumb picks" on my guitar but they are the only thumbpicks that don't irritate, stays on AND can be used for strumming and playing with only the thumb.
They are postioned on the thumb, so you can use it individually or as a normal pick held between your thumb and index, while it's still attached to your thumb.
They come with a standard pick installed but I have successfully cut down the standard pick and attached my favourite pick with double sticky tape.
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/...,314_UX175.jpg
The Black Mountain thumb pick might be helpful. I have one and seems to work fairly well with a mandolin. However they don't make ones with a rounded edge, if that's what you currently use. Here is the link to their website:
https://blackmountainpicks.com
I know that Blue Chip Picks has finger/thumb picks available. I have read hear on the cafe that the owner is pretty good about offering custom service for specific needs in picks. I wonder if they might be able to put together a thumb pick with a profile as desired, similar to the Dawg pick. I do know they have a pick with this profile.
Maybe a thumb pick would lessen the need to grip as firmly with the index finger.
Thanks for the replies. I use thumb and finger picks for playing steel, and have tried adapting a thumb pick for mandolin. So far, it's not working out very well because there's such a difference between the way the pick reacts to upstrokes compared to downstrokes. I use an Acri-pick thumb pick, and have thought about seeing if they would make me a thumb pick with the Wegen pick riveted to it.
I just tried to contact the Acri Picks folks, but it doesn't look like anybody's home.
Try the KodiakQuote:
Originally Posted by John Rosett
Bluechip and the acrylic picks (Vpicks and Gravity) really stay in the hand well. I find the acrylic ones a bit brighter and louder, too, which may help you out some in a jam...
I too am a great fan of Black Mountain thumb picks, which I use because of arthritis in my hand. A spring holds them in place. You have to learn to adjust the angle a bit for the upstroke ( a bit of wrist action), but it didn't take me long. However, everyone needs to find what works for them. There's no one pick for all.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucas
It's not a pick, but have you tried using some pick honey/gorilla snot? It might give you just enough grip to stabilize your pick without putting so much pressure on the joint.
I've been using either violin rosin or spit, both of which I've had success with in the past. I also use a V-Pick sometimes because they'r pretty tacky. I just put a couple of Monster Grip pads on a pick. We'll see...Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian560
I find the blue chip picks the easiest to hang onto.
The jazz guitarist Mike Stern had a severe hand injury and apparently uses wig glue to hang onto the pick, no personal experience on my part, but here's a link
https://goodtimes.sc/santa-cruz-arts...ther-comeback/
Very inspirational. Thanks!Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Sheets
There's all kinds of grippy material you can form a triangle with on each side of pick and fingerpad fits in the indent: https://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Pick-G...itar+Pick+Grip (I'm guessing the first is same material as stair step nonskid material they sell at Home depot_)
and punch holes in the picks https://bogstreet.com/collections/mo...street-sampler
Also, if you're pedal steel player you probably know about Herco blue thumb picks, those are the closest i've found to flatpick in feel because the band is so loose. I have all the thumbpicks mentioned in this thread
and.. big picks that fit in the palm like for shamisen https://www.pykmax.com/
or https://www.amazon.com/ZeroGravity-O.../dp/B0002E1UNU
Could ask Greg Boyd also..