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Thread: Pick spin

  1. #1
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    Default Pick spin

    I’m now in a duet with a great Banjo/Guitar player. We play a lot of aggressive fiddle and bluegrass tunes. I’ve been having problems keeping the pick in place. It tends to rotate towards my palm as I play. I manage to straighten it out when I move to back-up, but once I play lead it slowly rotates. I use a blue chip ct-55 on my mandolin and a Fender heavy gauge on my guitar. I have the problem with both.
    I need tips!

  2. #2
    Registered User John Rosett's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick spin

    I've had this problem ever since my fingers started getting arthritic. I've found that just a little bit of saliva on my thumb and first finger really keeps the pick from moving around.
    "it's not in bad taste, if it's funny" - john waters

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  4. #3
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick spin

    Or a little violin rosin on your fingers
    Not all the clams are at the beach

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  6. #4
    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick spin

    Does it get better with time and practice and patience? Yes. Your brain helps your fingers/hands/muscles/skeleton compensate. Does it get worse with age? Yes. My pick spins. I drop my pick. I keep spares handy onstage. I strum with my fingers when necessary. The show must go on. Keep on picking!
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  7. #5
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    Default Re: Pick spin

    Cut some grooves in the pick with an X-acto knife. A waffle pattern is good. Watch your fingers.

  8. #6
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    Default Re: Pick spin

    I’m tempted to superglue the damn pick to my fingers!
    Has anyone tried a drop of caulk in the middle of the pick?
    I’ve tried cutting a grid in the middle, but that didn’t help much.

  9. #7
    Registered User Kirk Higgins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick spin

    Have you tried a Wegen pick with either the indentation or the holes in the pick? That may help address your problem.
    Kirk

    2007 Kimble F5
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  10. #8
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    Default Re: Pick spin

    Two other solutions:

    Drill a 3/16" hole in the pick. You have to find the right spot, though.
    -or-
    Super glue saome 320 or 400 sandpaper to the pick.

  11. #9
    Mandolin user MontanaMatt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick spin

    Quote Originally Posted by rcc56 View Post
    Cut some grooves in the pick with an X-acto knife. A waffle pattern is good. Watch your fingers.
    How does watching your fingers help?…!
    Just joking, I knew you meant don’t cut your fingers
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  12. #10
    Mandolin user MontanaMatt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick spin

    Casin picks have some inherent tackiness, especially after exposure to some sweat or a little saliva.
    2007 Weber Custom Elite "old wood"
    2017 Ratliff R5 Custom #1148
    Several nice old Fiddles
    2007 Martin 000-15S 12 fret Auditorium-slot head
    Deering Classic Open Back
    Too many microphones

    BridgerCreekBoys.com

  13. #11
    Mandolin user MontanaMatt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick spin

    Another potential issue could been grip shape or technique. If you hold the pick with fingers pinching at the tips, you might not have enough surface area for grip traction.
    The rounded index finger (closed fist) shape has lots of grip area.
    2007 Weber Custom Elite "old wood"
    2017 Ratliff R5 Custom #1148
    Several nice old Fiddles
    2007 Martin 000-15S 12 fret Auditorium-slot head
    Deering Classic Open Back
    Too many microphones

    BridgerCreekBoys.com

  14. #12
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    Default Re: Pick spin

    I’m getting some good ideas here! I like the sandpaper idea.
    I keep my index finger curled on the bottom of the pic, and the flat of my thumb on top.
    I believe this is the standard grip. Both the fender heavy pic and the blue chip have the same problem so I don’t think it’s the material.
    Thanks for all the tips! More are welcome!

  15. #13

  16. #14

    Default Re: Pick spin

    I had this problem until I bought a Blue Chip TD-40. It is smooth for tremolo but stays in place in your fingers................amazing!
    NFI

  17. #15
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    Default Re: Pick spin

    I use Monster Grips, which are ultra-thin, sticky plastic wafers that you attach to one side (or both sides) of a pick. When I first started playing guitar, I couldn't hold on to a pick to save my life, so I used one on each side. Nowadays, I just use one, usually on the thumb-side of the pick.

    They allow me to use whatever pick I choose, without worrying about how easy or hard it is to hold on to...

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JER27MO

  18. #16
    Registered User Ky Slim's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick spin

    I know this seems counterintuitive but loosen your grip. The more you squeeze, the more it spins, the more is spins, the more you squeeze. Also, wash your hands and your pick often. I've tried adding texture, cutting grooves, drilling holes, rosin, gorilla snot etc.. and, as is often the case, the issue was my technique not the equipment. As for sticky substances, I am not a fan. It takes no time for the substance to end up on my fretting hand and then on the strings and fretboard. Sticky strings and finger tips are the worst.

  19. #17
    Registered User Frankdolin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick spin

    I second what Ky said. My fingers are super sticky, which is good for the pick but bad for the fingerboard. So I have to scrub my hands often, keeping a rough towel handy for in between. Your grip should be so loose that the pick can be easily pulled out. Hold as loose as possible, and adjust as often as needed. We have so much feeling in those finger tips, use it. Use it for control, for expression, and it will loosen everything else as a bonus. I also use the ct55 and it sticks for me better than most. My grip is so light that if I hang my hand without thinking about it, it will hit the floor. Good luck!

  20. #18
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    Default Re: Pick spin

    There is a product called Gorilla Snot, really, that works.

  21. #19
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    Default Re: Pick spin

    Yeah, I've noticed this happening from time to time. My solution is to rotate it back into place.

    By the way, in the southern hemisphere it rotates in the other direction.
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

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  22. #20
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    Default Re: Pick spin

    +1 for Wegen trimus picks. the big (huge!) indentation prevents pick from sliding away, the big (huge!) grooves prevent any rotation. well worth the money. https://www.wegenpicks.com/images/trimus250.jpg

  23. #21
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    Default Re: Pick spin

    Quote Originally Posted by Ky Slim View Post
    I know this seems counterintuitive but loosen your grip. The more you squeeze, the more it spins, the more is spins, the more you squeeze. Also, wash your hands and your pick often. I've tried adding texture, cutting grooves, drilling holes, rosin, gorilla snot etc.. and, as is often the case, the issue was my technique not the equipment. As for sticky substances, I am not a fan. It takes no time for the substance to end up on my fretting hand and then on the strings and fretboard. Sticky strings and finger tips are the worst.
    This has been my solution. As counter-intuitive as it seems, the loose grip seems (for me) to keep the pick from rotating.
    Mitch Russell

  24. #22
    Registered User Drew Egerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick spin

    Simplest solution first: If you have been using that pick for a while, try washing it with warm soapy water. Back when I used BCs that made them feel like new again and helped with grip.
    Drew
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  26. #23
    Registered User Twistofer56's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick spin

    Silly as this may sound, my Mando teacher recommends a small piece of double-sided tape...Just sayin'

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    Snakum 

  28. #24
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pick spin

    Quote Originally Posted by Twistofer56 View Post
    Silly as this may sound, my Mando teacher recommends a small piece of double-sided tape...Just sayin'
    Works for Evan Marshall.
    Not all the clams are at the beach

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  29. #25
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    Default Re: Pick spin

    I thought it was just me.

    I've even tried double-sided tape. I'm currently looking for a stipled pick. It works on Glocks. Maybe picks, too?
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