Figure 1 - Agate Stone Plectrum

To many guitarists, the answer is a resounding yes! Not only are they longer-lasting, easy gripping, and better sounding; they are also very appealing items to own.

Those who have used stone picks often prefer the crisp tone  – more defined even than even metal picks. Common materials used are Agate, Jasper, Jade and Turquioise; all highly polished.

2.5mm Shrinkwood Stone Guitar Picks Texas petrified wood agate We Ship Fast!

US $19.50 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:37:33 PST Buy It Now for only: US $19.50 Buy it now | Add to watch list

While the picks are indeed much more durable- they won’t harm guitar strings. Thanks to finely smoothed edges, stone picks should be just as safe as plastic picks to use- given you bought them from a store, and haven’t decided to use your rock collection as picks. Needless to say, you might not get any use out of using your wedding ring either- sorry, guys.

Essentially, stone picks give a unique tone because of a few characteristics such as density, flexibility, and durability. Imagine striking a large bell with a plastic hammer- it will be much different than striking the same bell with a rock. From this example, many different specialty stores have started to sell such picks as a new way to control precise tones. Interestingly, plastic will absorb part of the tone when struck against a string- while stone will not.

Figure 2 - Black Brasilian Stone Pick

Gemstone picks will last a very long time, and offer good grip control- even more so than Tortex picks. The only problem with a gemstone pick is losing it. If you are like most guitar enthusiasts, losing picks around the room or house- even in pockets- can be a common nuisance. With single picks costing upwards of around $30 each, there is obviously a need to reform old habits. In fact, some companies will try and tell you that a stone guitar pick is the last one you will ever need to buy. While this is indeed possible, it is much more likely it will be lost long before it breaks.

If you are indeed looking to acquire a stone pick, you will most likely have to go on-line, or visit a rather large music retail shop. They are much harder to find than the dozens of boxes of plastic, nylon, and metal picks littering musician shops. While $30 may seem a little high, the “cool” factor gained through bragging to friends and fellow musicians is sometimes well worth the money, and extra tonal clarity can be priceless. Different shapes, gems, translucencies, and sizes can all be crafted from many types of stones – as well as customizations and extra gripping features. If you are looking for extra tonal clarity, this could be a good upgrade to your collection.

US $19.00 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:59:33 PST Buy It Now for only: US $19.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

• Guitar Pick History and Information
• Tortex Picks
• Weird Guitar Picks 

A guitar pick, or plectrum is used to pluck, or strum guitar strings; to improve sound, allow faster strumming, and reduce injury on fingers. You can just use your fingers, especially for picking, but a pick gives far more bite to notes, and hurts a lot less. There are many types of guitar picks to choose from: different materials, shapes, as well as sizes and colors. Some guitar picks are even used for special purposes, such as a double-sided pick for “double plucking.” This article explores some of the diffent types.

Different types of Guitar Pick

Guitar picks are commonly made out of plastic, but also bone, amber, rubber, felt, tortoiseshell, wood, stone, metals, and even gemstones. Each of the materials has it’s own unique sound, but also properties such as ease of grip, and durability. For instance, metal has a very distinct bright sound when plucked against a guitar string- but offers little grip. Tortoiseshell is one of the best for gripping, and sounds great, although an international ban on tortoise shell led to the creation of Tortex picks.

Choosing your favourite material is a matter of trying them all out, and deciding on which sound and grip works for your playing style- whether it be metal, bues, or jazz. If all else fails, weird guitar picks aren’t unheard of- from bone, to an Allen wrench- just about anything can become a useable plectrum!

Figure 1 - Traditional picks, a thumb pick, and a triangle pick example

Different gauges of guitar pick

The thickness of a guitar pick is very important. For instance, a thicker pick will give a harder sound, with more attack, and more control in tone, while a thinner pick will give more of a random and uncontrollable sound, but allows faster picking. Hard rock or metal players usually prefer thin picks – especially if they like to play fast riffs. These guitarists usually favour thinner strings, but players who use thicker gauges will often need thicker picks. Likewise, bass guitarists usually use thick picks. Thinner picks give less power, and have less durability- especially with complex techniques such as tremolo picking.

US $38.00 End Date: Thursday Mar-01-2012 5:08:07 PST Buy It Now for only: US $38.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

There are a few shapes and sizes to picks, as well. A shark’s fin pick will allow the use of pick scraping to be much easier. A sharp edged pick will give an edgier sound to one’s playing style. The equilateral pick is perfect for beginners- as it has no special qualities to master, and each corner can be used to play the guitar with. Some picks even wrap around an entire finger- such as the thumb pick that is available.

D’Andrea picks were the first to actually offer things such as custom imprinting, and developed many of the shapes and materials of picks that are still in use today. D’Andrea picks are still available today, since 1922. From the customization D’Andrea picks started, other companies have followed suit. Today, there are hundreds of styles, shapes, colors, and sizes of picks. In fact, picks made of precious gems are available toda. Of course, these picks don’t flex or bend- but they offer a unique sound and are very durable.

US $20.50 End Date: Sunday Feb-05-2012 12:42:31 PST Buy It Now for only: US $20.50 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Guitar picks are plentiful, and usually only cost a few dollars for a dozen of them. Some of the most mainstream picks are offered by Fender, and some less mainstream picks such as the Joe Satriani line of picks are available- although they cost more money. Choosing the guitar pick is the first step in mastering the guitar, and the next step would be to master picking techniques. It should be noted that if a more extravagant pick is desired, such as the gemstone picks, that you should make sure you don’t lose them- consider it a piece of good advice, picks are usually lost before they are broken.

• Tortex Picks
• Gem Stone Picks
• Weird Guitar Picks

The oud is a musical instrument from the Middle-East. Interestingly, this instrument was played with an eagle feather. Modern times have led oud players to find an alternative plectrum to use, as eagle feathers are becoming increasingly rare. Instead, the risha was invented. The risha is an elongated piece of bone or horn that has soaked in oil to make it softer. Plastic rishas are also available for beginners, and more crude forms of rishas can even be fashioned out of a plastic bottle.

Figure 1 - Imagine playing your guitar with a risha stick!

Much like the elongated risha, the bachi is a tool used by the Japanese music community. The bachi is used to play the Biwi, and is commonly made out of wood. Oddly enough, most bachi tools can be doubled over as a drum stick- which allows for more versatility. While most guitar players would never think to use such an impractical plectrum, these lute-type instruments are usually simple in design when compared to modern guitars. Mastering such instruments with hard to play plectrum increases skill level and in return brings more attention to skilled musicians.

Figure 2 -Guitar plectrum or drum ticks? Both!

Similarly, Chinese culture also used bone as a plectrum for the sanxian instrument. However, modern times have led to the transition to plastic picks that resemble guitar picks. Like bass or electric guitars, the sanxian can be played with fingers or fingernails as well, rather than using a plectrum.

A more modern example that most are likely familiar with would be the banjo. Instead of a traditional pick, banjos and other similar modern instruments make use of a thumb pick, or finger picks. These picks attach to the finger, instead of being held. This follows the fingerless playing method, but gives more attack power and tone than fingers would.

While the guitar pick is no doubt incredibly common- there are no rules when it comes to deciding on a plectrum. Brian May of the band Queen used a six pence coin to play his guitar- which goes to show that nearly anything around the house can be transformed into a viableplectrum. “Rage Against the Machine” guitarist Tom Morello uses an Allen wrench to play “People of the Sun.”

Figure 3 - Lose your pick? Back to the drawing board!

In the constant fret to find the few dozen guitar picks you have lying hidden around the house, or a single room, instead consider checking your pockets or garage for a unique sound. (Don’t grab anything too sharp- it’ll damage your strings)

• Guitar Pick History and Information
• Gem Stone Picks
• Tortex Picks

Figure 1 - Standard Dunlop Tortex Picks

Tortex has since grown into an internationally recognized material. Popular bands such as Metallica, NickelBack, and Linkin Park use such guitar picks- even older musicians such as Jimi Hendrix and Aerosmith were well known users of the brand. Tortex specifically mimics the ability of tortoiseshell to stay in the holder’s hand- which efficiently prevents dropping orslipping picks. Dropping a pick during a live performance can be a very serious problem- especially when sweating from pressure.

Luckily, the Tortex brand of picks won’t hurt the bank account, either. A dozen picks will run a few dollars- with customizations available for those looking to spend a little more money. In fact, Dunlop Tortex picks are the number one brand of customizable picks- and they are frequently given away at concerts by musicians. Snagging one of these picks can be a great investment- as some AC/DC picks can run for well over $100 or more.

Figure 2 - Custom "A Fire Inside" Guitar Pick

If a little extra tone is what you’re after, the Tortex brand delves deeper with specialized piks. The Jazz Guitar Pick series is perfect for a little extra tone control, although these specialized picks can run $10 for a dozen. This is around three times the normal price, but the extra durability and tone control can make even one pick last months- but don’t be fooled by the name. While the Jazz Guitar Pick suggests it is for Jazz, it has a very broad plectrum that spans metal, rock, and many other playing styles.

Compared to other picks such as the Fender line of picks, the Tortex outweighs the competition. For instance, some celluloid guitar picks make a clicking sound when a guitar string is plucked. This click sound is also apparent with more weird guitar picks- such as the six pence coin Brian May of the band Queen used. With a Tortex pick, this click sound is eliminated. Most celluloid picks are also quite slippery, and tend to wear out. With Tortex picks, extra grip is provided, and the material lasts much longer. The only complaint that could be given is that trough extended use, the lettering on the picks wear off- but honestly, who is going to be reading a pick in a live performance?

Overall, the Tortex pick is famous and renowned for a simple reason; dependability. Famous bands from all across different styles of music, time, and genres all flock to the durability and style of the Tortex pick. From the Red Hot Chili Peppers, to Alanis Morissette, to your own garage; the Dunlop Tortex pick has no doubt become an internationally accredited guitar pick.

• Guitar Pick History and Information
• Weird Guitar Picks
• Gem Stone Picks
• Purchase Tortex 12 Pack 1.0 Blue One dozen via Amazon.com