Strum Away with the Best Guitar Picks
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Dunlop Tortex Standard Guitar Picks -
Dunlop Jazz III XL Guitar Pick -
Clayton Exotic Sleek Horn Guitar Pick -
LEKATO Guitar Pick and Strap -
Fender 351 Premium Celluloid Guitar Picks -
Dunlop 412P100 1.0mm Tortex Sharp Guitar Picks -
Buyer's Guide
Guitarists constantly carry them around, are quite particular about which ones they prefer to use, and they’re so important that nationally touring musicians typically have a row of them lined up and ready to go just a few inches away from their faces; we’re talking, of course, about the guitar pick. An essential accessory in the performance of many different styles of music, the pick is used by players to coax sound out of their strings and because there are many different types of guitarists and several different kinds of sounds/styles, there are a number of guitar picks to choose from. We've selected some the best guitar picks in 2022, with each one designed to be durable for hard and consistent playing, they bring out a brighter tone from your guitar strings, and they're all available in multi-packs for a great deal and easy replacement.
The Best Guitar Pick Models of 2022 in Detail
Dunlop Tortex Standard Guitar Picks - Best Guitar Pick Overall
Like the shell on the turtle that graces most of their products, Dunlop’s Tortex Standard guitar pick is a durable force designed to withstand the wear and tear of constant use on your guitar strings. Used by musicians around the world, Tortex picks are available in a variety of gauges (from .50-1.14MM). The matte finish texture enables you to maintain a firm grip on the pick, even when your hands get sweaty (as they often do when you’re blazing through a set). Offering maximum memory, this guitar pick has been made to last a long time, and to deliver a bright and precise sound for guitarists. They’re also available in a variety of colors, which can give you the specific kind of visual flair that you seek when it comes to repping your axes style.
Dunlop Jazz III XL Guitar Pick - Runner Up
Players from Eric Johnson to Mark Tremonti all agree, Dunlop’s Jazz III XL guitar picks offer a little bit extra for those who are looking to gain more precision and accuracy in their playing. The molded tactile gripping surface offers greater control for those who choose to hold this pick in their hand; that surface is extended too, which gives players greater maneuverability in their playing. It’s easy to tuck away if you are a player who favors a hybrid pick/fingerpick style, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Because of its compact yet intuitive design, this pick is great for players of all styles and types, from fast picking to more percussive playing and beyond.
Clayton Exotic Sleek Horn Guitar Pick - Honorable Mention
Clayton has made a name for itself by designing picks that are carefully crafted to achieve specific sounds or performance requirements. Enter the Exotic Standard Sleek Horn. They carry a bright sound, and have been made with a very thick horn coupled with a thinner gauge. This allows for a versatile style of playing that can fit a variety of genres. Sharp tips enhance lead guitar playing, while the natural lubricant of the pick is designed to offer fast response from your guitar’s strings.
LEKATO Guitar Pick and Strap - Best Value
This personalized guitar pick and strap from LEKATO work great with almost any guitar to get you ready for your next jam session. The beautiful black leather fabric will blend with your guitar’s design and look sleek against your rocker outfit onstage. With the strap, you’ll also get a couple of picks that come in different colors, including pink, blue, and camouflage. The strap has a little convenient pocket for all your picks in case you need a new one immediately.
The reduced-pressure 3D sponge filling makes the strap super comfortable on your shoulder and back. Moreover, the added extra attachment string ensures it won’t slip off and lose your guitar mid-session. Easy to wash and easy to wear, this strap and included guitar picks are a great dual gift for any musician in your life.
Fender 351 Premium Celluloid Guitar Picks - Consider
Fender has often been associated with the most traditional and time-honored of elements that one thinks of when they consider electric guitars. Following that cue, their 351 Premium guitar pick takes on the classic, traditional shape that guitarists have found to be advantageous when used for playing. Built from celluloid, the 351 Premium delivers a warm and round tone while being easy to hold and use. These picks come in a pack of 12, making it a convenient purchase for players who know they will be going through a bunch of them; ask any guitarist how easy it is to misplace a guitar pick and you’ll understand why it helps to have a few extra on deck. The 351 Premium is also available in an assortment of different colors which allows players to customize even the tiniest details surrounding their instrument and performance.
Dunlop 412P100 1.0mm Tortex Sharp Guitar Picks - Best Guitar Pick
Some of the artists who heartily endorse the Dunlop Tortex Sharp guitar pick include Bloc Party, My Chemical Romance, and Mastadon. It’s not difficult to understand why. The pick takes everything that works about the Standard design of the Tortex, but adds a sharp tip, which enables players to gain greater precision in their picking and strumming; this design improves both the sound and speed of your playing. They are also built with durability in mind, meaning you won’t be running through a bunch of these no matter how much you play. That said, they're available in packs of 12 so you can easily replace them should they get lost.
Buyer's Guide
When it comes to purchasing guitar picks, there are several different factors that you need to consider. These include the shape, size, thickness, design, etc. Therefore, choosing the right one for yourself can get a little confusing at times - especially if you are a beginner.
This buying guide outlines all the features of a guitar pick you must look into to purchase the best guitar pick for yourself. Let’s get right into it.
What are the different materials used to make guitar picks?
Guitar picks are made from a variety of different materials - with stone, nylon, delrin, and celluloid being the most popular options. The material of the pick impacts the tone and playability of the guitar, hence it is important that you choose the one that suits your playing style.
Let’s have a look at how four of the most common guitar pick materials differ:
Celluloid Guitar Picks
Celluloid guitar picks are very popular and have been around for quite some time now. These were originally created to replace tortoise shell picks that got banned back in the 1970s. Celluloid picks create similar tones to that of tortoise shell picks - warm and well-balanced. As compared to tortoise shell picks, these ones are less stiffer.
Nylon Guitar Picks
Nylon picks are one of the easiest picks to handle. These picks are made of plastic and are very lightweight and flexible. As compared to stiff picks - nylon picks are known to produce warm mellow tones. Though other types of plastics are also used to make guitar picks, nylon is the one that is mostly preferred by guitarists.
Stone Guitar Picks
Though stone picks are not every guitarist’s cup of tea, they are still an excellent option if you like picks that are stiff. The rigidity of stone picks is known to create balanced and loud tunes, which is also one of the reasons why they are more commonly used to play single notes rather than cords.
Since most of the stone picks are hand-made, they tend to cost more as compared to the other options. Also, these picks are very eye-catching - depending on the texture and the design of the stone they are made from.
Delrin Guitar Picks
Derlin guitar picks are also known as acetal picks, and these are created from plastic made from DuPont. These picks have a very smooth texture, which makes them easy to grip. Moreover, these are fairly durable and last much longer as compared to pick materials such as nylon and celluloid. Derlin guitar picks are a great replacement for the old popular tortoise shell picks (that have been banned now.)
Does the guitar’s pick thickness matter?
Guitar picks come in three general gauges - thin, medium, and thick. The thickness of a pick has an impact on the control and flexibility it offers, hence it is another important factor that needs to be considered for buying the best guitar pick for yourself.
Thin
Thin guitar picks measure between .40-.60 mm or less and are usually made from celluloid. These are known to create brighter tones and work great for strumming hard without playing too loud or breaking the guitar strings. Moreover, these are recommended for beginners as well because of how easy these are to handle.
Medium
Medium picks measure between .60 to .80 mm and are the most preferred choice of guitarists. These picks are known to create brighter tones and have a dynamic range. Typically, medium picks offer a good amount of flexibility along with balanced stiffness, which makes them great for both; beginners as well as experienced guitarists.
Heavy
Heavy picks measure between .80 to 1.2 mm and are much stiffer as compared to thin and medium picks. These create mellow tones and heavy distorted sounds, offering more separation and clarity between notes. Other than this, heavy picks offer the most control over playing. However, it requires more practice to master as well, which is why these are usually used by experienced guitarists.
What shapes do best guitar picks come in?
Guitar picks usually come in four shapes - classic, tri-tip, jazz, and jumbo jazz.
Classic Picks
Classic picks are the most popular ones among all the options. Almost all brands classic picks in different colors and sizes. These have a triangular shape and are very comfortable to hold in hand. Moreover, their size and tip make them a great option for beginners.
Tri-tip picks
Tri-tip picks have a shaper tip as compared to classic ones. Hence, these offer more precision as well. Tri-tip picks create warmer sounds and provide more control and feedback as compared to the other options. Also, since these picks can be used to play from all three corners, they tend to be much more durable as well.
Jazz Picks
Jazz picks are not specifically used to play jazz, but also work great for rock and metal music.As compared to classic and tri-tip picks, jazz picks are bigger in size, hence they work great for playing fast music.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do guitar picks break easily?
The durability of guitar picks largely depends on the material they are made from. Other than this, the thickness of the pick also matters in this case. Picks that are lighter tend to break easily, whereas the thicker ones are much more sturdy and last longer.
What material is best for guitar picks?
The pick material that would work the best for you depends entirely on your preferences. However, if you are a beginner then you might want to start learning with a Nylon pick since thewse are flexible, lightweight, and have a textured grip.
Do guitars come with a pick?
Yes, the majority of the brands provide a couple of free picks with guitars. However, you can also buy separate ones if you don’t like their quality.
When should you replace a guitar pick?
You should consider replacing your guitar pick after its tip wears down and it is not able to create tones properly.
