Metal Guitar picks

thetick · #1 04-30-2006, 10:26 AM

I've used them for years..anyone else here? I picked it up in the shredtastic 80's from somewhere, and I can't use plastic picks anymore..

Other than Billy Gibbons what other pro puts the metal on metal? And is it true that EVH uses them?

toneboy · #2 04-30-2006, 11:26 AM

I used to use copper picks, have tried stainless steel and even tried my hand with a sixpence when I owned a Guild Brian May guitar. In the end, I never really was that found of them and have been using Dunlop 3.0mm Big Stubbies for years now.

ScottB · #3 04-30-2006, 12:04 PM

Brian May uses an English sixpence coin for a pick.

Shredcows · #4 05-01-2006, 01:39 PM

guys, google for this.

Wirething

I got a set of them, in terms of pick noise and scrapping (esp against wound strings) which are the 2 main issues with metal picks, these wirething picks are hands down the quietest metal picks ever!

thetick · #5 05-01-2006, 02:01 PM

I use the ones from Ice-Pix

http://ice-pix.com/ice-pix_pages/icepix_products.html

Ant1981 · #6 05-01-2006, 02:03 PM

I quite like to use a hens tooth as a pick, really gets the harmonics out.

thetick · #7 05-01-2006, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ant1981

I quite like to use a hens tooth as a pick, really gets the harmonics out.

You and Buckethead

Ant1981 · #8 05-01-2006, 05:59 PM

Buckethead?

fyrie · #9 05-01-2006, 10:15 PM

I've been using Cymbolic (made by Gorillia snot) picks for about 5 years. I have 4 of them (for backup), but I am still using the first one as my main pick. I play anywhere from 2-5 hours a day and the thing hasn't worn out yet, and not to mention I can't believe I haven't lost it yet.

Here is the deal with these pics, they are way, way, way different sounding than the Ice-Pix. Ice-Picks are smooth metal and tend to be a bit chirpy. Cymbolic picks are made from chunks of cymbal metal and therefore they have slight ridges. The edge of the pick tends to be slightly square compared to the Ice-Pix as well, so it sounds closer to Brian May's sixpence. Each pick is slightly different and they can take a good amount of time to "break in". Each pick is kind of like a unique instrument.

I've tried the medium, light, and extra-light gauges of the standard shape pick. For my tastes, the light pick sounds pretty wimpy and the medium is too heavy to be practical. The light is about as wide as a nickle and it sounds really, really awesome. You can get really amazing dynamics with these picks compared to other picks. You are also hitting with a lot more force and bite with these picks so you get a slight distortion and sustain boost. Palm muting on the upper strings sounds amazing with a lot of bite.

I could go on and on about Cymbolic picks. Try one for yourself!

toneboy · #10 05-01-2006, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ant1981

Buckethead?

Buckethead

IIRC, he used to be a student of Paul Gilbert's at GIT.

Ant1981 · #11 05-01-2006, 10:26 PM

I see. Sorry, what is IIRC, I'm not quite up to all the abbreviations yet.

toneboy · #12 05-01-2006, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ant1981

I see. Sorry, what is IIRC, I'm not quite up to all the abbreviations yet.

No sorries needed sir. I've never heard the guy play but I had to sit up and take notice when I saw a guy that played with a KFC bucket on his head! That is beyond bizarre IMHO.

IIRC stands for if I recall correctly. I'm sorry because I've gotten lazy and use Net lingo all the time. I work with too many gamers.

**jaxadam** · #13 05-01-2006, 10:37 PM

Buckethead is somewhat of an awesome fellow.

I've got a friend who (bull****) claims to have hung out with him a few times just because he was fraternity brothers with Axle Rose's brother (more bull****).

So he used to hang at Axle's crib with Stephanie Seymour (super bull**** at this point) while Axle was out of town.

...But... he's got the pictures to prove it.

JESTER700 · #14 05-01-2006, 11:10 PM

I used to use copper picks. Tried that wire thing, too. Decided I just prefer 2.0 big stubbies and standard heavy celluloid picks.

thetick · #15 05-02-2006, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fyrie

I've been using Cymbolic (made by Gorillia snot) picks for about 5 years. I have 4 of them (for backup), but I am still using the first one as my main pick. I play anywhere from 2-5 hours a day and the thing hasn't worn out yet, and not to mention I can't believe I haven't lost it yet.

Here is the deal with these pics, they are way, way, way different sounding than the Ice-Pix. Ice-Picks are smooth metal and tend to be a bit chirpy. Cymbolic picks are made from chunks of cymbal metal and therefore they have slight ridges. The edge of the pick tends to be slightly square compared to the Ice-Pix as well, so it sounds closer to Brian May's sixpence. Each pick is slightly different and they can take a good amount of time to "break in". Each pick is kind of like a unique instrument.

I've tried the medium, light, and extra-light gauges of the standard shape pick. For my tastes, the light pick sounds pretty wimpy and the medium is too heavy to be practical. The light is about as wide as a nickle and it sounds really, really awesome. You can get really amazing dynamics with these picks compared to other picks. You are also hitting with a lot more force and bite with these picks so you get a slight distortion and sustain boost. Palm muting on the upper strings sounds amazing with a lot of bite.

I could go on and on about Cymbolic picks. Try one for yourself!

Thanks man - good heads up on that..will check them out..