Pick Gauge to String Gauge

[Rico010]

Hi guys. I''ve always played 10-46 gauge with 1.5mm Duralin picks. That was my taste of pick-sound pair . Now I've bought a second guitar and i loaded it with 9-42.

My attack varies from too hard to too soft. Should i use lighter pick gauge with lighter string? E.g 1.0mm or 1.1mm?
I don't have any problems in picking but may be i'm loosing something playing thick gauge on light string what i don't know currently.

What pros and cons are there on this question?
Thanks in advance.

[LonePhantom]

I don't think you need to mate your pick to your string gauge. You play with what ever pick is the most comfortable for you. No need to over-analyse it!

[racerevlon]

I've found that thicker picks will break thinner strings more easily. Also, if you're doing pick slides, thinner picks will get grooves cut in them more easily and tend to hook the strings as well. This has historically been a problem for me as I like heavier picks and lighter strings.

The balance I've found is using Dunlop Ultex III picks and D'Addario 130+EXL strings that are gauges .0085 --> .039. Another diamond in the rough that I've been living with at .009 is Aurora Colored string sets. They don't make .0085's but the trade off is eye-popping colors that stand the test of time and abuse, and seem to last about three times as long as a set of "regular" strings.

http://www.stringsbyaurora.com/

I've added a review for official Jemsite reviews but it has yet to be published. I just re-strung my JEM 7VSBL and re-wired the hack job the previous owner did on the VLX-91 trying to do... Lord knows what he was trying to do... it was all messed up. This is why I strongly advocate understanding and being able to work on your own gear!

Cheers,

Race

[hellboar]

If its any consolation, I use .88's on 9-42's, and on 10s or bigger I use 1.0's

[mortymusic]

One thing I have realized is the action of the pick-ups on 0.9" versus 0.10" gauged strings. I had to go "back" to 0.9" strings due to loss of attack and "power". The guitar-tech told me it's because of the pick-ups and their tonality and dimension, not the pick or playing style. So guys and girls, ask your guitar-tech what sort of string gauge not only matches your playing style, the fretboard, intonation problems, but also the pick-up placement (height and tone) and system.
I also use: 0.9" - 0.42" EXL120 strings and 0.88 (George Dennis) pick - delivers perfect match between pick and string depth and suits a "normal" guitar setup with no warbly tones or fretboard fuzz. Take Care - BR Mortymusic