Change pick

Myckalizter

I played the Wegen 3.5mm for a long time it's nice but I'd like to try something else, any recommendation? Will thinner change the sound by a lot?

MikeK

To me, any change in pick makes a huge difference--in sound, feel and general vibe when I'm playing. But I'm a pick geek (you'll find a lot of us on this forum) and therefore maybe I have a tendency to overplay their importance. I just checked and Michael currently has 15 different brands of picks for sale in the online store here. Maybe buy a few that catch your eye to experiment with. Or borrow a few that you haven't tried before from friends that play this music & then buy some of the ones you like. In my view, it's one of the most fun (and least expensive) ways to find new sounds, feels & inspirations when playing gypsy jazz.

Buco

Yes it'll sound different. Try Dunlop, lots of pros are using them. Also lots of pros from the younger generation prefer picks 1.5-2mm thick. Usually the side tip. Either the Tortex, Gator grip or the Primetone (the ones that look like Blue Chip).

voutoreenie

Great advice in this thread and my only additional comment is that if you're trying out thicker, 2.5mm+ picks, make sure to try the ones with a thumb indentation/groove and without a thumb indentation/groove - you may find your technique is better suited and more efficient with one style over the other, not to mention having both options is nice to have available in case your preference changes down the road.

paulmcevoy75

This is the perfect pick. Not too clicky. 95% as nice as a Blue chip but a fraction of the price. Not as slick as the purple dunlops.

https://a.co/d/g7NVsvn

paulmcevoy75

Can't get that link to work but you can copy and paste it.

Dunlop Primetone standard 1.3mm sculpted plectra.

Baro_Bromberger

I've been using a Killy Nonis 3.5mm lolita for over 2 years now, great pick

lucky

I play a big city which is about 1.5/2mm, so thin by gypsy jazz standards, and it suits me - although I will make do with Dunlops when I can. Thicker picks are louder and if you haven't cracked the rest stroke then a firm strike with a heavy pick can get you to the same place, but thinner picks are more versatile in my experience and you get can get good tone and volume with technique.

Your pick won't change the sound for your listener, it's very much about your experience and comfort as a player. I did a blind test of a number of picks with a friend once and we really couldn't tell the difference. One of the problems with these guitars is that you just don't hear what they sound like when you're playing so I think a lot of players tend to play harder than they need to.

Buco

One of the problems with these guitars is that you just don't hear what they sound like when you're playing so I think a lot of players tend to play harder than they need to.

Amen to that and I've been trying to cure myself from it and just let the guitar do its job. But, I had a friend blind test me on picks and I picked them out correctly. I agree that most of it for the player, it doesn't matter much to a listener.

MikeK

Agreed. But a tuned-in listener will be able tell if we're having fun and/or if we're inspired. And that's where our gear (all the way down to the lowly pick), I believe, can play a subtle yet important role for us.