How To Use Different Guitar Picks To Get Interesting Tone

In spite of what numerous guitarists think, your guitar tone doesn't simply originate from the guitar you play on or your fingers. An enormous component that you ought to be paying attention to is the particular kind of pick you use. There are all various types to look over and the one you select will have a radical impact on the sound of your playing.

Note: The thickness of your pick (in addition to the type) contributes a lot to your tone. It is common for acoustic guitarists to use thinner picks to get a lighter, delicate sound. If you play rock or metal, you might be more interested in a thicker pick that will give you a heavier tone.

Here are various types of picks you can choose from:

Celluloid – This is the most common pick material that nearly all picks you come across are made of. These types of picks are very cheap, and provide a generally balanced tone. Compared to other picks, these types degenerate much faster.

Wood – These picks have a very earthy type tone to them and a distinctly unique grip to them when you hold them between your fingers. Get started with rosewood and ebony, before looking into some of the more obscure options.

Bone – Bone picks provide a very strong boost in volume compared to most other picks, and a very heavy sound to boot. Popular with metalheads, these picks are perfect for rock and similar genres. Not only that, but playing with bone is just a badass concept to begin with!

Metal – Metal picks have a great tone for notes in the higher end of the fretboard. They sound very “tin-like”, and are great very shred soloing. Unlike celluloid picks, metal picks last a very long time. Various materials used for metal picks may include steel, bronze or copper.

Gemstone – Gem picks are very solid and unbreakable, providing a very heavy, yet bright tone. These picks tend to be very expensive, but are very sought out by guitarists looking for their unique tone.

As a final note, pay attention to the shape of the pick you use. Whether it is a larger pick, or a narrow, small pick; this can also factor not only in your tone, but the way you play the notes. I encourage you to not only experiment with the shape of your picks, but all other factors (thickness and type/make).