Guitar picks and pick holders
The pick has a big influence on how a guitar sounds and how it feels to play. Choose from picks in different thicknesses, shapes and materials for acoustic and electric guitars as well as bass guitars, plus handy holders that keep a pick within reach.
Guitar picks and pick holders
Thickness is the main thing to consider when choosing a pick. Thin picks up to 0.6 mm are flexible and suit rhythmic strumming, medium picks around 0.7–0.9 mm are all-rounders, and heavy picks over 1 mm give a precise attack for solos, fast runs and bass playing.
Shape and material matter too. The classic teardrop shape suits most players, smaller pointed jazz picks allow fast and accurate playing, and triangular picks are easy to grip. Celluloid sounds warm, nylon is durable and flexible, Delrin or Tortex won't slip even in sweaty fingers, and metal or stone picks add bite to the sound.
Picks are easy to lose, so it pays to keep them close at hand. Pick holders stick onto the guitar body or clip onto a mic stand or headstock, and keyrings and metal tins that keep picks from getting scratched are handy too.
For starters, a pick variety pack with several thicknesses lets every player find the one that feels right.