Everything You Need to Know Before Buying Guitar Picks

The guitar pick may seem like a petty accessory to some, but if you're a guitarist, you know that finding the right pick is almost as important as finding the right guitar. Picks can affect players more than you might think, especially new guitarists. Many guitarists through the years had their preferred pick that they were superstitious about losing as well. In this post we're going to tell you everything you need to know about guitar picks. We'll detail the different types of picks out there, and will give some detailed information about the sound and tone of each pick.

Believe it or not, there are differences in the sound quality and tone when using different picks. As you likely know, there are three main kinds of picks. Thin, medium, and thick. Each guitarist prefers a different kind, but not because of what you might think. Most people assume that someone prefers a lighter pick because of the fact that it's more flimsy and easy to strike.

People also assume that guitarists prefer a thicker pick due to the fact that they're not so frigid and strum with a different feel. The fact of the matter is, different thicknesses will produce a different sound. A thick pick will produce a darker, more resonating sound, while a thin pick will produce a more light noise.

Suprise, surprise! Variety!

If you're used to plastic picks, you might be surprised to find that many guitarists use different types of picks as well. Picks come in tons of different materials, and although the most popular type is plastic, metal, wood, and glass are also commonly used. There are various downsides to each of these kind of picks though.

Metal picks will produce a very different sound than your typical plastic picks. The sound is more bright, light, and typically stands out more than a plastic pick would. You can easily tell the difference between the two if you strum a guitar with each pick. The main downside to using a metal pick is that it will wear down your guitar easily. The strings will commonly break quicker, and if you scrape your guitar's body, expect some serious damage to be left by a metal pick. As far as famous guitarists go, Def Leppard's Phil Collen has always been known to strum with a metal pick.

Glass picks are way less common than plastic and metal picks. They're usually designed incredibly well though, and the aesthetic feel of them is very nice. As for actual playing, we'd suggest straying away from using a glass pick if you plan to pick up a guitar. For flatpicking though, a glass pick can work very well. Due to their limited flexibility they're very difficult to strum with though.

Wood picks are the last kind of pick that remains popular in the guitar world. Like a glass pick, their flexibility is limited. If you want a flexible pick, go with a plastic guitar pick and don't leave it behind. They do give off a rich, vibrant tone that sounds better than a plastic pick, but due to them being made of wood, and not plastic, they're very hard and playing with them can be difficult. If you're new to playing the guitar we'd suggest straying from a wood pick. If you know what you're doing and won't get frustrated, giving a wood pick a try can't hurt you, and it may even sound better for some songs.

PICK what you like!

As you can see, guitar picks have a lot to them. If you're considering trying a new kind of pick, perhaps try ordering a variety pack online and going from there. Using different picks is a great experience, even if you're a newcomer. Just getting a feel for all the different tones a guitar can produce is an incredible feeling. The guitar is capable of so much, and if you stick with a plastic pick all your life, you'll never be able to experience the true capabilities of the guitar.