My current favorite thumbpick is the Slick Pick Heavy. I also like the Golden Gate Pearloid and the Pearloid XTRA Heavy. After watching this episode, I want to try a Zookies. I love the thumping bass sounds that I get from using a thick thumbpick on palm-muted strings.
Thanks for this. I recently bought the Black Mountain, 1mm, and it's the first thumb pick I've ever wished to use again. Others generate sheer volume but this one feels right and of course it's versatile too.
I have used my bare thumb since I started playing a few decades back. I recently decided to try using a thumbpick and got a Dunlop. It just wasn't working for me, but when I heard about the Black Mountain pick, I figured I would give it a try. I bought sampler and found myself really liking the jazz tip. I hadn't heard of Zookies. I will give them a try as well, but for now, when I use a thumbpick, it will be the Black Mountain pick.
I've been playing with a std. plastic Dunlop white plastic thumbpick and love it. My first one broke after about three years of constant use. I'm a heavy picker. I also use the Black Mountain on occasion, but the blade is larger. My accuracy on single strings went up exponentially when I switched to thumbpicks, as I've been a piano player for decades, and figured getting my thumb more involved in my playing would be beneficial. I now want to try the Dunlop pick made out of the tougher material, and also the Zookies L20.
Can't believe y'all missed our ol friend Mr. Velcro. Justin Johnson puts out his own, I prefer Strum-N-Comfort. The latter (found on Amazon) puts out various thickness. $10 for two and an extra band for adhering your own favorite pick via a small dab of the super glues. Boom, most comfortable and adjustable thumb pick.....EVER....your welcome!!!
I literally have every pick on this list and many more. Recently I have the slick pick a go after refusing for years because it looks crap. It immediately became my preferred option. So for now that's where I sit but I'll keep trying any new ones I find regardless of cost
I have tried out thumb picking. I have the Black Mountain picks that I bought when they first came out & we could only get them on Reverb or Canada. I have tried the regular white Dunlop's and the Ultex. The blades always feel to big for me. I am going to try a Slick Pick and the Zoomies, so thanks for the list. I'm guessing the best way to size them to your thumb is hot/boiling water? FYI, don't try and use an open flame, especially with the white Dunlops, they go up in flames crazy fast!
Tony, the only thumb pick that I have is the Golden Gate thumb pick then I bought two Dunlop brass finger picks that I got years ago from Elderly Instruments. I used these on your Five Day Banjo Daily challenge, comfortable thumb pick but the finger picks hurt. I have a glass jar finger slide. When are you going to talk finger picks and your top ten beginner banjos? And how about a slide guitar challenge?
I started playing guitar late in life, real late, and started learning fingerstyle from the very start. Never learned and still can’t use a pick. Flat or otherwise. The only thing that I have had any success with at all has been the Strum n Comfort Sharktooth thumb pick. It has a fabric band that wraps around your thumb and closes with hook and loop. Feels completely natural. But for me, using the thumb pick seems to always make my bass line overpowering the melody.
I've got the Zookies and the Black Mountain. I like the tone a little better with the Zookies, but the Black Mountain's are (for me) a lot more comfortable - I know the Zookies come in different sizes, so it's possible I'm not using the optimal one. Appreciate the reviews - I like to experiment.
I like the Fred Kelly Slick Pick. The lighter gauge and I like them best a little worn down/shorter. I find the thinner gauge helps even out the sound between bass and treble strings. I play mostly nylon string with thumb picks and pretty short fingernails…..
I have used a dunlop thumbpick. Not sure of the model. I now use Black Mountain and like the grip it provides. I have been working on fingerpicking for several months.
My favorite thumb pick is the old white National. These are no longer made, I have a large stash. The Dunlop Calico is the closest to the band, blade shape, feel and tone of the old white Nationals. I’ve tried 9 of your top 10 and should I run out of my stash- the Dunlop calico will be next. Thanks- great topic!
Very very good episode ....but I think a lot more background presentation on who and where and what Laskin is ALL about ...including , But not limited to his achievements and accolades is in order .
I’ve got everything on the list except for the extra heavy Golden Gate (love the heavy ivoroid,) the BlueChip (just got laid off-have to wait a bit to try that!) and the Zookies. I think I’ll try a selection of zookies and see if I can find one that fits. It seems like a cool ‘hack’ to have the angled blade. Thanks for the video, Tony!
Great thumb pick review! I am surprised, though, that the Fred Kelly "Bumble Bee" did not make the list. If you haven't tried them, I recommend. They are the most adjustable pick I've found for both depth and angle. That said, I've never known about the Zookies and will give them a try. Thanks!
So far from what I’ve tried I like the white Dunlop L ones the best cause they don’t have as much of a point and round off easily. I got a few recording king ivoroid ones that are really comfortable but too much of a big point on them
I’ve tried the heavy and medium Black Mountain thumb picks. A great concept but I hated how thick and stiff both were. They just recently issued their light version, and I’m tempted to try one, but at the roughly $20 minimum a pop to buy and ship three of them I’m reluctant to spend any more trying them.
pro picks are great, Red bear original.. iv got one thats 15 years old its morphed into a perfect fit for me, I loose it every now and then and go into a panic 😅 great episode, if you run out of topics for shows, id love to hear your opinion on 12 string guitars, iv been searching for the perfect 12 string guitar tuned down for blues, something similar in style to one that a blues player might have used in the 20s/30s, blind willie mctell style, you don't see many and the old ones are getting very expensive, cheers man
I've been interested in using a thumbpick and have tried a few, but I have difficulty finding one that fits my thumb comfortably. What is (or is there?) a proper (or best) way to "fit" a thumbpick band to your thumb without cutting off the circulation to your thumb?
I try to use t.pick because I want to switch to fingerpick during the songs, on the fly. I use dunlop 1mm nylon only, sometimes thicker ones, but mostly that one. The basic dunlop t.pick sounds and feels pretty awkward for me. I just don't like it. I bought some medium hercos - only these are available here, but the loop is too weak - as the video said, and the pick part a little bit too light too - maybe the red is close to OK. So at the end I glued the herco into a basic dunlop XL, cut the pick part of the thick one, no its way better than anything I've tried before. I hope find something similar, what I can use out of the box. Next I will try to glue a nylon 1mm into a basic dunlop. that would be the closest to my flatpick experience.
#smallwins Hi tony, I just finished my 12 weeks on the aeolian. I can now chalk this up along with the pentatonic minor and pentatonic major scale completion. Up next? The 12 week dive on the major scale. Thank you for the continued inspiration.
So hard to get them to fit properly. I shape it to fit with hot water but every temperature move changes the size of your thumb slighly. Always too loose or too tight.
I really like the Black Mountain spring loaded pick - I use it for my guitar as well as my RK 35 resonator banjo. Have you tried using the Zookies for three finger banjo?
I am missing the odd looking Fred Kelly speed pick in this list. I am used to picking with my thumbnail, and I generally find it very difficult to use a thumbpick. It seems the Fred Kelly speed pick is the one that comes closest to the feeling of picking with my bare thumb. Compared to other thumbpicks, I can play almost as fluently as with my thumb.
I considered thumbpicks a few years ago. Then discovered that, lo and behold, I'd need a left handed one. Turns out the guitar shops near me stock even fewer left handed thumbpicks than they do left handed guitars.
Hey Tony, I looked for a video for this on your channel but I must have missed it. I'm looking for recommendations for microphones for micing an acoustic guitar for live performances and micing for recording scenarios. Ideas?
Fred Kelly Bumblebee extra heavy. It allows me to move from alternate picking to sweeps to banjo rolls.
I like the bumblebee also but in a medium. Like that little more flex.
My current favorite thumbpick is the Slick Pick Heavy. I also like the Golden Gate Pearloid and the Pearloid XTRA Heavy. After watching this episode, I want to try a Zookies.
I love the thumping bass sounds that I get from using a thick thumbpick on palm-muted strings.
Thanks for this.
I recently bought the Black Mountain, 1mm, and it's the first thumb pick I've ever wished to use again. Others generate sheer volume but this one feels right and of course it's versatile too.
I have used my bare thumb since I started playing a few decades back. I recently decided to try using a thumbpick and got a Dunlop. It just wasn't working for me, but when I heard about the Black Mountain pick, I figured I would give it a try. I bought sampler and found myself really liking the jazz tip. I hadn't heard of Zookies. I will give them a try as well, but for now, when I use a thumbpick, it will be the Black Mountain pick.
I've been playing with a std. plastic Dunlop white plastic thumbpick and love it. My first one broke after about three years of constant use. I'm a heavy picker. I also use the Black Mountain on occasion, but the blade is larger. My accuracy on single strings went up exponentially when I switched to thumbpicks, as I've been a piano player for decades, and figured getting my thumb more involved in my playing would be beneficial. I now want to try the Dunlop pick made out of the tougher material, and also the Zookies L20.
Can't believe y'all missed our ol friend Mr. Velcro. Justin Johnson puts out his own, I prefer Strum-N-Comfort. The latter (found on Amazon) puts out various thickness. $10 for two and an extra band for adhering your own favorite pick via a small dab of the super glues. Boom, most comfortable and adjustable thumb pick.....EVER....your welcome!!!
I literally have every pick on this list and many more. Recently I have the slick pick a go after refusing for years because it looks crap. It immediately became my preferred option. So for now that's where I sit but I'll keep trying any new ones I find regardless of cost
I love the original Black Mountain pick. It’s my favorite for comfort and the tone is nice. I haven’t tried all of them on the list.
I like the Black Mountain thin picks. They are a game changer.
I use the Herco thumb picks because I can pick and strum with this pick! It’s like having the best of both worlds! 😊
I have tried out thumb picking. I have the Black Mountain picks that I bought when they first came out & we could only get them on Reverb or Canada. I have tried the regular white Dunlop's and the Ultex. The blades always feel to big for me. I am going to try a Slick Pick and the Zoomies, so thanks for the list. I'm guessing the best way to size them to your thumb is hot/boiling water? FYI, don't try and use an open flame, especially with the white Dunlops, they go up in flames crazy fast!
I love the Fred Kelly slick picks, shorter blade usually
Tony, the only thumb pick that I have is the Golden Gate thumb pick then I bought two Dunlop brass finger picks that I got years ago from Elderly Instruments. I used these on your Five Day Banjo Daily challenge, comfortable thumb pick but the finger picks hurt. I have a glass jar finger slide. When are you going to talk finger picks and your top ten beginner banjos? And how about a slide guitar challenge?
I started playing guitar late in life, real late, and started learning fingerstyle from the very start. Never learned and still can’t use a pick. Flat or otherwise. The only thing that I have had any success with at all has been the Strum n Comfort Sharktooth thumb pick. It has a fabric band that wraps around your thumb and closes with hook and loop. Feels completely natural. But for me, using the thumb pick seems to always make my bass line overpowering the melody.
I've got the Zookies and the Black Mountain. I like the tone a little better with the Zookies, but the Black Mountain's are (for me) a lot more comfortable - I know the Zookies come in different sizes, so it's possible I'm not using the optimal one. Appreciate the reviews - I like to experiment.
I have the light gauge Black Mountain pick. I’ve tried at least 20 different picks and it’s the best for me.
I like the Fred Kelly Slick Pick.
The lighter gauge and I like them best a little worn down/shorter.
I find the thinner gauge helps even out the sound between bass and treble strings.
I play mostly nylon string with thumb picks and pretty short fingernails…..
I have used a dunlop thumbpick. Not sure of the model. I now use Black Mountain and like the grip it provides. I have been working on fingerpicking for several months.
My favorite thumb pick is the old white National. These are no longer made, I have a large stash. The Dunlop Calico is the closest to the band, blade shape, feel and tone of the old white Nationals. I’ve tried 9 of your top 10 and should I run out of my stash- the Dunlop calico will be next.
Thanks- great topic!
I’m still experimenting with thumb picks. I actually have 3 weights of the Black Mountain Picks, & they are very comfortable.
Songbirds museum is in Chattanooga, TN near the Choo-choo
I’m encouraged to try thumb pick
Very very good episode ....but I think a lot more background presentation on who and where and what Laskin is ALL about ...including , But not limited to his achievements and accolades is in order .
I’ve got everything on the list except for the extra heavy Golden Gate (love the heavy ivoroid,) the BlueChip (just got laid off-have to wait a bit to try that!) and the Zookies. I think I’ll try a selection of zookies and see if I can find one that fits. It seems like a cool ‘hack’ to have the angled blade. Thanks for the video, Tony!
Great thumb pick review! I am surprised, though, that the Fred Kelly "Bumble Bee" did not make the list. If you haven't tried them, I recommend. They are the most adjustable pick I've found for both depth and angle. That said, I've never known about the Zookies and will give them a try. Thanks!
I'll try the zookies, sounds like a great design upgrade.
I love the Black Mountain thumb pick. But I am going to try a Zookies! Thanks! :)
I really like this guy
So far from what I’ve tried I like the white Dunlop L ones the best cause they don’t have as much of a point and round off easily. I got a few recording king ivoroid ones that are really comfortable but too much of a big point on them
I’ve tried the heavy and medium Black Mountain thumb picks. A great concept but I hated how thick and stiff both were. They just recently issued their light version, and I’m tempted to try one, but at the roughly $20 minimum a pop to buy and ship three of them I’m reluctant to spend any more trying them.
pro picks are great, Red bear original.. iv got one thats 15 years old its morphed into a perfect fit for me, I loose it every now and then and go into a panic 😅 great episode, if you run out of topics for shows, id love to hear your opinion on 12 string guitars, iv been searching for the perfect 12 string guitar tuned down for blues, something similar in style to one that a blues player might have used in the 20s/30s, blind willie mctell style, you don't see many and the old ones are getting very expensive, cheers man
Blue Chip, best ever. Best tone and precision
Very good video. Thank you.
I've been interested in using a thumbpick and have tried a few, but I have difficulty finding one that fits my thumb comfortably. What is (or is there?) a proper (or best) way to "fit" a thumbpick band to your thumb without cutting off the circulation to your thumb?
I try to use t.pick because I want to switch to fingerpick during the songs, on the fly. I use dunlop 1mm nylon only, sometimes thicker ones, but mostly that one. The basic dunlop t.pick sounds and feels pretty awkward for me. I just don't like it. I bought some medium hercos - only these are available here, but the loop is too weak - as the video said, and the pick part a little bit too light too - maybe the red is close to OK. So at the end I glued the herco into a basic dunlop XL, cut the pick part of the thick one, no its way better than anything I've tried before.
I hope find something similar, what I can use out of the box. Next I will try to glue a nylon 1mm into a basic dunlop. that would be the closest to my flatpick experience.
Songbirds Museum is in Chattanooga Tennessee
Which thumb pic do you recommend for strumming on steel or nylon string guitars?
I've been trying to use a Fender one, it's hard to get used to never used one before
#smallwins Hi tony, I just finished my 12 weeks on the aeolian. I can now chalk this up along with the pentatonic minor and pentatonic major scale completion. Up next? The 12 week dive on the major scale. Thank you for the continued inspiration.
So hard to get them to fit properly. I shape it to fit with hot water but every temperature move changes the size of your thumb slighly. Always too loose or too tight.
I have the blue chip and while it’s nice, I tend to fall back on my GG Ivoroid. I almost always play with with a thumb pick these days.
I really like the Black Mountain spring loaded pick - I use it for my guitar as well as my RK 35 resonator banjo. Have you tried using the Zookies for three finger banjo?
Looking to try a thumb pick Tony thanks. Any tips on growing strong nails, as mine seem to get thin and brittle as they grow. Many thanks Jon.
I haven't been able to find much info on those Dante's Divine comedy guitars. Does anyone have a link?
Most comfortable thumb pick I've used in 62 years, wish it were 1/16" longer.
I am missing the odd looking Fred Kelly speed pick in this list. I am used to picking with my thumbnail, and I generally find it very difficult to use a thumbpick. It seems the Fred Kelly speed pick is the one that comes closest to the feeling of picking with my bare thumb. Compared to other thumbpicks, I can play almost as fluently as with my thumb.
Once I switches to the speed pick, I like it the best. Doyle Dykes uses both the speed and slick picks. I use a National if I use fingepicks.
I'm a fingerstyle guitarist, both acoustic and electric. I'm am still trying to find a thumbpick that's comfortable and doesn't get in the way.
What was that tune you played on the guitar?
Thumbpicking is indeed the term of choice for Muhlenberg Country Thumbpickers.
Afraid of the bass being too loud compared to the treble when it comes to thumbpicks!
Maybe someone could just like more volume in bass? But yeah you do have a point
Norman Blake is a God for me....
I think you recorded this episode at a slower tape speed than it’s being played back😂
Every thumb pick I have ever tried felt uncomfortable, including the Black Mountain - feels like someone is pinching my thumb.
I considered thumbpicks a few years ago. Then discovered that, lo and behold, I'd need a left handed one. Turns out the guitar shops near me stock even fewer left handed thumbpicks than they do left handed guitars.
Is it just me or does Tony's voice sound chipmunk on this vid?
Is it just me or does this sound like a pitch shift. The video sounds slightly sped up.
How much do these f’n gum balls cost?!
Dunlop L
Hey Tony, I looked for a video for this on your channel but I must have missed it. I'm looking for recommendations for microphones for micing an acoustic guitar for live performances and micing for recording scenarios. Ideas?