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Anyone go through a lot of guitar picks?
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 3:11 am
by butterguitar
It seems that I go through a pick like every few weeks or so. The dunlop tortex ink rubs/fades off and the picks loose their point.
It sucks because i've heard of people that use the same pick for 20 years and it still works great.
/rant over.
Re: Anyone go through a lot of guitar picks?
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 3:33 am
by Filter500
Yeah, same here. I use the gels and tear up and thin out the edges.
Re: Anyone go through a lot of guitar picks?
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 3:48 am
by Mesa/Kramer
No way anyone is using the same plastic Pick for 20 years, unless they play once per month for 5 min.
Metal picks or some other super durable material maybe.................
Re: Anyone go through a lot of guitar picks?
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 8:08 am
by Musicscotty
I use Dunlop tortex (0.50) picks as well.
I've used a Les Paul for years as my main guitar and picks generally last quite a long time but I bought a Fender Marauder the other day and it seems to chew the picks up a lot faster.
I'm not sure why that would be but it happens

Re: Anyone go through a lot of guitar picks?
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 8:20 am
by Pepi
Nope. Still have my picks from the 70s
Re: Anyone go through a lot of guitar picks?
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 9:04 am
by wrongnote85
i destroy picks constantly. it's cool though, that's what they're there for.
Re: Anyone go through a lot of guitar picks?
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 10:01 am
by SenatorClayDavis
I've only worn out like 2 or 3 picks. For me, pick attrition is due to them getting dropped/lost.
Re: Anyone go through a lot of guitar picks?
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 10:11 am
by Tom
I am OCD when it comes to picks. I use a pick once and toss it.
I buy them in bags of 72 count.
Dunlop 1.14 sharps ( the purple ones) are my weapon of choice. Even though they are sharp I proceed to sharpen them even more. It has to do with the way the pick attack feels and sounds to me. The guys in my band think I'm nuts but they love the free picks. I also destroy a pick in 30 minutes of playing or so. Maybe I'm heavy handed, but I don't think so. I just do a lot of speed type picking.

Re: Anyone go through a lot of guitar picks?
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 10:17 am
by benjamin801
No, I don't really wear out picks. I use Tortex 1.00mm (blues), I attack the strings at kind of a 30 degree angle anyway (so I don't need the point to be sharp), and I'm not a super hard picker.
Re: Anyone go through a lot of guitar picks?
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 10:19 am
by Noah
butterguitar wrote:It seems that I go through a pick like every few weeks or so. The dunlop tortex ink rubs/fades off and the picks loose their point.
It sucks because i've heard of people that use the same pick for 20 years and it still works great.
/rant over.
That's about how fast I go through Tortexes. And I don't really play all that much. The ink fading doesn't bother me, but eventually the point gets dull.
The other day I tried a Fender California Clear heavy and I somehow shredded the point. I need to calm down. I didn't even think I was picking that hard.
Re: Anyone go through a lot of guitar picks?
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 10:21 am
by Noizemaker
I use stainless steel picks, and believe it or not, they still get worn out after a very very long time. I could probably use them for several years, if I didn't lose them constantly.
Re: Anyone go through a lot of guitar picks?
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 10:31 am
by DNW
I used to go through my Jazz IIIs a fair bit. Mind you, once it loses the shape of the beveled edge, I get rid of it.
I heard the Ultex stuff lasts way longer. Now that I'm using Ultex Jazz IIIs... dunno, maybe they do last a bit longer, but it's not a huge difference.
Re: Anyone go through a lot of guitar picks?
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 10:55 am
by ovid9
I tear the hell out of picks. I'm pretty sure its mostly due to poor technique on my part.
I'm a bit heavy handed and over enthusiastic.
Re: Anyone go through a lot of guitar picks?
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 12:20 pm
by Musicscotty
ovid9 wrote:I tear the hell out of picks. I'm pretty sure its mostly due to poor technique on my part.
I'm a bit heavy handed and over enthusiastic.
That kinda sums me up as well

Re: Anyone go through a lot of guitar picks?
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 3:30 pm
by Rampage
I bought a package of red Jazz III picks in 2005 or 2006 and haven't bought any picks since and I am very heavy handed.
Re: Anyone go through a lot of guitar picks?
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 4:52 pm
by Gunslinger
butterguitar wrote:It seems that I go through a pick like every few weeks or so. The dunlop tortex ink rubs/fades off and the picks loose their point.
It sucks because i've heard of people that use the same pick for 20 years and it still works great.
/rant over.
You can get a little extra life out of them by swiping them (the tortex picks) on the carpet a few times. Gives you a nice new point.
Re: Anyone go through a lot of guitar picks?
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 6:08 pm
by Micter
I tear picks up. I have to buy them in bulk. Seriously, after a couple hours the pick is tore up.
Re: Anyone go through a lot of guitar picks?
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 7:01 pm
by Elessar [Sly]
Yeah I consume a vast quantity.
Re: Anyone go through a lot of guitar picks?
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 4:59 pm
by Viesczy
I use the Dunlop 1.5mm or 2.0mm, they are pretty durable.
I tend to lose 'em before I wear 'em out.
Derek
Re: Anyone go through a lot of guitar picks?
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 5:00 pm
by Dickarms
a lot of guitar picks go through my dryer.
i dont actually ever end up wearing mine down, but i like to keep 100 of them or so in various places in my life.
bottom of verfode's purse contains 20 or so yellow dunlops

Re: Anyone go through a lot of guitar picks?
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 11:08 pm
by Dave Lister
Does losing count as going through a lot?
Re: Anyone go through a lot of guitar picks?
Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 11:36 am
by phrophus
I pretty much just lose 'em. I may wear 'em down a bit, but I kinda resharpen 'em on the carpet if I need to. I've got so many of them spread out all over the place that I can usually find a few even if I can't find my main stash.
Re: Anyone go through a lot of guitar picks?
Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:39 pm
by Marc G
I use the Planet Waves black Ice heavy picks and they last forever for me.
Re: Anyone go through a lot of guitar picks?
Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:10 pm
by SouthpawGuy
I use the side of the pick, don't know when I changed over to that it just happened

D'Andrea .6 or .7 tortex, but if I need to get a point on a worn one I use this trick ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyYKT0SzrBo
Re: Anyone go through a lot of guitar picks?
Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 10:06 pm
by Kardula
I go through probably one per month or so, depeding on how often I play. Haven't played in a few weeks due to school/work.