I had a new experience last night. We were playing at a pub and playing country rock with a bit of rock and roll. Half way through the 2nd set, the pick I was using, a Dunlop 0.6 nylon, start to get softer and softer, as though it was melting! I ended up with having to go to a thicker pick by the end of the night. Good job I had 3 on the stand!
I don’t know if it was that the ones I was using have got old, I tend to use the same pick until it wears out, or it was just the heat and friction?
Moral of the story, make sure I have at least 2 spare picks available
Tony @tony
Your point about having spare picks when you perform is well made and a valuable lesson. I have two spare in my pocket, I know some people have a little holder stuck to the guitar but I didn’t fancy that.
Your example contradicts what I was going to say, if you only have one pick you will drop it, if however you have spares then you will not drop it!
Michael
I never had that happen, yet. But probably it was a combo of all the points you mentioned. Good on you for having spare picks. Being prepared for something you don’t know it will happen is always a good thing.
I’ve noticed my .38 nylon dunlop picks getting a semipermanent bend after I’ve played on them for awhile. when I stop playing, they’ll sorta relax and get flat again. I use .6 dunlops, too, and haven’t noticed that out of them. but then again, it looks like your abilities are several steps past mine.
Yes, that’s what started to happen, first it bowed a bit, so I turned it over but then it almost instantly bowed the other way, so I changed it. All flat and OK now they have ‘cooled down’. Most off putting while you are playing
Our certainly a little thicker nylon. I saw a bit of that when I was using Fender nylon .60, but not since I’ve been using .73. I can’t even imagine using .38 mentioned above. That’s like tissue paper!
@jkahn, @markr31 I have considered using thicker/stronger picks, and even ended up using a .73 by the end of the afternoon (I am glad I had a couple of different thicknesses availalable on the mic stand). The problem is I like the feel of the softer pick and the softer action seems to suit ryhthm better for me.
I have also started playing around with the idea of no pick at all, but that’s work in progress. I don’t use a pick on the accoustic, so I might also change to that on the Tele.
