Top 10 Guitar Picks

The best guitar pick provides the bridge between yourself and your guitar. Thankfully, guitar picks are the most affordable part of your guitar-playing journey. But before we list the top 10 guitar picks, we need to understand the different specifications in the market and answer some important questions.

What Thickness of Guitar Pick Should You Use?

Here is a handy chart that lists all the different guitar gauges and their measurements:

• Thin Guitar picks- The thickness of these picks range from .40 mm to .80mm. Additionally, experts suggest using the following picks when you wish to play brighter tones, a tighter dynamic range, or you need them for strumming. Thin guitar picks can play brighter tones well, as their striking surface creates high frequencies. While playing a tighter dynamic range, such guitar picks allow the player to achieve flexibility limits, especially in a studio recording.
• Thick Guitar picks- These picks measure above 0.80mm in width. Experts suggest that they can be used to play mellower tones, as they are wide, the bass gets more while the treble is reduced. The electric lead guitarist can also use it due to their excellent holding capacity when playing fast solos. However, the thick guitar picks can compromise your finger strength. 

Other Factors to Consider When Choosing a Guitar Pick

Hardness: The hardness of your guitar pick can change the dimension of the song played. The picks which range high on the hardness index can increase your performance level depending on your finger strength. The opposite will happen if the hardness index is on the softer side.

Texture: Primarily, there exist only two types of texture when it comes to guitar picks. One is smooth and slippery, while the other is rough. The rougher the guitar pick is, the more friction will be exhibited between your finger and pick. The smooth, slippery picks offer harmonies that are cleaner and that have a natural tonality. At the same time, the rough guitar pick will lead to adding more grit to your song. 

Size and Shape : It is advised not to purchase a bigger guitar pick than your hand. As for the shape, two variations exist: the first is a guitar pick with round edges, while the other has sharper points or edges. The former is a preferred choice for strumming. However, the sharper points give the player a strong attack and are preferred by a guitarist who wishes to play solo tracks.

[Read: Guitar Sizes: Everything You Need to Know]

Material: There are three different types of materials: acetal, celluloid, and nylon. The material you choose will be a differentiating factor, as it will affect your overall performance. Nylon as a pick is favored by guitarists who wish to own a “soft” grip pick. Additionally, they are well suited for a guitarist whose efficiency is higher on lightweight, flexible picks. Celluloid offers a stiffer grip than nylon. Finally, acetal has had a history of its own. To sum it up, the feel of acetal material resembles tortoiseshell and offers a gritty play.

Here Are the Top 10 Best Guitar Pick Brands 

• Dunlop Tortex Standard Plectrum/Pick

The following came into existence as a replacement for tortoiseshell. These picks are durable and flexible and range in size from 0.50mm to 1.14mm. 

• Fender 551 Shape Celluloid 

Fender makes a wide range of picks in many different sizes, shapes, and thicknesses, but the majority are made of celluloid, which provides a deeper tone than many other picks available in the market. The 551 takes Fender’s traditional 451 shapes. However, it is not recommended for people who like strumming. 

• Dunlop Nylon Jaz III Guitar pick

This pick has a small profile, quick-release molded edge, and sharp tip that provides the ability to see the Jazz III through the speediest of runs with ultimate precision. Two versions are available: the warm-sounding Red Nylon or brighter, sharper response of the Black Stiffo. The latter is often preferred for players who wish to play fast and prefer a very durable pick during their songs. 

• D’Addario Dura Grip 

The Dura Grip design is manufactured from the guitar string maestro, D’Addario. It;s made from Duralin, which promises the ability to highlight the bright ‘click’ of the pick hitting the string. Additionally, it allows you to play chords on the acoustic guitar or electric guitar and is available in wide, jazz, harp, and standard shapes. 

• Dava Control Picks 

Guitar players usually must choose between lighter-gauge picks for strumming and heavier gauges for single-note picking, but this pick offers players the best of both worlds. It comes in three different materials: delrin, nylon, and gels.

• Gravity Picks

The construction of this pick is dependent on the acrylic base. The sound produced while playing this guitar pick is quite unique, and it allows the guitarist to glide across the guitar with real ease. The size and thickness can range from 1.5mm to 3.00mm. 

• Dunlop Nylon Standard Plectrum

As the name suggests, the following guitar pick is made from nylon, which offers a soft grip to the guitarist. The thickness for the same range is between 0.38 mm to .46mm in minimal ranges, while 1 mm comes under the exclusive range. This pick is best for acoustic players. 

• Enrie Ball Prodigy Picks 

This pick ranges in thickness from 1.5mm to 2mm. Although the thickness is on the higher end, it offers extreme aid to players who like to reduce their drag while not compromising on their control and articulation. 

[Read: Guitar AMPS]

• Dunlop Tortex Flow

While this pick is not ideal for strumming, it can enhance your speed. It has sharp edges and wide angles, which makes a snappier yet attractive melody. The cost for the same guitar pick will vary as per their width, which ranges from .50mm to 1.5mm. 

• Graph Tech TUSQ Guitar picks 

These picks come in three different “tones” (bright, warm, and deep) in three different sizes (teardrop, standard and bi angle), each of which affects the sound that comes out of your guitar. 

Guitar picks are an excellent instrument for novice guitarists and people who wish to take their guitar playing to another level. BYJU’S FutureSchool music curriculum has been developed to empower the next generation of guitar players. It introduces children to the wondrous world of music and instills them with a passion that will last a lifetime. Through research-based teaching methods that range from live sessions to 1:1 challenges to interactive projects, kids learn to unleash their musical creativity in a fun and nurturing environment.

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