weird_oh84
Joined: May 24, 2023
Posts: 198
|
Posted on Jan 25 2025 10:56 PM
When starting my Surf Guitar journey I was told that only thick picks would work for tremolo picking …
I tried really hard to make them work but it was always a battle trying to get the pick to cleanly strike the strings in a clean , consistent manner. My playing was sloppy and stumbled at best.
Then one day I found a .60 Max Grip pick by Dunlop and thought “what the hell” and gave it a try… Within 5 minutes I knew that I was done with thick picks for good…
I was finally able to consistently tremolo pick! Not only that , but the tone was noticeably brighter and snappier, which is the exact sound I’m always chasing…
Anyone else prefer thinner picks to heavier ones? Would love to hear your thoughts…
|
ArtS
Joined: May 09, 2008
Posts: 1375
Isle of Kent, MD
|
Posted on Jan 26 2025 01:12 AM
I typically use Juratex triangle picks @ .8 mm, but sometimes during practice if my hand is tired, I'll use the .6 version. The thinner one seems to cause a slight increase in a clicking sound.
— Surf.The most dangerous of genres...
Surfcat
MARCH OF THE DEAD SURFERS! (2024) - Agent Octopus
Wake up Jimmy! It's Christmastime! (2024) - Agent Octopus (Single)
YOUTUBE - Agent Octopus Surf
SG101 Festival 2025 Click Here!
Last edited: Jan 26, 2025 01:13:16
|
rockndawg
Joined: Aug 06, 2018
Posts: 52
|
Posted on Jan 26 2025 06:28 AM
I tried lots of different picks, and always seem to just go back to Fender mediums, or maybe the approx same thickness Snarks.
|
Redfeather
Joined: Jul 30, 2016
Posts: 896
|
Posted on Jan 26 2025 01:17 PM
Fender medium here too. I was surprised when I tried a thick pick by how much it dulled the sound.
|
DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11058
Berkeley, CA
|
Posted on Jan 26 2025 05:01 PM
I use .5's so really thin. I like how I get a little extra control of the dynamics while double picking with it.
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
|
rockndawg
Joined: Aug 06, 2018
Posts: 52
|
Posted on Jan 27 2025 08:30 AM
Interesting post being I thought most everyone was using thick picks.
|
Samurai
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2260
Kiev, Ukraine
|
Posted on Jan 27 2025 10:31 AM
Surely it’s a matter of taste, different picks feel different and even may give different sound.
But the key to good tremolo picking isn’t pick thickness, it’s all about right picking technique, let’s not forget about it. If you cannot perform consistent and tight tremolo picking with any pick - you surely have some things to work on.
— Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine
https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki
Lost Diver
https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin
|
synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4467
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
|
Posted on Jan 27 2025 01:26 PM
I’ve tried all sorts of picks, from Fender Lights to 4mm thick V-Picks. I’ve haven’t had problems tremolo picking with thick picks, but I noticed that really light picks can flex too much when tremolo picking. What I found was that Dunlop ML (Medium Light) Gels were about the lightest I could go without problems. These are a very good pick for maximizing drip.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
|
AgentClaret
Joined: Jan 30, 2024
Posts: 136
|
Posted on Jan 27 2025 05:28 PM
I kind of suck at tremolo picking, doesn't matter what pick I use.
I can get through a rundown but I've got little hope of ever getting to Dick Dale level. My pick hand mechanics have always been sloppy.
I should mention that I cut the tendon in my picking thumb when I was a teenager. I got surgery to repair it but my grip will never be what it was.
Last edited: Jan 27, 2025 17:31:42
|
synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4467
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
|
Posted on Jan 27 2025 06:34 PM
AgentClaret wrote:
I kind of suck at tremolo picking, doesn't matter what pick I use.
I can get through a rundown but I've got little hope of ever getting to Dick Dale level. My pick hand mechanics have always been sloppy.
I should mention that I cut the tendon in my picking thumb when I was a teenager. I got surgery to repair it but my grip will never be what it was.
It’s not my greatest strength. I can pull it off, but it takes some serious effort.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
|
Samurai
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2260
Kiev, Ukraine
|
Posted on Jan 28 2025 02:07 AM
It’s not my greatest strength either, but I was so obsessed with it when I discovered surf music (and Dick Dale) for myself in middle of 90s that I have spent a couple of years practicing tremolo picking almost every day, from slow to moderate and then fast, metronome, string skipping and all the other stuff.
The only pick I had then was the one I have made from telephone card.
Now I may call my technique decent with any pick, even with a coin or piece of plastic card. But my favorites are Dunlop Ultex .88
— Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine
https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki
Lost Diver
https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin
Last edited: Jan 28, 2025 07:38:31
|
February Birthdays 
