8 Myths about guitar picks

We have been in the guitar pick industry for a couple of years now. During this time, numerous customers have sent lots of inquiries with repeated questions and myths.

We have summarized the top 8 myths that “shocked” us the most, and we explain why they don’t make any sense!

1st Myth: Guitar picks don't influence guitar tone.

In guitar picks, qualities like thickness, material, shape, and size play a pivotal role in tone, feedback, grip, guitar pick noise, sustain, etc…

Why this happens has a simple explanation: Different shapes or materials make the guitar strings vibrate in different patterns.

In our article “Do guitar picks really affect the tone of your guitar” we discuss all the aspects in detail.

2nd Myth: There is a "best" pick for everything

The guitar is one of the most popular instruments because it is versatile. This versatility is achieved by a broad range of techniques. Different techniques require different picks.

Like in every guitar aspect, there is no "better" or "worse".

If you are looking for a brighter sound, then Tortex might be your choice. Nevertheless, if your aim is to get a warmer/darker/deeper tone, other materials like Nylon could perform way better.

The same applies to guitar pick thickness, shape, size, the grip texture, etc.

I recommend having at least 3 to 5 guitar picks for different specific usages. If you do not know where to start you have three options:

• Learn about guitar picks
• A Variety Pack
• Get advice (free advice here)

3rd Myth: You don't need picks if you know how to play with your fingers

Both methods are valid and appropriate for the right musical context. Your goal as a musician is to be able to create the sounds you imagine. The method is up to you!

However, some basic techniques like tremolo picking, palm mute, pinch harmonics, or pick slides are very difficult to perform with fingers. Even more, they are also faster to learn if you use guitar picks. This point also plays a role in keeping your motivation at a high level.

If you love both picking methods you’ll end up with a broader technique repertoire and will profit from both worlds.

4th Myth: Bryan May uses a coin. Everyone should do the same.

You can make a pick out of every item, a penny, paper, old credit cards, or anything else. The important thing here is the joy of exploration. Not the specific taste of one excellent influential guitarist.

Imagine how much you’ll limit yourself if you make the wrong decisions at the beginning of your career. 

5th Myth: Guitar picks don't have an influence on speed.

Some qualities like pick shape, a beveled edge, and a polished guitar pick can play an important role in your speed.

“Real” guitar shredders use thick and pointy guitar picks. Probably this combination is the best place to start if you are looking for guitar speed. But remember, the most influential factor when it comes to developing speed is the number of hours of deliberate training!

6th Myth: Once you find a pick that works for you, stick to it forever.

If every song has different requirements, why always use the same guitar pick?

Different guitar picks make a difference in your tone and your playing.

I am not saying that’s impossible to play a “master of puppets” with a 0.38 mm rounded guitar pick. It is all a matter of practice and habits. However, with the right tools, you will learn faster. 

In this case, for such a song with lots of palm-mute and downpicking, I would choose a thick, pointy, durable guitar pick, like Rombo Diamond. 

If later today, I’m feeling like playing bossanova-jazz phrases with my semi-hollow guitar, I’ll probably use a rounded medium pick. Preferably our of Nylon.

7th Myth: Guitar picks are expensive

This is one of the most controversial aspects related to guitar picks.

You can find arguments for both the “cheap” and the “expensive” side.

Argument: “Guitar picks are expensive”:

• It’s just a piece of plastic
• I’ll lose it very fast

Argument: “Guitar picks are actually cheap”

• If it is a good one, I can use it for over 200 hours (more on durability here)
• It’s the fastest way to change the tone of your guitar
• It’s the bridge between your hands and your instrument and it deserves more attention.
• It costs less than a cup of coffee.

Put in perspective, when you purchase a guitar pick you don’t only “buy a piece of plastic”. Behind the shape and the material development there is a lot of engineering going on. 

In addition, you are supporting the infrastructure behind it (customer support, web development, logistics, production, marketing, distribution, R&D, packaging,...). Without one of these single elements, there won’t be guitar picks. 

8th Myth: After five seconds on the floor, a pick disappears and goes to an unknown dimension.

This happens after only three seconds, not five.

One of the most valuable skills when it comes to guitar playing is versatility.

Versatility allows you to adapt to different environments and enriches your playing, making a difference in the final result.

Music is about staying dynamic and monotony kills dynamic. Therefore, the most logical step for you as a guitarist is to expand your repertoire of guitar skills to keep that vital, engaging sound that makes music so joyful.

If you have decided to use a guitar pick for playing guitar, there are seven techniques that are a must.

They will take time to learn and master, but believe me, they make the difference.

1- TREMOLO PICKING:

If you have listened to the music of the last 70 years, you can probably recognize this guitar technique in most rock classic hits.

Tremolo is an Italian word which means “to shake” or “to tremble”.

In the context of guitar, it involves striking one (sometimes more than one) guitar string very fast with alternating strokes. Therefore, this technique is a form of alternate picking. Tremolo picking is very easy to learn but it requires strong discipline and practice to master.

Tremolo picking is essentially useful for any style of music and obviously a big part of the surf guitar sound (I’m a big fan of it!).

In guitar literature, sometimes the words tremolo and vibrato are reversed. This technique has nothing to do with a “tremolo bar” or a "tremolo effects box".

WHY IS TREMOLO PICKING IMPORTANT?

If one of your long-term goals in your guitar learning process is to increase speed, tremolo picking is a good place to start.

It is not only very fun but also can add new textures and some dynamics to your compositions. You would be surprised how well this technique fits even in metal or hardcore music.

A FAMOUS SONG WITH TREMOLO PICKING:

The surf rock version of the song “Misirlou”, from Dick Dale, is probably the greatest example of tremolo picking. The original one is a traditional song from the Eastern Mediterranean area dating back to 1927!

The version of Dick Dale got very popular after appearing in the soundtrack of Pulp Fiction in 1994.

BEST PICK FOR TREMOLO PICKING:

The most influential factors when choosing the best guitar pick for tremolo picking are thickness, material, and grip.

It’s important to have a snappy, responsive guitar pick. For this, medium picks with a medium/pointy tip are my recommendation.

However, there is no consensus in the guitar world for this. Many players have reported preferring thick, rigid picks.

In my case, I have found the best stability and speed using Rombo Origami. This pick can be described as: Flexible but still rigid enough for note control. Right amount of flexibility for a snappy fluid attack that's bright and crisp. The concave surface on the hold area ensures an ergonomic and comfortable hold.

Everyone’s hand is a little different in how they hold the pick and move. The best way to find out is to test different shapes and thicknesses, and then try them out

Good luck!

2- PICK SLIDES:

One very extended technique often performed in the rock, metal, and punk genres is pick slides or pick scrapes.

By holding the edge of the guitar pick against the guitar strings and moving it along the edge, the pick catches the strings’ windings, causing the strings to vibrate and produce a very pleasant textured noise.

Usually, guitar pick slides start near the bridge and end over the higher frets. However, there are countless variations of pick slides depending on the direction, the angle of the pick relative to the strings, and other variables.

Unfortunately, performing pick slides completely ruins the edges of the guitar pick, especially on thinner ones. This won’t directly affect the tone or control of the plectrum, but the damaged sides will develop some dents.

What makes a guitar pick durable? Find our here.

WHY ARE PICK SLIDES IMPORTANT?

Guitar pick slides are not the most relevant aspect of your playing. Nevertheless, a correctly performed slide in the right place will add so much to the moment.

The noisy textures produced by this technique are the perfect weapon of choice for songs using high distortion levels.

A FAMOUS SONG WITH PICK SLIDES:

The first use of the pick slide is attributed to Bo Diddley and can be heard in the opening of his song "Road Runner" from the 60s.

Today, some guitarists have taken this technique to a new level and have created signature variations. A shining example of pick slides from the last years is the metal band Gojira with their famous signature “Gojira-Scrape” that was created by accident and combines several guitar pick techniques

BEST PICK FOR PICK SLIDES:

If you are going to do pick slides frequently, then you need to consider two things:

• Using durable guitar pick materials, and 
• Using thick picks.

Otherwise, your guitar picks will be inoperative after a couple of sessions. The dilemma is that most players get better noisy sounds with a medium guitar pick.

I have found a solution that works for me: medium-heavy picks that are large enough to scrape with higher areas of the pick that won’t touch the strings. From our picks, I prefer Rombo Horizon the most for pick slides. Also, the curvy edge creates different pressure on different strings and that’s nice.

3- PINCH HARMONICS:

Do you know any guitar player who does not like pinch harmonics? I do not either.

Pinch harmonics are created by the picking hand. Playing this technique produces high-pitched tones. This phenomenon occurs when you stop a part of the string vibrations in the right position and create a "node".

There is a simple way to test this; pick a note and apply a small pressure anywhere on the string such that the vibration doesn’t stop completely.

WHY ARE PINCH HARMONICS IMPORTANT?

Pinch harmonics are often related to high gain tones and metal music but they are a powerful tool to add dynamics and textures to any genre of music or type of guitar; electric or acoustic.

It is considered one of the most abstruse techniques for intermediate players. Common problems are pinch harmonics that aren't loud enough or additional noises that make the harmonics not sound clean enough.

Root causes of this problem can be:

• the guitar player does not know the right places on the strings to play pinch harmonics 

• there is unwanted noise coming from unmuted strings

• the pinch harmonic is produced isolated, without combining it with other techniques like vibrato.

Most guitar players (including me) played their first pinch harmonic accidentally.

A FAMOUS SONG WITH PINCH HARMONICS:

Guitarist Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top is considered the father of pinch harmonics. Not because he invented them, but because he brought them to the mainstream. Although he is a well-rounded guitarist with a focused skillset based on blues, he is best known for his pinch harmonics.

BEST PICK FOR PINCH HARMONICS:

There is no special pick to do pinch harmonics. The pinch harmonic is technically produced by the thumb of your picking hand.

However, this technique is widely used in lead guitar in combination with other advanced techniques that work especially well with thick, small guitar picks.

Therefore, although you can learn pinch harmonics using thin picks, I recommend using thick picks.

#If you want to learn more about the differences between thin and thick guitar picks read our article "Thick guitar picks vs thin guitar picks".

4- PALM MUTE:

Palm mute is a very regular technique used by most guitarists. By placing the side of the picking hand on the strings close to the bridge and dampening the guitar strings (when necessary), the strings produce muted sounds.

You can control the dampening effect by moving your hand to a different position further from the bridge.

Although this technique isn't seen as a very difficult one, these are common mistakes that prevent players from learning it properly:

• wrong hand position
• not having a relaxed posture
• problems by keeping a stable tempo
• too much pressure on the strings

WHY IS PALM MUTE IMPORTANT?

As a guitarist or bassist, you are always on the lookout to make your music sound natural, creative, and exciting.

Palm-muting is a great skill for dynamic control exercises. This means you will automatically learn how to shape your sound using fluctuations in volume and intensity.

With this skill in your repertoire, your music will sound more vocal and dynamic.

A FAMOUS SONG WITH PALM MUTE:

This technique is very old. As old as the invention of the electric guitar (1936). Most classical players have been using it for centuries with all kinds of instruments.

Today, palm muting is widely used in heavy metal, thrash, speed, and death metal. It is often found in music that features distortion effects.

Is there any good song to practice palm muting for getting better at it? “Master of Puppets” from Metallica—it’s a masterclass in palm muting and down picking.

BEST PICK FOR PALM MUTE:

I recommend using a thick guitar pick for this. They provide high volume, a broader dynamic range, and more control over single notes (in case you use palm mute arpeggios). In addition, palm muting is a demanding technique that causes a lot of guitar pick wear. As you might know, thick guitar picks are more durable.

My favorite choice for this technique is Rombo Diamond.

5- PICK STRUMMING:

Guitar pick strumming is a way of playing guitar. A strum is a sweeping action where a pick (or finger!) brushes over the guitar strings and generates sounds.

For most guitar players, this is the first technique they learned and the technique that caused most headaches as a beginner.

Learning how to strum correctly takes time and practice. Most beginners lack the necessary muscle memory it takes to play while remaining relaxed or having a good posture.

WHY IS PICK STRUMMING IMPORTANT?

In many ways, understanding this skill is essential for understanding guitar. Great strumming skills mean being a great rhythm guitarist. Therefore, this should be your number one goal as a beginner.

Learning chords is important, but they are just static shapes. The diversity of the hundreds (if not thousands) of strumming patterns available will inject musicality and rhythm into your playing.

A FAMOUS SONG WITH PICK STRUMMING:

“Bad moon rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival, is a good place to start. It combines easy chords (D, A, G) with a very simple progression and a very catchy, bluesy melody.

BEST PICK FOR STRUMMING:

My best advice for beginners is to start with a very thin guitar pick. It can help to practice with something below 0.6 that’s nice and bendy. As you improve your skills, you can try with thicker picks, as they will add more bass to your tone.

For all the beginners out there, my best choice would be Rombo Classic.

However, if you are in the very beginning of your guitar journey, please read this article where I explain, why starting with medium guitar picks can be a better choice for you. "Medium Gauge Guitar Picks".

6- DOWNPICKING

Downpicking or down-stroke picking is a very beloved guitar technique in which the player moves the guitar pick only in a downward motion. The tip of the pick does not brush the strings as the hand moves back to the original position for the next down-stroke.

It is one of the most underrated skills on guitar and although performing this technique might seem easy, the required endurance for long passages with fast tempo is very often a problem even for advanced guitarists.

WHY IS DOWNPICKING IMPORTANT?

But first, why would you want to remove the upstrokes (alternate picking) and then increase the necessary effort for the same number of strokes? Why would you torture your wrist muscles in this way?

This technique is widely used in metal and punk guitar and the main reason is that when mastered, downpicking can make the guitar’s sound very powerful and rhythmic.

A FAMOUS SONG WITH DOWNPICKING:

Famous punk guitarist Johnny Ramone used this technique in the mid-70s in combination with fast tempo (180 to 200 bpm). The technique was very innovative at that time and influenced many current guitarists like James Hetfield who has been regarded as “the King of Downpicking”.

Many beginner guitarists start with songs from Ramones because of their simplicity in terms of chords and lack of tempo variations.

BEST PICK FOR DOWNPICKING:

For downpicking, there is a basic rule: the more mass the guitar pick has, the thicker and more aggressive the sound.

Therefore, a thick, large guitar pick with a pointy tip will be the loudest and most rhythmic one.

I recommend Rombo Diamond.

7- HYBRID PICKING

The interesting thing about hybrid picking is the fact that the player uses a plectrum as well as one or more fingers. This can be done alternately or simultaneously.

Typical styles for this technique are rockabilly guitar, country and bluegrass, and more classical passages with acoustic or classical guitar.

Hybrid picking can be very hard if you are a beginner. Before you think of learning this technique, you will have to learn how to play with your fingers and with a guitar pick. This is a requirement you cannot avoid.

WHY IS HYBRID PICKING IMPORTANT:

Three major arguments should convince you to learn hybrid picking:

Tone diversity:

The pick is generally used to play bass notes with a longer duration and very noticeable timbral differences caused by variations in the vibration of the strings. Therefore, your playing will sound more interesting combining pick and fingers.

Timing:

Hybrid picking allows you to pick two to four strings simultaneously. This makes it very different from strumming and gives an approach much more similar to piano techniques.

Flexibility:

Managing this technique, you will be able to change between fingerstyle playing and guitar pick playing within the same song or passage.

A FAMOUS SONG WITH HYBRID PICKING:

Hybrid picking was popularized by guitarists like Steve Howe some decades ago. Most players that learn this technique today start with a more classical approach.

A great song to start with this technique is “Amy” by Tommy Emmanuel. However, the complexity of the chords makes this song only possible to play for intermediate and advanced players.

BEST PICK FOR HYBRID PICKING:

There is no such thing as a “good” or “bad” pick for hybrid picking. You can use the pick you think fits the best for the song you are playing.

Because this technique is widely used by rhythm guitarists, there is a consensus that picks around 1 mm will perform well. However, it is up to you to try and decide which one is best for every passage.

Discover more about guitar pick thickness here.

8- BONUS SKILL – SWEEP PICKING:

For some reason, sweep picking is the trend. Every guitar forum gets new threads with this topic week after week. Perhaps it’s due to the high speed and visually nice arpeggios that make the guitar produce cyclical sound patterns and put us in a status of trance.

This technique describes the action of playing single notes on consecutive strings using the same motion, either all down-strokes or all upstrokes.

Sweep picking has been recognized as a difficult technique. It is more for advanced players and it can take years to master it.

WHY IS SWEEP PICKING IMPORTANT?

Sweep picking is used by guitarists to play arpeggios at high speed. The phrasing sounds produced by this technique sounds typical of other instruments like the piano.

Although sweep picking is a very important technique for building speed and fluency on string instruments, my advice would be to not learn this technique unless you have mastered other techniques that can give you more versatility.

Sure, it is ok to use sweep picking occasionally but that is not what you are going to play most of the time. In my opinion, a lot of bands overuse this technique. Therefore, you should reflect if the time needed to correctly learn sweep picking could be used for other more relevant skills.

A FAMOUS SONG WITH SWEEP PICKING:

Although often regarded as a “modern guitar technique”, pick sweeping has been around since the 50s. The technique was first used and developed by jazz guitarists.

Today, it is commonly used in metal but many students start with the song “Give Me the Night” by George Benson. Practicing sweep picking with clean tones can help you develop a more accurate technique.

BEST PICK FOR SWEEP PICKING:

What qualities are you looking for in a pick to perform sweep picking? Small and easy to handle, good maneuverability and stability, and good string separation. This means: Thick, pointy guitar picks like Jade or Horizon.

However, I have a bonus for you: We have received some E-Mails from professional guitarists using Rombo Prisma for their sweeping techniques, a pick that wasn’t developed for this. However, its sharp tip, combined with a very large, beveled edge, and the total “mass” of the pick (variable thickness), makes this pick a great candidate for bright tonal sweep picking solos.

We all know how complex guitar picks can be. Qualities such as pick thickness, material, shape, and size define the character of a pick.

We want to help you solve one of the most difficult tasks every guitar player faces: how to choose the right guitar pick.

1. What are guitar picks?

Guitar picks are the bridge between you and your instrument, a hidden hero in the hands of most guitarists, and the loudest amplifier in your hands. If you have a better definition, we'd love to hear it!

A guitar pick is a very personal item, and selecting the best one for you is dependent on a number of factors. There is no such thing as a perfect pick, but each pick serves a specific purpose, has strengths and weaknesses, and performs differently when used with different techniques or instruments.

The right guitar pick for you will be the pick that makes you feel most comfortable with your playing style and will meet your needs in terms of tone and control.

The right guitar pick can make you feel like a guitar hero. You just have to find it!

2. Why use guitar picks?

Guitar picks have many advantages over finger picking.

They help speed up your playing, produce a louder, brighter sound than fingers, and can be shaped to achieve better results when using different techniques like strumming, palm muting, pinch harmonics, and more.

Furthermore, certain types of guitar picks can easily change the tone. This allows you to experiment with different tones until you find the one that works for you.

3. Do different guitar picks make a difference?

There is a simple and fast way to make your guitar sound different: try another guitar pick.

The guitar pick affects not only tone but also volume, flexibility, and grip.

You will feel different grades of control and comfort depending on the guitar pick. Every pick is unique and will perform differently depending on your guitar-playing techniques, the type of guitar and type of strings, and your level of expertise.

In order to choose the right plectrum, you must understand some basic concepts.

4. What to consider when choosing the right guitar pick

The following are the most important attributes when it comes to guitar picks:

• Thickness
• Material
• Shape
• Tip shape
• Size

These characteristics define 80% of how a guitar pick will feel and perform and are the best points from which to start.

4.1 Guitar pick thickness:

The thickness of your pick is measured in millimeters and mainly affects the tone and the flexibility.

A minimal change in the thickness of a guitar pick of only 0.2 millimeters (equal to two sheets of paper) is enough to change its properties drastically.

For most guitar players, this is considered the most important characteristic when choosing the right guitar pick, and this is the first information you will find on a product page when purchasing picks online.

Keep in mind these properties are categorized in a general way, and most of the properties will depend on aspects like material and shape.

Thin picks:

Thin guitar picks are thinner than 0.55 mm. How did we come to this number? We performed a large survey in March 2021, which you can find here.

This type of pick is usually good for rhythm guitar but not great for lead guitar because of the lack of control when playing single notes. These picks tend to fold when plucking the strings due to their flexibility, and the maximum volume is limited as a result. This can be an advantage because it works like an analog limiter. These picks always provide a fluid sound (even if your arm does not follow).

Most beginner guitar players use thin picks because their skill set at the start is limited to strumming. However, we have discussed why medium guitar picks are actually better for beginner guitar players here.

Medium picks:

Medium gauge guitar picks have a thickness of between 0.55 and 1 mm.

These are the most versatile guitar picks and are perfect for solo guitarists who use different techniques in the same songs (e.g., strumming, solo, palm mute).

They combine comfort, precision, rhythm, and speed of play and have the advantages of both thin and heavy thickness.

This thickness range on plectrums is the most complex of all and deserves a separate article (which you can find here).

Thick picks:

Thick picks are over 1 mm. Since there is no limit to thickness, some players like to use “extra thick” picks, which are over 3 mm thick.

Thick picks give the guitar player more control over volume and attack on the strings. They are the favorite amongst advanced guitarists.

Advanced guitarists choose this thickness because they require precision for their high-level playing and solo parts. Game speed is guaranteed!

Because they are thicker, heavy picks produce more mellow and dark tones. A bevel edge can be created (more on this below).

4.2 Guitar pick materials

Guitar picks can be made out of anything: metal, wood, plastic, and fabric. In the past, some exotic materials like bone were used to produce guitar picks.

The technological wave that came with highly specialized polymers created a new era of materials with amazing properties. Generally, the following are the main properties that a good material should have:

• High mechanical strength and stiffness
• Excellent impact resistance
• Superior aesthetic properties

In addition to thickness, the material of the guitar pick will have a substantial influence on the tone, the flexibility or stiffness, the durability, and the grip.

The most common guitar pick materials are Nylon, Delrin and Celluloid. Other materials found nowadays are leather, rubber or fabric (especially for Ukuleles).

At Rombo, we decided to adapt the properties of common Nylon by changing its formula. We were able to keep the tonal properties of Nylon and improve its durability and grip. We believe we have achieved an excellent balance of sound, comfort, aesthetic properties, and durability.

Our guitar pick material is manufactured in Italy, and we discussed its properties here.

4.3 Guitar pick body shape

This is the first quality you’ll notice when using a pick for the first time.

Due to the high number of guitar pick makers online nowadays, there is a virtually infinite number of pick shapes. However, there are some classical shapes that need to be mentioned. Here are the four most common guitar pick shapes:

Standard:

The most popular pick shape is the standard shape. Nearly every brand offers a pick in this shape and in different sizes.

They are a good starting point for beginners because of their size and their tip. The tip is neither too round nor too sharp. This means they are an all-rounder pick that can be used for almost every technique.

Nevertheless, there are some variations of this shape that include a very pointy tip and, of course, after the pick wears down, it will get a rounded tip. You can read more on durability here.

A good example of this pick is Rombo Origami.

Teardrop:

If you are looking for precision, this may be your best choice. There are many variations of teardrop picks, but all of them have the same goal: to allow the player to get closer to the strings, providing better feedback and control.

Because of their small size, they require a certain level of control and can therefore only be used if the guitar player has learnt how to use them properly.

A good example of this pick is Rombo Jade.

Jazz:

Ironically, jazz-shaped guitar picks are most often used by players who love rock and metal.

These picks have gained popularity over the years. Unlike standard picks, which are designed to be versatile, jazz picks are designed to achieve two things: speed and precision.

Jazz picks typically have heavier gauges with a significant beveled edge and sharper tips. There are many different sizes, from very small (the most common type) to Jazz XL, like Rombo Diamond.

Triangle:

Nearly every triangle-shaped pick is an equilateral triangle (60° tip and all sizes with the same length). These picks are very popular among bass players and are usually larger than the average picks.

The practical side of this pick is that the player can play with all three corners.

A good example of a triangular pick is Rombo Prisma.

Sometimes each corner of these picks has a different thickness. We do not recommend this. You want to avoid external factors that can cause mistakes when playing guitar. Varied thickness on a pick will lead to complications.

4.4 Guitar pick tip shape

Thе shape of the guitar pick tip іѕ one factor that рlауеrѕ оftеn оvеrlооk. Mоѕt реорlе focus on the shape and thickness and won’t think about the sharpness of the tip.

The shape of the guitar pick tip has a huge impact on the tone.

Bright tones are achieved using a pointed tip, while warm and less defined tones are produced by guitar picks with a rounded tip.

This is the main reason why guitar tones can change as picks wear down.

Tip: A beveled edge on the tip with rounded edges can promote smoother string friction, resulting in more efficient strokes and speed. More on this topic below.

4.5 Guitar pick overall size

The size of the pick is the most important factor when considering comfort. Because no two people are alike, this is a very personal choice. Besides, this point is strictly connected to the shape of the guitar pick.

You may find small picks make it easier to shred and play with speed. Your fingers are closer to the strings, so you feel what you are playing more. The downside to these picks is that they can be dropped easily because their total surface is smaller.

You may also discover that larger picks are easier to hold and feel more comfortable in your hand. They can provide better grip, since there is more surface in contact with your fingers. However, they can add a lot of bass to your tone because of the larger material volume.

Experiment with different sizes to determine what is most convenient for you.

Usually, the size varies between 15 and 40 mm in height.

5. Other aspects to consider when choosing a guitar pick

Thickness, material, tip and body shape, and size make up 80% of a guitar pick.

However, the remaining 20% can make the playing experience much more comfortable, giving you better results and a more enjoyable experience.

The following aspects are essential to consider for those players who want to get the most out of this guitar accessory:

• Grip
• Bevel edge
• Variable thickness
• Polished tip
• Durability

5.1 Grip

The grip a guitar pick offers is created by the material, the shape, the size, and the surface texture. 

This is one of the most debatable aspects of guitar picks because it is quite subjective. While some players want a comfortable pick with no aggressive textures, others require the maximum possible grip to feel secure.

External aspects like sweaty hands will also directly influence grip. (If your hands sweat while playing the guitar, you can avoid this problem by following simple steps here.)

In our case, we tried to find a balance of comfort, tone, grip and durability. When designing our grip, we considered material and texture. We developed the hold area of our picks using variable thickness and 3D geometries.

If you want to go deeper on this topic, read our article entitled “Understanding Guitar Pick Grip: Essentials”

5.2 Bevel edge

A bevel edge can be created if your guitar pick is thick enough. This means more speed and therefore more fun!

Beveled-edge guitar picks are the best option for guitar players who want to use thick, pointy tips that also produce warm, fluid tones.

Using guitar picks with beveled edges may feel strange at the beginning. The pick feels different: it slides differently, and the feedback you receive from it is different. However, after some practice, you will begin to notice that some techniques are in fact much easier.

We published an article called “The Guitar Pick: Bevel, Tip and Shape,” which discusses the relationship between these attributes.

5.3 Variable thickness

Guitar pick thickness is important. What are the advantages of using a pick with variable thickness? Actually, there are quite a few.

A pick with variable thickness has different thicknesses for the tip and the body, and it will have an impact on the following aspects:

Control: A less flexible, thicker body will increase control.

Tone: The pick’s extra mass will produce more bass tones and therefore will have more presence.

Versatility: Since the pick is thinner than the body, more adequate techniques for thinner picks can be used with the control thick guitar picks offer.

Grip: The thicker hold area will allow the designers to create 3D geometries that enhance the grip without aggressive grip textures.

A good example of such a pick is Rombo Diamond. Its tip is 1.35 mm, whereas some areas of its body go up to 2.65 mm thick. The tilted surfaces act as a support for your fingertips.

5.4 Textures on the guitar pick tip

Adding textures on the tip of the pick can slightly change the tone and sound.

The surface of the guitar pick tip can be:

• rough or very rough with texture
• untreated or smooth
• polished or mirror polished

We decided to implement the high mirror polished tip in our picks because of the advantages it provides in terms of noise, tone, and durability.

A guitar pick with a polished tip causes less friction between the strings and the pick, and this is the reason the pick noise is reduced and the pick lasts longer.

5.5 Guitar pick durability

Durability is affected by a number of aspects, such as pick material, shape, thickness, and the gauge of your guitar strings.

Durable guitar picks are perfect for players that use aggressive techniques like shredding. I have heard of some guitar players whose pick is gone after just a few hours!

If you are a regular player using common guitar pick techniques with less than two hours of practice a day, this is not something you need to worry about.

Creating long-lasting guitar picks was one of our goals when we began making picks, and we achieved this by using an improved version of Nylon.

A point that sometimes is forgotten is that the tone of your guitar will change as guitar picks wear down. The relationship between tone, durability and wear is described in depth here.

6. Advice for beginner guitar players

Medium-gauge guitar picks (thicknesses between 0.55 and 1 mm) are best for beginners, despite people telling you to use thin picks.

You are at the beginning of your journey, so your tastes, preferences, or guitar types may change.

A medium guitar pick will give you the versatility you need at the beginning and will allow you to change to thin or thick picks more easily.

In our article “Medium Gauge Guitar Picks,” you can find more details about these picks and decide if they fit your profile.

Another good option is a variety pack, which contains guitar picks with different attributes. This is a good way to test several picks and track your development as you start increasing your skill for each one.

7. Advice for intermediate/advanced guitar players

Through perseverance, patience and discipline, you have reached a guitar skill level many people dream of. Congratulations!

The guitar-learning process is a journey, and your gear choices will influence it substantially. Guitar gear won’t make you a better guitar player, but it will add more fun, more creativity, and more knowledge to the learning process.

We can’t say this often enough: Every guitar player should have at least three favorite guitar picks and, most important, know why.

As an experienced player, you probably have many different skill areas that require different gear. For example, some phrases of a song might require warm single note tones, while other songs require bright tones and lots of volume.

If every song has different requirements, why always use the same guitar pick?

8. Do you need advice?

We know how complex these guitar picks are.

If you are still having trouble choosing the right guitar pick, send us an email using our contact form and answer the seven questions below, and we will send you a personalized suggestion. We try to answer every email in less than 72 hours.

- Do you play electric guitar, acoustic guitar, or bass?

- What music genre do you play?

- Are you a lead guitarist, a rhythm guitarist, or both?

- Are you a beginner, intermediate or advanced player?

- If you are an advanced player, what are your favorite techniques?

- Do you prefer bright or warm tones?

- Do you prefer flexible or rigid picks?

If you are a practical person, you can try by yourself and make your own judgement by getting a variety pack containing picks with varying thicknesses, shapes and sizes.

9. Last thoughts on the right guitar pick choice

There are thousands of different guitar picks and even more types of guitar players. The possible combinations are infinite, and that’s what makes music so beautiful.

Not only is the harmony theory important for a song to be wonderful, but so is the way it is played and the way it sounds.

Here is the secret: there isn’t a right guitar pick for you. There are hundreds of them that could change your playing in a way you couldn’t imagine, so go discover them!

I wish you the best in the endless journey of experimenting with your guitar.

The surface of a guitar pick is in direct contact with your fingers. You feel it when you hold your pick, and your guitar strings will touch the surfaces every time you play a chord or a guitar solo.

Textures on guitar picks define not only important things like grip, control, and friction between the strings and guitar pick, but also equally important details like comfort, pick noise, and design.

Why Should The Different Areas Of The Guitar Pick Have Different Texture Types?

The guitar pick consists of two areas: The hold area (body), and the attack area (tip).

Both areas have different requirements. Generally speaking, when combining the proper textures of these two areas, a guitar pick should offer:

• a comfortable surface to hold the pick securely
• a well-designed tip to promote precision

With this simple fact in mind, it seems logical to differentiate these two areas when it comes to choosing the texture of the guitar pick.

Guitar Pick Hold Area:

• the control of the guitar pick
• the grip of the guitar pick
• the comfort of the guitar pick

These three features are strictly connected and every guitar player will have a very subjective opinion of them.

Guitar Picks With Grippy Surface:

Advantages Of Guitar Picks With Grippy Surfaces:

• Control the position of the pick between your fingers: avoid rotation and pick slippage.

• Hold the pick with less tension, which results in a better playing experience and less hand fatigue.

Common Types Of Grippy Guitar Picks:

• Sandpaper grip: Maximum grip, very aggressive texture (uncomfortable for long playing sessions)

• Raised geometries or logos: High grip, aggressive texture (can feel uncomfortable for long playing sessions).

• Micro-nodules texture: Medium/High grip, comfortable texture (the micro-nodules fit between the grooves of your skin). Read more here.

• Grip Holes: Medium Grip

• Homemade guitar pick grip: Some players use tape or make scratches on the pick to create a custom experience.

It is up to you to find a balance between comfort and grip. Some players prefer non-sticky guitar picks, some others need the maximum grip available.

The best thing you can do is try all different textures and decide yourself, considering the playing style you have.

For guitar sessions for over 1 hour, I prefer comfort over the grip. Once you get used to the guitar pick and how it reacts after every impact, you appreciate the comfort more and the playing experience texture and design can give you.

Guitar Pick Attack Area:

• Durability
• Pick Noise

The texture on this guitar pick area is one of the most undiscovered features in the guitar pick world. Read more here.

How can a polished guitar pick improve durability and reduce noise?

Actually, it is very simple: A mirror polished guitar pick will reduce friction between guitar pick and strings. With every impact, the guitar pick will suffer less friction and therefore wear down slower.

With less friction, the pick will cause less pick noise. From my own experience, guitar picks with this attribute make me want to play forever.

In addition, the pick will glide better and provide a better playing experience. However, this is a very subjective point since other types of guitar picks with coarse textures on the tip are very popular amongst some guitarists. Pick noise is sometimes wanted when strumming chords.

Bonus Feature: Unique Designs:

In order to build your own image, you need gear that fits in it. Design is as important as the other aspects when it comes to music gear.

Fortunately, we live in an era where many brands are creating very original designs with the best functionality.

Guitar Pick Grip: What Textures Are We Using At Rombo?

We believe textures on guitar picks are essential for a tool that was designed to be held between your fingers

The combination of two different surface finishes in the guitar picks have convinced us and our testers of the potential gains a player can achieve:

• A polished tip for clarity, durability and control
• A micro-nodules texture in the centre of the guitar pick for the most comfortable holding without compromising grip

Conclusion:

Grippy textures can help you hold the guitar pick more firmly without effort.
Looking for a texture you feel comfortable with is essential to find the balance between grip and comfort.

However, what about thickness, shape, size, and material? Have you thought about these attributes?

Learn more in our article "How to choose the right guitar pick".