The Top 6 Best-Selling Guitar Picks from 6 Years of Rombo Picks (And Why Guitarists Love Them)

After six exciting years of designing, testing, and shipping high-quality guitar picks around the world, we’ve learned a lot about what guitarists truly value. From jazz players to metal shredders, beginners to professionals — certain picks consistently rise to the top.

In this article, we’re celebrating our top 6 best-selling guitar picks, based on real customer preferences, playing styles, and thousands of reviews. Whether you’re looking for precision, versatility, warmth, or speed, there’s something here for every guitarist.

We’ll also share how these picks evolved, how we determined their popularity, and help you figure out which one might be right for your style. If you’re curious about how shape, thickness, material, and grip influence your playing — this guide has it all.

Our Journey: 6 Years of Listening to Guitarists

Rombo Picks was born from a deep obsession with design and the belief that guitar picks deserved more innovation. Since day one, we’ve been testing materials, studying ergonomics, and gathering insights from thousands of guitarists around the world.

Over the past six years, these insights have shaped every design decision. The picks on this list aren’t just best-sellers — they’re symbols of how far we’ve come in understanding what players want in their hands.

Let’s dive into the top 6 picks, why they stand out, and what real musicians have to say about them.

1. Rombo Diamond — Precision and Power for Advanced Players

Why It’s a Bestseller

The Rombo Diamond has been our best-selling pick for years. With a sharp, focused tip and a sturdy 2.00 mm thickness, it delivers incredible precision and fast response. It’s engineered for technical players who rely on accuracy and speed, but also want power and volume.

Ideal For:

• Fast alternate picking
  
  

• Shredding and solos
  
  

• Djent and technical metal (we call it the palm mute master!)
  
  

Playing Feel

The pointed shape gives a tight, precise attack. Players describe it as “gliding through strings with minimal resistance.” Despite its stiffness, it feels natural thanks to beveled edges and a textured grip.

The tone is dark, direct, percussive, and focused — ideal for cutting through a mix. Its full-body shape adds depth and enhances low-end frequencies.

Common Reviews:

• “Best pick I’ve ever used for fast picking.”
  
  

• “It feels like a scalpel for your tone — ultra precise.”
  
  

• “I use it for both solos and tight rhythm parts. It’s super stable.”
  
  

Behind the Design

This pick was designed for advanced players looking for full control. Its geometry, grip pattern, and material blend make it one of our most complex, feedback-driven designs.

Rombo Diamond Guitar Pick

2. Rombo Origami — The Ultimate All-Rounder

Why It’s a Bestseller

Origami stands out for its adaptability. Inspired by folded paper structures, its ergonomic shape offers a natural grip that suits nearly every genre. With mid-range thickness and moderate flex, it balances comfort and articulation.

It also showcases our innovation in grip design: The folded surfaces prevent rotation, providing extra stability.

Ideal For:

• Strumming and arpeggios
  
  

• Blues leads, pop, and rock riffs
  
  

• Players who switch styles frequently
  
  

• Warm tones on acoustic guitar
  
  

Playing Feel

The surface texture is subtle but secure. It feels balanced — neither too thick nor too light. Whether you’re strumming chords or picking melodies, it responds with warmth and clarity. The rounded tip reduces string noise while keeping note definition.

The variable thickness (a thicker body tapering to a thinner tip) helps preserve bass tones and reduce that annoying click-clack sound on acoustic guitars.

Common Reviews:

• “It’s the pick I reach for when I don’t know what style I’ll play.”
  
  

• “Great for both acoustic and electric.”
  
  

• “Super comfortable. I never drop it.”
  
  

Why It Matters

Every guitarist needs a workhorse pick, and Origami is ours. Its design isn’t extreme in any one direction — and that’s exactly why it works so well.

Rombo Origami guitar pick

3. Rombo Horizon — Elegance Meets Performance

Why It’s a Bestseller

Horizon blends classic elements with modern engineering. A bit thinner than the Diamond, with a super-curved tip and elegant silhouette, it’s a favorite for players who want clean articulation without harshness.

Ideal For:

• Funk and jazz fusion
  
  

• Sweep picking
  
  

• Riffs that demand clarity (metal and rock included)
  
  

Playing Feel

Horizon delivers controlled brightness. The tone is clean and expressive, with just enough edge for fast passages. Its surface geometry enhances grip, while the beveled edges allow subtle dynamic shifts.

It’s designed to feel effortless — and yes, it’s my personal favorite, and the design I’m most proud of.

Common Reviews:

• “The clearest attack I’ve ever had.”
  
  

• “My go-to for funk rhythm and jazzy leads.”
  
  

• “A great compromise between flexibility and control.”
  
  

The Experience

Horizon is the kind of pick that reveals its strengths over time. Surgical, reliable, and deeply satisfying.

Rombo Horizon guitar pick

4. Rombo Shell — A Refined Jazz III Alternative

Why It’s a Bestseller

Small, sharp, and punchy — Rombo Shell is our tribute to the Jazz III, reimagined with better grip and more comfort. Designed for speed and control, it stays securely in your fingers, even during intense play.

Ideal For:

• Solos
  
  

• Funk comping
  
  

• Fast melodic playing (metal, rock, fusion)
  
  

Playing Feel

Shell offers surgical precision in a compact size. The tip is sharp, and the grip is firm. Many describe it as an extension of the fingers — perfect for speed-focused genres.

Common Reviews:

• “It’s like a Jazz III but better in every way.”
  
  

• “So fast, but still feels controlled.”
  
  

• “My favorite pick for complex jazz lines.”
  
  

Design Insight

We preserved the classic jazz-style tip but enhanced the grip and ergonomics. For fans of small picks and fast play, Shell is a game-changer.

Rombo Shell guitar pick

5. Rombo Classic — Warm, Familiar, and Beginner-Friendly

Why It’s a Bestseller

Rombo Classic is our most traditional pick. With a slightly flexible 0.38 mm profile and soft texture, it’s ideal for strumming and dynamic acoustic playing.

Ideal For:

• Acoustic guitar
  
  

• Folk and singer-songwriter styles
  
  

• Beginners and casual players
  
  

Playing Feel

It feels light and familiar, with a warm and rounded attack. The soft grip prevents slips without distracting from your playing experience.

Common Reviews:

• “Reminds me of old-school picks, but better.”
  
  

• “My students always prefer this one.”
  
  

• “Perfect for acoustic gigs.”
  
  

Why It’s Essential

Not everyone needs an aggressive or technical pick. Classic offers an easy entry into modern pick ergonomics — without overwhelming new players.

Rombo Classic guitar pick

6. Rombo Prisma — Designed for Bass and Low Tunings (But Loved by Guitarists Too)

Why It’s a Bestseller

Prisma was originally designed for bass — but it quickly became a favorite among guitarists playing heavy, low-tuned music. Its thick profile and broad tip deliver power and control.

Ideal For:

• Bass guitar (all styles)
  
  

• Metal and drop tunings
  
  

• Players who want a large, pointy, powerful pick
  
  

Playing Feel

Thick, textured, and grippy, Prisma provides a confident, punchy attack. Players say it adds weight and depth to their tone and helps lock in a solid rhythm.

Common Reviews:

• “Perfect pick for bass — finally.”
  
  

• “I use it on baritone guitar. The control is unreal.”
  
  

• “Heavy pick for heavy tones.”
  
  

Design Insight

We included 3D shapes and curved edges to increase mass while maintaining flexibility. Combined with a very sharp tip, Prisma produces bright tones while preserving the round warmth you'd expect from a heavier pick.

Rombo Prisma Guitar Pick

How We Determined These Top 6 Picks

This list is based on:

• Sales data from the last six years
  

• Review volume and sentiment
  

• Return purchases and customer loyalty
  

• Direct feedback from our community
  

Each pick earned its place through performance, popularity, and long-term player satisfaction.

How to Choose the Right Guitar Pick: A Complete Guide

1. Understand Your Playing Style

Fast soloist? Go firm and sharp.
Strumming chords? Try something thinner and flexible.

2. Explore Pick Thickness

• Thin (<0.55 mm): Brighter sound, ideal for strumming
  

• Medium (0.55–1 mm): Balanced tone and feel
  

• Thick (1–2.5 mm): Great for precision and heavy styles
  

3. Pick Shape and Size

• Small picks: Control and speed
  

• Large picks: Easier grip, especially for big hands
  

• Sharp tips: Precision
  

• Rounded tips: Warmth
  

4. Material and Surface Texture

• Hard materials (e.g., CrystalBright): Bright, snappy tone
  
  

• Softer materials: Warm tones, smooth feel

Tone can also be greatly influenced by shape and size. For example, a pick made from soft materials can sound brighter if it is pointy and thin.

Grip texture, 3D geometries, and variable thickness help prevent slips and enhance comfort — features we’ve heavily innovated at Rombo.

5. Try Before You Decide

Most players find their ideal pick only after trying several. That’s why we offer Variety Packs — so you can explore freely.

6. Factor in Genre and Instrument

• Metal/Prog: Thick, sharp picks
  

• Jazz: Small, smooth picks
  

• Acoustic: Medium or thin, rounded picks
  

• Bass: Thick, textured picks
  
  

(But of course — rules are meant to be broken.)

7. Ergonomics and Comfort

Comfort isn’t cosmetic. A well-designed pick reduces fatigue, increases precision, and makes you a better player.

Still Not Sure? Try Them All.

The best way to find your ideal pick is to experiment.
🎸 Try our Rombo Variety Pack to explore every shape and material.
👉 Use our Rombo Guitar Pick Finder Tool to get personalized recommendations based on your style and preferences.

PIcture by @brandon.delgadoe

Final Thoughts

Each of these picks represents a different type of player — and a different chapter of our Rombo journey. Whether you're discovering us for the first time or have been with us from the start, we hope this guide helps you find your perfect match.

From classic silhouettes to futuristic contours, every Rombo pick is built with care, feedback, and inspiration.

Thanks for being part of our story.
— The Rombo Picks Team

When you think about essential tools for guitar players, picks—small, simple, and often overlooked—rarely get the attention they deserve. Yet this tiny piece of gear has a profound impact on a guitarist’s tone, speed, dynamics, and comfort.

Since the 1960s, the world of guitar picks has been largely defined by one dimension: thickness. It was during this era, particularly through innovations popularized by Jim Dunlop, that the concept of standardizing picks based on thickness took root.

And while that was an important step at the time, focusing only on thickness ignored a much bigger picture—a picture that has only become more complex with the evolution of music itself.

How Standardization Limited Guitar Picks

Back in the 60s, popular genres like blues, folk, and early rock 'n' roll dominated the airwaves. Players needed basic, reliable tools, and a simple pick thickness classification was an easy solution.

However, when manufacturers zeroed in on thickness alone, other critical elements of guitar pick design became secondary. Important factors like:

• Material (affecting grip and tone),
  
  

• Tip shape (impacting precision and speed),
  
  

• Overall size (affecting comfort, control and tone),
  
  

• Body shape (influencing ergonomics and attack),
  
  

• Surface texture (enhancing comfort),
  
  

...were often treated as afterthoughts.

This "one-size-fits-all" approach worked well enough—for a time. But it didn’t anticipate the explosion of new playing styles, techniques, and genres that were just around the corner.

New Music Demands New Tools

Think about the musical landscape today compared to the 1960s. In those days, there was no thrash metal, no shred guitar techniques, no punk rock anthems, no hyper-produced modern pop songs. Today’s guitarists face challenges that players 60 years ago could not have imagined.

We now have styles that demand:

• Extreme speed and precision (like shredding or sweep picking),
  
  

• Aggressive and rhythmic strumming (seen in punk or alternative rock),
  
  

• Nuanced dynamic control (essential in modern pop, R&B, and fingerstyle genres),
  
  

• Highly technical solos requiring picks that can glide effortlessly across strings.
  
  

In other words, today's players need picks designed for specific techniques, tones, and comfort needs—not just a slightly thicker or thinner version of the same old pick.

Rethinking the Guitar Pick: The Rombo Approach

At Rombo Picks, we saw this gap clearly. Founded by two passionate guitar players, Rombo is about rethinking everything you thought you knew about guitar picks.

We believe that a guitar pick is not just a piece of plastic—it's an extension of your fingers, your style, and your voice as a musician. That’s why we’ve developed 12 unique guitar pick shapes, each designed thoughtfully for different playing styles and preferences.

Some of the key innovations that set Rombo Picks apart include:

• 3D Ergonomic Design: Each pick is sculpted for natural finger placement, reducing hand fatigue during long sessions and increasing the total mass of the pick reducing treble and pick noise.
  
  

• Micro-Nodule Grip Structure: A unique surface texture that enhances grip without being abrasive.
  
  

• High-Mirror Polished Tips: For ultra-smooth string release, allowing for faster and more precise playing and clearer tones.
  
  

• Variety of Materials: Including sustainable materials like our EcoBlack line or CrystalBright
  
  

• Tailored Sizes and Thicknesses: We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Our picks come in a range of thicknesses, shapes, and sizes, each fine-tuned for a specific feel and response.
  
  

Whether you’re a fast lead guitarist, an aggressive rhythm player, a nuanced fingerstyle artist, or a beginner exploring different styles, there's a Rombo pick designed with your specific needs in mind.

Why Material and Shape Matter

Many guitarists don’t realize how much pick material influences tone. Softer materials can create a warmer sound, while harder materials bring out a brighter, more articulate tone.

Similarly, tip shape can completely change your playing experience:

• Sharp tips provide incredible precision for solos and fast passages.
  
  

• Rounded tips are perfect for smooth strumming and a softer, more mellow sound.
  
  

Size matters too—larger picks give you better control and are easier to hold, while smaller picks can offer greater agility and speed.

At Rombo, we embrace the complexity. We celebrate the idea that every player’s needs are different—and that’s something a standard medium-thick pick could never fully address.

The Future of Guitar Picks is Personal

The days of picking a "standard" guitar pick off the rack without a second thought are behind us. Guitarists today deserve more—more comfort, more precision, more choice.

At Rombo, we believe that the guitar pick of the future is not standardized—it’s personalized.

This is why we offer not just one or two shapes, but a full collection designed to match the diverse needs of modern players. With Rombo, you can find the perfect pick for shredding, strumming, sweeping, tapping, or whatever new technique you invent tomorrow.

Because when your pick feels right, your music feels right.

Find Your Perfect Pick

Ready to discover the difference a truly modern pick can make? Explore the Rombo collection today and find the pick that matches your playing style, tone, and passion.

👉 Shop Rombo Picks Now

1- What is a Guitar Pick Variety Pack

 A Guitar Pick Variety Pack is a set of at least three different guitar picks aimed to contain different shapes, sizes, materials, or thicknesses of plectrums. 

There are other common names for this type of guitar pick set, like “Try out Mix,” “Guitar Pick Mix Set,” or “Guitar Pick Box.” Some variety packs are focused on specific guitar areas like a “Heavy Gauge Variety Pack,” thought to be used by advanced players or “Beginner’s Variety Pack” containing medium and thin guitar picks.

On guitar picks, qualities like thickness, shape, size, and material play a pivotal role in the guitar tone, sustain, grip, or pick noise.

Therefore, it is not only about the personal preferences of the player but also about the techniques you want to develop. Your hands do an arduous job, give them the proper tools they need.

2- Reasons why a Variety Pack is a good idea

REASON ONE - It is the fastest and cheapest way of changing your guitar tone

Think about it: The guitar, strings, amp, cable, and effects pedals are all pieces of the guitar gear that play a role in tone. Surprise: guitar picks too!

Use a rounded thick nylon pick and you’ll get mellower, darker, and thicker tones. Use a pointy medium Tortex guitar pick and your tone will be as bright as you can imagine.

It only takes two seconds and the cost of a coffee to change your pick and increase your tone spectrum. Larger tone repertoire means larger versatility.

Music is about staying dynamic, and monotony kills dynamics. Therefore, your most logical step as a guitarist is to find ways of expanding your repertoire of tones and techniques. This happens with practice and the right guitar gear.

REASON TWO - The joy of exploration

Music theory, speed exercises, precision exercises, and warm-ups all have one thing in common: They focus on improvement, repetition, and perfection.

However, performance is not everything and sometimes we should focus on the joy of exploration.

The greatest ideas happen when we achieve a “flow” state, also known as the “zone.” This applies to guitar too! So, why not relax for a day, test some new pieces of gear, spark some creativity by playing around some guitar phrases, and then see what happens without planning too much and having the pressure of achieving one specific performance milestone?

Chose 4-5 different picks, turn on the amp, and give yourself a two hours break by enjoying the music you are playing now.

PS: Don’t forget to turn off your phone!

REASON THREE - Develop specific skills

Try to perform your speed exercise with a large, worn-out, thin guitar pick. Let’s say 0.35 mm.

You will face one of these three scenarios:

• You are slower than usual.
• You are as fast as usual but your technique is bad.
• You are slower and your technique is bad.

As in every discipline, using the right tools is the key to success.

“Modern Guitars” are attributed to Spanish musician, Antonio de Torres Jurado. He was a luthier, and in the mid-1800s, he began creating the style of guitar that would rise to all modern guitars.

Imagine then how immense the number of available guitar techniques that had more than a dozen decades to be developed is. From strumming to hybrid picking, palm mute, sweep picking, or down picking, all these techniques have different requirements, and different requirements can be fulfilled with different tools.

In our article, “7 essential guitar pick techniques,” we have summarized some of the most common techniques.

REASON FOUR - Different instruments

Sure, the average guitar player owns a red Stratocaster with 09 strings and plays classic rock.

But what about the rest of us? The 7 strings shredders, the acoustic unplugged fans, the indie effect experts, the experimental music lovers, the metal-heads, the bassists using picks, and the jazz/bossa relaxed musicians out there?

We all deserve to have a choice according to our requirements.

Personally, I like to play bass with a medium pick (Rombo Prisma), and I love the warm tones of Rombo Horizon for guitar reverb phrases on my telecaster. However, when I feel like using the thickest metal distortion ever, I choose Rombo Diamond.

Different guitar pick shapes, sizes, materials, and thicknesses create a widely broad tonality and usability ranges that I need to keep my motivation up!

REASON FIVE - A fresh input kills routine!

Did you use the same guitar pick for the last 20 years? Well, it’s never too late to get a little bit of fresh air and try something new.

Even the riff you have played 1000 times will sound different and you might notice that there are some nuances on “pick feedback” that can make your sound more fun and interesting.

What is the worst that can happen? In the worst case, you will discover a guitar pick that you prefer more than your usual! Go take that risk :-)

REASON SIX - A Guitar Pick Variety Pack is a great gift

Guitar players have a lot of things going on in their heads: the next gig, one unfinished song composition they started some weeks ago, the speed rates of their last practice, and more.

A Guitar Pick Variety Pack is a great gift for beginners, intermediate, or advanced players. Guitarists love trying new gear because it is a way to spark some creativity and explore tonalities.

A variety pack is a super affordable option for a small, but elegant gift to make a guitarist smile and feel excited for the next practice day.

There are many different gift options from Rombo:

• Guitar Pick Variety Pack
• Guitar Pick Gift Box
• Guitar Pick Variety Bundle

If only one of the guitar picks is chosen as the new favorite one, your friend will be thankful for life!

REASON SEVEN - Reflecting on your guitar tone and level

Even if you don’t like the picks included in the variety pack, they will have a positive effect on your playing.

You will reflect and confirm why you had chosen your current pick in the past and what the advantages of it are. You will reflect on your guitar tone and the nuances of guitar pick feedback and pick noise.

These experiences accumulate, and after years of exploration, you start having a sixth sense of “feeling” your instrument, your preferences, and music in general.

What do you do with your new picks? Well, if you don’t like them, give them to a friend that could need inspiration!

3- Who can profit from Guitar Pick Variety Packs (Spoiler: Everyone)

From the reasons above, we can take away a clear lesson: It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or an advanced player, the advantages of trying a Guitar Pick Variety Pack are always there.

Why beginners profit from Guitar Pick Variety Packs:

• Develop new skills.
• Develop a sense of exploration and identify tone nuances.
• Understand that different techniques need different requirements.
• Understand that the guitar path is a long one and that not everything is performance.

Why intermediate and advanced players profit from guitar pick variety packs:

• Expand the spectrum of techniques.
• Discover an unexpected tonality change.
• Focus on one specific technique.
• Joy of exploration.

4- Examples of a guitar pick variety pack

One example is our own guitar pick variety pack containing:

- 1 Rombo Classic | 0.45 mm

- 1 Rombo Origami | 0.75 mm

- 1 Rombo Prisma | 0.8 mm

- 1 Rombo Crisp | 1 mm

- 1 Rombo Waves | 1.25 mm

- 1 Rombo Horizon | 1.4 mm

- 1 Rombo Diamond | 2 mm

- 1 Rombo Jade | 2.3 mm

It is not only thickness that is everything. In order to make these picks more understandable for you, we have created four metrics: Attack, Flexibility, Tone, and Techniques. Here an example:

With this information, and in combination with the description of the pick and the technical drawing, we give you a very precise picture of the qualities of our guitar picks.

We also have a specific set for beginners with the “Beginners Guitar Pick Gift Box”:

And a specific set for intermediate/advanced players.

5- Conclusion

A Variety Pack is not only an excellent gift for your musician friends, but also for yourself if you are looking to explore tones, develop specific skills, or just need fresh air and try new guitar gear.

Different qualities like shape, thickness, or material, make guitar picks very different tools for different requirements. You will learn a lot in the process of testing them and every fresh input can help keep your motivation at the highest level.

The worst case: You will discover your new favorite pick!

Plektrumgeräusche lassen sich nicht ganz vermeiden. Insbesondere bei der Aufnahme von Akustikgitarren neigen Plektren dazu, viele Klick- und Klackgeräusche und Geräusche zu erzeugen, die dein Spielerlebnis sowie das deiner Zuhörer ruinieren kann.

Beim Gitarre lernen, wirst du einen Punkt erreichen, an dem du dich auf die Übertragung von Emotionen, das wirkungsvolle Spielen und eine bessere dynamische Kontrolle konzentrieren möchtest.

Um Gitarrentechniken zu meistern, musst du jeden Ton, der von der Gitarre erzeugt wird, vollständig kontrollieren: beabsichtigte und unbeabsichtigte.

Ich persönlich denke, dass Plektrumgeräusche ein Teil des Gitarrenspiels sind, und ich genieße sogar einige Vintage-Aufnahmen, bei denen das Plektrumgeräusch fast absichtlich vorhanden zu sein scheint. In den meisten Fällen möchtest du es jedoch beseitigen.

Wir haben alle Tipps und Tricks zusammengefasst, von denen wir glauben, dass sie dir helfen können, die Geräusche beim Spielen mit einem Plektrum zu reduzieren. 

1- Halte das Plektrum mit weniger Spannung

Gitarrenpicks erzeugen beim Zupfen/Anschlagen der Saiten Geräusche. Wenn du dein Plektrum lockerer hältst, hilft das sehr, da deine Finger einen Teil der Energie absorbieren, wenn das Plektrum auf die Saiten trifft.

Wir haben einen Artikel mit dem Titel „Wie man ein Gitarrenplektrum hält“ veröffentlicht, der alles enthält, was du wissen musst, um diesen Trick zu meistern.

Beim Aufnehmen kann es hilfreich sein, dein Instrument im Verhältnis zu den anderen etwas lauter zu machen. Dies ist eine in Studios übliche Methode, die den Gitarristen hilft, sich zu entspannen.

Egal, ob du eine Studio-Session, einen Jam mit deinen Freunden oder einige Solo-Relax-Sessions zu Hause planen, ein bewusstes Aufwärmen vor dem Gitarre spielen ist Pflichtprogramm.

2- Probieren verschiedene Winkel beim Anschlagen aus

Der Winkel des Plektrums im Verhältnis zu den Saiten ist das am meisten diskutierte Element, wenn es um Plektrumgeräusche geht.

Grundsätzlich gilt: Je weniger Plektrum mit den Gitarrensaiten in Kontakt kommt, desto weniger Lärm erzeugt es. Deshalb winkle das Plektrum leicht zu den Saiten an.

Probiere verschiedene Winkel beim Anschlagen und Zupfen aus. Dies erfordert eine bewusste Anpassung deinerseits, aber sobald du es gemeistert hast, kannst du den Anschlag des Picks leichter variieren.

Abhängig vom verwendeten Plektrum, dem Musikstil und den Gitarrentechniken, die du verwendest, und deinem Können, benötigst du einen anderen Anschlagwinkel. Konzentriere dich also 30 Minuten darauf, den besten für dich zu finden, und gewöhne dich daran, diesen zu spielen.

3- Ist deine Schlagkraft passend?

Manchmal spielt man und der Flow setzt ein, man verlässt gedanklich den Raum und betritt „die Zone“, diesen schönen Ort, an dem man besser klingt als sonst.

Wir gehen so sehr in die Musik hinein, dass wir natürlich härter zuschlagen.

Übermäßige Anschlagkraft ist eine der häufigsten Ursachen für Plektrumgeräusche. Darüber hinaus kann es das Sustain abwürgen und dazu führen, dass die von dir gespielten Noten auf viel weniger natürliche Weise ausklingen.

4- Nylon-Gitarrenpicks sind weniger laut

Das Material der Gitarren-Plektren beeinflusst nicht nur den Ton, sondern auch das Geräusch, das das Plektrum erzeugt.

Nylon gilt als eine der am wenigsten lauten Formeln, wenn es um industrielle Materialien geht, die für Gitarrenpicks verwendet werden.

Dies liegt an der Zähigkeit dieser Mischung, die dank ihrer mechanischen Eigenschaften starke Stöße effizient absorbieren kann.

Bei Rombo verwenden wir eine modifizierte Version von Nylon, die für zusätzliche Haltbarkeit sorgt und die Lebensdauer der Plektren verlängert. Dies war notwendig, da Gitarrenpicks aus Nylon sehr schnell verschleißen. Hier erfährst du mehr über die Materialien.

Wenn du dir nicht sicher bist, ob du das richtige Plektrum verwenden, ist ein Variety-Paket eine gute Option, das Gitarrenpicks mit unterschiedlichen Attributen enthält. Dies ist eine gute Möglichkeit, mehrere Picks zu testen und deine Entwicklung zu verfolgen, während du beginnst, deine Fähigkeiten für jedes einzelne Plektrum zu verbessern.

5- Die richtige Dicke des Plektrums

Als Faustregel kann man sagen, dass schwerere Plektren weniger laut sind, was irgendwie widersprüchlich klingt. Aber warum ist das so?

Die Verwendung sehr dünner Plektren in Kombination mit schnellem Spiel, wie Strumming, führt dazu, dass sich die Plektren verbiegen, wenn sie die Gitarrensaiten verlassen, wodurch eine Art Klickgeräusch entsteht. Dies geschieht besonders beim Spielen von Akustikgitarren, da der Korpus der Gitarre als Verstärker für diesen Klang fungiert.

Schwerere Plektren lassen jede Saite ihren eigenen Ton ohne viele Begleitgeräusche erzeugen.

Die variable Dicke, die in allen unseren Gitarrenplektren enthalten ist, verbessert nicht nur die Kontrolle, sondern reduziert auch das Rauschen. Der Körper des Plektrums ist dicker und steifer, während die Spitze dünner und flexibler ist. Mit diesem Merkmal wird die Gesamtflexibilität der Spitze verringert, während ihre ursprüngliche Dicke und ihr ursprüngliches Material beibehalten werden. Das bedeutet mehr Kontrolle und weniger Lärm.

Dicke vs. dünne Plektren. In diesem Artikel besprechen wir alle Aspekte, die einen Unterschied machen.

6- Eine abgeschrägte Kante kann helfen, das Pickgeräusch zu reduzieren

Plektren mit einer abgeschrägten Kante gleiten besser und verursachen weniger Geräusche. In Kombination mit dem bereits erwähnten Anschlagwinkel können sie dir dabei helfen, das Plektrumgeräusch stark zu reduzieren.

Auch die Form und Größe des Plektrums sind wichtig, aber das ist eher eine Frage der Präferenz.

7- Reduziere Plektrumgeräusche mit einem Plektrum mit polierter Spitze

Wir haben häufig darüber gesprochen, welchen Einfluss eine polierte Spitze auf den Ton und die Haltbarkeit eines Gitarrenpickels hat.

Eine polierte Spitze gleitet auch ganz leicht über den Rand der Gitarrensaite. Auf der anderen Seite erzeugen Gitarrenplektren mit einer raueren Textur an der Spitze eine stärkere Höhenwiedergabe, selbst wenn sie am Rand gespielt werden. Dies passiert auch, wenn die Picks beginnen, sich abzunutzen.

Einige puristische Gitarristen bevorzugen jedoch, wie am Anfang des Artikels erwähnt, das Plektrum sogar, um Geräusche zu erzeugen, und haben es extra in ihre Aufnahmen eingebaut.

Bonus: Nimm dich sich selbst auf

Sehr erfahrene Live-Spieler, die nicht viel Studioerfahrung haben, reflektieren manchmal nicht genug über all die kleinen Nuancen ihres Spiels.

Eine gute Übung, um dies zu vermeiden, ist sich selbst aufzunehmen. Es ist erstaunlich, wie viel wir verpassen, wenn wir in die Zone kommen. Du wirst beim Anhören deiner Tracks Plektrengeräusche bemerken und es ist viel einfacher, kritische Bereiche zu identifizieren, als während des Spielens.

Wenn du Akustikgitarre spielst, versuche, das/die Mikrofon(e) an verschiedenen Orten zu platzieren, du wirst feststellen, wie viel Unterschied es in Bezug auf das Plektrumgeräusch machen kann.

Abschluss

Wir können Plektrengeräusche nicht vollständig eliminieren, aber es gibt genug zu tun, um unser Spiel zu verbessern und es erheblich zu reduzieren.

Der beste Weg, Plektrumgeräusche zu reduzieren, besteht darin, sich dessen bewusst zu sein und über dein Spiel nachzudenken, um deine Fähigkeiten zu verbessern und verschiedene Plektren für verschiedene Stile und Gitarrentypen auszuprobieren.

Wenn du eine neue Möglichkeit entdeckst, den Plektrum-Lärm zu reduzieren, lass es uns bitte wissen, damit wir es in den Artikel aufnehmen können!

Guitar picks are one of the most useful accessories for beginners, who have just started to play the guitar or bass.

Having a guitar pick won’t make you a professional guitar player faster, but will enhance the playability of your guitar.

With the right plectrums, you can easily learn new techniques and shape your skills.

The amount of guitar pick brands available on the market today is huge. This can be overwhelming if you are a beginner guitarist, and choosing the right guitar pick can be a tough process if you start in the wrong place.

But first of all: Who is considered a beginner guitar player?

Who is Considered A Beginner Guitar Player?

A beginner guitar player could be someone who just started playing last week, or, someone who has been practicing guitar for 2 months.

It is very difficult to define a line between the beginner and intermediate stages of guitar playing. Especially when you have learned to play the guitar yourself.

In general, to be considered an intermediate player, you should know and master the following areas:

• Change smoothly between fundamental open chords.
• Know power chords and be able to move around then cleanly.
• Know the difference between major and minor basic chord shapes and sounds by hearing.
• Know the note positions on the fretboard for the low E and A strings.
• Having mastered a significant amount of strumming patterns.
• You are able to practice using a metronome, and are aware of your comfort tempo for every technique.
• Have a basic understanding of music theory for musical keys and chords.
• Play through several complete songs smoothly.
• You’ll need to feel familiar with the basic lead techniques of picking, bending, and sliding,...

Why Use Guitar Picks?

Guitar Picks have different advantages when comparing them with fingers.

Guitar picks help increase your playing speed, produce a louder, brighter sound than fingers, and can be shaped to achieve better results when using different techniques like strumming or palm mute.

In general, plectrum techniques are easier to master than classical fingerstyle, or hybrid. It is easier to play fast picked notes.

As a beginner, this is very motivating, since your process of learning will be accelerated.

Guitar Picks - Quick Guide:

At the very beginning of your guitar learning process, your feeling of sound and feedback provided by a guitar pick as not yet developed.

Therefore, you should consider only these two attributes of a guitar pick:

• Guitar Pick Thickness
• Guitar Pick Shape.

Simplifying the “science” of a guitar pick will help you make a fast choice without spending too much time and stress.

After your first couple of months playing guitar, you will develop new skills, which will allow you to introduce more complex factors to your final decision of which pick to buy, guitar pick material, guitar pick size, and other special features.

If you feel secure enough to understand these additional features of a plectrum, go to our guide: How to choose the right guitar pick, which you can find HERE.

For the thickness and the shape, here is where you should begin:

0,75 mm Guitar Picks: The Best Choice for Beginner Guitar Players

Light guitar picks with less than 0,6 mm are considered beginners’ guitar picks.

The reason for this, is that most beginner guitar players first learn strumming techniques, which can usually be played better with thinner plectrums.

However, medium guitar picks with 0,75 mm thickness are the best place to start.

Plectrums with medium thickness are the most versatile in terms of tone, and can be used for rhythm and lead guitar.

If you are having fun with strumming exercises, medium thickness will perform well. If you need to practice some lead guitar techniques, it will work as well.

Depending on the kind of guitarist you want to become, you may consider moving to a higher or lower thickness range afterward.

Rombo Origami is a good example of a medium thickness guitar pick.

Teardrop Shape and Standard  Shape Guitar Picks: The Best Choice for Beginner Guitar Players

Teardrop shape and standard shape guitar picks are simply the most common shapes for plectrums, and globally famous by every single guitar player.

You cannot go wrong if you use one of these shapes for your first guitar pick.

Both picks have enough surface for a solid grip, and the tip has mostly a medium radius, and often even a light bevel edge for smoother playing.

When is it time to change the guitar pick?

I am not talking about wear and tear. For this, we already published the article “Guitar Pick Durability”

What I really mean is, when is it time to question the guitar pick model you are using and use a different thickness or a different material?

Avoid sticking with a single guitar pick model for the rest of your life.

Using different guitar picks will give you the possibility to increase your tonality ranges, develop a more accurate feeling for different guitar techniques, and be more aware of your preferences when it comes to guitar gear.

Therefore, the answer is: always! I cannot recommend enough, the benefit of testing as many different plectrums as possible, and then decide which ones are your favorites.

I used the plural noun “favorites”, because you should find at least 3 of your top guitar picks.

As you develop your skills as a guitarist, you will notice that some guitar pick shapes, or guitar pick thicknesses, are more adequate for specific techniques.

Discover our variety pack HERE

In my case, I like medium picks for strumming, hard ponty guitar picks for practicing scales and loud music, and very rounded guitar picks for the days I just want to relax, use my reverb pedal, and create beautiful clean guitar melodies.

Conclusion: The Right Guitar Pick For Beginners

An important part of learning guitar, is knowing the gear you use: The amplifiers, the pickups, the different guitar strings, the guitar pedals, and also the guitar picks.

Don’t feel overwhelmed by the amount of guitar picks out there. It’s just a matter of preference, and you will have to spend some time trying new guitar picks, which can be fun and bring you some nice experiences.

You can start with a standard shaped guitar pick with 0,75 mm thickness. But, if you don’t feel comfortable with just one option, try a variety pack, containing some different guitar picks. Close your eyes, and chose the guitar pick that feels right to you.

Please leave a comment and tell us the thickness of the first guitar pick you had. Thanks!

The guitar pick has been in constant evolution since the 1920s.

Today, 100 years later, we have achieved great accomplishments in the area of durability of this very important piece of guitar gear.

In this article, we will review all the important points that can cause picks to wear out, and summarize all you need to know about guitar pick durability.

We will make some comments on the tone, to help control the changes, which happen after a guitar pick has worn down.

In addition, we will give some advice to keep your picks “healthier“, longer than expected.

New vs. Old (worn down) Guitar Picks: Tone Changes

We all know that using different guitar picks, will also make a difference in your tone, and your playing. Material, shape, thickness and shape of the pick, directly affect the tone and playability.

Most standard plectrums can resist heavy strumming for a long time, without much wear and tear.

The first thing you may notice after using a guitar pick for some weeks, is that the tip is not as pointy as the new guitar pick. You will see it, and you will hear it, because the tone of the pick will change over time, with wear.

The rounded shape of the worn down plectrum, will create warmer tones, and feel darker.  This is totally fine, if this is the tone you are looking for.

It will also affect the way your plectrum plucks the strings:

Just like the guitar strings, the frets, & other components, the guitar picks will wear out over time.

Some players feel a lack of control after the guitar pick has worn down, while others use the rounder picks because of the tone they produce. This especially happens to jazz guitarists, who tend to choose picks that are almost circular, for example: Rombo Waves.

Gaining control when using rounder guitar picks, is an ability you can train yourself to do, and improve.

Why Can’t Picks Last Forever?

Guitar strings are usually made from a mix of steel, nickel, bronze, or brass. In other words: Metals.

Since most players use some kind of plastic material for their guitar picks, (nylon, delrin, …), it’s not surprising that friction between strings and picks will cause the guitar picks to wear down.

You will notice, the thickest guitar strings have a spiral wire wrapped-around, acting like a sanding file on the plectrum.

Guitar Pick Durability: How Long Should a Guitar Pick Last?

The short answer: If you are an average user, your picks should last a few weeks to a month. If you are a professional player, using specific techniques, like heavy picking and strumming, it will probably last just one day, especially if you are a studio musician recording new tracks every day.

The long answer: This answer includes many factors including guitar pick attributes, and external factors, regardless of the guitar pick you are using. We discuss all of them below.

Guitar Pick Attributes That Directly Affect the Durability

The attributes that define the durability of a guitar pick are as follows:

• Guitar Pick Material
• Guitar Pick Thickness
• Guitar Pick Tip Shape
• Guitar Pick Tip Texture

Harder materials will wear down slower. This is one of the reasons there has been a lot of research in the area of suitable materials for guitar picks.

The goal is to find a wear-resistant material, that keeps the tone characteristics that guitar players want, while still giving a good grip.

However, material is not all. The thickness of a guitar pick will enormously affect the wear and tear. Thinner picks will wear down almost immediately when using heavy pick techniques.

Other attributes of the pick that affect the durability, are the Tip Shape, and the Tip Texture. Very pointed guitar tips tend to wear down faster, because there is less material on the tip.

However, this problem can be partially solved with the right guitar pick tip texture. A polished tip on the guitar pick will cause less friction between strings and plectrum. This is one of the most underrated attributes of a guitar pick, and you can find more information HERE.

What Damages the Pick the Most?

Results show, that the best way of altering and degrading the shape of your plectrums is to perform “pick slides”.

This guitar technique will wear away the edges of your plectrum and will make it useless very quickly.

This won’t directly affect the tone or control of the plectrum, but the damaged sides will contain some dents. The plectrum will get stuck either on the up stroke or the down stroke.

External Factors Which Indirectly Affect the Durability

It’s not only the guitar pick quality that is responsible for its‘ damage.  There are three more factors that can play a role on the durability:

• Hours of guitar training
• Guitar strings gauge
• Guitar playing style and used techniques

It is a very simple equation: The more hours you practice, the more your picks will get damaged.

Thicker guitar strings will increase the area of contact with your plectrum, and therefore, wear it down much faster.

Aggressive guitar playing techniques, like fast palm mute, or pick slides, will damage your guitar pick very easily.

How to know if a Pick is Durable?

The best way to find out, is to test it, and make your own judgment.

You can take advice of expert players, who have tested lots of guitar picks. However, if their playing styles differ from yours, this information won’t help much.

Besides, many expert players have not changed their picks for decades, and they might be missing the material improvements of the last decade.

As mentioned, not only is durability a factor to take into account when choosing a guitar pick, but also the tone and the ergonomics (grip, size,...).

How to Know When to Replace Your Pick?

If the edges of your pick are becoming more rounded, you might start to consider purchasing a new one.

However, never throw away your worn-down guitar picks! The rounded edges can be used to create more mellow tones, and you might want these for some of your songs.

One of the most important things about playing the guitar, is to keep your mind open to new tones and styles. This is the reason some guitar picks have rounded tips even when they are new.

In addition, you can store your old guitar picks in a box. I wish I still had my first guitar pick, that I used, when I was learned to play guitar as a child. A guitar pick can be a beautiful piece of your past.

Check Your Pick Condition Regularly

A tip from my side, is to double check every guitar pick before going out on stage, or studio. A visual inspection is fine.

Always keep some unused plectrums aside. Considering plectrums are probably the least expensive gear of your complete guitar rig, constant wear and tear issues is not a thing you should worry about.

Choose your ideal Plectrum

Are you using the right pick? This is a question you should ask yourself every time you play a song.

Some players have their 5-favourites, depending on the style and type of guitar they want to play.

The most important factors when choosing the right plectrum for you hinges on….

• Material
• Shape
• Thickness
• Size
• Playing style
• Your personal preference

We created a guide that will help you find the right plectrum for you.
You can find it HERE.

Thank you!

The support we are getting from the guitar community makes us very happy!
We, (Carlos and Judith), are really doing our best to create the best guitar picks for you.

If you consider supporting a small family start-up, you can share this article and directly have an influence on our online visibility.

These small actions have helped us since January 2019, and we count on your support! :)

Thanks!

In our article “How to choose the right guitar pick”, I summarized the aspects you should care about and consider when deciding which plectrum to use.

In this article, we will discuss the characteristics of a guitar pick we must pay attention to in order to make the playing experience much more comfortable and obtain better results. These aspects are not as obvious as others but are essential to get the most out of this incredible musical instrument.

1- Guitar Picks with Micronodules Grip Structure:

Grippy, non-sticky surfaces are perfect for the hold area on a guitar pick. The best way to achieve this is to create a texture, that fits between the grooves of your skin and prevents the guitar pick from slipping or creating an aggressive grip geometry that hurts the fingers of the guitarist.

2- High Mirror Polished Tip:

A guitar pick with a polished tip allows you to experience better control and less friction. In this way, reduced friction between the plectrum and the strings of the guitar will help increase the durability of the pick because it will wear less and reduce its noise.

3- Variable Thickness:

One of the less common characteristics in guitar picks is variable thickness. It is ideal for the guitar pick to be thick for better control; however, this could significantly reduce its flexibility.

For that reason, plectrums of variable thickness have been created, since this would give us the best of both aspects.

That is to say, we could have a guitar pick with a solid, thick body that gives us better grip. Additionally, it features a thinner tip that provides enough flexibility to achieve greater versatility when developing different guitar techniques.

Read more about the advantages of using a guitar pick with variable thickness in our article "5 advantages of a guitar pick with variable thickness"

4- Ergonomic Design Surfaces:

By following ergonomic models, the surface of the pick can be adapted to be comfortable, provide well-being and does not hurt the guitarist's fingers. It is advisable to look for picks with a 3D surface (those that are not flat) that have geometric patterns that offer a pleasant feeling to the grip. Similarly, we can take advantage of concave or convex surfaces, as they help keep the position of the plectrum oriented and avoid losing control in turning movements.

5- High-quality materials:

If your hands do an arduous job, then you must give them the right tools, right? Many people spend a lot of money on fancy guitars, cables, amplifiers, and other accessories but set aside the pick. This is a big mistake.

The material with which it is made can influence the definition of tone, attack, and flexibility. Therefore, without paying attention to it, you could hardly find your personal sound.

Are you curious about the materials used for the Rombo guitar picks?
Read a full article about it here:
https://rombopicks.com/blogs/insight-rombo/guitar-pick-materials-at-rombo

6- Unique Designs:

If you want to project an image with your own style, you must pay close attention to the design of your implements. To do this, you can try all the shapes and colors of guitar picks available in the market. Just imagine having one with an incredible appearance that is also very functional.

Conclusion:

In short, all aspects are subjective and depend on each person. Nevertheless, knowing such valuable information can expand our possibilities and options to choose the guitar pick that best suits our needs.

Tell us if you think this data can help you during the learning process of playing guitar and let us know if there are any other details about guitar picks that you think we should consider.

PS: Remember, you should share your skills with the world. In the article, “MUSIC AND DIY GENERATION”, I explain how the Internet community of guitarists helped me understand the importance of sharing my work.