Starting your journey as a guitarist can be incredibly exciting, but with the vast array of gear and accessories available, it can also be a bit overwhelming. While the guitar itself is obviously the most critical piece of equipment, there are several other accessories that are essential for beginners. These tools not only make playing easier but also enhance the overall learning experience. In this guide, we'll cover five essential guitar accessories every beginner should own.

1. Guitar Picks: The Small Tool with a Big Impact

When you're starting out, it's easy to overlook the importance of a guitar pick. However, this small tool can significantly impact your playing style, tone, and technique. Guitar picks, or plectrums, are used to strike the strings and can produce a variety of sounds depending on their shape, thickness, and material.

Why Guitar Picks Matter for Beginners

For beginners, a guitar pick can make learning easier and more enjoyable. It helps in developing precision, speed, and consistency, which are crucial skills as you progress. Using a pick also reduces the strain on your fingers, which is particularly important for those who are just starting and may not yet have developed the necessary calluses.

The Rombo Variety Pack: Why Exploration Matters

One of the most common challenges for beginners is finding the right pick. Picks come in various shapes, sizes, materials, and thicknesses, and each one can feel different in your hand and produce a unique sound. This is where our Variety Pack comes in. This pack contains 12 picks, each designed to offer a different playing experience. Whether you prefer a warm, mellow tone or a bright, crisp sound, the Rombo Variety Pack allows you to experiment and find what suits your style best.

Exploring different picks is not just about finding what feels comfortable; it’s also about understanding how subtle changes in your gear can influence your sound. For instance, thicker picks generally produce a fuller tone with more volume, while thinner picks are often preferred for strumming as they produce a lighter, more delicate sound. The Rombo Variety Pack gives you the freedom to explore these differences, which is crucial for developing your unique playing style. Link Here.

Investing in a guitar pick variety pack is an excellent decision for beginners. It not only helps you find the right pick for your style but also aids in understanding how different factors—like material, thickness, and shape—affect your tone and playability. This exploration is a critical part of your development as a guitarist and can greatly enhance your learning experience.

2. Tuner: Stay in Tune, Stay on Track

A guitar tuner is another essential accessory that every beginner should own. Playing in tune is fundamental to sounding good and progressing in your practice sessions. There are several types of tuners available, including clip-on tuners, pedal tuners, and smartphone apps.

Why a Tuner is Important

Staying in tune ensures that your practice sessions are productive and that your ear develops correctly. Beginners often struggle to identify when their guitar is out of tune, and practicing with an out-of-tune instrument can slow down your learning and even lead to poor technique. A good tuner will help you quickly and accurately tune your guitar, making sure you're always playing at your best.

Clip-On Tuners: Convenience and Accuracy

Clip-on tuners are especially useful for beginners because they are easy to use and highly portable. They attach to the headstock of your guitar and pick up vibrations directly from the instrument, making them accurate even in noisy environments. A reliable clip-on tuner can become an indispensable part of your daily practice routine, ensuring that you always sound your best.

3. Guitar Strap: Comfort and Stability

A guitar strap might seem like a simple accessory, but it’s crucial for both comfort and stability, especially when playing standing up. For beginners, a strap can help with posture, ensuring that you hold the guitar correctly, which is essential for developing good playing habits.

Why a Good Guitar Strap Matters

A well-designed guitar strap will distribute the weight of your guitar evenly across your shoulder, preventing strain and allowing you to play for longer periods without discomfort. This is particularly important for beginners who are still building up their strength and endurance.

Choosing the Right Strap

When selecting a guitar strap, look for one that is adjustable and made from durable, comfortable material. Leather straps are popular for their durability and comfort, while synthetic materials can offer similar benefits at a lower cost. The width of the strap is also important—wider straps distribute weight more evenly, which can be more comfortable during long practice sessions.

Don’t forget the Strap Blocks!

A strap block is an indispensable guitar accessory, essential for preventing your instrument from slipping and crashing to the floor. This makes strap blocks the top budget-friendly choice and a must-have for guitarists. With strap blocks, you can perform on stage with confidence, knowing your guitar is secure no matter how you move. Link Here!

4. Capo: Unlock New Possibilities

A capo is a small device that clamps down on the strings of your guitar at a specific fret, effectively changing the pitch of the open strings. This simple tool can open up a world of possibilities, especially for beginners who might not yet be comfortable playing barre chords or using alternate tunings.

Why a Capo is Essential

Using a capo allows you to play songs in different keys without having to learn new chord shapes. This can make learning new songs easier and more enjoyable, as you can focus on strumming and timing without worrying about complex finger positions. A capo is also invaluable for playing along with recordings or other musicians, as it lets you match the key of a song without needing to transpose chords.

Choosing the Right Capo

When selecting a capo, look for one that is easy to use and doesn’t put too much pressure on your strings, which can cause them to go out of tune.

5. Guitar Case or Gig Bag: Protection on the Go

Your guitar is an investment, and protecting it should be a top priority. Whether you're taking your guitar to lessons, a friend's house, or just storing it at home, a good guitar case or gig bag is essential for keeping your instrument safe from damage.

Why You Need a Guitar Case or Gig Bag

A quality case or gig bag protects your guitar from physical damage, such as bumps and scratches, as well as environmental factors like humidity and temperature changes. This is especially important for beginners who may not yet be familiar with how to properly care for their instrument. A good case or bag can also make transporting your guitar easier and more convenient.

Choosing the Right Protection

There are two main types of guitar protection: hard cases and gig bags. Hard cases offer the best protection but can be bulky and expensive. Gig bags, on the other hand, are lighter and easier to carry but offer less protection. For beginners, a padded gig bag is often the best choice, as it provides a good balance of protection, portability, and cost.

Bonus -> 6: Multieffects pedal.

A multi-effects pedal is an essential tool for beginner guitarists looking to explore a wide range of sounds without breaking the bank. These versatile devices combine multiple effects—such as distortion, delay, reverb, and modulation—into a single, compact unit. This not only saves money but also reduces the clutter of individual pedals, making it easier for beginners to manage their gear.

One of the biggest advantages of a multi-effects pedal for beginners is its ability to offer an extensive library of tones and effects. Instead of purchasing individual pedals for each effect, a multi-effects pedal provides access to a variety of sounds, allowing beginners to experiment and discover their unique style. This versatility is particularly beneficial for those still exploring different genres, as they can easily switch between sounds suited for rock, blues, jazz, or metal with just a few clicks.

Another key benefit is the user-friendly interface. Most multi-effects pedals are designed with beginners in mind, featuring intuitive controls and pre-set patches that make it easy to start playing right out of the box. This ease of use helps beginners focus on developing their playing skills rather than getting bogged down in technicalities.

In addition, a multi-effects pedal often comes with built-in tuners, looper functions, and amp simulations, further simplifying a beginner's setup. The built-in tuner ensures that the guitar is always in tune, while the looper function helps with practice and songwriting. Amp simulations allow beginners to experience different amp sounds without needing to purchase multiple amplifiers.

Overall, a multi-effects pedal is a cost-effective, space-saving, and user-friendly solution for beginner guitarists, providing them with all the tools they need to explore and refine their sound.

Conclusion

Starting out as a guitarist is a journey filled with learning, exploration, and a lot of fun. While your guitar is the centerpiece of this journey, the right accessories can make a significant difference in how quickly you progress and how enjoyable the experience is. 

Guitar picks, in particular, are an essential accessory that deserves careful consideration. The Rombo Variety Pack (Link here) offers beginners an excellent opportunity to explore different picks, helping you find the perfect match for your playing style while also expanding your understanding of how this small tool can shape your sound.

Alongside picks, a reliable tuner, a comfortable strap, a versatile capo, and a protective case or gig bag are all essential accessories that will enhance your learning experience and ensure that you're set up for success. Investing in these accessories from the start will not only make playing easier and more enjoyable but will also help you develop good habits and a deeper understanding of your instrument.

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!

In our article “How to choose the right guitar pick,” we did a deep analysis on the qualities you should consider when deciding which plectrum to use.

In this article, we will discuss the most important characteristics needed in a guitar pick in order to make the playing experience as comfortable as possible and obtain the best results. These characteristics are not as obvious as others but are essential to getting the most out of this accessory.

1- What is a premium guitar pick?

The Cambridge Dictionary says premium is “used to refer to something that is of higher than usual quality."

Therefore, a premium guitar pick will exceed in qualities like material, shape or texture and will provide a playing experience that’s above average in terms of precision, durability, comfort, tone, or other areas.

Put simply, a premium guitar pick will perform better than regular picks.

1.1 How to achieve premium quality:

Reducing the definition of a guitar pick to its basic intrinsic features, it is easy to understand how to improve certain areas.

For example, it is logical to conclude that better materials will have an impact on the guitar pick’s tone and durability.

Also, with the help of basic ergonomic and design laws, you can create a shape that enhances grip or slides better. The key is to know what you are looking for.

Back in 2018, with the help of a number of professional guitar players, we defined the requirements the Rombo picks had to achieve:

• Excellent tone with minimal pick noise
• Durability
• Comfort and grip
• Great look
• Versatility

With these premises, we started a journey to identify the qualities that would provide an above-average experience in every area.

2- Qualities of a premium guitar pick:

2.1 Micronodules grip texture:

Grippy, non-sticky surfaces are perfect for the guitar pick’s hold area. 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 is uncomfortable for long practice sessions.

When developing the grip texture, our focus was to create a type of grip that allows the player to maintain flexibility and freedom along with a feeling of security and control.

More information on guitar pick grip can be found here.

2.2 High-mirror polished tip:

A guitar pick with a polished tip allows the player to experience more control and less friction. Reduced friction between the plectrum and the strings of the guitar will increase the durability of the pick because it will wear less and reduce its noise.

Noise reduction is a feature especially useful for recording studio tracks.

Furthermore, a polished tip produces more clear individual tones, a requirement for some guitar techniques such as sweep picking.

2.3 Variable thickness:

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

For that reason, plectrums of variable thickness have been created, giving us the best of both worlds.

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

Remember that an increase in the thickness of only two sheets of paper will substantially reduce the pick’s flexibility!

Read more about the advantages of using a guitar pick with variable thickness here.

2.4 Ergonomic design surfaces:

By following ergonomic models, the surface of the pick can be adapted to feel more comfortable and also look great.

Similarly, we can take advantage of concave or convex surfaces, as they help keep the plectrum’s position oriented and avoid losing control in turning movements.

The shape is also closely connected to the tone of the guitar pick. Just like with the design of a surfboard, you need a specific shape to optimize your energy when catching a wave. The same effect is caused when the guitar pick plucks the strings; different shapes will produce different results.

2.5 High-quality materials:

If your hands are doing an arduous job, then they deserve the best tools, right? Many people spend a lot of money on guitars, amplifiers, strings, and other accessories, but they overlook the guitar pick. This is a big mistake.

The material with which the pick is made can influence the tone, attack, flexibility, durability, and many other aspects. Therefore, without paying attention to it, you can hardly find your personal sound.

Are you curious about the materials used for the Rombo guitar picks? Read a full article on the topic here.

2.6 Unique designs:

The design of everything you own is a way of expressing yourself and defining your personal style.

When it comes to guitar picks, functionality is everything. This is the reason we have spent so much time integrating beautiful geometric patterns that also fulfill the functional requirements for every technique.

3- Conclusion:

In short, guitar picks are personal items that are bound to subjective perceptions. However, some aspects are measurable and can be improved to fulfill requirements that every guitarist needs.

Don’t overestimate this small piece of gear.

Not sure what is the right guitar pick for you? Let us help you here.

Sweaty palms or sweaty hands are one of the most common issues guitar players suffer from.

Playing with wet hands makes it difficult to play and some techniques like bends and slides can get a bit tricky.

Not only will your playing be affected by sweat, but also your guitar: the salts contained in the sweat will erode your strings and can even damage the neck of your guitar.

If you experience this problem often, you will know the feeling of reduced grip, imprecise movements, and lack of control when playing guitar. This can lead to frustrating moments and, in the worst case, to stop playing the guitar forever.

Nevertheless, we have two good news for you:

You are not alone: sweaty hands is a problem that affects almost 10% of guitarists.

Sweaty hands won’t prevent you from becoming an excellent guitarist. There are many solutions.

We have done our job and talked to many experts to summarize the top 10 ways to avoid sweaty hands when playing guitar.

Tip 1 - Relax and calm down: 

The most common reason for sweating while playing guitar is being too nervous. Especially in live performances or during studio recording sessions.

At home, you are in a controlled environment and you can reduce the tension of your body more easily, you can take your time and start again from the beginning when making errors.

Some guitar students have reported having sweaty hands only during their guitar lessons or rehearsals.

If this is your case, take a couple of deep breaths and warm up before you play guitar. Try to learn how to control this situation and understand that it is only mental. Good luck with it!

Tip 2 - Cold Water and Soap:

In combination with the first tip, washing your hands with cold water and soap before playing guitar can work very well.

Soap removes dead skin cells and carries away oils and dirt so you will be protecting your guitar from dirt, especially your guitar strings.

Tip 3 - Play in a dry Place:

Even in the warmest months, looking for a dry place to play guitar can help a lot when it comes to sweat.

One way to reduce the humidity of the air is by using air conditioning. Other alternative ways to keep a room dry is growing plants that absorb humidity or using a dehumidifier.

Tip 4 - Use a Fan:

Using a fan that points to your guitar will help evaporate your sweat and keep your hands cooler, making them sweat less.

The biggest downside of this solution is the noise created by the fan. Especially if you are playing at home and want to relax, the noise of a fan can be annoying even when playing electric guitar.

Tip 5 - Use a Towel between the Songs:

The same way you tune your guitar between songs, you should dry your hands as well and wipe the strings down after every song and after playing.

Sweat is a guitar string killer, and some people have very acidic sweat that will damage the guitar and strings even faster.

Keep a towel on your guitar case, and after a couple of sessions you won’t even notice you are drying your hands.

Tip 6 - Baby Powder:

Baby powder, also known as talcum powder, is a great home remedy for sweaty hands when playing guitar. It’s simple, fast, and effective.

Many great guitarists have used this method over decades and even carried a small bottle of talcum powder for every gig.

Tip 7 - Climbing Chalk:

To be confident in your guitar playing, you need to be sure that your sweaty hands are perfectly taken care of and stay dry.

If the talcum powder did not work you might consider looking for professional climbing chalk.

Tip 8 - Stay hydrated:

Staying hydrated not only will help you manage your body temperature and make you sweat less, but also have a healthier sweat. What do I mean by this?

When your body is dehydrated, there will be an increase in the concentration of sodium in sweat which is indicated by a higher pH value.

Acidic sweat is very sticky and uncomfortable to play with, and it will damage your guitar and corrode your strings even faster.

Tip 9 - Use the right Finish for the Wood of your Guitar Neck:

Guitar necks are made out of many different wood types and wood finishes, for example varnished or bare wood.

Bring your guitar to a luthier and talk about the problem with your hands. He will recommend the best finish for your type of skin and playing style and you will increase the chance of finding a practical solution.

Tip 10 - Visit the Dermatologist:

Everybody’s hands sweat. If you have tested many methods to reduce sweat while playing guitar and this is taking away your enjoyment or affecting your technique, you should visit a dermatologist and check if you suffer from hyperhidrosis, a medical condition that affects 2.8% of the global population.

They work every day with such problems and will know what to do so you can play guitar again without any worries.

Bonus: Tip 11 - If your picking hand sweats, find a suitable guitar pick

 

Sometimes the best place to start is with a Variety Pack containing different guitar picks.

In our experience, the right grip, shape or geometrical pattern can help a lot here. 

Last Thoughts:

You are not alone. Talk to other guitarists, share your solutions with them and help each other. The guitarist’s learning path is a path full of obstacles and sweaty hands is just one of them.

Talk to your guitar teacher and let him or her know about your problem. Likely, we will also have had some other students with the same problem.

Please let us know if you have found an even better method to prevent your hands from sweating when playing guitar, so we can include it in this article. Thanks!

What are guitar picks?

Guіtаr рісkѕ аrе the brіdgе between уоu аnd уоur instrument. A hіddеn hеrо іn thе hands оf guitarists.

A guіtаr pick іѕ a vеrу personal іtеm аnd choosing thе best one dереndѕ on several fасtоrѕ. Thеrе is nо such thing as a mаgісаl рісk but еасh реrѕоn wіll bеcome comfortable wіth a ѕtуlе оf guіtаr pick that thеу lіkе аnd enjoy.

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

How much difference can a guitar plectrum really make?

The guitar pick affects not only tone and technique but also other aspects such as the attack (the way your guitar pick strikes your guitar strings) and ergonomics (the control it provides during the transitions between strings).

Understanding some basic rules is essential when choosing the right guitar pick:

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT GUITAR PICK

1- Shape of the pick

Thе shape of the pick іѕ one factor that рlауеrѕ оftеn оvеrlооk. Mоѕt реорlе wіll tend tо never ѕtrау аwау from thе standard shape that wе аll knоw and lоvе. Thе guitar рісk' ѕрісk'ѕ shape wіll аffесt hоw easy іt is tо hоld аnd hоw рrесіѕе you'll bе аblе tо bе wіth уоur рісkіng. 

Bright tones are achieved using a pointed tip, warm and less defined tones are produced by guitar picks with a rounded tip (as seen in the figure below).

Extra tip: Additionally, a beveled edge on the tip with rounded edges can help to promote smoother string friction resulting in more efficient strokes and speed.

2- Thickness of the guitar pick

Thе thickness of уоur рісk is the most significant part of hоw bright оr hоw warm уоur guitar sounds. Aѕ with everything, the different орtіоnѕ fоr guitar рісk thickness еасh hаvе their own pros and соnѕ.

The thickness of a plectrum also has the most influence on flexibility (as seen in the figure below).

The thickness of guitar picks are generally measured in millimetres (mm) and the ranges vary a lot depending on the brand and music style:

Thin guitar picks:

Good for rhythm guitar but not great for lead guitar because of the lack of control when playing single notes. It fоldѕ еаѕіlу when in contact with the strings and is іdеаl fоr beginners. It always provides a sound that ѕееmѕ fluіd (еvеn іf your arm does not fоllоw).

Medium picks:

The most versatile guitar picks and perfect for solo guitarists who use different techniques in the same songs (strumming, solo, palm mute, etc.…). They cоmbіnе comfort, рrесіѕіоn, rhythm, and ѕрееd of рlау.

Thick picks:

Thick picks give the guitar player more control of volume and attack on the strings. Favorite amongst advanced guitarists. Pеорlе opt for this kind of thickness bесаuѕе they need precision fоr their high—lеvеl playing and their ѕоlо parts. Guaranteed gаmе speed!

Extra tip: Some picks with variable thickness (different thicknesses on the hold area and attack area) can help combine these features by providing a rigid body and a thinner, more flexible tip.

3- The overall size of the plectrum

The ѕіzе оf the рісk іѕ the bіggеѕt factor when considering comfort. Thіѕ іѕ extremely personal because nо one іѕ the same. Besides, this point is strictly connected to the shape of the guitar pick. 

Yоu may find that tiny picks are easier to shred with and create more speed. Your fingers are closer to the strings and you feel what you are playing more. The downside to these picks is that they can be dropped easily because they are smaller.

Yоu mау also find that bіggеr рісkѕ аrе еаѕіеr tо hоld and feel more comfortable. Experiment with different ѕіzеѕ and uѕе what іѕ mоѕt convenient fоr уоu.

Usually, the size varies between 15 and 40 mm (as seen in the figure below).

Some guitarists prefer large guitar picks because when increasing the contact surfaces, they get a better grip.

4- Guitar pick materials and textures

Guitar picks can really be made out of anything. In the past, some exotic materials were used to produce guitar picks.

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

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

Extra tip: Grip textures depend also on the material. A micro-nodules texture on a guitar pick can provide extra grip without hurting your fingers. Read more in our article "Why textures on guitar pick surfaces can help improve your playing experience"

Conclusion:

The only way to really find your guitar pick is to spend some time trying new shapes, materials and sizes. Sometimes, your needs as a guitar player change with the time. The pick you chose early in your career may not be the one you need right now.

Developing your skills also means adapting to new environments. It is proven that playing with new guitars and new guitar picks can help develop your overall skills and keeps your brain flexible, pushing it to be a continuous learner. Don’t be afraid of variety.

PS: Have you thought about using recycled materials? Learn more in our article: “Rombo Unveils New “Eco-Black Range” Guitar Pick Models”