david64 - Posted - 08/02/2009:  13:45:14

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I have both National and some Golden Gate thumbpicks and the Golden Gates are longer than the Nationals.
I don't seem to have any problems in using either one of them but does one have any specific advantage over the other?
I am also a banjo beginner.

David Ward - Posted - 08/02/2009:  14:48:13

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Hello,All picks seem to give a different tone depending on hardness of material.As far as length that's personal preference depending on how you hold your hand and strike the strings. Good luck

"Blue Country Bluegrass"

Deaf David - Posted - 08/02/2009:  15:48:39

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I would wager that most every one on this board has tried every pick they could find. Your picks, and how you end up adjusting them, will become as personal to you as your toothbrush. I would also wager that very few on this board would loan their picks to anyone. (Well, if Earl or Ralph asked nicely I'd probably make an exception.)



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Humans are capable of believing anything; and that explains a lot.
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wrightedward - Posted - 08/02/2009:  17:11:04

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Like David said ,,we have tried all picks ,,well all but the Blue Chip endorsed by JD at 45.00 no thanks ..But i like the Golden Gates ,,they hold up very well and produce good tone ..As for the lenght of the tip ,,,one pickin session and you will be use to them ..
Eddie
Phillippians 4:13

RB3Banjo - Posted - 08/03/2009:  11:22:26

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I also like the Golden Gates but find that they crack in two across the top sooner than they should. I can feel them getting looser and looser, then....there they go. Not all Nationals are created equal, to me. The tortoise shell-looking picks feel better going across the strings than the whites.
RB

Brian T - Posted - 08/03/2009:  12:26:50

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Always, always have spare picks which you have shaped and filed to your liking. Interchangable.
The cat found that my plastic GG thumb pick (one of three) bounces and skitters around on a wooden floor really nicely.
She can't remember where she put it.

We do not know where we are going.
Nor do most of us care.
For us, it is enough that we are on our way.
Le Matelot

stelling man - Posted - 08/03/2009:  14:03:22

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I've been using Golden Gate thumb picks for several years, I use the multi colored and get good mileage out of them..

STELLING MAN

jrdew - Posted - 08/04/2009:  07:15:42

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I use both. I like the density and length of the Golden Gate ivroid thumb picks, but they require some "breaking in" before thecoarse pick noise goes away. A fine emory board can accelerate the break in period.

As far as Nationals go, I prefer the toroise shell picks. They seem to be more duarable and solid than the white ones, IMO.

Possom - Posted - 08/04/2009:  07:22:50

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Tortoise shell "looking" Nationals for me, I buy up the music stores stock everytime i go in. (I swear they see me coming and remove all but 3 or 4 of em to make me think they sell out of em fast) The white Nationals break terrible and aint got quite the same tone, The Tortoise looking ones are kinda harsh sounding at first but after a hour or two theyre broke in and ready for a long life of pickin. They last me quite a while till the tip gets worn down and i start missin the string from time to time, then its time to change.

www.myspace.com/possomking

Banjo ~ Its a Passion not an Obsession

inspector710 - Posted - 08/06/2009:  16:50:45

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I have used both and find the Golden Gates last longer.

Klondike Waldo - Posted - 08/06/2009:  16:55:52

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I use Kel Kroyden picks from AMB. Before the AMB picks, I used GG, Dunlop, Planet Waves and a couple of un-labeled ones. like the AMB picks better- better fit (for me) better sound YMMV.
I have a National or two kicking around here somewhere if anyone wants one.

I''ll never play like Earl Scruggs or sing like Luciano Pavarotti, but I''ll pick better than Luciano and sing tenor better than Earl
deligo ergo renideo,
Bob Cameron

dcb - Posted - 08/06/2009:  18:40:41

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I have tried a few diffrent one's and the nationals would catch the strings from on the back wrap around the thumb, it sticks out at an odd angle. i dig in pretty deep with the thumb. i used dunlop tortist and they were ok but was missing something with the tone.
I am now using the dunlop heavies and it works real well.
http://www.jimdunlop.com/files/1153..._463X342.jpg

1968 Gibson Bowtie

dpete210 - Posted - 08/07/2009:  10:40:27

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My major complaint against either brand is they don't last long before they break where the plastic curves around the thumb, however the golden gate is more durable for me than the nationals. I've gone to the metal pro pick with delrin tip and have gotten to really like them. They last and last. You do have to shape them so they fit comfortably around your thumb, but once you've gotten that job done, they hold their shape well, provided you don't abuse them, and sound good. I tried the all metal one but didn't like the sound of the metal striking the strings. I much prefer the delrin tip. Here is a link to the page where you can see what I'm talking about if you are unfamiliar with the propick thumb picks. Scroll down and look for 2040 PROPIK Metal w/delrin point. http://www.janetdavismusic.com/thmbpks.html

Any day playing music is a GOOD day.

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Edited by - dpete210 on 08/07/2009 16:19:40

stormoveroklahoma - Posted - 08/07/2009:  16:55:47

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quote:

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Originally posted by david64

I have both National and some Golden Gate thumbpicks and the Golden Gates are longer than the Nationals.
I don't seem to have any problems in using either one of them but does one have any specific advantage over the other?
I am also a banjo beginner.

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Nationals break twice a month and Golden Gates never ever break.

my experience
I love the ex-large pearloid white Golden Gates I've never broke one while playing.

Storm

dpeacock1 - Posted - 08/09/2009:  11:04:09

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Use Golden Gate because they fit my thumb better, and produce a good full tone. But they break at the bend fairly often, which is frustrating. Have often wondered if a thin strip of spring steel could be inserted in the bend during the molding process and if this would would be an improvement?
Doug

Enjoy the music!

dpete210 - Posted - 08/09/2009:  15:03:22

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In addition to the "normal" thickness thumb picks comparable to the Nationals, Golden Gate makes a thick sturdy thumb pick, and I believe that is the one Storm refers to. I have one and but I like a crisper or fuller sound from the thinner style thumb pick than it gives, so I rarely use it, which means it will last for a very long time. Matter of fact, I just tried picking with it before posting this and I still prefer the sound of a thinner thumb pick. I've even filed down the picking part (top side only) and still don't care for its sound. But even with regular use it would last a long time because it is very sturdy. All is not lost because I can use it with my dobro.

That is an interesting concept you bring up, dpeacock1. If it would work, why not reinforce the pick unless the goal is to sell lots of replacement picks.

I neglected to mention earlier that I've got a couple of Kel Kroyden extended wear thumb picks and so far they have outlasted other plastic picks I've used. If someone is looking for an alternative to either national or golden gate, that would be one to consider trying. They seem quite similar in design to the golden gate thumb picks. $7.00 for a set of 2
http://www.americanmadebanjo.com/in...php?cPath=23

Any day playing music is a GOOD day.

R A Smith - Posted - 08/11/2009:  08:40:20

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I have used all the above... I always have trouble catching the string with those picks that have that open space.... I have found Gort Akri has the answer to the problem... His picks are bass, wrap around the thumb and there is a tab that covers up the space so that you cannot catch a string with thes picks.. They have a delrin plastic pick attached so they don't have a metallic sound... They have worked well for me for several years.... R.A.Smith