Bill Rogers - Posted - 06/20/2026:  17:37:41

I seem to remember first buying them in the mid-1960s, but I’m hardly sure when they were first on the market. Anyone know? Tnx.

Joel Hooks - Posted - 06/20/2026:  17:54:45

Patent was filed in 1972

patents.google.com/patent/US3739681A/

Bill Rogers - Posted - 06/20/2026:  19:52:22

Thanks, Joel.

@Joel Hicks

Culloden - Posted - 06/21/2026:  05:15:05

I still have a set that I bought in about 1979 for 75 cents, metal thumb pick and all. I don't use them that much anymore, but they still work just fine. How many other thumb picks last that long?

RB3 - Posted - 06/21/2026:  06:21:02

I started learning to play the banjo in about 1966. In the late Sixties, I remember the quality of the new National finger picks being quite poor. The edges of the blades all seemed to have bad burrs, the picks were poorly formed, and they were becoming scarce. My recollection is that the Dunlop picks first became available in the early Seventies.

The Old Timer - Posted - 06/21/2026:  11:29:25

I seldom see brick and mortar music stores any more, but two weeks ago I stopped in the nice guitar store in Ithaca NY and they had a clear plastic box with Dunlop fingerpicks. I didn't need any; I was actually looking for clown barf thumbpicks (which they had and which I bought).



Starting in the 1990s I played on .0225 gauge Dunlops as they were more comfortable and more available than Nationals. 5 years ago or so I switched to .0250 gauge which seem to sound a bit more authoritative.

Quick Google search shows they are still widely available in brass and nickel silver, in several gauges.

Edited by - The Old Timer on 06/21/2026 11:32:53

BG427FSG433 - Posted - 06/21/2026:  12:28:59

Dunlop .0225 and .025 ware always, for myself, the most comfortable to wear with minimal to no tweaking. Sourced a plastic tube of .025's a few years ago and gave several pairs away to some aspiring young pickers, there were no complaints. My three-year-old granddaughter thinks they are jewelry and loves to strum my 5 string openback. As Dick stated I think they are still widely available.

Culloden - Posted - 06/22/2026:  07:43:03

I played with the .025 gauge for forty years. The old set I mentioned above is that gauge. In recent years I have been using .018 gauge because they fit to my aging fingers better. Or maybe it's because I seldom play out in public anymore and don't require the power of the heavier picks.
I know of several music stores in Lexington that carry the assortment of Dunlop picks in a plastic box on the counter. They are still easily available.

steve davis - Posted - 06/23/2026:  07:25:58

I've been using Dunlop .025s since the 70s and have a bagful in case I lose one or someone needs one.I carry extra guitar picks for the same reasons.
I have a metal Dunlop thumbpick,but always use a plastic Dunlop "tortoise" because I see no reason to change.
I love the tone I get from my Dunlops and see no reason to change.
I'd try '030s if they made them.

BanjoLink - Posted - 06/23/2026:  08:58:58

I remember from the mid-70's and to me are more comfortable than Nationals. A few years ago I bought several boxes of them, maybe off of here, that appeared to be in old boxes. I don't know how they compare to newer ones, if they are still made.

steve davis - Posted - 06/28/2026:  10:19:31

Plenty of Dunlop picks for saie on EBay and everywhere else.