Sticky Picks vs Gorilla Snot

Gorilla Snot utilizes tree rosin and has the consistency of a very thick paste. It stays stickier and more pliable than the other brand and tended to retain its properties when picks were removed and then used again. If over applied it did leave a residue, not really water soluble, that would have to be wiped or washed off at the end of the session, but given the time that it stays usable I feel that’s a small trade off. Picks can be repositioned and most of the original grip is still there, which works great for those of us who have trouble hanging on to flat picks. If the pick is laid down for a while the grip did seem to return with a little friction and body heat. Like the other product it’s easy to over apply, just a small amount is needed.

Sticky-picks is more of a glue type product made from natural ingredients. The instructions are to apply a small amount to picking fingers, put on picks or grip a flat pick as it will be held to play and allow the product to dry for approximately 60 seconds. This is a very thin liquid and I felt it was hard to get the right amount, with any excess causing the drying time to be longer. It did seem that depending on the amount applied, there was often a residue that required washing off with water. Once the pick was in place it was hard to reposition after drying without loosing the gripping property. This would work fine with finger or thumb picks, something that goes on one way and stays in that position, but there isn’t much flexibility after it dries. I feel this would work very well for banjo players who have problems with thumb picks rotating or moving around.

Short Summary:

Sticky-Picks

is more like a glue that dries, any dried excess will probably need to be washed off picks with water, once dried it didn’t reactivate very well when the pick was moved or released, long drying time especially if too much is used.

Gorilla Snot

is a sticky paste-like rosin requiring no drying time, over application leaves a residue that can usually be wiped off with a rag, has lots of flexibility for repositioning picks, retains the sticky property for a long while and tends to reactivate with body heat and friction.

In my opinion Gorilla Snot is the product to use for a flat pick but to hold finger or thumb picks Sticky-Picks would be best.