Anyone else have this? ,,, the middle finger pick wears the point off fairly quickly,, the other pick not.
Only started happening recently,, I think these are stainless steel NP2’s.
Edited by - chuckv97 on 05/17/2025 15:04:40
Maybe you pick harder with that finger
I guess I do,, a lot of first string hits
If those are Nationals they aren't pure stainless. I had a pair that wore down just from long time play. A true stainless pick doesn't wear down..
candkath
Yeah, that’s what I was thinking,, they advertise them in the music store online catalog as SS
quote:
Originally posted by chuckv97Anyone else have this? ,,, the middle finger pick wears the point off fairly quickly,, the other pick not.
Only started happening recently,, I think these are stainless steel NP2’s.
I use Angled SS ProPik's no wear at all. I used to use Dunlop nickle plated and they wore down fairly quickly making the edge of the blades sharp.
Maybe it does have something to do with how hard/often you strike a string with that pick. I've had the same Dunlop picks since '97 and neither of them is warn down at all. And yes, I have attended jams, gone to festivals and had gigs, so the picks and the banjo have been very busy.
Is the pick hitting the head? I’ve got the same wear pattern on my thumb pick from a habit of playing fingerstyle guitar for decades using only bare fingers and thumb which in turn causes me to go to deep on the string when using my thumb pick which then hits the banjo head.
Mike, does your ^^ thumb pick have a metal or "plastic" blade?
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Originally posted by Pick-A-LickIs the pick hitting the head? I’ve got the same wear pattern on my thumb pick from a habit of playing fingerstyle guitar for decades using only bare fingers and thumb which in turn causes me to go to deep on the string when using my thumb pick which then hits the banjo head.
No, I don't hit the head, Mike, but I play a lot out of C position which has me playing more melody on the 1st string,,, could be why,,, not sure
Edited by - chuckv97 on 05/18/2025 07:43:06
"Only started happening recently"
Question: What does this mean?
Also, did you acquire both picks at the same time, from the same place?
The letters on the stamping on the picks appear the same. Do you notice any difference in the style of the imprint, such as one clearer than the other or letters thinner or thicker than the other?
Another two bucks down the drain! I think my Dunlop picks might wear a little heavier on the middle finger but like Sherry, I've had the same ones for 20+ years, and they will probably outlive me.
quote:
Originally posted by Alex Z"Only started happening recently"
Question: What does this mean?
Also, did you acquire both picks at the same time, from the same place?
The letters on the stamping on the picks appear the same. Do you notice any difference in the style of the imprint, such as one clearer than the other or letters thinner or thicker than the other?
Hi Alex,, no, they were bought at the same time,, it's the second one that's done that. I think I'm just whacking that first string harder and more often
I’ve tried Dunlops but they aren’t comfortable on me, seems they don’t go far into the finger enough. Tried Hoffmann and Yates too,, I’d need a month to get used to them, I figure.
The Nationals are built like the old ones that I started with in the early 1970’s, but different alloys.
Yes, I wasn’t suggesting there was anything wrong with your picks. We all have different hands.
Have any of you used brass fingerpicks? If so how are they? A local music store has NP2-B fingerpicks that are brass, or so they're advertised.
Edited by - chuckv97 on 05/18/2025 21:48:29
quote:
Originally posted by chuckv97Have any of you used brass fingerpicks? If so how are they? A local music store has NP2-B fingerpicks that are brass, or so they're advertised.
Hi chuckv97 I tried them years ago they felt really comfortable the down side being they wore much quicker than the nickle plated ones I was using at the time and they left dirty marks on the head
Edited by - FenderFred on 05/18/2025 23:18:49
quote:
Originally posted by Laurence DiehlAnother two bucks down the drain! I think my Dunlop picks might wear a little heavier on the middle finger but like Sherry, I've had the same ones for 20+ years, and they will probably outlive me.
Haha,, don't know if you had the album Seldom Scene at The Cellar Door, Laurence, but that reminds me of Ben Eldridge losing his pick in the middle of their spoof of "Hit Parade of Love" and John says,"Good Lord, that could've been another 50 cents shot!".
Edited by - chuckv97 on 05/19/2025 10:08:23
quote:
Originally posted by chuckv97quote:
Originally posted by Laurence DiehlAnother two bucks down the drain! I think my Dunlop picks might wear a little heavier on the middle finger but like Sherry, I've had the same ones for 20+ years, and they will probably outlive me.
Haha,, don't know if you had the album Seldom Scene at The Cellar Door, Laurence, but that reminds me of Ben Eldridge losing his pick in the middle of their spoof of "Hit Parade of Love" and John says,"Good Lord, that could've been another 50 cents shot!".
https://youtu.be/HNDe3fnef40?si=8Z4l_9PO60LofMqf
Yes I did have that album - probably my favorite SS album.
Does it really matter? I have used the same picks for years. They show some wear alright, but they still play just fine.
Joe
cottontop Well, Joe, I’m thinking that middle finger pick will explode one day from the high heat and pressure from my Cripple Creek slide on the 1st string…. keeps me up till 2am.
quote:
Originally posted by chuckv97Have any of you used brass fingerpicks? If so how are they? A local music store has NP2-B fingerpicks that are brass, or so they're advertised.
Exactly those. Easier to shape, easy to make more comfortable, and less bright and more mellow tone. Didn't like the additional drag I felt on the strings.
