I’ve been using the Propik #3’s and really liking them. For Thumb I’m still using the Dunlop all metal thumb pick. I’ve learned that they suck. But if you sand the slight manufacturer ridge off the tip, and buff it out with micro mesh pads, it becomes a very good thumb pick, that lasts forever. I bought one at a festival for 75 cents, 23 years ago, and it’s still going strong.

I use a Blue Chip thumb pick and Propik Heritage finger picks.

I like the old reliable large plastic thumb pick. I prefer the multi colored so called "clown barf" the best -- currently the only brand I'm aware of in clown barf is Golden Gate but there used to be others. When I buy thumb picks I try them on and only buy ones that already fit me. I had my fill of reshaping thumb picks in boiling water when I was a teenager (in the 1960s) and thumb picks of any kind were hard to come by where I lived in the Maine countryside.

For a few years in the 1980s I got talked into playing with the light blue Herco nylon thumb picks, which are on the medium to small side. Because a banjo mentor of mine used them (Bob Mavian) and he said many great banjo players used them and ALL the pro electric steel players used them. I gave up on them because I felt they were a little too flexible and would bend hitting the 5th string.

I started on National finger picks for maybe 35 years and then discovered Dunlop finger picks which came in various gauges and had softly flared bands that wrapped around the top of my finger. More comfortable. I've used them for 30 years now. I have moved from 0.225" gauge to 0.250" for the slightly firmer tone they give.

I've spent money (too much money!) on old Nationals, and they do sound good, but the bands still hurt my fingers!

My favorite finger picks and thumb picks are no longer available, but I bought a bunch of each years ago:

AMB thumb picks (either clown barf or mock tortoise)

Roy’s Own finger picks

In the past I’ve tried the blue Herco thumb picks but they felt as if they were about to fall off (I like my thumb picks to fit very tight). I also tried several different styles of Blue Chip picks and liked their smoothness and tone, but they also felt too loose for me.

I use bluechip thumb pick and Landis studios Sterling finger picks because they don't slip. Both last forever.

I have tried several varieties of the metal wrap/plastic blade thumb pick, but they have never worked for me. For the last few years I have settled on the Dunlop Ultex thumb pick. I sometimes use the Cool Picks Beta thumb pick for a slightly brighter sound.

I started with Nationals in the 1960s. My favorite modern picks are the Showcase 41s - I had one set for years, and when they finally got lost it took a while to find another set. In the meantime I tried several brands, but liked the newer National NP2s in nickel silver or gold plated versions - the newest Stainless steel picks don't sound the same to me. I have since acquired a couple more sets of Showcase 41s (and found my first set), so I am set for the foreseeable future. I also like the couple sets of Roy's Own picks that I own, but none of the many others I have purchased seem right for me. Everyone is different, though, and they are all worth trying.

Pro Pik Heritage and plastic Dunlop thumb pick

ProPik Heritage and ProPik Super-tone.