I've been using the Ultex thumb picks for years and haven't broken one yet. I reshape the pick part to suit my playing.

Re: Geipel/Giepel

Working for a German company in Connecticut, with German executives and having to pronounce lots of German names, I learned that ei and ie are both common in German words, and pronounced differently.

"ei" is pronounced as a long "i". "Weiner" is my cardiologist's name pronounced like "wine". Winer. Wein in fact is German for wine (made from grapes...)

"ie" is pronounced like a long "ee". Wiener, as in an infamous NYC politician is pronounced "ween". Weener. Like a hot dog.

The "i before e" rule doesn't apply to German, I guess.

I've never figured out how to correctly pronounce Epstein with 100% accuracy.

As for thumb picks I like the BIG plastic ones like clown barfs from Golden Gate or Kel Kroyden.   I did notice a few pure white ones I bought but can't remember the name of, don't remain slippery as the tip wears -- they have some kind of "grain" or texture under the polished surface that I didn't like.  I don't believe in using expensive picks because they get lost.

Re: The "i before e" rule doesn't apply to German, I guess.

I'm not vouching for its accuracy, but I seem to recall hearing/reading that there are "exceptions" to about 50% of the rules for English spelling/grammar.

[That's ^^ my story and I'm sticking to it ............ for now.   ]

And who needs Epstein/Epsteen/Epstine?      ... There's a guy up here, last name Skibicki who has been in the news because he's a bad dude.  For the first couple of years it was Skib-ick-ee.  Then a correction [ostensibly with his input] was issued and since then it's been Skib-it-ski.   

quote:

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Originally posted by Owen

Re: The "i before e" rule doesn't apply to German, I guess.

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That's just weird.

Geipel is a German word and therefor it doesn't have to toe the English language spelling rule line.

If you don't like the tone  of the Geipel you have now, consider trying one that's 1 size smaller or larger to see if the lower/higher mass of it makes the diff you need.

All in all, them Geipels are my most faved thumb picks. Well, during the very very very few times that I actually wear picks of course cause I like going back and forth between 3-finger and clawhammer while playing.

I can't imagine wearing my picks as tightly as I see in these photos.
I use Dunlop xl thumb and Dunlop .025 finger.
If I don't lick my fingers and thumb my picks are too loose.
They don't change the shape of the sides of my fingers.They just flatten my finger and thumb prints.
Careful shaping of the wraps.
These xl thumbpicks sometimes require a tightening of the back wrap (hot water just at the point of the bend) to fit the exact radius of the thumb.
These picks are cheap and sound full and powerful.Great low end power.

Of course head tension and neck contact also have a huge effect on tone.