Periodically I get a gritty feeling between my metal finger picks and my strings. I've noticed it happens most often with brass, nickel, or alloy picks, and not as often with stainless steel picks. It almost feels like it makes the pick stick just a little bit, and it definitely affects the quality and cleanness of the note produced. Polishing the pick on my pant leg reliably solves the problem.
Do you guys experience the same thing? I've always assumed it's residue from either the pick or the string being worn down. Stainless is a harder material, so it makes sense that it would be less prone to wear.
Yes, but not since I started using the Shelor stainless steel picks, as you noted. I used to swipe my picks on the underside of my leather banjo strap to stop this from happening.
Bobby
Yes. I carry a cloth in my pocket to wipe the stings off, do the pants thing, and use nose grease occasionally. It always gets worse for me when it’s hot and I’m sweating, and especially outdoors when it’s windy or dusty. I’ve always assumed it was sweat and skin oil attracting dust particles in the air. Some days I can play for hours and nothing. Some days it’s non stop gritty.
I've not noticed anything of a gritty nature.
Edited by - Owen on 05/16/2026 14:17:15
Rub on leather strap or belt
quote:
Originally posted by BobbyEYes, but not since I started using the Shelor stainless steel picks, as you noted. I used to swipe my picks on the underside of my leather banjo strap to stop this from happening.
Bobby
I prefer stainless picks for this reason. But it's funny: I tried out the modern national stainless steel finger picks recently and they got gritty pretty quickly. Then I read somewhere that they aren't truly stainless.
I went to Dunlop fingerpicks in 1975 and have had smooth sounding/no raspiness ever since.
Their dished blades promote very clean notes.
I do tend to polish them a little bit about once a week just because,but they don't really need it.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent (EU/GDPR Only)
Copyright 2026 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.
