The Chetboard

Howdy Folks!

Well, I'm guessing this is an age old issue.

My thumb picks are snug, yet comfortable. I have NO problems with my pick slipping until I play under hot stage lights and sweat a bit. It's not horrible, but there is indeed a loss of technique when this happens.

I'm quite sure I'm not the first to experience this, so I turn to you O fellow Chetboarders!

People have recommended Gorilla Snot (which seems to be out of produduction) I've also tried tighter picks but would like to stick to my prefered pick if at all possible! A good ol' Fred Kelly Heavy!

Thanks Sooooo Much All!

Tim

Hey Tim! As badly as you'd hate it, you may have to find a different thumbpick. I've tried several and the one that works best for me the medium (orange) Fred Kelly slick pick. If you're not willing to do that, you may want to try taking off the pick and just breathing on the inside of it before a song. Joe Pass used to bite his pick before a song and I assume he did that for grip, but what do I know? I'm a thumbpicker! hah

It is said that Earl Scruggs used to take a pocket knife and score crosshatches on the inside blade of his thumbpicks.

Double sided tape comes to mind, too

I don't know if this will work with Fred Kelly Picks (depends on the type of plastic used). I know it does not work real well with Dunlop Picks (the plastic seems to lose it's structural integrity and they break real easy). It works fabulously with Planet Waves Picks and you can repeat it as necessary without losing the structural integrity of the plastic. So, I use Planet Waves.

I solve the problem you are having by custom shaping the part of the pick that wraps around your thumb. This is done by soaking the pick in just boiled water to soften it, re-shaping it, and then running it under cold water. The Planet Waves Picks I use just need to be in the hot water for 10 seconds to become completely malleable, and will retain the shape you define after being cooled.

I don't know the science behind why it works - whether shaping the pick to your thumb creates more contact area, whether it creates different pressure points, or whether it is the custom angle you can create - but, I do know that it will work.

In addition, I find that by also custom shaping and angling the part of the pick that makes contact with the string (using the above and a file - 800 Grit Wet/Dry Emery Cloth will give your pick a super slick feel), I can get a lot more volume by picking a lot less forcefully, thereby putting a lot less pressure on the pick - I guess.

Hope this helps!

Randy

Thanks guys!

I'll try both! I have a billion different FKTP's around the house, so I'll try the orange. I'll rough up the inside of the pick as well!

Thanks sooooo much guys! OK- Off to the shed to make the donuts!(Practice )

Tim

Thanks Randy! I'll try that as well!

Good Ol' Chetboard! What a GREAT resource!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope to see ya'll at CAAS this year!!!!

Tim

be sure to report the results whether they work or not

It may sound a little gross, but if I am having trouble with the pick slipping around I just stick my thumb in my mouth and moisten it and believe it or not it helps a lot. That's an old Paul Yandell trick. I don't want to derail this thread and I know there is another thread already started on it, but I really miss Paul. It was so easy to almost take for granted that he would always be here. He was such a wealth of knowledge and if he was your friend, you had a friend indeed. One of the best persons I have ever known. He could answer the most complicated question, usually in 5 words or less. God made a very special man when he made Paul Yandell.

Go ta Lowes or HD and getya some of that self-adhesive felt. Cut and trim it to the inside of the loop with a razor blade . . .

They use to sell self-adhesive cork, but I haven't seen it for several years . . .

"Dr. Scholl's Moleskin" available in most drugstores and some groceries is adhesive backed too. All it is is flesh colored felt. Might be more convenient for you.