Re: OT: Re: jazz on tele's etc. Tone control - pick your pick carefully

["Kris Hartung" <khartung@q.com>]

I agree! Wow. I have struggled with this for years.  I finally settled on using my index finger nail, which I keep moderately long. 

 

First, I really like the sound of the human finger nail on a guitar string. To me it sounds a lot warmer and natural.  I've tried picks that sort of simulated the texgture and density of a fingernail but didn't cut it. Picks just sound bright and brittle to me.

 

Second, when I comp chords, I always plug the strings with my fingers rather than strumming them. It produces a much more "piano" like feel to the comping, also more warm and natural because I am using the flesh of my fingers.  Using this comping approach and playing with a pick is very challenging, because you have that stupid piece of nylon/plastic to worry about in terms of positioning - becaues I pluck with my thumb and three fingers typically...pick has to go.

 

Kris

 

----- Original Message -----

 

A very important part of the "tone" conversation that is often overlooked is to consider the kind of plectrum you are using.

 

Just changing your pick with change your tone.  It's easy to overlook, but makes a big difference.  Many guitar players evelove their technique around a particular kind of guitar pick. Therefore, it can take a little while to adapt to a new pick and hence there can be a reluctance to change picks.  This is understandable.  But try changing picks and see what happens.  This is very obvious on acoustic guitars. But it also makes a big difference on electric-guitar tone.