[Tech] Pick Scoring

[ShadyDavey]

I used to use Jazz III's and run a soldering iron in a fan pattern over the grip - never dropped one

After that I moved to techpicks and had a couple of brass picks knocked out by a friend of mine. With those I used to drill a hole through the middle (about 5mm) and counter-sink that to provide something I could dig into but I got a little tired of the "schip-schip-schip" sound as the pick hit the string and went back to the Jazz III's.

 

[russdogz_]

tried melting dots with paperclips, works great

also decided to make some patterns like stars n shiiiit

 

[chaosxcomplex]

I've used the black Jazz III's forever, and I've been scratching them with a knife for a while. Helps cause my hands sweat a lot...Gonna try the paper clip method...Looks promising.

 

[Cereal Drum]

Hmm, I just use tortex .88's and I have no problem with grip or anything. I love em.

 

[Galius]

I use these and they work great
http://www.snarlingdogs.com/images/goodbrain.gif

 

[Cheesebuiscut]

I looked around for different ways to keep the picks from slipping and ended up doing this:

Silver duck tape! Stuff sticks to your fingers if you press down a little bit and holds up well when sweat gets into the mix. Though it doesn't always feel amazing when you do get really sweaty but your pick doesn't go anywhere.

 

[damigu]

i just score with a knife, but i'm going to try out that heated paperclip idea--it sounds really promising and safer than the knife.

 

[oldbulllee]

for me, the best and easiest way to mod it, is to apply 4-5-6 ( to your preference, and according to the size/shape of the pick) SMALL drops of cyanoacrylate ( super glue) on each side of the pick, of course, only on the grip area.
works great, and lacerations are not an option.
remember: small drops, just a touch with the opening oh the glue bottle. if you put too much, it could just spread across, and it wouldn't work as well in providing more grip.

 

[Deadbrog]

Is it me or do the black JazzIII's seem to have more grip? I love the black ones, but when ever I need picks, I usually need them right away and can only find the reds. And of course, I never order the black ones online in case I need them later

lol, i do the exact same thing. the red ones slip too much if your hands start to get sweaty.

 

[jymellis]

i have no problems holding onto my pics, but my buddy srills a single hole through the middle of each pic so his fingers touch.

 

[Mn3mic]

This is a nice Idea but I think it takes too much time...

You can get the same/similar result by simple carving an X on each side of the pick with any sharp object.

But still a nice idea though

 

[damigu]

You can get the same/similar result by simple carving an X on each side of the pick with any sharp object.

my experience says you are incorrect, sir.

when i first tried scoring a pick, all i did was put an X on each side. it only made a minor difference and i gave up on it for years because it wasn't good enough.

then i decided to make a waffle pattern on each side and it makes a much more significant difference. the dimple thing helps even more.

but these days i use a soldering iron the melt a hole in the center of the pick. once the plastic cools, there are raised edges around the hole that improve the function of the hole itself.

 

[Mn3mic]

It works for me and is less time consuming.

But my only concern was the live playing, sweat and all that, so basically the carved X was more then enough to get me through live performances...

 

[stevo1]

i just burn a couple of holes on both sides where i grip on the pick with a soldering iron... i never have a problem, and it lightens the pick.

 

[Bevo]

I take the tip of the knife and spin it a half turn or so into the pic, it raises the plastic up. About 5 divots on each side works, just don't cut yourself!

Put the pic on a wood surface with is point at 9 O'clock, hold tip with your finger. Put blade on at 12 sharp end up, then rotate clockwise to 6.

 

[Mukersman]

I don't know how deep you guys want you picks scored, but I just take a key and put a bunches of multidirectional scratches on the thumb side of my dunlop tortex things.

 

[Unto The Sky]

Cheers for this. Definitely going to try a couple of the methods here. I'm absolutely terrible for dropping picks, a load of my friends have a running joke about it. Sweaty hands FTL!

 

[AliceAxe]

I don't realy have a problem with holding onto picks myself, i hold them in a way that they pivot between my thumb and first finger , that for me they never silp, I hardly ever lose picks.

But some of my students have had issues and these have been very sucessful for them.

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as far as the original post, IMO anything that even remotely risks serious harm to a guitarist's hands, especialy over something like better pick grip when there are other options available, is a big FAIL.

 

[lookralphsbak]

I just use Jazz III max grips. 24 pack is $9.99 on musiciansfriend.

 

[Jet9]

I just use V-Picks, they actually work BETTER for people with hot/sweaty hands.