Guitar and bass pick

Choosing a guitar pick: start with thickness

Thickness is the fastest way to narrow the field. Ignore the label for a moment and check the millimetre measurement: “medium” or “heavy” can shift from one brand to another, while 0.73 mm is always 0.73 mm.

Thin picks flex noticeably across the strings, which can feel comfortable for broad chord work. As the pick gets stiffer, the hand gets a more immediate response and less of the movement is absorbed by the pick itself. Players working on tight riffs, alternate picking or palm-muted parts often move toward firmer gauges. Bass players commonly do the same because the strings offer more resistance.

Typical ranges overlap, but roughly 0.40–0.60 mm sits in the lighter area, 0.60–0.80 mm covers many medium picks, and gauges above about 0.85 mm move into heavy territory. A mixed pack is useful because it lets you test several gauges without changing anything else in the setup.

Shape matters more than it looks

A full-size standard pick leaves plenty of material between the fingers. Compact jazz-style shapes keep the tip close to the hand and suit players who want small, controlled movements. Triangular picks give a larger gripping area and several usable corners.

Then look at the tip and edge. A sharper point presents less surface to the string; a rounder tip feels broader on contact. Bevelled edges can make a thick pick release more smoothly. If picks keep rotating in your hand, texture and grip treatment may matter more than another change in thickness.

Materials: compare feel and wear

Material changes stiffness, surface texture and wear rate, but those properties are tied to the design of the pick. Nylon is often used for flexible or textured picks. Celluloid-style picks usually have a smoother surface. Acetal/Delrin is common in matte picks, while Ultem/Ultex is frequently chosen for stiffer, hard-wearing designs. Acrylic, wood and metal sit further outside the usual everyday choices.

The useful test is whether the pick stays stable in the hand, crosses the string cleanly and keeps its edge after regular use.

Replace it when the edge changes. Picks wear gradually. A rounded tip, visible notches, warping or a polished grip area can change how consistently the pick meets the string. If a familiar pick suddenly feels less accurate, compare it with a fresh one before changing your technique.

Related sections include Guitar Strings and Guitar accessories.

Explore also: electric guitars, acoustic guitars.