[jsntg]

I've used the Golden Gate Extra Heavy thump pick for almost 2 years now. I've been working on speed lately and tried out the Herco heavy. I was able to pick 5 bpm faster across multiple strings instantly. The Herco has a tinnier sound than the GG which is a downside for me.

As far as staying on your thumb, the Herco heavy 'sticks' as well if not better than the GG which has a thumb flange for extra stability. The main difference between the Herco heavy and the Golden Gate Xtra Heavy is:

- Thickness. Herco heavy is about 1/2 as thick as the GG Xtra Heavy and about 3/4 as thick as a National thumb pick and other bluegrass heavies. The physical thinness of the Herco means slightly more maneuvering room between strings and slightly less travel when outside picking multiple strings. This advantage here is non-trivial.

- Swing weight. The Herco heavy is about 1/2 the weight of the GG Xtra Heavy

- Flex. The Herco heavy flexes slightly while the GG Xtra Heavy does not flex at all.

- Rotation. The Herco heavy will give at the fulcrum point on top of the thumb yielding a quicker release from the string.

- Composition. The Herco is a softer plastic than the 'pearloid' GG. That said, it feels 'slippier' than the GG across the strings.

Being thinner and softer, the Herco wears out quicker. I can get over 250 hours out of a GG pick before it has degraded significantly but the Herco is starting to nick / crack after about 20 hours.

Hugh