Herco Flat/Thumbpick fit on my thumb??

[Robert Lottmann]

Hi there...



What can I expect from these picks? I doubt that they would fit on my thick thumb.... Or can I order them in different sizes?
HELP me outa here !!!

Robert from the Netherlands

[surfco]

Yeah, they have them in different sizes.

[Ronkirn]

Personally, I think you're kinda stuck with whatever size your thumb is.

Ron Kirn

[Spidercaster]

I think they come light, medium, and heavy, like regular picks, but I've never seen them
sized by "thumb size". I use them occasionally, and like them over traditional thumb picks.

[mellecaster]

A saucepan of very Hot water, and some pliers will make them any thumb size you want.

[Valvey]

The lighter ones don't stay on the thumb too securely because the loop is too flimsy. I also find these aren't as effective in doubling as a flatpick as some other types-- e.g. Fred Kelly Slick Pick, with its shorter, blunter blade.

[jhundt]

I use those all the time. They work very nicely for me and how I play. I don't think they are available in different sizes - only different thickness light-medium-heavy as Spidercaster said.

I have never been able to find them here in Holland, but I had a friend bring over a bunch for me.

Robert - I see you are new here. Welcome! I maintain an email list of NL Tele players; we have organized several Tele jam-sessions in the last 4 years. If you are interested please email me and I will add you to the list.

the address is: jhundt@ziggo.nl

[Wally]

IME, these do not function as true thumbpicks do...that is, they are too light for thumb only use. They do keep a person from dropping a pick since the thumb 'ring' keeps the pick in place, but they aren't sturdy enough to pick 'thumb alone' things, ime.

[Thorpey]

just use a jazz pick and 3 fingers

then you'll never have to worry about picks fitting your big thumb

[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