How long do you use a pick?

[tele-rain]

I have 3 different picks sitting up on my dresser that I use when I practice. Two are the orange dunlops, and the other is the grey .73 nylon. For some reason, I prefer the .73 when I practice acoustic. I like the feel of the pick bending every so slightly, but I don't have the same feel on the Tele. So the Orange Dunlops for the Tele work better for me.

I'm wondering how long you guys use a pick for. Do you wait till you lose them (which is my rule of thumb) or is there a preference? I guess after some usage, the tip rounds out a bit. I'm not sure if that hinders my practice, but I'm thinking it might because some days I feel like my finger nail gets too close to the string and I miss the note. I'm wondering if I should get in the habit of newer picks more often.

[ludashoeless]

get a surfpick

[Lenderman_k]

I usually use a pick either until I lose it or the main point is almost as rounded off as the other 2 sides. Then I grab a new one.

[trev333]

the bhudda holds my pick collection..along with a bunch of other things....

I never use them to play guitar, I used to drop them a lot so I gave up....one less thing to think about...

. visiting players get to use them the most, first thing they ask,, gotta pick?......

[soulman969]

I always have a dozen or more laying around and I probably lose them before I wear them out although the thins tend to break after a while if the get brittle.

[Lenderman_k]

Forgot to mention I use mediums or orange dunlops. Several years ago I was ordering strings from MF and they wanted me to spend just a little bit more money in order to get free shipping. Well I fell for it and bought 2 packs of picks. I havent had to buy picks in 5 years, But I am now running low.

[chabby]

Chalk me up to one that has never had a pick long enough to wear one out.
I lose them constantly. My favorite thumpick is the white heavy National these days.
When I use a flat pick which has been quite a bit lately for me, I like the orange dunlops.
They are nice and thick and give a nice crips Tele tone.

[Tele Fan]

I use them till there worn out or lost. I have a little jar on top of my amp that I keep them in.

[thunderbyrd]

gee, you mean picks actually wear out? i've never been able to hold onto one long enough to find out. i use one 2 or 3 days, then the couch eats it.

[marc13]

Originally Posted by thunderbyrd

gee, you mean picks actually wear out? i've never been able to hold onto one long enough to find out. i use one 2 or 3 days, then the couch eats it.

Just think how many you'll have when you move the couch! :P

[P Thought]

I almost never wear them out, except for now and then a wooden one--they tend to wear quickly--because I rotate through my collection of "boutique" picks. I've had this old piggy bank since I was very small. It comes apart just behind the pig's ears, but it was stuck shut most of my life, try what I might to open it.

A few years ago, about the time I started collecting picks, I finally got serious and opened it; I forget how, but I think it involved WD-40, a strap wrench, and a federal grant. Now it's about half full, and it contains hundreds of dollars worth of high-quality picks, many of which are worth what I paid for them!

Here's a few picks posing for the camera:

[cornfed]

Picks are the only thing I've ever dropped and was "NEVER" found,, why is that?

[tele-rain]

Cool replies! I can't tell you how many picks have gone through the washer/dryer. Good to know that little thing can withstand that kind of abuse, not melt away, and come out sparkly clean!

[gitold]

Ima Jazz III Dunlap guy and as soon as the point is gone the pick is too.

[hemingway]

I have about 30 in various locations around the house, because I'm an idiot.

I use Dunlops upside down, so the grip dimples make a scratchy sound. So I use them till the dimples wear off and there's no more scratchiness. Hasn't actually happened yet, as I never seem to use the same one twice.

[AirBagTester]

Fender mediums until I lose them (probably 50% of the time) or until they break (probably 2 out of 10?) I play bass also and that's how most of em break :/

I did have one I used that was pretty well rounded out at one point and then I lost it. Yeah, rounded picks do seem to need some adjusting to.

[eMGee]

I have a jar of picks and a bunch lying around. If too many are lying around, they go into the jar. If I need a pick, I know where to look.

I use picks till I lose them, although some of the purple Tortexs I use have acquired a warp along the lie of my thumb. Still usable though.

[DonMI6]

I've been using this one since around 1987. Somehow it's still with me after three changes of city & a dozen apartments. D'Addario 'Delrin' I think.

I have others, & I mainly fingerpick these days, but it's still the one I always reach for when I want one!

[Modern Saint]

When I lose them. I use the butt end to play so the life is doubled.

[wrathfuldeity]

I use one till I drop it...surfpicks are great and have worn a couple down to almost nubs...now it doesn't matter if I use the pointy or the rounded butt end.