Every guitar player has their own personal preference when it comes to the thickness of their guitar picks. That’s because different people have different fingers and different playing styles. Some people prefer thin picks, while others like thicker ones. But what if there were two types of picks that you could try out? Which one should you buy, a thin pick or a thick one?
Contents
- 1 Difference Between Thick And Thin Guitar Picks
- 2 When To Use A Thin Or Thick Guitar Pick
- 3 Benefits Of A Thicker Guitar Pick
- 4 Benefits Of A Thin Guitar Pick
- 5 Disadvantages Of A Thicker Guitar Pick
- 6 Disadvantages Of A Thin Guitar Pick
- 7 Are Thick Guitar Picks Better?
- 8 The Verdict: Which One Is Best, Thin Guitar Picks Or Thick?
We’ve put together this article about what separates thin vs thick guitar picks and which type is better for your guitar pick thickness needs!
Difference Between Thick And Thin Guitar Picks
The main difference between thick and thin guitar picks is obvious – the thickness. The thickness determines how far the pick bends in your fingers when you play. Thicker picks tend to be more durable and they won’t break easily. They also have more mass, which means that they are more responsive.
Additionally, very thick guitar picks can produce a brighter sound. They may feel more stable because of the way that they are put together.
On the other hand, very thin picks feel very different because they bend easily while playing. They have a lot more give with plucking the string. Thin picks are more responsive and you can pick very quickly when you use one. An ultra-thin pick is possible to play with, although it will be more difficult to bend because of its extreme thinness.
When To Use A Thin Or Thick Guitar Pick
A thick guitar pick is a great pick to use if you play acoustic guitar on the regular. A thick pick will produce a bright and full sound. Many players enjoy the heavy tone that they get when they use large picks with their electric guitars. They think that it gives them a fuller, more robust sound for their playing style.
In contrast, a thin pick is great for players who want to strum or pick the strings very hard but not produce as much volume. Thin picks work best with an electric guitar, but they can be used on acoustic as well.
Ultimately, the type of pick that you use comes down to personal preference. There is no right or wrong pick for what type of sound or playing style you want to have. The only way that you will know if a certain kind of pick works for you is if you give it a try!
Benefits Of A Thicker Guitar Pick
A thicker pick is more durable and can last longer. The material and quality of a thick pick will determine how much longevity it will have, but in general you can use a guitar pick as long as you take care of it. A thicker guitar pick will provide more mass so that you can feel the strings when you play.
A thicker pick will have more sound and will be more responsive. As a result, you have more control over the sound that it produces. The strings will vibrate with a lot of energy, which leads to a fuller sound coming out of your guitar.
Benefits Of A Thin Guitar Pick
The material of the thin guitar pick is less rigid, but it still holds together very well. Thinner picks are more flexible because they have less mass to them, but they don’t bend as easily when playing.
When strumming with a thin guitar pick, the string response of the thinner pick will be less, but it will still have maximum responsiveness from it.
Thin picks are incredibly responsive and can produce a very bright sound when used with an electric guitar. Thin picks are best for strumming or picking the strings.
Disadvantages Of A Thicker Guitar Pick
Since these guitar picks don’t have any flex in them, they can make it harder to strum chords. You have less control over the strings when you have a thicker guitar pick in your fingers. It doesn’t have as much give as the thinner picks, so you might struggle to strum.
So, while a thick pick does give you more control when playing individual notes, strumming can be a bit harder to do consistently.
Disadvantages Of A Thin Guitar Pick
The disadvantages of a thin guitar pick is basically the opposite of the thick pick cons. When playing individual notes, you will have less control over the pick if it’s very thin.
Additionally, when you strum with it, a very thin guitar pick may not produce as much of a response from the strings. You might find that you have to strum down harder when strumming in order for your chords to sound at their fullest.
Are Thick Guitar Picks Better?
It depends on your preferences. If you play acoustic and usually strum your guitar, a thinner guitar pick is a great choice. It will produce a more consistent sound.
If you prefer to use the individual notes when playing the guitar, however, you may prefer to use a thicker pick. The thick pick will make it easier to control each note that you play.
The Verdict: Which One Is Best, Thin Guitar Picks Or Thick?
It really comes down to personal preference. If you are just starting out on your instrument, you should try out both options and see what you like better. You may like thicker picks if you play a lot of acoustic guitar, but you may prefer thinner picks for playing with an electric.
Ultimately, both kinds of picks have their benefits and you should experiment with them to see what gives you the sound that you desire. If a thin guitar pick feels too fragile for your liking, then try a thicker one and vice versa.