GEAR 35: Plectrum Material 2

This is a follow-up to the previous round of testing back in GEAR 22.

It was prompted by the arrival of a bag of Santa Cruz Guitar Company picks and their unusual sound.

I decided to test it out against my personal pick and a bunch of others from my stash with different materials.

Here are the picks from left to right:

• Dunlop Jazz 3 XL

• SCGC

• Ibanez (the rubber range)

• D’Addario Cortex

• Dunlop Primetone

• Dunlop Flow

• Dunlop Jazz 3 Kirk Hammett

Here is an Em 9 chord with some picking and strumming to compare. Use headphones to hear the details. I tried to hit the strings the same way from pick to pick, and also in the same place over the soundhole.

Sound is only one of the considerations, if like me, you prefer to use just one pick for general playing. Thickness, grip and size are all factors. You ought to experiment widely until you land on the ones that suit you.

I have been on the Dunlop Jazz 3 XL 1.5mm for many years now because it is the best all-rounder for me, and it remains the case after today. I do like the feel of the material and understated sound of the SCGC, but it is a bit niche for my purposes.

If you are a recording guitarist, then it helps to have some tonal options and the SCGC will join that team.