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A problem with strings or picking?
This week there were no sounds or low noisy sounds when I picked some strings (especially the B and high E strings) – now the pick feels like a sandpaper with friction. This kind of noise was said to likely cause some people’s heart attack.😅 So I didn’t pick(practice) much this week. Then I noticed the picking area of the strings looked kind of whiter and thicker than other areas. Is it normal – the strings should be replaced? or does it indicate that the way I picked strings was not right? or is the pick not good quality? Thanks.
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14 Replies
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What type of pick, and thickness are you using?
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@Skyman the picks were bought from Amazon – a bunch of the Fender Premium picks. I used both the Medium and Heavy ones. Thank you.
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Hey @Ping It sounds to me as if the coating on the strings has come off, been worn off, etc. Without photos and/or video showing what it is you’re seeing and hearing, it’s difficult to say for sure. When’s the last time you changed your strings, and how much are you playing? They all factor in to when strings should be replaced. It could be you had some older strings. I would suggest changing your strings and see if that doesn’t solve the problems.
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@Loraine @MikeGaurnier Thank you for your suggestion. I just got all the strings replaced. Hopefully it will work fine. 😀
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Awesome Ping. Let us know how that works out. I hope to hear that the problem is solved.
MG 😀
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@MikeGaurnier @Loraine The problem has been solved by replacing the strings. Thank you again. Have a great week.
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I am so glad Ping. Thanks for letting us know.
Play everyday and have fun. And keeping asking any questions you need to.
MG 😀
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Awesome @Ping – Glad it worked out.
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@Loraine @MikeGaurnier The friction problem seems to still exist today. Now I kind of doubt it’s a picking problem. I noticed a weird thing – the outer edge (the side that is farther away from the right hand during picking) of the pick got wearing away (please see the attached picture). If a player is picking correctly, what should the pick look like after use? Does my pick picture tell that I’m picking a wrong way? Thank you both.
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This reply was modified 4 years ago by Ping.
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This reply was modified 4 years ago by
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@Ping The pick appears to show excessive wear from heavy picking/strumming, which would indicate that you are being too heavy handed. I have this tendancy too, just not to the extreme that your pick appears to show. When picking or strumming, the pick tip should lightly hit the strings. You’ll still get the sound from the strings with a lighter touch. Imagine a feather brushing a string. I would definitely say it’s time for a new pick. 🙂
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@Loraine Thank you for the timely inputs. I will try to pick/strum more lightly. Do you have an idea how long a pick can be used before replacement? Or when should a pick be replaced – when it shows any wear?
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Hey @ping, I would definitely replace it when it shows wear. Have a bowl of picks that you can choose from, and discard damaged or worn ones. It’s pretty difficult to damage a pick, so you must be playing a lot and very heavily.
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@Loraine Thank you for the information. Have a great day.
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