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New solution found to rotating picks
A fellow member shared this and pointed out that Taylor suggests this. (Mr. Taylor?). Apply sandpaper to picks using superglue. After 30 + years of pick struggles, something actually works!
In summary, I tried the sandpaper superglued to the top area of the pick with various picks and using 80 grit sandpaper. This is a remarkably successful experiment. There is literally no discernible movement or negligible, and the picks are working as good or better than ever. In this post I will explain how I did it.
As a side note, I am actually using a pick I never thought I would get the hang of, but having heard some old timers talk about thicker picks, I thought I would give it a try…. Although it still has some unpleasant tones, depending on how I strike the strings, it routinely sounds like heaven: The Jim Dunlop Primetone 3.0 standard grip, hand burnished.
So far, the sandpaper is holding up. I would hate to have to replace it.
Pro tip: Make sure you have fingernail polish remover available before you start (just in case you get it on your fingers).
I used: kitchen shears, ultra thin and pointy tweezers(?), and a small Phillips head screw driver (the latter was used to hold the superglue in place while it dried), paper towels (to suck up excess glue – put the edge of a paper towel in a too large standing drop, and the glue will roll into the paper towel), a spray can of accelerant.
Cut the sandpaper to fit. Do all of your day’s cutting first for blanks, then trim each to fit the various sized picks you may have. I tried some smaller and some larger. You may want to keep the paper away from the edges. More than halfway down towards the tip is probably too much sandpaper. I think 40% may be about right.
Have a work surface that can be abused. A 18×24″ piece of plywood or cardboard would probably workin a pinch. As you are applying the glue, have papertowels handy. Wipe your tools as needed. Don’t reuse the towels. The glue will be drying somewhat slowly then it will be solid, so keep things moving to keep the pick or other items from sticking to the work surface.
Select the sandpaper blank that will fit the next pick. Hold the pick with your tweezers. Apply glue to the pick and the paper. Use the paper towell to suck up excess (put edge to glue, watch the drop suck up and flatten). Spread glue as needed with tip of glue applicator. Back and forth from paper towel to applicator as needed. Try to avoid getting it on your fingers or wear disposable gloves.
Holding the paper with the thin tweezers, line up onto the pick. Press down with small slot head screwdriver. Hold for 20 second or so or as directed. Do one side at a time. Accelerant is key for fast workflow. Superglue doesn’t dry as fast as you might think, and that’s good because it gives you some time to adjust. But once it dries, it’s not going anywhere without a fight.
It will come out from under and go into places you didn’t want it. If you removed the excess, it should not be noticeable when playing. Use accelerant outdoors if you have it, holding pick with tweezers downwind from you. Accelerant is nasty. I cleaned with home made alcohol based cleaner once fully dried out as needed. No odors after a day or so
Hope this helps.
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14 Replies
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Nice one Earl! might have to experiment with that.
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The trick to a thick pick is never strum with anythjng but a loose grip and let that middle finger help a little so it doesnt rotate. Also strike the strings as light and just barely as possible
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Thanks for the tip!
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Here is another tip. Don’t let the glue fasten while your fingers are together. After many years of using the stuff, it eventually happened. What a dreadful situation.
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When I switched to a stiffer pick I found myself really bashing the strings because I was used to having to do that with a light pick to get any volume. The hardest thing so far has been learning to play lighter with the stiff pick. The stiff pick is definitely harder to strum with but is easier and far better sounding for soloing notes, flatpicking, bass walk up/downs etc
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👍
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That is great, Earl! So glad this worked. I tried this with sandpaper that already has an adhesive back. Below is the search term from Amazon. I just wish I could share my roll of sandpaper, as I think it is enough for a couple thousand picks (at least)!
<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>ABN Adhesive Sticky Back 120-Grit Sandpaper Roll 2-3/4in x 20 Yards Aluminum Oxide Golden Yellow Longboard Dura PSA
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Great find!!!! Thank you!
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Instead of superglue and sandpaper, I use double sided tape. Tape eventually loses its “stick”, but is easy to remove and replace.
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Thanks for sharing! Now you just need to make 100 of these and sell them at a nice profit 🙂
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😃
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Pickersgrip.com sells a waxy soap like substance that gives the pick grip. I use it alot
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I use the Dunlop Max Grip picks. Like a bit of sandpaper built in.
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Lots of solid tips here! The one Ive been using is to take 220 grit sandpaper and rough up the pick on one side. I do 2 at a time and then rub the scratched up faces together to knock off the high points. it has worked well for me!
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