Complete guide

Guitar Picks Guide

A pick is the direct extension of your hand. A change of material, shape or thickness can completely transform your tone and feel. This guide covers everything you need to choose the right one.

Why the right pick matters

Most guitarists spend thousands on guitars and amplifiers but grab whichever pick is closest without a second thought. That's a mistake. A pick is the only point of contact between your hand and the string — it shapes your attack, your tone, and how naturally your technique flows.

Tone. Thicker, stiffer materials produce a brighter, more defined attack. Softer materials round off the transients for a warmer sound. The difference is audible even through a clean amp.

Speed & control. A pick that slips forces you to grip harder, which tenses your wrist and limits speed. The right shape and texture let your hand stay relaxed, making fast passages easier and more consistent.

Feel & technique. Jazz players prefer a large surface to anchor against. Shredders want a sharp tip for accuracy. Acoustic players often go thin for natural flexibility. The pick is an extension of your playing style.

1. Shapes

Shape determines how much control you have over the string and which techniques feel most natural.

Standard / 351

All-round · Strumming · Lead

The most universal shape. Comfortable for both rhythm and lead. Ideal for beginners and versatile players.

Jazz III

Metal · Shred · Speed

Smaller with a sharper tip. Maximum control and precision for fast passages. Favourite of metal and shred players.

Teardrop

Lead · Rock · Versatility

Narrower than the Standard, better single-note control than the 351 with more comfort than Jazz III.

Triangle

Jazz · Blues · Fingerstyle

Three usable corners. Popular in jazz and blues for its large gripping surface. Doesn't flip while playing.

Thumb Pick

Fingerpicking · Country · Acoustic

Attaches to the thumb, allowing hybrid picking — combining a pick attack with fingerstyle technique.

2. Thickness

Thickness defines flexibility and attack. Thicker = more rigidity and articulation. Thinner = more flexibility and softer attack.

< 0.46 mm

Extra Thin

Maximum flexibility. Great for soft acoustic strumming. Little control for single notes.

0.46 – 0.60 mm

Thin

Good for beginners and acoustic. Soft, organic attack.

0.60 – 0.80 mm

MediumMost popular

The most balanced thickness. Rhythm and lead, rock and pop. The best-selling gauge worldwide.

0.81 – 1.20 mm

Heavy

Greater rigidity and articulation. Ideal for lead guitar, heavy riffs and metal.

> 1.20 mm

Extra Heavy

Maximum stiffness. Favourite of metal, shred and alternate-picking specialists.

3. Materials

Material is the factor that most affects tone and feel. Each one has a distinct character.

Celluloid

Blues · Classic Rock · Beginners

+Warm, vintage tone
+Very affordable
+Wide variety of designs
−Slippery when sweaty
−Wears down quickly
−Less articulate

Brands: Fender, D'Andrea

Nylon

Rock · Blues · Versatile

+Excellent grip
+Very flexible
+Soft, controlled attack
−Less articulate than Tortex
−Darker tone

Brands: Dunlop Nylon Standard, Max Grip

Tortex / Delrin

Rock · Metal · All-round

+Matte grip, no slipping
+Very articulate
+Durable
−Slightly brighter than celluloid

Brands: Dunlop Tortex

Ultem / Ultex

Metal · Jazz · Premium

+Warmest synthetic sound
+Articulate and bright
+Very durable
−More expensive than nylon/Tortex

Brands: Dunlop Ultex, Jazz III Ultex

Acrylic

Metal · Shred · Boutique

+Very bright, defined tone
+Extremely durable
+Unique feel
−Different feel at first
−High price

Brands: V-Picks, Gravity Picks

Wood

Acoustic · Blues · Experimentation

+Organic, warm tone
+Unique on the market
+Natural texture
−Wears down faster
−Variability between units

Brands: Timber Tones, Wegen

Metal / Brass

Special effects · Experimentation

+Very bright, metallic attack
+Never wears out
−Can wear strings faster
−Very different feel

Brands: Dunlop Stubby (metal), Jim Root Sig

Stone / Agate

Boutique · Collector · Acoustic

+Crystal-clear, unique tone
+Handcrafted
+Very durable
−Cold to the touch
−Very high price
−Hard to find

Brands: Artisanal stone picks, Chicken Picks

4. Brands

From global manufacturers to artisan makers, the pick market has options for every budget and demand.

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Jim Dunlop

Essential

The most important pick manufacturer in the world. The Tortex line is the best-selling pick on the planet, and the Jazz III is the most-copied pick design in history.

TortexJazz IIIUltexNylon Max GripStubby

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Fender

Classic

Their 351 celluloid packs are the classic entry point for guitarists. Good value and vintage aesthetic.

351 CelluloidDuralinPlectrumHaze Celluloid

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D'Addario

Reliable

Best known for strings, their DuraGrip pick line stands out for its anti-slip texturing and consistency.

DuraGripDuralinAlchemy

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Ernie Ball

Recommended

Their Prodigy picks with a steel tip and Everlast with special coating have earned their place in metal.

ProdigyEverlastCellex

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V-Picks

Boutique

Boutique brand specialising in handmade acrylic picks. Bright and very articulate. Favourites of studio and technical players.

TraditionScreamerSmall PointedOrca

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Gravity Picks

Boutique

CNC-machined acrylic with hand-bevelled edges. One of the most precise picking experiences on the market.

Classic StandardStealthMiniRasp

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Blue Chip

Premium

The most expensive picks on the market (~$30–50 each). Patented material similar to Ultem. Cult following among jazz and bluegrass players.

TAD40TD50TD60TP50

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If you don't want to read the full guide, these five picks cover the majority of possible situations.

Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.73mm

Best all-round

The most versatile pick on the market. Matte grip, balanced attack, low price. The ideal starting point to explore different gauges.

Dunlop Jazz III Ultex 1.38mm

Metal & Shred

The go-to pick for metal and shred guitarists worldwide. Maximum control, very sharp tip, premium Ultex material.

Fender 351 Celluloid Medium x12

Best starter

The classic starter pack. Genuine celluloid, vintage feel, 12 picks at minimum cost. Ideal for experimenting before committing to a style.

Gravity Picks Classic Standard 2mm

Best boutique

CNC-machined, hand-bevelled acrylic. Bright, articulate sound. The best picking experience once you've moved past intermediate level.

Dunlop Nylon Max Grip 1.0mm

Best grip

Fully textured nylon surface. Never slips, consistent attack. Essential if you have sweaty hands or play live with high intensity.

💡 Final tip

The best way to find your perfect pick is to buy a sampler pack and try each one over real weeks of practice. The Dunlop Tortex variety pack (0.50 / 0.60 / 0.73 / 0.88 / 1.0 / 1.14mm) is the ideal starting point: six options for under $5.

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