Bass – Page 2 – Music Gear Review Dude

There’s really no right way to play the bass (but a correct way to store them!). You can use your fingers, thumb, a pick, or anything else that feels right. There is no expert consensus on whether you need a pick to play the bass, so do you. Best Bass Picks for Guitars The world is full of strange and wonderful picks for musical experimentation and exploration. Shapes, sizes, styles, and materials vary so much the result is overwhelming. Many bassists forgo picks altogether. The best pick for bass is the one that feels right to you, and only if you enjoy using it. Of course, some styles and types of guitar picks are more popular with bassists. We’re here to talk about the fan favorites and our personal go-to's for using a pick when playing bass. Dunlop Big Stubby Pros: This super-thick plastic pick comes in 1mm, 2mm, and 3mm options to give you the variety and precision you need. This extra-thick width makes Big Stubby a popular choice for people looking for a sturdy, inflexible pick. Cons: The cheap plastic can be a bit slippery and uncomfortable if you grip it with your fingers instead of your thumb. Because they are extra thick, Big Stubby picks chip when they fail; they don’t bend. Fender Premium Picks Sampler Pros: Fender offers consistent quality and a wide variety of universally appealing picks in thin, medium, and heavy. Order a few, or order enough to share or constantly lose with variable-sized variety packs. Either way, you’ll have plenty of options to experiment and customize your sound with picks of various gages. Picks are labeled, so you always grab the right one. Cons: This sampler pack does not include extra heavy picks. Fender thick picks measure up to 1.2 mm, which may or may not be sufficient for your purposes. You may find you have a plethora of picks you don’t ultimately want if you discover you prefer a particular gauge. Honbay Felt Picks Pros: Honbay Felt picks are inexpensive and durable. Using felt picks to play the base creates a dull sound, closer to finger plucking. We’ve highlighted a variety pack of felt picks here so that you can find the perfect one for every occasion. Felt picks change in flexibility much more quickly than other materials, so thin felt picks have quite a bit more give while you’re playing than the thicker felt picks in this pack. Cons: Felt picks aren’t for everyone. Some people don’t enjoy the feel of playing bass with a felt pick. Felt picks also show wear and tear and break down faster than their counterparts made from other materials. Louhanu Leather Picks Pros: Louhanu leather picks create a softer sound, more like finger plucking. Their empty center allows for a firm grip. Leather picks can be bent to get the perfect angle and warm while you play them. Cons: Leather picks wear pretty quickly. Holding a leather pick is also an adjustment if you’re used to a harder pick or using your fingers. These picks will show wear and need to be replaced sooner than a harder pick if you can keep track of it long enough for this to happen. Fender Classic Heavy 355 Shape Pros: This homage to the classic tortoise shell pick is easy to grip and heavy enough to stand up to the bass strings. This is a large and wide pick. Cons: This 355 shape feels too pointy for some people. Though it was mainly designed for strumming, it may work well with your bass. Frienda Metal Guitar Picks Pros: 20 Picks should be enough to get you started. Metal picks are a great option for thick bass strings. This kit also comes with a pick holder and storage case. Metal picks make a bright, twangy sound that many musicians enjoy. Cons: Frienda metal picks can be a bit slippery. At 0.3 mm, some people find them too thin or flimsy. Pick Thickness Bass picks are generally thicker because bass strings are thicker. While an average guitar pick measures under a millimeter in thickness (around 0.89 mm), an average bass pick is a bit thicker than a millimeter, at 1.17 mm. Many bassists like thicker picks, with some of the picks on our favorites list measuring over 3mm. Pick thickness is another very personal preference, so any pick that gives you the sound and control you’re after will work. Pick Materials Just like guitar picks, bass picks can be made out of anything. Nylon, cellulose, bone, wood, metal, and other synthetic materials may provide the right tone and flexibility for the sound you’re after. In fact, because they tend to be thicker, bass picks offer an even wider variety of options for materials. Few people play their guitar with a metal pick, but it’s relatively common for a bassist (who may need gifts this holiday season). Experimenting with different pick materials is part of the joy of perfecting your sound.