Choosing a Pick Material

Jeffrey Plotzker, a former New York State Department of Health healthcare program specialist, enjoys playing guitar in his spare time. Guitarists like Jeffrey Plotzker need to put a fair amount of thought into what, to a casual observer, would seem to be the smallest and least significant tool in their arsenals: the pick.

The material a pick is made from can have a significant effect on playing style and musical quality. Guitarists often prefer specific picks based on the music being played and personal preferences.

Plastic and nylon picks are among the most common and have been a standard since their introduction in the 1920s. Different plastics offer variating advantages, such as a powdery texture which helps in gripping or flexibility and durability to match the now-banned turtle-shell picks. Nylon picks, meanwhile, provide bright notes and great flexibility and often show up in the hands of players seeking a more vintage-style sound.

Some guitarists turn to less common materials, such as stone, wood, leather, or steel. These can vary significantly within type, but the general rule with these picks is that harder and denser ones lead to crisper, brighter sounds, and more flexible materials tend to create a warmer sound. Steel picks can also offer improved ergonomics for those who like the tones produced by the coins so-often used as picks in moments of desperation or improper preparation.