jazz picks

I guess this would fall under the Gear category, but I just wanted to share something that might help some of you guys and girls:

If you haven't discovered so already for yourself, using a jazz pick seems to really help some people in playing fast and accurately, including myself. I used to use the black Dunlop nylon 1mm picks, which were pretty good, but I noticed I still got caught up on a string when alternate picking really fast.

But when I switched to a jazz pick (the one I'm using is a Dunlop Tortex 1.14mm), I almost never get caught up on a string. And there's a few reasons: it's slightly thicker than a 1mm pick, but more importantly, it's pointier and it seems to keep its point longer. Also, it's not nylon, it's made out of some material where no matter how sweaty your hand gets, it doesn't get slippery. My nylon picks even had bumps for grip and they were still more slippery.

The only thing I still use my nlyon picks for is if I'm playing all rhythm and strumming, because it's bigger than the jazz pick so it's easier to strum.

But if you like to play fast or shred, check out these Dunlop Tortex 1.14mm, they're awesome!

~Rusty

I've been using the Dunlop Jazz III for a while... I like the beveled edge, seems to come off the string cleaner and easier. ;)

I actually just ordered some John Petrucci Jazz III's. They have the same shape and beveled edge, but they're a bit bigger so it's still easy to strum and sweep pick. They're also 1.5mm thick

Originally Posted by: bbzswa777I actually just ordered some John Petrucci Jazz III's. They have the same shape and beveled edge, but they're a bit bigger so it's still easy to strum and sweep pick. They're also 1.5mm thick

Interesting... I'll have to try a pack. I have the Red Eric Johnson Jazz III's that I use for everything electric. ;)

It's funny, they are so small people are surprised when I hand them one!

yeah I've seen a lot of people compare the Johnson III's to other ones like Tortex or Petrucci's.

I watched a couple videos where people say they used to prefer the Johnson III's until they tried the Petrucci's. So I'll let you know how I like the Petrucci's when they get here in a couple days.

I recently switched to the Jazz XL picks. My speed with picking has increased leaps and bounds

I'm assuming XL means it's a jazz pick that's slightly bigger? That's what I like because you get the best of both worlds: the pointy edge to pick fast, but a pick big enough to be able to strum easily