Before, I used to use a nickel as a pick. I wanted to be like Brian May but I live in Canada so I have to settle for a nickel instead of a six pence. I found that coins with serrated edges are the best picks. It has more attack and you can feel the strings more. But I found that when I play the nickel for longer periods of time, it stains my hands and i get nickel all over my fingers. I don't how it happens. Maybe I should try a penny- maybe it stains less? But after awhile of having nickel fingers and getting sick and tired of scrubbing my hands everytime I picked a guitar, I switched to dunlop jazz III picks. They're pretty sturdy and they match the color of my guitar.

As for straps, I like ones made out of leather, reptile skin, or fur straps. The one's i have are made by levys but i'm sure there are other brands out there have better designs. I also make sure that I put schaller lock straps on my guitar and strap for maximum protection.