PREMIUM PLECTRUMS
Select the right shape, gauge and material for your playing style and hear the difference
DUNLOP TORTEX STANDARD (£6 for 12)
Dunlop’s Tortex range was created in 1981 as a substitute for banned tortoiseshell (hence the cheerful reptile logo that graces each one). Today, these plectrums are an industry benchmark, offering precise attack, grippable matt surface – and handy colour-coded gauges. A staple of the gigbag. www.jimdunlop.com
DUNLOP NYLON JAZZ III JD47P3N (£4 for 6)
It’s no coincidence that virtuosos including John Petrucci, Eric Johnson and Joe Bonamassa flick the Jazz III into the crowd each night. For highly technical, surgically accurate play, this series does the business – but with a choice of round, semi or sharp tips, it’s worth a little experimentation. www.jimdunlop.com
FENDER 551 SHAPE CLASSIC CELLULOID (£5 for 12)
Thanks to the generously rounded shape and warm celluloid tone, there’s something comforting about holding a 551 between your fingers. But this range isn’t just for lazy brownsound blues – turn up and dig in and that sharp tip will bring forth the squealies. www.fender.com
D’ADDARIO DURAGRIP (£7 for 10)
The key to the DuraGrip’s gutsy performance is D’Addario’s unique Duralin material (also known as Delrin). Go for a set of Extra Heavies, tear through a fast run and you’ll note a combination of strength, rigidity and low friction – while the stamped chessboard-style surface gives a reassuringly steady grip. www.daddario.com
V-PICKS CHICKEN PICKER (£4)
The Nashville firm boasts some of the most imaginative picks on the market – not to mention the highest-profile fans, including Billy Gibbons and Santana. The Chicken Picker is the result of public demand for a small teardrop-shaped, fast-playing plectrum “that sounds like fingernails” – and it delivers. www.v-picks.com
GRAPHTECH TUSQ A1 STANDARD SHAPE (£6 for 6)
GraphTech does things a little differently, using its own manmade Tusq ivory substitute (also seen on nuts, saddles and bridge pins) to optimise harmonics, vibration transfer and picking response. There are three tone flavours – and three distinct shapes – so try before you buy. www.graphtech.com
DAVA CONTROL PICK (£6 for 5)
When you’re moving between choppy rhythm and precision leads in the same song, the Dava Control’s multi-gauge design stops you fumbling the transition. By simply repositioning your grip and holding either the tip or the flexible centre section, you can slip between playing styles or accentuate specific notes. www.davapick.com
GRAVITY CLASSIC STANDARD (£4)
Unusually, Gravity picks are hand-cut, hand-shaped and laser-etched from solid acrylic, which results in a punchy, purposeful attack and a sturdy feel that’s good for fast and accurate leads. A nice touch is the unfinished edge, which gives that little bit of added grip at high velocity. www.gravitypicks.com
SNAKEPICK MEDIUM SOFT GAUGE (£4)
Designed in Australia, this gadget is intended to stop guitar students focusing on holding their plectrum. It’s sure to raise eyebrows, but slide the coiled design onto your index finger and it opens up new playing possibilities, letting you combine picking and plucking, with no risk of dropping the plectrum. www.snakepick.com
PLANET WAVES DURALIN BLACK ICE (£5 for 10)
Also made with the Duralin material – and triple-tumbled for a soft, smooth texture – this Planet Waves range runs from 0.55mm to a hefty 1.50mm. Unlike its namesake, the Black Ice’s custom shape gives superb grip and lends itself well to technical playing where every note counts. www.daddario.com
ERNIE BALL PRODIGY BLACK STANDARD (£10 for 6)
The Prodigy looks positively evil – like a sharpened teardrop – and shredders will love the durable non-slip Delrin, machine-bevelled edges and vicious tip that gives better control and articulation. Only available in 1.5mm or 2.0mm, these heavy-duty beasts are not for the faint of heart. www.ernieball.co.uk
SWITCH PICK (£10 for 10)
As you’d hope from a UK company co-founded by a professional guitarist and an aerospace engineer, Switch Picks perfectly marries science with rock ’n’ roll. By rotating the flower-shaped nylon pick in your grip, you can switch between 0.6mm and 1.2mm gauges. Also the raised lettering and centre hole gives you grip. www.switchpick.co.uk