Guitar Picks

The Cheap Guitars Shop carries and extensive range of guitar picks to suit every type of guitarist and every type of guitar.

Plectrums, otherwise known as guitar picks, are used in place of the fingers or thumbs when playing a guitar. They are generally made from one uniform material and are most often shaped like an acute isosceles triangle. The thickness of the plectrum and the material used to construct it alter the sound it produces while playing, as well as its durability.

Guitar picks can be constructed from a variety of plastics, felt, wood, glass, metal, stone, tortoiseshell, nylon, or rubbers. Plastics used to make guitar picks can include acetal, which is a very durable plastic that produces very little friction while playing and allowing for a quick release, and celluloid, which was the first plastic ever used to make guitar picks. Acrylic is also used, which is a tough and seamless plastic that provides a great deal of durability, and lexan and ultem are other common materials used.

The type of wood used for a wood pick determines the type of sound it makes. Only hardwoods like bocote, lignum vitae, zebrawood, cocobolo, and rosewood are used when making wood guitar picks. Less dense woods are not able to withstand the impact of strumming for long.

Metal picks, most often made out of steel, produce a bright sound when playing. However, because of the lack of flexibility in metal picks, strings can quickly become damaged, and even the finish of the guitar can be damaged.

Because glass is harder and heavier than most pick materials, glass picks are able to produce a greater tone range. The texture can be smooth or rough. Size, shape, and weight of glass guitar picks can also be altered to change the sound effect.