Custom Guitar Picks

Choosing Guitar Picks

Before you get fancy with design, think about how to choose the best pick to draw out the right sound.

If you bang out heavy metal riffs, you need a thick, solid pick to handle the force. Thin picks work well for rhythm and acoustic guitar playing. Some jazz players like the feel of a wooden pick against the strings. Stainless steel picks produce what many guitarists consider to a “brighter” sound. A Wirething has an ergonomic acrylic surface to hold, but also has a wire connecting to the strings. Many bassists prefer a stubby pick with a molded indentation for an easy grip and solid resonance.

Certain brands of nylon picks tend to soften when they get warm, and plastic picks sometimes snap under pressure. So as you compare custom guitar picks, make sure to evaluate the manufacturer as well as the quality of the product. When bought by the dozen, picks are fairly inexpensive. However, the extra cost for personalization will add up if the picks don’t hold up.

Guitar Picks with Personalized Imprints

It’s the dream of every budding guitarist to play with picks emblazoned with their band’s name or logo. There are numerous companies that make this a reality for pennies on the dollar.

• In Tune Guitar Picks features a wide selection of picks with different gauges and styles that are easily imprinted. Prices are reasonable, too, with a standard gross of 144 picks starting at $40.00, less shipping, for single-sided printing.
• Steve Clayton makes it simple to design guitar picks. The company has a design wizard on its website that takes you through the process step-by-step. You can choose from a variety of materials, shapes and thickness, with a 100-count box of single-sided imprinted picks averaging $50.00, less shipping.
• Pickworld offers photo printing, pad printing and hot stamp imagery. The site outlines which pick materials work best with the personalization method, but the prices are about the same as other shops – approximately $40.00, less shipping, for one gross of single-sided picks.

Handcrafted Custom Guitar Picks

Custom guitar picks aren’t just about personalization. Some artisan manufacturers craft picks of a different distinction. Here are just a few companies going beyond the typical black nylon pick.

• Layer your sound with the help of Bigrock Engineering. The company has patented a floating suspension system that involves a grip and one-to-three picks attached to it.
• Surfpick uses the exquisite lignum vitae wood to hone fine guitar picks. This one is a favorite of Vernon Reid, famed guitarist for the rock band Living Colour.
• At Wegenpicks, Michael Wegen will customize your guitar pick with whichever type of tip that works best for your style. Wegen’s picks have a unique impression grip design that is easy to hold.
• The Guthrie Thomas Company specializes in engraved gold and silver guitar picks. The company engraves by machine and by hand. You can also use this company’s picks for events and promotions, such as weddings and corporate gatherings, by adding a picture or logo.
• If you haven’t tried a stone pick, Picks and Stones is worth looking into. The products are made from agate, quartz and amber. The company offers a wide variety of sizes, shapes and thicknesses to accommodate any player, but they also accept special requests.

Make Guitar Picks Yourself

Take customization to a new level by making your guitar picks! There are many websites that offer instructions for creating picks from materials such as credit cards, heavyweight plastic and sheet metal. Check out this Google video that shows how easy it is to do.