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What can be used instead of a mediator. Picking a guitar pick. Prices for different types of mediators

But today I decided to write about the guitar picks themselves (they are also called plectrums). That is, what kind of mediators are there? What are they made of? What is the size of the pick from Good Enaf? How to choose a mediator for yourself? Well, and similar burning questions that worry, I hope I'm not the only one.

I will say right away that I have not found the perfect mediator for myself. Why? Well, probably because they are all good. But, as they say, one is better for one, the other for another. Unfortunately, there is nothing universal in this world...

Company manufacturer

In my humble opinion, the logo printed on the pick does not of great importance. The shape, thickness and material from which the mediator is made influence much more on the sound and playing comfort - in general, everything that we will consider below. Nevertheless, someone loves, someone -, someone is a fan of Steve Vai and Ibanez. So if you gravitate towards one or another firm, then there is nothing wrong with that. Almost all of them have picks in their lineup. various forms, colors and materials. Somewhat apart, perhaps, stands Dunlop with their Jazz series, which is preferred by many famous guitarists. various styles. As bluesmen - Joe Bonamassa, Eric Johnson, as well as rockers John Petrucci and Kirk Hammett.

Pick form

In general, there are countless forms of guitar picks. However, among all this variety there are standard forms that have their own well-established names. It goes without saying that the choice of one form or another is an individual matter. There are no rules or advice here. You need to use what is convenient for you personally.

From left to right: Standard, Teardrop, Jazz, Equilateral Triangle, Shark Fin

finger pick

Also, in nature, there are mediators that are worn on the fingers. Quite often on thumb. But there are mediators in the form of "artificial nails" for the rest of the fingers. right hand. These picks are commonly used by acoustic guitarists for finger picking.

Here are some of them in the picture.

From left to right: D "Andrea on the thumb, Alaska on all fingers ("false nails), Ernie Ball on the thumb

guitar pick thickness

Thin: 0.38 - 0.65 mm
The sound is very bright, strongly bends, good for scratching.

Average size: 0.65 - 0.73 mm
The brightness in the sound is less than that of thin mediators. Great for both scratching and for taking individual notes.

Thicker than average: 0.73 - 0.88
The sound is already beginning to appear, as the middle and bass. The attack of the strings is stronger than the previous two, which, in fact, is logical. Good, both for scratch and for individual notes.

Thick: 0.88 - 1.0 mm
Good for individual notes and for playing rhythm. Such mediator great to use in rock styles when you need to “knock out” the sound from the guitar, controlling the level of gain or volume by sound extraction. Due to the strong attack, the entire sound spectrum is present in the sound: high, mid frequencies, bass. There may also be an overtone of the pick itself, but this depends more on the material from which the pick is made, rather than on the thickness.

Very thick: 1.14 - 3 mm
Best suited for heavy rhythm and solo parts. It will be more difficult for someone to “scratch”. Good string response across the entire range: bass, mids and high frequencies. Here the overtone from the mediator is heard in all its glory. It is easy to control both the strength and the direction of the strike due to the thickness of the pick. About "knocking out the sound" is also relevant.

The material from which picks are made

Tortex/Delrex (Tortex/Delrex)
Warm sounding material. Plastic with a silky smooth finish. It wears out for a long time, it is well kept in the hands, even if the fingers are slippery.

Derlin
Bright, fast, smooth. Usually, this is a totex/derlix pick, but well polished.

Celluloid
Excellent material. Smooth to the touch. Warm sound. Good for both rhythm and lead parts. Usually the surface is polished.

Nylon
Glossy and Smooth surface. It bends very hard. Nylon picks can be very thin, so these picks wear out quickly. Great for chess with soft sound. Minimum overtones from the mediator.

Polycarbonate
Feel and sound like a mixture of celluloid and derlin. There may be a glassy overtone, depending on the thickness of the pick.

Lexan (Lexan)
A hard material that resembles glass. Brilliant coverage. Almost does not bend. Typically, Lexan picks are over 1mm thick. Wears out quickly. There is a glassy sound in the sound.

Metal
Solid. Strong attack. Sounds from the mediator are well heard.

What mediators do famous guitarists use?

• Yngwie Malmsteen - Dunlop 1.5mm Delrin
• Al DiMeola - D"Andrea Heavy Celluloid
• Dave Mustaine - Dunlop .73mm Tortex
• Marty Friedman - Dunlop .88mm Tortex
• Paul Gilbert - Ibanez Heavy Celluloid (sharp tip) / Dunlop .73mm Tortex
• Brian May - An English Penny
• Eric Johnson - Dunlop 1.38mm Jazz III Red Nylon
• Steve Vai
• Chris Impellitteri - Fender Heavy Celluloid
• Michael Angelo - Dunlop 1.38mm Jazz III Black Nylon
• Francesco Fareri - Dunlop 2.0mm Big Stubby
• George Lynch
• Slayer - D"Andrea Heavy Triangle picks
• Shawn Lane - Dunlop 1.38mm Jazz III Red Nylon

How to make a guitar pick

The easiest option is to take a plastic card, scissors and cut out a pick from it. Perfectionists can then trim the edges with sandpaper or a needle file. From experience I can say that the plastic from which the card is made is not best material for the mediator. It quickly grinds or, in general, breaks.

It is very important!

The guitar pick is one of the elements, which has highest value for you and the sound of your instrument. You should give Special attention how to hold the pick correctly.

You can come across so many ways to hold a pick, and it is impossible to say with absolute certainty that each specific way to hold a pick is the most correct.

However, the vast majority of professional guitarists use the following grip technique:

The main elements of such a grip of the mediator:

• The mediator is clamped only with the thumb and forefinger
• The mediator lies on the side index finger
• The thumb contacts the pick at a (more or less) right angle

(the rest of the fingers can be either freely unclenched - straightened or bent, see whichever is more convenient for you)

The angle of the index finger is individual for everyone, the main thing is that the fingertips do not protrude beyond the tip of the pick.

And yet, I recommend a two-finger grip on the pick, in which the other fingers are unclenched, in my opinion, with this method, free fingers will not interfere with playing and touch the strings, giving the pick more room to maneuver.

Guitar chords for beginners, pictures, deciphering chords

In support of my choice, I propose to pay attention to how to hold the pick many (yes, almost all) famous guitarists playing the electric guitar and not only.

How to choose a mediator

I was very surprised when I tested different picks that the sound produced on the same guitar had a completely different sound. Before, it never occurred to me that it was so important.

In addition to sound, the pick affects playing comfort, accuracy, control over sounds and articulation, as well as technical freedom and many other aspects.

Therefore, it is very important to take some time to do right choice mediator for beginners.

• spitz shape: sharp or rounded
• thickness (expressed in millimeters, e.g. 0.7 mm or 1.5 mm)
• to size
• material

Choosing a mediator is an individual matter, but there are a few universal rules.

First of all, you need to decide what you want to play.

Pick thickness

• Extra Light thin (less than 0.45 mm);
• Light thin (0.46 - 0.7 mm);
• Medium medium (0.71 - 0.85 mm);
• Heavy thick (0.86 - 1.20 mm);
• Extra Heavy very thick (≥ 1.21 mm), .

Acoustic guitar pick thickness should be medium, but here, too, everything is individual. I will add that, in my opinion, a pick for an acoustic guitar is no different from a pick for an electric guitar.

Location of notes on the fretboard of a guitar

And here pick for bass thicker, but on the bass guitar and the strings are much thicker.

As for the pick for nylon strings, it seems to me that there is no such thing, choose a pick for sound and convenience.

Do-it-yourself mediator at home

What to use instead of a mediator and what can be replaced

How to make a mediator yourself? A home-made mediator can be made with your own hands at home from improvised materials, cut out of plastic card for example, I once cut them out of records), cheap and cheerful.

Instead of a pick, any plastic of suitable thickness will do. Of course, this will be an unprofessional mediator, but as they say, "fish are fish for lack of fish." I remember even playing with a coin, although of course it is very harmful for the strings.

Now you can buy a set of guitar picks on Aliexpress or a special hole punch for picks for very modest money.
.

How to replace a guitar pick?

Yes, everything that can be taken with two fingers).

What can a mediator be made of? Pick material

• something plastic will do, plastic is our everything, but it sounds "like a digital amp after a lamp"
• you can also make a mediator out of wood, good tone, attack, no overtone
• the leather pick is cut out of the belt, it gives a good low sound
• metal pick, gives an overtone, but also has the right to exist
• tortoiseshell guitar pick, you can't forbid living beautifully)
• pick made of bone, too much middle and top, the main thing is that the pick was not made of bone (Bone)

Download the drawing of the mediator

Download 3d model of a 1 to 1 pick in DWG format - for SolidWorks and in the format

Some people use very thin picks, like 0.3mm or 0.5mm. Others recommend 0.7mm. I recommend buying a set of nylon picks different thickness and try them all by paying attention to playability, sound, and picking control, so you can determine which picks are best for you.

For solo playing, I do not recommend using picks thinner than 1mm.. Why? Because they're too flexible, a soft pick won't help you play the note accurately when soloing.

How often to change picks

Keep in mind that a guitarist's plectrum is not bought "for years". Depending on the intensity of the game, the pick will have to be replaced with a new one, for someone it lasts half a year, and for some it is barely enough for a few days.

When you see that the edge of the pick has noticeably worn off, it means that it's time to go to the music store.

This is important, because as the mediator wears out, it begins to affect the sound far beyond better side, as wear significantly affects the technique and accuracy of the game.

Outcome

Decide how you will hold the pick (it will be difficult to relearn), and pick up your first pick of the thickness you need and are comfortable for you - all this is really important, especially on initial stage learning.

This post will kill all the factories that make picks!) Because, with a minimum of tools and an hour of time, you will have a dozen or two picks of whatever shape and caliber you want.

As you probably guessed from the photo, we will make mediators from old plastic credit (debit)) cards, SIM cards mobile operators, or other similar plastic products.

All the tools needed for this operation are shown in the photo:

Namely:

1. A bag (mandatory thing. Because a lot of picks lying around after the manufacturing process will become a problem for you. Which can be solved by putting them immediately in a bag. And taking them out as needed (lost))
2. Scissors. The cards are made of soft plastic that can be cut with regular nail scissors.
3. File. To align the ends after trimming with scissors.
4. Sandpaper to remove burrs.
5. Pen. For marking mediators on the card.
6. plastic cards.

So, you have all of the above, and you are ready to compete with the monsters of the guitar industry. We take a card and, applying the template, trace the outline with a pen. As a template, you can take a ready-made mediator. As can be seen from the figure, 6 physicians are obtained. From a Sim card — 4 pcs.

Soft, thin mediators are obtained from old Megafon payment cards. They are good to play with an acoustic guitar. From bank cards and Sim-ok, tough medics are obtained, for playing rhythm parties on the electruhe.

It will not be possible to cut exactly, so the next step is to take 4-5 picks together and grind them with a file, giving them an average even shape.

We strive to ensure that the entire batch has the same smooth contours.

Today every third teenager has a guitar, and adults are not averse to remembering their youth and singing songs with a guitar, especially if there is a mood for this. In addition to the guitar and the ability to use it, in most cases a mediator is needed. How to make a mediator or blektor from improvised materials, we will tell in this article.

Please watch the video and you will understand how to make a mediator easily and quickly. with my own hands from improvised means.

We will need:
- a pointed metal stick or pin;
- an old plastic card;
- an old mediator or a shape that will need to be circled;
- marker;
- scissors.

So what do we need to do.

First of all, we take a felt-tip pen and a shape and trace on the old plastic card the shape of the mediator, which we will need to cut out. If you have some interesting cards, then you can easily make a plectrum with a picture.

The next step is to carefully cut out our future mediator along the line. It is very important that the line is clear, but not very deep (this is the case if you circle the workpiece not with a felt-tip pen, but with a pin or a sharp stick), if the line is deep, then you will have to cut exactly along it, otherwise the edges of the mediator will stick hard. But then we will still polish it and bring it to an even shape.

We should get a blank, the edges of which will need to be rubbed. Now we take paper or a rag or even a carpet and begin to overwrite all the bumps. All edges rub easily, so you have to be very careful, one wrong move and you could have a sharp corner on your lecturer.

Rub the edges of the mediator should be done with arcuate movements to give it an even shape.

We got a little shaggy, but smooth edges of the workpiece.

Now let's polish the surface. We put the mediator horizontally and begin to rub it on the paper, so we remove the shaggyness. Remains of grated plastic from the edges go away. You can also use a nail file to remove roughness.

Everything, our mediator is ready. They need to play either by fighting or by pinching. You can make a large pick or a small one, this will not change the quality of your guitar playing.

Annotation: A mediator is such a thing that looks like socks. It is often lost, so it is best to have several picks, and even better - to be able to make them yourself. This article will teach you that!

guitar pick is something like a bow that is used to play the guitar. When playing with a mediator, the sound extracted from the guitar becomes many times cleaner and more pleasant. BUT! Mediators have one bad property - they love to get lost ... Wherever they climb, under an armchair, sofa, table, they hide in all possible places and cause a lot of trouble when they are simply needed. In such situations, you have to buy one more (or better, of course, several) mediators.

It is because of the cost of picks (they don't cost much, but we spend time walking and buying a pick) that we will describe to you how you can make a pick yourself!

How to make a plectrum for a guitar: the necessary knowledge.

To make a mediator with our own hands, we need not a lot of information about it, namely:

1. The standard size of the pick, which we will focus on: 2.5x1.5 cm
2. The best material is plastic.
3. The shape of the pick should resemble an almond (optional).
4. The sound will depend on the thickness of the material that we use when creating the pick (if the material is thin, the sound will be higher, the material is thick, the sound will be lower).

Got the information? Great! Now let's try to make a mediator.

We make a mediator with our own hands

And so, to begin with, we will choose the material from which we will make a mediator. There are several options:

• Plastic cards (the most suitable option).
• Packings of SIM cards (not very successful, but still not a very bad option).
• Any plastic (not too thick).

Now, using a pen or pencil, draw a mediator on our material (if you have a mediator at hand, just circle it). Next, using scissors (the ends of which should be rounded), cut out the mediator.