If perfume is one of the common ways to identify one’s special fragrance, in the area of music, a guitar pick is also considered as “perfume” or “a catalyst” to define a playing style of a guitarist. A guitar pick is an effective tool in controlling the tone and the rhythm. Therefore, finding the suitable one is of great importance, which sometimes takes guitar players, particularly electric guitar players a while to get the best for their own style. Moreover, there are a wide range of guitar picks with various shapes, materials, colors and many other aspects, which makes guitarists confused and find it a bit difficult to choose one proper type. Therefore, this review will give you the overview about the top 15 best guitar picks for electric guitar and some useful tips to help you enjoy your time with a single note.
So, keep reading meticulous reviews from our website carrollfletcher.com to quickly grab the main features of the top 15 best guitar picks before purchasing some.
Best Guitar Picks For Electric Guitar Comparison 2023
| ChickenPicks Badazz III picks – The Best Guitar Pick For Shredders | Fred Kelly Delrin Bumblebee Teardrop – Best For Sweaty Fingers | Fender 351 Celluloid Picks – Best For Electric Guitar |
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$$$ |
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Best for shedders |
Best for sweaty fingers |
Best for electric guitar |
** Below, you will find our detailed reviews of the Best Guitar Picks For Electric Guitar, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
Detailed Reviews Of Top Best Guitar Picks For Electric Guitar
Fender 351 Celluloid Picks – Best For Electric Guitar
Specifications:
- Material: Celluloid
- Shape: traditional 351 shape
- Size: various
- Thickness: thin, medium, heavy
If you are looking for a guitar pick to satisfy your demand for various styles and techniques, Fender, one of the top 15 best guitar picks for electric guitar, is definitely a very first choice that you should take into consideration.
With an array of different shapes, sizes and thicknesses, you have multiple options to suit your playing styles and preferences. If you are really into a slightly warmer tone of a heavy pick, a Fender medium gauge pick is one of the best choices. Besides, if you prefer a smooth, much warmer tone with excellent attack, you should pick up heavy gauge picks which are absolutely durable and rigid.
With a smooth striking surface and warm-round musical tone, Celluloid picks bring about the traditional feel.
Thin gauge picks provide a bright tone with airy sustain, which is extremely suitable with strumming. A wide range of eye-catching colors together with a unique tortoiseshell pattern enable you to easily find ones that perfectly fit your guitar’s color and meet your demand.
- Pros
- Cons
Things we liked
- Multiple size
- Wide variety of genres and tones
- Long-lasting and comfortable
- Suitable with every playereye-catching colors
- Affordable price
Things we did not like
- Some have odor
Dunlop Tortex Standard Guitar Picks – Best Guitar Picks You Can Buy)
Specifications:
- Material: popular Tortex
- Thickness: 0.6 mm, 0.73mm, 0.88mm, 1mm, 1.14mm
- Product dimensions: 1.4 x 2 x 0.3 inches
- Features: Powdered finish, low memory
The pick is used by a number of globally renowned musicians.Tortex are meticulously designed to give the maximum memory and minimum wear that made the original tortoise well – known.
Dunlop’s wide variety of gauges, shapes, sizes and materials allows the player to select the exact pick for his or her own particular style of playing.
The Tortex with medium shape and sharp bright response would definitely give you a wonderful experience when emerging yourself in a single musical note. Whether you are playing searing electric leads or strumming acoustic passages, you can not refrain from the appeal of the pick.
In addition, the ever – popular Tortex material contributes to the durability and bright tone. Therefore, you do not have to worry about the lifespan of the pick and its quality as well.
- Pros
- Cons
Things we liked
- Great tone and feel
- Durable
- A true classic
Things we did not like
- Does not excel in one genre
Gravity Picks Sunrise Polished Fluorescent Green
Specifications:
- Material: Acrylic
- Thickness: 1.5mm
- Size: Jazz -sized (0.96 inch wide)
- Product dimensions: 2.87 x 2.17 x 0.16 inches
- Shape: V – point
With the smartest design, five Acrylic picks in striker shape give you wonderful moments indulging in the smooth Jazz so that you will never miss out any beat regardless of the playing time.
There are nine different shapes, four different sizes from 0.96-inches to 1.25-inches and three different thicknesses from 1.5mm, 2mm to 3mm, so you can have plenty of options.
Acrylic picks are louder and brighter than regular ones, allowing your fingers to grip the picks way more without effort. Moreover, Acrylic material keeps its original shapes and snaps longer than Celluloids or other Plastics.
These polished edges add lighting speed to your pick hand because of reducing friction to content.
- Pros
- Cons
Things we liked
- Acrylic feels and sounds great
- Precise picking
- Many options
Things we did not like
- Costly
Tactile gripping surface
Specifications:
- Material: Nylon
- Thickness:1.38 mm
- Shape: Small/broad shape, medium-sharp jazz tip
With high quality, proprietary nylon material, Dunlop is the top manufacturer with more than 50 different model picks. Its quick release molded edge and sharp tip “conquer” many famous guitar virtuosos and many other guitar players over the world. These noticeable features also make Dunlop the top guitar picks for electric guitar. With a huge, cult-like following world-wide, the Jazz series of picks have become the favorite choice for guitar players to take their technical playing to the next level.
It’s the feel, the warm tone, the ease with which they glide over the strings and, at 1.38mm, they are thick enough to change your picking style without feeling like you have changed instruments. A stone cold classic and one of the best guitar picks for good reason.
- Pros
- Cons
Things we liked
- Classic feel and tone
- Great value
Things we did not like
- Take some to get used to
- Newer designs ge bolder solutions
ChromaCast 12 Pick Sampler
Specifications:
- Material: Celluloid
- Weight: 39.1g (0.086 lbs)
- Device: 51.9 x 51.9 x 13.49 mm (not including cables or accessories)
- Package: 124.4 mm x 42.85 mm x 124 mm
- Power cable: 1.75 m (69 in)
- Power: 5V, 1A power supply
The fifth pack in our pick list is another sample with an array of choices to pick from.This sampler includes a wide variety of gauges that will help each player find the exact pick that is perfect for their style. Pack Includes: 6 Dura Picks- Extra Thin, Thin,Thin/Medium, Medium, Medium/Heavy, Heavy Gauges and 6 Celluloid Picks: Thin Medium & Heavy Gauges.
With a wide body and rounded tip, these classic guitar picks provide a natural feel and warm, and fat musical tone.
They are also made from Celluloid, a very smooth and malleable type of material which facilitates players significantly.
- Pros
Things we liked
- Multiple Sizes
- Celluloid
- 12-pack
- Wide variety of genres
Original Dragon’s Heart guitar picks (Breath Some Fire Into Your Playing)
Specifications:
- Material: Polyamide-imide w/12% graphite fill
- Thickness: 2.5mm
- Shape: Three picking edges, unique shape
Two words to describe these picks are “Amazing” and “ Surprising”. Thanks to the beveled edge, the pick not only helps you avoid catching on your strings during playing but also actually boosts speed and reduces fatigue in your arm, wrists and fingers.
There are three playing edges which are contoured to enhance pick – glide accompanied with sharp, semi – rounded and rounded edges to serve for acoustic strum-a-thon and the lightning alternate-picked jazz odyssey alike.
Polyamide-Imide material allows you to pick faster, easier, and more accurately. This material also has an identity of a classic softness to it’s attack, simultaneously content users with optimal design and desired durability (over 1,000 hours of play). If you are players who have varied styles of play or are in the process of honing your skills and techniques, this is an ideal pick for you. If you are beginners, it may take you a couple of hours to get accustomed with, but after that, everything just goes smoothly like “a piece of cake”. So, just pick ones to enjoy your time.
- Pros
- Cons
Things we liked
- Ultra-durable
- Suitable with all kinds
- Game-changing design
Things we did not like
- No gauge options
- Pricey
Dava Grip Tips Delrin
Specifications:
- Material: Delrin with molded rubber grip
- Thickness: Medium
- Product dimensions: 2 x 2 x 0.5 inches
- Shape: thin profile
Dava Pick might be the good choice for rock, jazz and fusion players. The combination of different features including a large control area and molded tips create the best sound for which any guitarists are seeking. You can glide over the strings quickly and easily thanks to exceptionally smooth material, Delrin.
Dava’s multi-gauge grip gives you the dynamics of multiple pick gauges. You just have to grip near the tip to get warm, precise sounds. In contrast, bright sounds would appear if you release the pressure on the middle of the pick.
- Pros
- Cons
Things we liked
- Non-slip design
- Versatile feel
- Multiple pick gauges
Things we did not like
- Could be difficult to keeping picking hand relaxed
Fred Kelly Delrin Bumblebee Teardrop – Best For Sweaty Fingers
Specifications:
- Material: Delrin, polycarb
- Thickness: Light, medium, heavy, extra heavy
- Size: various sizes
- Product dimensions: 3.5 x 2 x 1 inches
- Shape: teardrop shape
This is a must-try pick for anyone who is finding a whole new feeling and curious about moving from the conventional flat pick to a thumb pick. Made from Delrin, Fred Kelly will not let you down because of the quality of durability.
The wraparound thumb grip is available in regular and large sizes, especially there is a left-handed version, too. The Bumblebee, moreover, can be used as a regular flat-pick or for a more thumb-led picking style.
The rounded edges make strumming much easier as the strings just sort of roll off where the strings got caught on the point of jazz picking a whole lot more.
The Bumblebee is a perfect option for those who prefer gentle melodies with soft and natural sounds.
- Pros
- Cons
Things we liked
- No dropping picks
- Allow for hybrid styles
Things we did not like
- Take a while to get used to
- One shape
Dunlop Primetone Pointed Tip guitar picks
Specifications:
- Material: Polycarbonate
- Thickness: 5mm
- Product dimensions: 2.5 x 2.5 x 0.2 inches
- Features: Concave and grooved picking surface, precision-contoured edge
If you are using a common medium pick (about 0.8 mm), you may “take aback” and freak out when holding a Dunlop Prime at the very first time because of its thickness. However, when you desire to “get out of your familiar zone” and “conquer” the brand-new tone, this is highly recommended as a “game-changer”. So, not be reluctant! Just go ahead!
Prime tone picks are molded of bright and durable polycarbonate with a built-in concave and carved gripping surface. Gypsy jazz, bluegrass, and shredders will guarantee smooth release for accurate and fast picking. Therefore, any fast picker such as Jazz players or bluegrass cats will feel a sense of satisfaction when using the pick.
There are five definitive shapes with more rounded tips and jazzy, smaller-profiles for around the same price.
- Pros
- Cons
Things we liked
- Deep grooves, good grip
- Great pick to string action
Things we did not like
- Not great for strumming
Dunlop Kirk Hammett Jazz guitar picks
Specifications:
- Material: Nylon
- Thickness: 1.38mm
- Shape: V-shaped cutout, bevelled edges, rounded tip
- Size: medium size
- Color: green or purple sparkle finish
A guitar pick plays an essential role in bringing the intense feeling for any guitarists, which significantly affects their playing styles. A good pick could make players indulge themselves into the world of music and fly on with a single note. And Kirk Hammet pick did that job so well that Hammet himself had to wow and say that “It completely changed my guitar style, completely changed how I play, completely changed how I pick.”
A bold V-shape cutout aims at enhancing grip on a pick that is already pretty grippy thanks to the raised branding. The pick attack’s sharpness and preciseness are considerably increased thanks to those bevelled edges. Regardless of your playing styles (upstroke or downstroke), the edge of the pick glides off the string.
If you are a usually-dropping-out-pick player, this pick is perfect for you. The colors of green or purple enable you to find the pick with ease because of its visibility.
- Pros
- Cons
Things we liked
- Good grip
- Fast picking feel
- Visible color
Things we did not like
- No lighter gauge options
- Cutout and shape not everyone’s bag
ChickenPicks Badazz III picks – The Best Guitar Pick For Shredders
Specifications:
- Material: Thermosetting plastic
- Thickness: 2mm, 2.5mm
- Shape: beveled edge
If you would prefer a kind of solid stiff pick, let’s give the Chicken pick a go!
At the first glance, the pick seems to be made from ceramic, but actually it is a hard plastic-made one, which offers you loads of attack even when you use the pointy side or the less pointy one. With a slightly triangular profile, the Chicken pick is listed as one of the most precision-edged picks that make speedy jazz lines a breeze.
The Chicken is available in two gauges: 2.1mm and 2.7mm. With the thickness of 2mm, the pick enables players to dig into heavy gauge strings without any give, and a 2.5mm for those fully converted to the thick pick.
With those who are fond of peppering their lines with pinch harmonics, this is definitely a wise pick. Players could look forward to listening to “bright tone with lots of bottom end”. Another plus is that the pick are durable and extraordinarily long-lasting, which is still regarded as economical picker (even though the price is comparatively high)
- Pros
- Cons
Things we liked
- Glides across strings
- Full, rounded tone
- Extremely durable
Things we did not like
- Fewer gauge options
- High-price
Dava 508 Dava Control Pick
Specifications:
- Material: Nylon, Dlerin, Gel
- Thickness: 0.5-0.75mm, 1-1.5mm
- Product dimensions: 2 x 4 x 4 inches
An outstanding feature of this pick is the various materials, including Delrin, Nylon, and Gel, which widens your choice so as to suit your demands and playing styles. Of those, Davas superb original nylon Control Pick is always a brilliant option for your rhythm.
With Dava pick, you never have to wonder whether you should pick lighter-gauge picks for strumming and heavier gauges for single-note picking because Dava can have “two-in-one” functions. Different positions that you hold them across the Control Region, Control Picks can provide a soft or hard response, offering all round ability and excellent sound quality.
D’Addario Accessories Pearl Celluloid Guitar Picks
Specifications:
- Material:Celluloid
- Size: 0.5, 0.7, 1.0
- Package dimensions: 4 x 2.5 x 0.3 inches
- Shape: standard
- Design: environmentally friendly
This value-sized set includes 25 celluloid picks in different thicknesses, weights and colors, including eight light picks, nine medium picks and eight heavy picks. Thicknesses range from 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm, corresponding to three different colors namely white pearl, red pearl, and black pearl respectively.
The pick is made from Celluloid, a man-made material, providing a natural feel and warm, fat tone. An interesting point is that the D’addario packaging is environmentally friendly with minimal waste design, which must catch the attention of “go-green” guitarists.
A standard shape brings about comfortable playing and consistent sound, no matter your playing style. Many players highly appreciate the quality of the picks in terms of durability and super easy glide over the strings. Plus, the shiny jewel tone colors help users easily find the pick when it drops out.
- Pros
- Cons
Things we liked
- Easy to hold and use
- Easy to find, even in the dark.
Things we did not like
- Not really suitable with Jazz musicians who want sharper tips.
V-Picks Screamer Sapphire Blue – Best Guitar Pick
Specifications:
- Material: Acrylic
- Thickness: 2.75mm
- Shape: V-shape
- Product dimensions: 1.18 x 0.1 x 1.18 inches
- Color: Sapphire Blue, Pearly Gates & Ruby Red.
Speaking of making great picks for electric guitars, the V-pick company is certainly a familiar name worldwide.This pick is in the favorite pick list of a number of well-known guitarists such as Carlos Santana, Billy Gibbons, and Orianthi, which make us assume that it is just for professionals. However, it is actually versatile and fits anyone’s playing style. So, now let’s take a look at V-pick characteristics!
The unique blend of acrylic which enables the pick to stick to your fingers and not fall down on the floor when your hand gets warmer. Longer bevel creates sharp attack, brighter tone and more volume. The Screamer has very bright highs and a big low end as well, creating an amazing engrossing effect.
V-picks have taken this plectrum and improved it even more by adding a small hole in the middle of it, helping users to know exactly where the pick is in your fingers at all times. A triangle shape makes the pick preferable for beginners or for those who are developing their skills with dexterity and various guitar pick angles.
Herco Flex 75 Guitar Picks
Specifications:
- Material: nylon
- Size: various
- Product dimensions: 0.2 x 1.5 x 2.5 inches
Used by pro guitarists worldwide, Dunlop Herco Flex HE211P guitar picks are durable and long-lasting. Made from high quality nylon, Hercos feature a unique pattern that gives you a slip-proof grip. The nylon pick also offers you all the attack you need, but still maintains flexibility, creating the harmony in a piece of music. It is the material, nylon, that boosts the lifespan of the pick significantly.
With a variety of textures, shapes, materials and artwork, Dunlop Herco Flex could satisfy any guitarists or any styles of playing. No matter who you are, from a multi platinum artist to a small local band, you know that you choose the right one.
Buying Guide – Tips for Selecting the Best Guitar Picks for Electric Guitar
There are several important criteria that you should closely pay attention when googling to buy:
Thickness
The thickness of a guitar pick can be described as thin, medium, and heavy or you can use a series of numbers that are used to be more distinct about exactly how thick it is. Particularly, a thin pick might be in the area of 0.46mm, a medium pick is in the area of 0.71mm and the thick pick might be around 0.96mm.
As a general rule, the thicker a pick is, the more control you get, especially true for precise lead playing. For shred, a thick pick will give you the control you need with a stronger attack and more definition of the notes.Conversely, for thicker strings and rhythm playing, or a strumming chords, a thinner one has more give.
A medium pick becomes stiffer and the extra stiffness changes the way the pick attacks the strings. The pick gives you more bass and midrange tone and notes have more volume. Many rhythm guitarists prefer the medium pick as the stiffer pick makes it much easier to play riff and rhythm parts.
A thin pick bends more easily to get a smooth strum and glide over the strings. A thick pick is stiffer, and it is a bit easier to play melodies or lead guitar. It is incredibly flexible and a much lighter tone.
The thickness has a significant impact on both the sound of your playing and your playing style, so remember to take thorough consideration before picking some for yourself.
Materials
Historically, picks have been made from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, bone, ivory, tortoise shell and various types of plastics. But the most common nowadays are synthetic materials, namely Celluloid, nylon and Delrin.
Celluloid pick is a kind of springy plastic which has a very snappy bounce back. Celluloid was the original alternative to tortoiseshell and was designed to offer a similar feel and tone. It is much stiffer than nylon. The pick produces a snappier tone with more high end than nylon.
The nylon pick is a little softer, and actually gives you a softer sound. It is more durable than Celluloid, and is considered of a better quality.
Delrin picks is a kind of faux tortoise shell. It tends to be in between the snapiness of the Celluloid and the softness of a nylon and it produces quite high end in the tone.
The material can affect how strings respond to the pick, how it feels and how it sounds. Each material has its own strong point, so my advice is you should try some types to see exactly which one you feel the best.
Shapes
The most standard shape of guitar pick is “fender pick shape” which is called by someone.It is a good shape for many styles of playing.
Another shape is the teardrop which is probably the most popular shape thanks to the need for a point in the end that you hit the strings with and a nice round part at the other end. This is a stiffer pick, often used more for jazz and melody playing.
The third shape is a larger triangle shape which has a little bit much more room to hold on.
At the end of the day, I think that there is no limit to the shape you can have as long as it is easy to hold and strum your instrument.
Tip types
There are some main types of tip, including flat tip, tapered tip, rounded tip and sharper tip.
Flat tips have the same thickness as the rest of the pick, creating the more decisive feeling, no easing to anything.
Tapered tips allow for a smoother transition from the flat of the pick to to the end where the actual note will be released, making each stroke very natural.
Rounded tips offer the smoothest feel, but the control aspect is a bit mushy, without as clearly defined stroke. Rounded tips produce a softer attack and give you less dexterity in your playing. They suit guitarists who play looser styles of music and work really well when strumming.
Sharper tips produce a stronger attack and give you more accuracy and dexterity in your playing. Guitarists playing fast alternate picking or complicated solos often prefer a sharper point.
Here is the link providing a piece of valuable advice from an experienced guitarist that you might find useful for getting your best pick for electric guitars.
Final Thoughts of Best Guitar Picks For Electric Guitar
There are a myriad of guitar picks in the market nowadays, so you should thoroughly consider many aspects to figure out which one is the most suitable with your playing style and your demand as well. However, it is never a boring and stressful pick-finding process.Just make an experimental and fun process instead.
To make all of the information above crystal clear, let’s take a look at the table below:
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ChickenPicks Badazz III picks – The Best Guitar Pick For Shredders |
Fred Kelly Delrin Bumblebee Teardrop – Best For Sweaty Fingers |
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Best for shedders |
Best for sweaty fingers |
Best for electric guitar |
I do hope that this review will come in handy for you during the process of finding your best guitar picks for electric guitar. If you would like to comment or require further information, please use my contact form to get in contact.
Be safe and sound and have fun out there.
See more best seller of Guitar Picks For Electric Guitar on Amazon and find the best option for you here!
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