Guitar Picks


You probably wouldn’t think that small, inexpensive little things like guitar picks could make a significant difference in a guitarist’s sound. However, they can make a difference in sound. There are many different brands and “gauges” of picks, which makes the idea of choosing picks a bit intimidating for the beginner. This article serves as a reference to beginners and more advanced players alike, so that they are able find and buy the best picks for them.


When I Look at Picks, I See That They are Different Gauges. What are Gauges?

Gauges basically tell you how thick or thin a pick is. It’s the same thing for guitar strings as well. Commonly, you’ll see picks that state they are “light gauge” or “medium gauge” or “heavy gauge”. Sometimes you’ll only see the gauge represented by a number.

Light gauge picks are the thinnest type of picks. They’re ideal for strumming, as they won’t make a “clunky” sound with the strings. However, because of their thinness, they are quite easy to break. Of course, how easy they are to break depends on what they are made out of. Some are made out of plastic, while others are made out of tortex or celluloid. These terms probably are a bit confusing to you right now, so we’ll go over them more thoroughly later in the article.

Medium gauge picks are the “in-between” picks. They aren’t extremely thin, but they also aren’t really thick. They’re good for strumming and good for aggressive guitar players who really like to hit the strings.

Heavy gauge strings are, as their name indicates, thick picks. They aren’t so good for strumming, but are superb for soloing and aggressive guitarists. They are extremely hard to break and will last a long time.

Often times you’ll see a pick’s gauge represented by a number. .50MM, .60MM, .73MM, .88MM, 1.0MM, and 1.14MM are all common numbers. Those on the lower end of the number spectrum are the thinnest picks(.50MM and .60MM, for instance, would be considered light picks). Those in the middle are considered the medium gauge picks, while those at the top(1.0MM, 1.14MM) are heavy picks.

How Do I Know Which Pick to Choose?

What pick is best for you ultimately depends on what kind of music you hope to play, as well as if you plan on being a rhythm guitarist or a lead guitarist. Let’s say you want to play metal music and wish to play lead guitar for that. In this case, the heavy gauge picks would probably be a great choice for you.

But what if you want to play modern lead rock guitar? In this case, you’ll probably have to play some chords, so you won’t want to choose the heaviest gauge. Thus, you’d probably be best off with medium gauge picks.
How about the rhythm guitarist? Well, if you’re looking to play rhythm guitar, no matter the style of music, you’ll want a light gauge pick, although I’d advise against getting the ultra-light gauge picks. Just get the regular light ones instead.

If you play Acoustic guitar, your best bet is probably the medium gauge picks. They’re thick enough to withstand being hit against thick strings, but not so thick that they sound clunky when strummed.

So I Know Which Gauge to Get, But Which Brand Should I Buy?

Even if you know the gauge of the pick, you’ll still be a bit intimidated by the vast amount of brands. While there are many good brands of picks, we’ll just go over a few good ones.

Dunlop Standard Tortex Picks

I’m a huge fan of these picks. They are made out of artificial tortoiseshell, have a great grip and are highly durable. They’re just $2.99 a dozen and come in many colors and gauges. If you’re looking for great picks, these are it.

Fender® 351 Premium Celluloid Guitar Picks

Fender is probably the second most popular guitar brand next to Gibson. They make quality guitars and quality guitar picks.

These celluloid picks are stylish, come in several colors and gauges, and hold up fairly well. While they don’t have as good of a grip as the Dunlop Tortex picks, they’re still quite good and inexpensive($2.99 a dozen).

Planet Waves Joe Satriani Signature Guitar Picks 10-Pack

Planet Waves don’t make a lot of picks, but they picks they do make are quality. These Satriani signature celluloid picks are no different. While they’re pricey($4.99 for a 10 pack), they’re a definite upgrade from the Fender Celluloid picks. If you can afford to spend a bit more, these are great picks to buy.