Tone Factors

We have many different guitar picks to choose from, here is a simple guide to help you find the right one for you. There are many factors that affect the tone of the pick: Thickness, Shape, Bevel, Mass, and Stone Density. Below is a brief discusion of each of these factors:

Shape

To begin with, we offer four Classic guitar pick shapes; the Traditional style, the Jazz style, the Teardrop style, and the Tri-Point style. We also offer a myriad of Combo Picks using a breakdown of these basic shapes and a few other interesting features as well.

The Combo styles allow the player to choose three different points and have them all on one pick. The range of points and shoulders go from sharp to rounded with The Claw allowing for even sharper points than the Jazz Point.

The sharper the Point the sharper the tone and the rounder the shoulder the softer the tone. Each and every possible playing edge can be used for lead and rhythm playing depending only on the tone desired.

Bevel

The term "Bevel" refers to the subtle shape of the edge of the pick, which can be rounded (Soft) or it can be Sharp coming almost to a point. Our thinner picks (from 1-1.5mm) are already as Sharp as they can be despite thier rounded edges.

Our Bevel options are available on picks from 2-5mm so you can have a thick pick (or a Grip Pick) with the playing edge of a much thinner pick. With a sharp Beveled edge, a thicker pick such as a Grip Pick can combine the qualities of thick and thin.

Thick picks offer greater mass and therefore greater tone and volume, and with the sharp Bevel they can be as snappy and crisp sounding as a 1mm pick. A Medium Bevel would give you a Thick Pick with the playing edge of a 2mm Pick and a slightly Softer attack.

For a great Bass Guitar Pick try an Xtra thick pick (3-5mm) with a Soft Bevel, the effect is a Soft and Poppy Tone that sounds very close to using a well calloused finger. Below is an example of Bevels as though you were looking at the edge of the picks.

Mass

Thickness, size, and stone density are all part of what gives a pick its mass. Mass is more than just weight, it's ballast that literally fortifies your attack. All of our picks range in mass, but thicker picks have greater Mass and therefore greater Tone and Volume.

This is why we recommend Grip Picks for all accoustic applications when you want to be well heard, especially when your accompaniment threatens to drown you out.

Thinner picks can still be used on accoustic instruments but really shine on electric guitars where their voices are clean and clear. Thicker picks can have sharp Beveled edges combining the sharp attack of thin picks with the Mass of thick picks.

Stone Density

The most important factor that effects the overall tone of a stone guitar pick is the Density of the stone itself. This is the reason we focus our production mainly on Brasilian and Montana Agates which are the densest and most consistent stones for our purpose.

Of course all of the stones we use are hard enough to be guitar picks, about a 7.5 on the Mohs Hardness scale, yet there is a slight spectrum that allows for a variety of tone.

The harder stones such as Brasilian agate, Montana agate, and Petrified wood have a smooth, clear tone. Slightly softer stones such as Quartz and some Jaspers have a lighter, more textured sounds.

Light Materials
Great for rhythm playing and open chords
Great for use with accoustic instruments
Dense Materials
Great for leads and bar chord rhythms
Great for use with electric instruments

Density Rating
Agatized Wood: Hard
Black Skin Agate: Hard
Brazilian Agate: Hard
Crazy Lace Agate: Hard
Montana Agate: Hard
Moss Agate: Hard & sometimes textured
Bloodstone: Med.-Hard
Quartz (all): Med.-Hard

Note: Some of these materiels are only available occasionally, see our Rare Picks!