Guitarists use a triangle-shaped tool to pick the guitar strings, named pick or plectrum, as you can guess from its name. Besides all kinds of acoustic or electric guitars, you must have seen using picks in other instruments with strings.
For decades, new materials have been used to manufacture guitar picks. Pick manufacturers also use different gauges, sizes, types, and colors. One question common among new guitarists is- how long do guitar picks last?
Let’s delve into this post to find out all you need to know.
TL/DR
How long do guitar picks last? It indeed depends on the usability of a player. An average player’s picks will generally last several weeks to one month.
On the other hand, a professional guitarist, a studio guitarist, or a musician trying to record new tracks uses particular playing techniques such as strumming and heavy picking.
In such cases, the picks will last for just only one day. Also, other factors play a role in guitar picks’ durability, like the material, thickness, shape, and size. All these things make a significant impact on your guitar’s picks.
5 Factors That Will Affect Your Guitar Pick
- Weak guitar pick edges.
- Poor quality guitar pick.
- Choosing the wrong gauge picks for a playing style.
- Technical and playing style faults. Following an aggressive technique to play your guitar, such as picking slides or using a palm mute, may wear down the picks.
- Using thick guitar strings makes your picks wear down faster by increasing the plectrum area contract.
How Long Do Guitar Picks Last?
The lifespan of your guitar picks depends on various aspects, such as the material, playing style, pick shape, and a few other factors.
1. Playing Style
Musical genres define your guitar-playing style. Smooth jazz requires complicated notes with extreme accuracy; whereas heavy metal demands a faster hand.
Of course, your playing style impacts your guitar pick greatly.
2. How Often You Use
The average guitar player might keep the picks for several weeks untouched. Surprisingly, it’s common.
On the other hand, professional guitarists or musicians try to practice every day or might be recording tracks in the studio. Their picks go through heavy strumming. There is a possibility that the picks won’t last over one day.
3. Materials
For durability and toughness, you can try acrylic picks. They are one of the stuffers, and they’re known for their stiffness.
Also, Ultem-made ones are on the list of durable picks. This can be best if you prefer to have a pick that will last for longer. You’ll get Ultem picks in different gauges. But, as the stiffness of these picks, you’ll feel them heavy in your hands.
If you want something stiffer than nylon or celluloid, go for Delrin or acetal picks. These picks are made of durable plastic and are quite stiff.
4 Things To Check Before Getting A Guitar Pick [Explained]
Let’s look at the main factors you should consider when picking the right kind of guitar.
1. Pick Thickness
If you’re a novice player, a thinner guitar pick is good. Beginner players generally practice the basic chords and try strumming, so thinner picks will help you play in a better style.
Guitar picks usually range from 1.2 mm to 6 mm(extra heavy), .80 mm to 1.2 mm (heavy), 0.40 mm to 0.60 mm( thin), and medium picks vary from 0.60 to 0.80 mm. Choose a thinner pick if you play rhythm or riff guitar. Whenever you need greater control, a thicker pick is what you need.
2. Materials
Until 1973, manufacturers used tortoise shells for guitar picks. However, it was banned.
Now, the most common materials are celluloid, nylon, Delrin or acetal, acrylic, and Ultem. There are materials like stone, leather, metal, rubber, coconut shell, and bone or horn.
3. Playing styles
Specific pick gauges are available depending on your playability and style. Picks with 0.60 mm gauges are considered thin and create a soft yet bright sound.
These pick bodies flap forward and back while playing. So, you can create a flapping noise with them. If you want to do rhythm playing, thin gauge picks are best.
Also, you can try medium-gauge picks for rhythm guitars, which are generally within 0.60 to 0.8 mm. They will give you much flexibility when playing your lead guitar.
However, if you want to play a lead guitar, try to pick a gauge within 0.8 to 1.2mm.
4. Shapes And Sizes
You’ll see different variations in guitar pick design. Some common shapes are as follows-
- 351 Standard: A suitable shape that fits well with most playing styles.
- Jazz III: The smaller shape pick with a sharp tip.
- Triangle: Larger size picks for players struggling to hold small picks.
- Teardrop: Similar to Jazz III, but with rounded edges.
You’ll also find picks shaped like shark fins, dragon hearts, and even picks designed like snake tails.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Determine If a Pick Will Not Break?
Putting things to the test and trusting your judgment is the surest way to find out.
Professional musicians may provide guidance based on their extensive testing of guitar picks. This data won’t be beneficial if one’s playing style differs entirely from yours.
Additionally, many professional players have stuck with the same choices for decades so that they could lose out on the last decade’s significant advancements.
How Often Should You Replace Your Guitar Pick?
The picks are so small and delicate that they wear out after about twelve hours of play. When this happens, you look for a new option. It comes down to individual taste, however. Just go with your own experience and pick the condition.
Keep Your Guitar Pick In Good Shape!
So, how long guitar picks last depends on whether you are using the right ones in the right playing style.
Have a spare pick on hand, just in case. You shouldn’t be concerned about continual wear and tear on your plectrums since they are likely the least costly part of your whole guitar setup. When buying guitar picks, consider the materials, shape, size, your playing style preference, and personal choice.