Thick or thin—it doesn’t just change feel. It changes the way your guitar sounds.
Thick Picks (2mm+)
Stiff, no flex → all energy into the string
Fuller, louder, warmer tone
Favoured by shredders and jazz players who need precision
Think Brian May’s coin. Or the legendary Jazz III.
Thin Picks (≤0.60mm)
Bends and snaps back → brighter, “clicky” attack
Adds chime to strums
Loved by acoustic strummers and rhythm players
Think jangly 12-strings and folk ballads.
The Fight
“Real players only use heavy picks”
“Nothing beats a thin pick’s sparkle”
Objectively:
Heavy = more lows/mids
Thin = more treble
Yes, EQ can balance it—but guitarists defend their choice like religion.
Technique Matters
Thick = precise single-note runs, more control
Thin = forgiving strumming dynamics
Mandolin players have used heavy picks for centuries.
But Eddie Van Halen? Medium pick. Sounded massive.
The Takeaway
Picks do shape tone. But their biggest effect is how they shape your touch.
It’s the cheapest experiment in tone chasing.
And the debate will never die.
🎸 Your turn → What thickness pick do you swear by—and why?
👉 Subscribe to Guitar Earo for more deep dives into guitar tone.
Learn the Tone. Save the Sound.
