Last Updated on March 30, 2024 by Justin
Electric guitarists understand that their choice of pick can profoundly influence their sound and technique. Given the vast array of options available, selecting the right pick for your electric guitar can feel like a daunting task. Here, we will break down the factors you should consider and present some of the best guitar picks for electric guitarists.
Contents
1. Dunlop Tortex Standard .88mm
Dunlop Tortex Green Standard 0.88mm
A go-to pick for many electric guitarists, the Dunlop Tortex Standard .88mm offers excellent durability and a bright, clear tone. The .88mm thickness is versatile, and suitable for a wide range of styles from rhythm to lead guitar.
2. Fender 351 Shape Premium Picks, Medium
The Fender 351 Shape Premium Picks offer a traditional feel and a balanced tone that suits many electric guitar styles. The medium gauge is versatile, and the celluloid construction provides a smooth playing experience.
3. Dunlop Jazz III
The Dunlop Jazz III is an excellent choice for electric guitarists who play intricate solos or lead lines. It is small with a sharp tip for precise picking, and the heavy gauge offers a high degree of control.
4. Ernie Ball Prodigy Picks 1.5mm
Ernie Ball Prodigy Black Mini 1.50mm
The Ernie Ball Prodigy Picks are designed for precise and speedy playing, making them ideal for electric guitarists. With a 1.5mm thickness, these picks offer excellent control, and their sharp edges and durable Delrin material add to their precision.
5. D’Addario DuraGrip, Medium
D’addario DuraGrip Light/Medium
The D’Addario DuraGrip picks are made of durable Duralin, offering a bright and punchy sound. The medium gauge is versatile, and the added checkered-grip ensures the pick stays secure even during the most energetic performances.
6. Gravity Picks Sunrise Mini Polished 2mm
The Gravity Picks Sunrise Mini is handcrafted and offers a unique playing experience. With a 2mm thickness, it provides excellent control for fast and accurate playing. The polished surface ensures smooth transitions between strings. In fact, these are featured on my list of the best guitar picks that I’ve ever tried.
7. Jim Dunlop Nylon .73mm
Nylon Classic by Dunlop 0.73mm
Jim Dunlop Nylon .73mm picks offer a high degree of flexibility, making them ideal for strumming and rhythm guitar. They are also highly durable and feature a grip surface, ensuring they stay secure in your fingers. They offer a snap in terms of flexibility that I absolutely love. Especially when playing rhythm.
8. Dragon’s Heart Guitar Picks
For those seeking a balance of durability, versatility, and improved playing speed, Dragon’s Heart guitar picks are an excellent choice. Made from a polyamide-imide material with a high graphite content, these picks are incredibly long-lasting and reduce friction with the strings, enabling faster playing.
The unique shape of the pick provides three different picking edges: a rounded edge for rhythm playing, a semi-rounded edge for lead playing, and a sharp edge for intricate picking patterns. If you’re an electric guitarist who likes to experiment with different styles, this could be the perfect pick for you.
9. ChickenPicks
Chicken Picks Badazz III 2.0mm
ChickenPicks are known for their thickness and unique material, a type of thermosetting plastic that is more durable than many other pick materials. They are available in various thicknesses, starting from 2.2mm. This thickness, coupled with the pick’s beveled edges, enables a bright tone and fast, accurate picking.
Despite their thickness, ChickenPicks are surprisingly lightweight, and many electric guitarists find that they offer a good blend of comfort and control.
10. Dunlop Sharp
The Dunlop Ultex Sharp is an ideal pick for electric guitarists seeking precision and durability. Made from Tortex, these picks are virtually indestructible, and their sharp tip provides superior control and accuracy when playing scales or solos. Their bright, clear tone works well with the amplified sound of electric guitars. If you’re into genres that require intricate picking or fast solos, such as metal or prog rock, Tortex Sharp picks could be your best bet.
Hey, fellow guitar mate! I’m Justin, I have been a professional guitarist since 2012. I have traveled the world playing on different stages alongside some of the best indie bands, at some of the biggest music festivals in the world. As a result, I’ve played lots of different guitar gear. Instead of keeping that knowledge to myself, I have set up this site to share my honest reviews of various guitar gear. But most notably, my love for guitar picks.