Last Updated on February 14, 2024 by Justin
Medium guitar picks are a great choice for guitarists who want a guitar pick that can do it all. They offer a good balance of flexibility and stiffness, making them ideal for both strumming and lead playing. In this article, I will discuss the benefits of medium picks and review five of the best on the market. I will also provide some tips on how to choose the right medium pick for your playing style.
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What Is the Best Medium Guitar Pick?
Below are five of the best medium guitar picks on the market in my personal opinion. If you’d like to see my overall list, be sure to see my list of my best guitar picks of all time.
1 . Dunlop Tortex 0.73 Medium Guitar Pick
My number 1 medium guitar pick has to be the Dunlop Tortex 0.73mm. I absolutely love this guitar pick! The Tortex guitar pick is renowned for its durability and versatility. As well as being possibly the most popular guitar pick of all time. Crafted from a durable plastic material, famously known as Tortex, these guitar picks offer a unique balance between flexibility and stiffness. This combination allows for precise control and excellent articulation while playing lead guitar. But they are also great for strumming on both electric and acoustic guitars.
Tortex guitar picks are quite possibly the most popular and widely used pick of all time. From very beginners to professionals such as John Mayer and bands like Metallica.
My playing style is quite heavy so I tend to wear these down quite quickly. But don’t let that be a sign of weakness. I usually order these in a big bag or bulk pack which allows me to save on price but it also saves me from having to keep going down to the store to buy guitar picks.
2. Herco Flex Nylon Guitar Picks
The Herco Flex 3 nylon picks are favored for their comfort and versatility. Constructed from a flexible plastic material, these picks are comfortable to hold and play with for extended periods. The rounded tip of the picks makes them particularly well-suited for strumming chords and producing a warm, balanced tone. Guitarists who engage in rhythmic strumming or prefer a softer attack often find Herco Flex 3 Medium Picks to be an ideal choice.
3. Fender Celluloid Medium Picks
I have this range of guitar picks by Fender in practically every list you can think of. But for a very good reason. They are a classic guitar pick that has been around for a long time and has been used by some of the best guitarists to ever have lived. They are made from celluloid material and provide a great sound and feel. You can read more about them in my piece of Fender guitar picks.
4. Dunlop Nylon Midi 0.67
Dunlop is very well known for their nylon guitar picks. But their Nylon Midi range is not quite as well known. It is a shame because they’re actually very useful. That is because they come in -between gauges. Hence the name, midi. This pick in particular is 0.67mm which is a gauge you don’t see practically ever. Admittedly it is somewhere between a thin and medium pick but I’d say it falls closer to the range of medium. That is why I have added it to this list. The Dunlop Midi picks feel great and sound fantastic! Lastly, they have an awesome grip that makes them a dream to play.
5. Dava Grip Tips Mediums
Here’s a guitar pick you don’t see every day. But should be more well known in my opinion. The Dava grip tip mediums are used by famous guitarist Cory Wong and I have since begun using them to see what all the fuss was about. The Dava picks feature a multi-gauge technology that means the gauge and feel of the pick changes depending on where you set your fingers. This innovation makes them really versatile and a great addition to your guitar pick collection. They really help you to play multiple styles of guitar in one go. These particular picks are made from Delrin but Dava has them in Poly Gel and nylon too.
What are Medium Picks For?
Medium guitar picks, also known as medium-gauge guitar picks, offer a balanced approach to both acoustic and electric guitar playing. Medium picks offer a good balance of flexibility and stiffness, which makes them an ideal guitar pick for a variety of playing styles. The medium thickness allows for an awesome blend of control, responsiveness, and tonal variation all from a single guitar pick.
What Size is a Medium Guitar Pick?
They are widely favored by guitarists across various genres due to their versatility. These picks typically fall within the range of 0.71mm to 0.88mm in thickness. This makes them slightly thicker than thin guitar picks, but not as thick as thick guitar picks.
Are medium guitar picks good for beginners?
Yes, a medium guitar pick is an excellent choice for beginners. With a thickness typically around 0.75 mm, medium picks strike a balance between flexibility and stiffness. They offer versatility in terms of tone and are suitable for both rhythm and lead guitar playing. Medium picks provide improved control and responsiveness, making them ideal for beginners who are still developing their technique and hand coordination. They are reliable tools for exploring various playing styles and genres. Whether you’re focusing on strumming exercises or lead techniques, medium picks will perform well and provide a solid foundation for your guitar journey.
What is the difference between medium and thin guitar picks?
The main difference between medium and thin guitar picks lies in their thickness. Thin picks, ranging from 0.45 mm to 0.70 mm, offer greater flexibility, resulting in a softer and mellower tone. On the other hand, medium picks, which range from 0.60 mm to 0.80 mm, strike a balance between flexibility and rigidity, providing more stability, control, and accuracy. The choice between medium and thin picks depends on personal preference and the desired tone and playing style.
Benefits of Medium Guitar Picks
Medium picks offer several benefits to guitarists, making them a popular choice among musicians. Let’s explore these advantages in detail:
Enhanced Control and Precision
Guitar picks of this medium gauge strike a balance between flexibility and rigidity. The slightly stiffer nature of medium picks provides stability while strumming or picking, allowing for greater control and precision over the strings. This improved control reduces the chances of accidental slips or inconsistent strokes, enabling guitarists to execute intricate techniques with confidence.
Versatility in Playing Styles:
Medium picks are highly versatile and cater to various playing styles. Whether you prefer gentle fingerstyle picking, dynamic strumming, or precise note articulation, medium picks accommodate a wide range of techniques. Their adaptable nature allows guitarists to explore different genres, from mellow acoustic melodies to intense rock riffs, without feeling limited by the pick’s characteristics.
Tonal Expression and Warmth:
Medium picks strike a harmonious balance between generating rich tones and maintaining a degree of flexibility. This delicate equilibrium allows for optimal string-to-pick interaction, resulting in enhanced tonal expression and warmth. The medium gauge provides enough rigidity to produce a clear attack and articulate individual notes while still allowing the strings to resonate naturally, resulting in a fuller sound.
Suitable for Various Genres:
Due to their versatility and balanced characteristics, medium picks are well-suited for a wide range of musical genres. Whether you play blues, rock, pop, country, jazz, or other styles, medium picks can adapt to the demands of different genres and playing techniques. They offer a reliable foundation for exploring different musical expressions without being too rigid or too flexible.
Comfortable Handling:
Medium picks are often favored by guitarists due to their comfortable handling. The thickness of medium picks provides a substantial grip and feels ergonomic in the player’s hand. This comfort allows for longer playing sessions without causing fatigue or discomfort, making medium picks suitable for both beginners and experienced guitarists.
How to Choose the Right Medium Pick?
There are a few factors to consider when choosing the right medium pick for your playing style. Here are a few tips:
- Consider your playing style: If you primarily strum, you will want guitar picks that are slightly thinner than if you primarily play lead. Also, consider the type of genre you play. That will influence your choice of guitar picks.
- Consider the material of the pick: The material of the guitar pick can affect its sound and feel. For example, celluloid guitar picks tend to be brighter and louder than nylon guitar picks. Whilst the Delrin material falls somewhere in between those two.
- Experiment with different guitar picks: The best way to find the right medium pick for you is to experiment with different picks. Try out a few different picks and see which one feels and sounds the best to you.
Medium gauge guitar picks offer an excellent compromise between flexibility and rigidity, allowing guitarists to achieve a greater level of control and precision over their playing. The slightly stiffer nature of medium picks offers stability while strumming or picking, reducing the chances of accidental slips or inconsistent strokes. This improved control empowers musicians to execute intricate techniques with confidence.
Medium Well?
Medium picks are a great choice for guitarists who want a versatile pick that can do it all. They offer a good balance of flexibility and stiffness, making them ideal for both strumming and lead playing. Medium picks are also relatively durable, so they can withstand the wear and tear of regular playing.
If you are looking for a medium pick, I recommend trying out one of the picks listed above. They are all great picks that offer a variety of benefits. With so many great options to choose from, you are sure to find the perfect medium pick for your playing style.
I hope this article has helped you learn more about medium guitar picks. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
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.