A guitar pick, or plectrum, is a small handheld piece of celluloid, nylon, delrin or carbon fibre that shapes attack and tone, chosen by thickness, material and shape.
A guitar pick, or plectrum, is a small handheld piece of celluloid, nylon, delrin or carbon fibre that shapes attack and tone, chosen by thickness, material and shape.
About Guitar Picks
The humble guitar pick, or plectrum, shapes your attack, tone and feel more than almost any other accessory, and at a few dollars each it is the cheapest upgrade in music. Thickness is the place to start: thin picks (0.4mm to 0.7mm) flex easily for bright, even strumming on acoustic guitar, medium picks (0.8mm to 1.2mm) are the versatile all-rounders, and thick picks (1.3mm and above) give electric lead players the control and precision they want. Material matters too, with celluloid offering the traditional feel and classic colours, nylon adding warmth and grip, and delrin and carbon fibre delivering durability with a snappy response. Shape is the final choice: the classic teardrop covers all-round playing, compact jazz picks suit fast and precise lead work, and thumb picks keep your fingers free for fingerstyle and country playing.
The range covers singles and value packs from Ernie Ball, Alice and Janicek, while Perris picks add officially licensed designs from bands like the Beatles, AC/DC, Kiss and Pink Floyd. A pick holder that clips to your microphone stand keeps a spare within reach mid-song. While you are here, stock up on guitar strings or browse the full range of guitar accessories at SWAMP.
Yes. Plectrum is the traditional name and guitar pick is the everyday term, but they describe the same tool: a small flat piece of celluloid, nylon or similar material used to strike the strings.
Medium picks around 0.8mm suit most players and are the safest starting point. Go thinner (0.4mm to 0.7mm) if you mostly strum an acoustic, and thicker (1.3mm and above) for single-note lead playing where control and accuracy matter most. Bass players generally choose 1.0mm and heavier for a solid, defined attack.
There is no single best material, only the best match for your style. Celluloid feels traditional and slightly bright, nylon is warm and easy to grip, and delrin or carbon fibre picks last longer with a snappier attack. A mixed pack is the quickest way to find your favourite.