Ernie Ball vs. D'Addario

[jimk]

This has been an interesting discussion. So I found some thinner picks than I usually use, and the tone certainly was noticeably different...brighter I guess, even without the compressor plugged in. I may switch to a thinner pick.

JimK

[JakeK]

Jake, what guitar cables are you using. A fair amount of jangle and chime could be lost if you're not using the correct leads.

I use a store-brand generic lead. I think it's doing the job fine, but I bought some medium picks. Problem solved. I didn't know that picks play a factor in getting the right sounds, too.

[whojamfan]

The thinner pick has a lighter attack than a thicker one, and allows the note to ring out slightly more evenly. It's like playing plugged straight in to a cranked amp that's naturally overdriving, and then picking softer to clean up the notes. I use all kinds of picks on different guitars because of the differences in attack and tone, and find it's easier for me to get the most out of each one.

You may wanna throw some flats on that 6 string as well Jake, the ones I put on my Melody Maker gave the guitar tons of crisp, bright vintage vibe, but with plaenty of meat behind it. Worth a shot as the Chromes aren't big money. I'm probably going to put a set on my 330 this weekend.

As far as treble boosting goes, do yourself a favor,buy an MXR M-108 10 band equalizer pedal. This should give you about every sound you could want out of your Rick, as well as being useful for any other guitar you want to fine tune. I've owned several "treble boosters" and found that they thinned out my sound way too much, or just made it shrill and brittle. YMMV.

[whojamfan]

Jake, what guitar cables are you using. A fair amount of jangle and chime could be lost if you're not using the correct leads.

I use a store-brand generic lead. I think it's doing the job fine, but I bought some medium picks. Problem solved. I didn't know that picks play a factor in getting the right sounds, too.

Bill Lawrence has some good info on how drastically picking can change your sound

http://www.billlawrence.com/index.html

some good reading here, can't find the part where he talks about picking, but I'm sure you can find it and post a link Jake. A lot of great info on pickups here.

[kiramdear]

I've always played best with a heavy pick (fender heavies are my faves) and find the light ones too sloppy in handling and lean sounding. I'm much more accurate in leads and runs with a heavy pick, and I tend to like a punchy chunky rhythm sound for the standard rock style that I play. If I want more flex I do it from the wrist and loosen my grip.

I don't own a twelver right now but if I did I might see if I could be happy with a medium pick.

I have been using the Chrome flats for a while now. They are cheaper and I've found a bit of inconsistency in quality but generally they are nice and bright and handle very well with bending and sliding and such.