What are some of the best plectrums?

'Best' can be very subjective, especially with plectrums, but certainly some of the most popular styles are the superb Dunlop Jazz III series, classic Dunlop Tortex picks, and Fender's range of nylon picks.

What do plectrums do?

In simple terms, you use your plectrum to pluck or strike your guitar string to make the sound!

What are plectrums made from?

Plectrums come in a huge variety of materials, from a host of different plastics like nylon and Dunlop's Tortex material, all the way to metal and wooden plectrums.

What are the different types of plectrums?

Plectrums come in all shapes and sizes, from the universally recognised flattened tear drop shape, to large triangle styles, as well as the diminutive Jazz III profile. Thickness is another factor, from almost paper thin 0.43mm Nylons to super chunky 3.0mm Big Stubbies. There's also an array of thumb-picks and finger-picks which you wear to combine fingerstyle picking techniques with the clear response and tone of a pick.

Tortex is a material invented by Jim Dunlop. To is a type of textured plastic intended to mimic the feel, sound and response of real tortoiseshell. Tortoiseshell has of course been outlawed but, previous to that, it was used extensively in plectrum making. Tortex is the number one choice for plectrums across the entire planet.