Black Mountain Thumb Pick

[Stuball48]

Let me, first, say I never used a thumb pick and just wasn't the way I played. Always used a flat pick or bare thumb but couple weeks ago my guitar teacher gave me a Black Mountain Thumb Pick and ask me to mess around with it a couple weeks. Still not my favorite way to play but must admit the BMTP has impressed me. It is spring loaded (real spring) so one size really does fit all, a little shorter so close to edge of thumb, and so far stays in same position without slipping.
Have any of you had any experience with the BMTP?

 

[dreadnut]

I've tried a similar thumb pick and it didn't work for me. The last thumb pick I used was a Fred Kelly Speed Pick. I used it with Pro-Pik brass fingerpicks, but I have a hard time making that work since carpal tunnel surgery, so now I just play with bare thumb and fingers now. Callouses on both left and right fingers now.

Watching Doyle Dykes on his new Guild, I see he uses a thumb pick and bare digit fingers, I might work on that, as I'm thumping out the rhythm with my thumb on the lower strings, and I could use more volume on the thumb. Not necessary when I'm amplified though.

 

[Stuball48]

I've tried a similar thumb pick and it didn't work for me. The last thumb pick I used was a Fred Kelly Speed Pick. I used it with Pro-Pik brass fingerpicks, but I have a hard time making that work since carpal tunnel surgery, so now I just play with bare thumb and fingers now. Callouses on both left and right fingers now.

Watching Doyle Dykes on his new Guild, I see he uses a thumb pick and bare digit fingers, I might work on that, as I'm thumping out the rhythm with my thumb on the lower strings, and I could use more volume on the thumb. Not necessary when I'm amplified though.

The pick works great for me and it seems to be, especially, clear and crisp on my mistakes--which is often!

 

[geoguy]

I find it more comfortable than a standard Dunlop, and it protrudes a bit less (which I like).

Can't say I'm particularly proficient with it, yet . . .

 

[Stuball48]

I find it more comfortable than a standard Dunlop, and it protrudes a bit less (which I like).

Can't say I'm particularly proficient with it, yet . . .

Nor does the word "proficient" fit my use either. I find I do better if I just ignore I have it on.

 

[dreadnut]

I had a similar pick that I found to be too flexible for me, but it appears this one is hinged. Do you just use your thumb or do you also grip it with your finger like a regular flat pick?

 

[Stuball48]

I had a similar pick that I found to be too flexible for me, but it appears this one is hinged. Do you just use your thumb or do you also grip it with your finger like a regular flat pick?

You can use it both ways, Dread -- and since I just got it a couple weeks ago, I have used it a little more like a regular flat pick. However, I am trying to wean myself from using it as a flat pick but it CAN BE used both ways.

 

[walrus]

I just ordered one to try it. I love trying different picks, etc. but never tried a thumb pick. Maybe I'll love it!

walrus

 

[Andrew79]

I've been trying to get used to a thumb pick for months - I bought a few "normal" ones I found cheap online but I found them uncomfortable and too long. I never felt as though I was PLAYING, as my hand/thumb was too far away from the strings. They were just awkward really.

However, I bought some of the BMTP to try out and was really impressed - you can use them either as a traditional pick or as a thumb pick. There's still a learning curve to use them (about 50 hours of use to get normalized with them according to the owner of BMTP) but a vast improvement on the design of traditional flat-picks - for me anyway I just wish they made a thinner version like a .5mm?

 

[Andrew79]

I just ordered one to try it. I love trying different picks, etc. but never tried a thumb pick. Maybe I'll love it!

walrus

I think you'll be very impressed by them. Let me know what you think once you've received them.

 

[walrus]

Well, I'm not going to be a thumb picker! The Black Mountain thumb picks were actualy a comfortable fit - the spring is a cool idea. I agree it would be better with a lower gauge pick.

I also tried some Dunlops and Hercos. I just can't get used to them. Flatpicking, hybrid picking and occasional fingers only is enough for me. Too many many decades to go to thumb picks. I was interesting to try these out, but very awkward for me - nothing to do with BMTPs specifically, just me.

walrus

 

[Stuball48]

Walrus:
Thanks for your experience with BMTPs. All thumb pick stake hours of getting use to. I am a far distance, myself, but will continue from to time-trying for improvement.

 

[Yoko Oh No]

Let me, first, say I never used a thumb pick and just wasn't the way I played. Always used a flat pick or bare thumb but couple weeks ago my guitar teacher gave me a Black Mountain Thumb Pick and ask me to mess around with it a couple weeks. Still not my favorite way to play but must admit the BMTP has impressed me. It is spring loaded (real spring) so one size really does fit all, a little shorter so close to edge of thumb, and so far stays in same position without slipping.
Have any of you had any experience with the BMTP?

Stu, I’m looking to use it flat picking, just using the thumb loop to stabilize the pick between my fingers. Is that how you use it?

 

[Stuball48]

Stu, I’m looking to use it flat picking, just using the thumb loop to stabilize the pick between my fingers. Is that how you use it?

I use it best that way, especially, when I am picking a melody and have to pick "up" as well as down. If I am just picking the bass notes, the spring loaded thumb loop is fine.

 

[walrus]

yoko, I used the BMTP a few different ways, including like a regular pick. It actually felt pretty good like that. As I posted above, a lighter gauge would have made it better for me. I just couldn't make the switch after flat picking so many years.

BTW what got me even thinking about a thumb pick was watching a clip of Nils Lofgren. His picking style is pretty cool.

walrus

 

[bsimz4703]

I had a BMTP and I loved it but I accidentally left it in a guitar shop! Right before I bought my D55. Cool little picks

 

[Stuball48]

I had a BMTP and I loved it but I accidentally left it in a guitar shop! Right before I bought my D55. Cool little picks

You get a pass on leaving it in a guitar shop. In fact, a D55 makes people do strange things--leaving a guitar pick being minor!

 

[Yoko Oh No]

Perfect...thanks for the info, I’ll order one now. Only one gauge, correct?

 

[walrus]

Yes. Other brands different gauges, but not BMTP.

walrus