9 Reasons to Consider Thick Guitar Picks

Short summary

Thick guitar picks can improve tone, control, comfort and durability, making them a popular choice for players in many genres. Their extra mass and reduced flex provide a more direct attack, while beveled edges help the pick glide smoothly across the strings.
This guide explains “nine reasons why many guitarists prefer thicker picks“, including better precision, less hand fatigue and greater versatility.
You’ll also discover how pick thickness affects guitar tone, why many professionals choose thicker picks, and what makes boutique guitar picks—especially those made from Thermoset—different from ordinary plastic picks.

Why you should consider thick guitar picks

When you are new to guitar, you might be overwhelmed by the amount of different guitar picks.
Should you choose a thin or thick guitar pick?
Even though you are a beginner at guitar. In this blog we’ll let you know 9 reasons to consider thick guitar picks.

Thick guitar picks have several benefits, you don’t find in thin and flexible picks, even when you’re not a pro.
These benefits in tone, playability, durability and versatility are also published by Berklee instructor Thaddeus Hogarth.

Berklee’s discussion supports several ideas commonly associated with thicker picks:

• Players should experiment rather than assume one thickness is universally best.
• Pick choice influences tone.
• Different pick materials and gauges create different sounds.
• Heavier picks can produce a more pronounced attack and feel.

When is a guitar pick heavy or light?

Guitar pick thickness, also known as gauge is measured in millimeters (mm).
In general guitar picks gauges are classified in certain groups.

• < – 0.6mm may be called Light. And in my opinion “Extremely Light”.
• 0.6 – 0.9 mm medium picks
• 0.9 – 1.4 mm Heavy picks
• 1.2 mm and thicker will be Extra Heavy

At ChickenPicks guitar picks we start at 2.0mm, which we call Light; check the guitar pick size chart for all models.

Guitar plectrum or guitar pick?

You will see both names and both mean the same. “Guitar pick” has its origin in the American English language.
Plectrum comes from British English. But generally we speak about picks.

The word plectrum is found in early papers around the 15^th century. If you want to know more, you could read about guitar picks and their history.

Best guitar picks for beginners

When you’re new to guitar, you might want to know what is the best guitar pick for beginners;
In several other blogs we wrote all kinds of things that are interesting for starters, including information about which amps to choose, or how to mic your amp in a good way and many other interesting info blogs for the beginner guitarplayers.

Heavy but still flexible

1.2mm – 1.5mm are so-called Heavy picks according to most other guitar pick companies like D’Addario and Fender.
They may still be kind of flexible, no matter what material they’re made of.

Standard thick guitar picks: very uncomfortable

A standard 351 model Heavy pick for instance, may not feel very comfortable for many people. This is due to the fact that they are sturdy and do not feel well balanced in my opinion.

Using standard Heavy picks may give you the feeling that you have to work harder, although your tone may sound better than with using thinner picks.

High-end thick guitar picks: very comfortable

Some thick boutique kind of guitar picks have beveled edges, which allow you to glide of off the strings very easily. When you are new to guitar, a high-end guitar pick may not come up in your mind immediately, but it may help you a lot.
Check this article about how easy these picks play.

The image shows the beveled edges of a thicker guitar pick (i.e. Badazz III). These allow you to let the pick glide on and off the strings extremely easy. According to research published by guitar pick reviews.com, beveled edges help to lower the string resistance and soften the release.
The sharp edge will get you an amazing attack and control of the pick.
Besides that pick noise is reduced with ChickenPicks guitar picks’ beveled edges because of the extremely hard Thermoset material, which ensures no jagged edges.
And because it is extremely sharp, it does not feel too far from home when you are used to play thinner picks.

Pick slanting may help, but you might have to change your playing technique

We already said it, to glide on and off the strings effortlessly, it helps to do some pick slanting with standard (thinner) picks.
By turning your picking hand slightly clock- or counter-clockwise, the edges of the pick will touch the string.
With beveled edges you won’t have to do much pick slanting, because the edges already are tapered.

Upward- and downward slanting

Upward in this case means that the side edge of the pick nearest to the fretboard, points to your face. Downward slanting of course, is the opposite of that.

With rounded- and pointy tips as well, this may help the pick roll off of the strings easier.

Beveled edges are some kinds of built-in pick slants

Thicker picks with beveled edges give you the feel of pick slanting, but you don’t have to work on your slanting technique. This is the reason why these picks play so easy. Once you try some, you will immediately feel the difference and ergonomic way of playing.

Better grip using pick grip stickers

Regardless the brand or shape of the pick, it remains important that your pick stays stable and does not slip or turn between your fingers. Gripperzz are specially designed for the best grip on your guitar pick. Gripperzz are small soft rubber grip stickers in the shape of a guitar pick.

This is my story on making my favorite thick guitar picks

The uncomfortable feel of standard Heavy picks for me was the reason to create something that suited my needs.
From that moment in 1986, I made my own picks in 2.6mm, just for my own use.

Read more about my guitar pick journey that led to start ChickenPicks guitar picks in 2010.

Does Guitar Pick Material Matter as Much as Thickness?

Absolutely. Two picks of identical thickness can behave very differently when made from different materials. Hardness, rigidity, surface friction, density and edge geometry all influence how a pick responds to the string.

Traditional picks are commonly made from materials such as nylon, celluloid and Delrin-type plastics. Boutique pick manufacturers may use harder or more specialized materials. That’s why thickness alone doesn’t determine tone or playability.

For a deeper comparison, read our complete Guitar Pick Innovation Timeline and learn what Thermoset is and why ChickenPicks use it.

How to hold a guitar pick properly

How you hold a thick pick also matters. Grip pressure, pick exposure and angle can influence control and string release. For more detail, see our complete guide to how to hold a guitar pick.

9 benefits of using thick guitar picks

1. Less Flex and a More Immediate Response: A rigid pick bends less before releasing the string. That can create a more direct connection between picking movement and string response, particularly during alternate picking, single-note playing and faster passages. Because the pick deforms less, many players find it easier to predict exactly when the pick will release the string. This can improve consistency and precision.
   
2. A Fuller, More Defined Attack: Pick thickness, material and edge geometry all influence tone. A thick, rigid pick can produce a strong fundamental and pronounced attack, although the exact result depends on the material, bevel, string gauge, guitar and player.
   
3. Durability: A thicker pick contains more material, but durability also depends heavily on what that material is. Hardness, abrasion resistance and edge stability can matter as much as thickness. Thermoset is one the materials that is extremely hard and it is the material used in ChickenPicks guitar picks.
   
4. Versatility Beyond Lead Playing: They can also work for rock, country, acoustic playing and even strumming—provided that the shape, bevel and player’s technique suit the application.
   
5. Versatility and string release with beveled edges: Again, thickness alone isn’t responsible. A thick pick without a well-designed playing edge can feel cumbersome. A thick pick with a carefully shaped bevel can feel surprisingly fast. Heavy picks are versatile and suitable for various playing styles and genres, from heavy metal to jazz. They offer a balance between the warmth and precision of thicker picks and the flexibility of thinner picks.
   
6. Articulation: The extra weight of a heavy pick can improve articulation and attack on single-note lines or lead playing and strumming as well. This may help notes to stand out more clearly.
   
7. Potentially Less Grip Pressure: A substantial rigid pick can feel easier to stabilize between thumb and index finger because it doesn’t flex as much. Some players therefore find they can hold it with less tension and it may help some players use a more relaxed grip.
   
8. Less string breakage
   Although you expect having more string breakage with heavy pick then as with light picks, most players find that is not true. With thick guitar picks your guitar delivers more volume out of the strings, while gripping less firmly. As a result guitar players say that they do not break that much strings as before.
   
9. Less picking delay
   With thin and flexible guitar picks, there’s always some kind of delay because the pick bends. With heavy or thick guitar picks you will eliminate this. We wrote an interesting article about why guitar picks should not be flexible.

Best guitar picks for acoustic guitar

Although acoustic guitars are different to electric guitar at some point, there is no specific guitar pick for acoustic guitars.
Finding out what the best guitar picks for acoustic are for you, means that you have to check out different models, thicknesses and materials.
In another Guitar Essentials we wrote some useful guidelines for choosing the best picks for acoustic.

Why do jazz guitarists use thick and small guitar picks?

Jazz guitarists often use very heavy gauge small guitar picks (>2.0mm), because they typically play faster single note lines, but they also need slightly more mellow tones.
Most jazz guitarists like to use small guitar picks with mostly sharp tips, called “jazz shaped picks”.
Most famous models are the Dunlop Jazz III and ChickenPicks Badazz III  

Why do bass guitarists use thick picks?

The extremely thick bass strings require more mass in a pick to let the strings ring out.
So, with thicker bass picks the sound will be better and as an additional benefit thicker picks seem to lessen the distance between bass strings. It makes it easier to pick the strings more precisely.

What do metal guitarists use?

The thicker picks will also tend to be more rigid. This will help with accuracy & control, resulting in more nuanced playing. Advised thickness for metal at least is 2.0mm and thicker. Most of our customers use 2.5 – 3.5 mm small guitar picks for playing metal.

What picks do funk guitarists use?

On the other end of the spectrum, guitarists playing funky styles of music often use heavy gauge picks and somehow larger picks.
This allows them to strike their strings hard producing a more biting and aggressive but clear funky tone. The heavier the pick the more mid- and bottom-end tones, allowing them a higher level of clarity in their playing.

Why do rock guitarists use thick picks?

Heavy picks are great for lead guitar playing. The thickness prevents for pick drag, which gives you greater control and precision to hit the notes you need.
These picks also give your playing greater clarity and a wider dynamic range. This means a wider reach in the tonal spectrum with clear bright- mid- and bottom-end tone.

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What Makes ChickenPicks Different?

ChickenPicks are not simply standard guitar picks made thicker. They are designed from the ground up around a combination of very thick construction, hard Thermoset material, precision-beveled playing edges, and a secure grip design. Each of these elements plays a different role in how the pick feels and responds.

The very thick construction creates a rigid platform with minimal flex, giving the picking hand a solid and direct connection with the strings. But thickness alone would not necessarily make a pick comfortable or fast. This is why ChickenPicks use carefully shaped precision bevels along the playing edges. Instead of forcing the full thickness of the pick through the string, the bevel creates a smoother transition across it, helping the pick release cleanly and quickly.

ChickenPicks Material

Material is equally important. ChickenPicks are made from a very hard, wear-resistant Thermoset material rather than the softer plastics commonly associated with conventional guitar picks. The resulting hard playing edge helps maintain its shape and provides a crisp, immediate attack. You can learn more about the material in our guide to what Thermoset is and why it is used for ChickenPicks.

The result is therefore not just a thicker guitar pick, but a design in which thickness, material hardness, bevel geometry, edge characteristics and grip work together as one system. Two guitar picks of exactly the same thickness can feel, sound and respond very differently depending on how they are designed and what they are made from.

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Check all ChickenPicks models in the shop below.

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Don’t judge a thick pick by its millimeters alone.

A 2–3 mm pick may look huge if you’re used to thin picks, but the playing edge is what actually meets the string.
A well-shaped bevel can make a very thick pick feel surprisingly fast and smooth.
When trying thicker picks, pay attention to the bevel, material, tip shape and grip—not just the number on the pick.

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The verdict: guitar picks thin vs thick

Ultimately, whether a heavy guitar pick is suitable for you, depends on your playing style, personal preferences, and the sound you want to achieve.

Experimenting with different pick thicknesses and materials can help you find the perfect match for your playing needs.

Thick picks aren’t automatically better than thin picks. They simply provide a different combination of rigidity, mass, control and response. The right choice depends on playing style, technique, instrument, string gauge and personal preference.

Why ChickenPicks guitar picks ?

In the world of boutique guitar picks, ChickenPicks guitar picks is unique because of the use of “Thermoset”. Besides this their thickness and beveled edges. These 3 characteristics provide clarity to your tone, ergonomic playability, durability of the pick and less pick noise.

F.A.Q.

What others say about ChickenPicks guitar picks

• Musikhaus Thomann
• Chicago Music Exchange
• Guitarpickreviews.com
• Anatomy of guitar tone