ChickenPicks vs. Other Guitar Pick Brands
How ChickenPicks differ from all other Guitar Pick Brands
Short summary
Learn how ChickenPicks compares to other guitar pick brands in material hardness, thickness, grip, and durability.
Discover how these factors influence tone, reduce string breakage, minimize hand fatigue, and improve overall performance.
Thermoset, the hardest plastic material in Guitar Picks available
When comparing guitar pick materials, measuring them in Shore D units allows for an accurate look at their raw material hardness, as all of these plastics are rigid enough to sit on the higher end of the plastic spectrum.
However, a guitar pick’s “flex” on the strings is heavily influenced by both the material’s structural stiffness and the thickness.
Hardness & Wear Resistance: Why Thermoset Is Different
Thermoset is one of the hardest and most wear-resistant plastics used for guitar picks. Unlike common thermoplastics such as nylon, Delrin (acetal), Ultem, or polycarbonate, Thermoset retains its shape. Besides that it resists edge wear, and maintains its smooth even after countless hours of playing.
This exceptional hardness delivers a consistent attack, precise string release, and a longer-lasting playing experience.
Please find below a table that shows the hardness of all guitar pick materials, classified in Shore-D values.
Shore-D hardness scale
Shore-D measures how resistant a material is to indentation by a standardized pointed indenter under a specific force.
The scale runs from 0 to 100 Shore-D:
80–100 Shore D → very hard plastics and thermosets
20–40 Shore D → relatively soft rigid plastics (some polyethylenes, flexible nylons)
40–60 Shore D → medium-hard plastics
60–80 Shore D → hard engineering plastics (many ABS, polycarbonate, nylon grades)
| Material | Shore-D Hardness | Wear resistance & Durability | Tonality & Grip Characteristics |
| Thermoset | ~90+ Shore D | Extremely high (minimum wear, just becoming glossier after used for several minutes/hours) and absolutely indestructible. | Extremely bright with much mids- and low-end, articulate attack. It has zero flex, making it feel harder than it actually is. |
| Nylon | ~75 – 80 Shore D | Moderate (Polishes smoothly but wears down and rounds out quickly) | Warm, soft sound with excellent flexibility. Ideal for strumming; usually requires molded texture for grip. |
| Tortex | ~82 – 84 Shore D | Moderate (Wears down slowly, creating fine powder rather than jagged edges) | Matte, chalky texture providing excellent grip. Balanced, punchy tone. (Tortex is Dunlop’s proprietary treated Delrin). |
| Delrin | ~85 – 86 Shore D | Moderate (Excellent slickness reduces friction, offering great abrasion resistance) | Slick surface with a fast release off the strings. Brighter attack than nylon but warmer than celluloid. |
| Ultex | ~86 – 88 Shore D | Extremely High (Almost indestructible) | Very bright, crisp, and articulate attack. Quite rigid even in thin gauges. |
Detailed Insights on Wear Resistance
- Thermoset: Thermoset is a thermosetting resin, making it structurally different from the other thermo-softening plastics. Thermoset is widely used as isolator in aerospace and hot parts of medical instruments. It can withstand very high temperatures of up to 2,000 degrees Celsius. While it is incredibly scratch-resistant, its molecular structure is highly rigid.
- Nylon: Nylon has less wear resistance compared to the others. Because it is softer and more elastic, the friction of heavy picking—especially against the ridges of wound bass strings—rapidly grinds the tip down, smoothing and flattening the pick edge within a few intense sessions.
- Delrin & Tortex: Both are forms of polyoxymethylene (POM), an engineering plastic built for low friction and high impact. Their wear resistance is good. While Tortex has a powdery matte finish that wears down into a smooth edge over time, standard gloss Delrin slides effortlessly off strings, significantly delaying material erosion.
- Ultex (Ultem): This is a standard for wear resistance. It is made of polyetherimide (PEI), a high-performance plastic. It does not develop “burrs” or jagged edges from grinding against wound strings, meaning a single pick can last for months without losing its crisp edge.
Grip: ChickenPicks vs Other Brands
ChickenPicks guitar picks are designed to deliver exceptional control, comfort and tone, making them a popular choice for players searching guitar picks with a secure grip. A key feature is the signature Grip Ribs, which add a textured surface that enhances traction and helps prevent slipping of the pick.
Gripping less firmly
In addition, the greater mass of a ChickenPicks pick—created by its extra thickness and dense proprietary material—means it naturally sits more firmly between the fingers. In addition you don’t need to grip it tightly to maintain control.
Other brands
Unlike many standard guitar pick brands that use thinner and lighter materials that can flex, ChickenPicks provides a more solid, stable feel that supports precision attack and consistency. This combination of ergonomic design, added weight, and durable material reduces hand tension and fatigue while improving articulation and overall playing performance.
Thickness and Mass vs Other Brands
Less string breakage than other picks do
Beyond flexibility, guitar pick mass plays a crucial role in shaping your overall guitar tone and pick attack. Traditional thin or medium guitar picks from other brands lack the physical weight required to drive a string efficiently, often forcing players to strike harder, which can lead to premature string breakage.
Fuller and richer tone and less hand fatigue
ChickenPicks are engineered as premium thick guitar picks made from thermoset. As a result, they possess significantly more mass than conventional alternatives. The added mass drives more energy into the strings with causes maximum force upon impact.
As a result, players achieve a much fuller, richer sound spectrum with a punchier, more authoritative attack—delivering a premium tone and exceptional dynamic control without needing to increase picking effort. Complementary to this it causes less hand fatigue.
Precision Picking vs Other Brands
Precision picking is strongly influenced by both the shape and thickness of the guitar pick. This is where ChickenPicks stands out compared to many standard picks from other brands.
Instead of bulky, rounded edges, ChickenPicks features sharp, carefully beveled edges that allow the pick to glide through the strings with less resistance and more control.
Precision by thickness
Another key factor is pick thickness. Thicker picks tend to improve precision picking because they reduce flex, giving the player a more stable point of contact with the string.
Less string distance provides more precision picking
This also creates the perception that the distance between strings is slightly smaller, making string transitions feel more controlled and deliberate. In contrast, thinner guitar picks often bend on impact, which can make it more difficult to maintain a clean picking path. As a result, thin picks may struggle to move smoothly from one string to another, especially at higher speeds or during complex alternate picking runs.
Overall, the combination of rigid thickness and precision-beveled edges in ChickenPicks supports a more accurate, controlled playing experience compared to many conventional thin guitar picks on the market.
ChickenPicks Badazz III vs Dunlop Jazz III
The ChickenPicks Badazz III delivers the familiar Jazz III shape with extended durability. Unlike the Jazz III, which is made from a softer Nylon, the Badazz III is manufactured out of extremely hard Thermoset. Therefore in terms of tone, the Badazz III sounds more articulate and delivers a bright midrange sound with lots of low-end tone.
Players looking for maximum control and long-term performance often prefer the Badazz over traditional nylon picks.
| Feature | ChickenPicks Badazz III | Dunlop Jazz III |
| Grip | Excellent – (Extra Ribs for more air) | Good |
| Speed | Excellent – Less hand fatigue | Very good |
| Precision | Excellent – Thicker (less space between strings) | Very good |
| Durability | Excellent | Moderate |
| Material | Themoset (90+ Shore-D scale) | Nylon (~75-80 Shore-D scale) |
| Wear factor | Extremely low | High |
| Tone | Bright midrange and low-end, Articulate | Bright |
| Life span | Months – up to Years | Weeks – up to Months |
Grip wise: Which pick is better for sweaty hands: BADAZZ III or Jazz III?
The Badazz III and Jazz III are very similar in size, so both offer a compact and precise playing experience.
However, the Badazz III includes specially designed grip ribs on its surface as you can clearly see in the image on the right.
These ribs create tiny gaps between your fingers and the pick, improving airflow and reducing direct contact with the surface. For guitarists whose fingers become sweaty while playing, this can make the pick feel more secure and less likely to rotate or slip.
If sweaty hands are a common issue for you, the Badazz III may provide better grip and control than a smooth or glossy Jazz III-style pick.
Sweaty hands – more grip with GRIPPERZZ
All ChickenPicks guitar picks feature our signature grip ribs, designed to provide a secure and comfortable grip. However, some players—especially those with very sweaty hands or an exceptionally light touch—may prefer even more grip.
For guitarist struggling with sweaty hands, we developed GRIPPERZZ. These adhesive grip stickers feature extra-high ribs for maximum grip.
As a result, more air moves between your fingers and this causes some ventilation. Shaped like a guitar pick, they can be easily applied to virtually any guitar pick. Of course, including picks from other brands.
Less Hand Fatigue with ChickenPicks
The increased thickness and mass of ChickenPicks guitar picks contribute to a fuller tone with enhanced articulation, dynamics, and note definition.
Beyond tone, the additional mass can also influence playing comfort. Because the pick does more of the work when striking the string, many players find that they do not need to grip the pick as tightly as they would with thinner, lighter picks.
A lighter grip can help reduce unnecessary tension in the fingers, hand, and forearm, resulting in a more relaxed playing experience during long practice / sessions etc. Many guitarists also report that a relaxed grip makes it easier to maintain control, consistency, speed, and picking accuracy.
Alternatives for Dunlop, Ernie Ball and other guitar pick brands
Many people ask us which models of ChickenPicks they should buy when they usually use other picks, but want a pick that has a fatter tone or provides more ergonomic playability.
| Other brands’ guitar picks models | ChickenPicks guitar picks models as an alternative |
| Dunlop Max Grip Standard | Light 2.2 / Regular 2.6 / Shredder 2.4 / Shredder 3.5 |
| Dunlop Tortex Standard | Light 2.2 / Regular 2.6 / Shredder 2.4 / Shredder 3.5 |
| Dunlop Max Grip Jazz III | Badazz III 2.0 / Badazz III 2.5 / Badazz III 3.2 |
| Dunlop Tortex Triangle | Bermuda III 2.1 / Bermuda III 2.7 / Bermuda III-P 2.1 / Bermuda III 2.7-P / Bermuda III-XL 2.1 |
| Fender Classic Celluloid Standard | Light 2.2 / Regular 2.6 / Shredder 2.4 / Shredder 3.5 |
| Dava Control Grip | Light 2.2 / Regular 2.6 / Shredder 2.4 / Shredder 3.5 |
| Dunlop Jazz II | Shredder 2.4 / Shredder 3.5 |
| Dunlop Ultex Jazz III | Badazz III 2.0 / Badazz III 2.5 / Badazz III 3.2 |
| Dunlop Ultex Standard | Light 2.2 / Regular 2.6 / Shredder 2.4 / Shredder 3.5 |
| Dunlop Ultex Triangle | Bermuda III 2.1 / Bermuda III 2.7 / Bermuda III-P 2.1 / Bermuda III 2.7-P/ Bermuda III-XL 2.1 |
| Dunlop Flow Tortex | Bermuda III 2.1 / Bermuda III 2.7 / Bermuda III-P 2.1 / Bermuda III 2.7-P |
| Dunlop Flow Ultex | Bermuda III 2.1 / Bermuda III 2.7 / Bermuda III-P 2.1 / Bermuda III 2.7-P |
| Dunlop Flow Nylon | Bermuda III 2.1 / Bermuda III 2.7 / Bermuda III-P 2.1 / Bermuda III 2.7-P |
| Dunlop Gels guitar picks | Light 2.2 / Regular 2.6 / Shredder 2.4 / Shredder 3.5 |
| Dunlop Primetone Black | Shredder 2.4 / Shredder 3.5 / Bermuda III-P 2.1 / Bermuda III 2.7-P |
| Dunlop Jazztone | Badazz III 2.0 / Badazz III 2.5 / Badazz III 3.2 / Shredder 2.4 / Shredder 3.5 |
| Dunlop Primetone Standard | Light 2.2 / Regular 2.6 / Shredder 2.4 / Shredder 3.5 |
| Dunlop Primetone Triangle | Bermuda III 2.1 / Bermuda III 2.7 / Bermuda III-P 2.1 / Bermuda III 2.7-P/ Bermuda III-XL 2.1 |
| Dunlop Primetone Jazz III | Badazz III 2.0 / Badazz III 2.5 / Badazz III 3.2 |
| Dunlop Stubby | Badazz III 2.0 / Badazz III 2.5 / Badazz III 3.2 / Shredder 2.4 / Shredder 3.5 |
| Dunlop Stubby Triangle | Bermuda III 2.1 / Bermuda III 2.7 / Bermuda III-P 2.1 / Bermuda III 2.7-P |
| Ernie Ball Prodigy Standard | Light 2.2 / Regular 2.6 / Shredder 2.4 / Shredder 3.5 |
| Ernie Ball Prodigy Mini | Badazz III 2.0 / Badazz III 2.5 / Badazz III 3.2 |
| Ernie Ball Prodigy Shield | Bermuda III 2.1 / Bermuda III 2.7 / Bermuda III-P 2.1 / Bermuda III 2.7-P |
| Ernie Ball Prodigy Large Shield | Bermuda III-XL 2.1 |
The Introduction of the BADAZZ III Guitar Pick at Winter NAMM Show 2017
Ernie Ball Prodigy 2018
Nothing beats an Original Badazz III
Pictured above: interview with Louis from The Tone King during Winter NAMM Show 2017. Check the video in this link.
F.A.Q.
Thermoset guitar picks are generally considered the most durable pick material. They maintain their shape and edge significantly longer than nylon, Ultex, Tortex and Delrin picks. ChickenPicks is the only brand worldwide using Thermoset for their picks.
Players who want a more fatter tone, durability and tonal articulation often prefer ChickenPicks. Players who prefer a softer and more flexible feel may choose a traditional Jazz III.
Many players report that ChickenPicks help reduce hand and forearm fatigue compared to thinner, lighter guitar picks. Thanks to their increased thickness and mass, ChickenPicks often require less gripping force to maintain control while playing. A lighter grip can help reduce unnecessary tension in the fingers, hand, and forearm, resulting in a more relaxed playing experience.
Many guitarists describe the tone of ChickenPicks as fuller, warmer, and more articulate compared to thinner, lighter picks. Thanks to their increased thickness and mass, ChickenPicks transfer energy to the string differently, often resulting in greater note definition, dynamics, and a bigger overall sound. The exact tonal difference depends on your gear. A fuller tone is one of the most frequently reported benefits of switching to ChickenPicks.
The ChickenPicks Badazz III was officially introduced at the Winter NAMM Show 2017. Starting in 2.0mm and 2.5mm versions. One year later, at NAMM 2018, Ernie Ball introduced its Prodigy guitar pick series. Many guitar players immediately noticed the similarities in shape, dimensions, and overall concept between the Prodigy picks and the Badazz III. We take that as a compliment.
When a respected company develops a product with a very similar design after our introduction, it reinforces that the Badazz III was ahead of its time.
Yes. Thicker, beveled guitar picks provide greater stability, reduce unwanted flex, and glide more smoothly across the strings. This gives guitarists more precise picking, better note articulation, improved speed, and greater control during alternate picking, sweep picking, and fast lead playing. Thicker picks also give you the idea that the space between 2 strings is less than with thin pick. That’s why many players choose thick guitar picks, such as the ChickenPicks, as an alternative to traditional thin or flexible picks.
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!