Small guitar picks

Are small picks better? You can’t say that, as guitar picks have always to fit someone’s preferences in terms of control, articulation, size and other aspects. You like it, or you don’t.
In fact, there are no bad or wrong shapes of plectrums.

Small plectrums seem to appear in a special place in the plectrum world. That is a fact.
Many people love the original 351 shaped pick models or regular triangle picks.

But why should you use a pick that you can barely see between your fingers?
We asked some small plectrum fans and the answers we received were absolutely interesting, with mixed perspectives.

In short, the highlights

1. Precision and Control: Smaller plectrums allow for more precise control over individual strings, making them ideal for playing lead guitar, soloing, and fast shredding. The reduced size means less material gets in the way. This enables quicker and more accurate string contact.
2. Speed: For guitarists who play fast, such as metal players, small ones can help increase speed. The shorter distance between the thumb and the tip of the pick reduces the time it takes to move between strings. The movement of the pick is equal to the movement of your picking hand. You could say that a longer (standard-) guitar plectrum has some kind of leverage between your fingers and the tip of the pick.
3. Comfort: Some players find smaller picks more comfortable to hold. The compact size can fit more snugly between the fingers, reducing hand fatigue during long playing sessions.
4. Articulation: Small guitar plectrums can provide a brighter and more articulate sound, especially useful in genres where clarity and note definition are crucial. Remarkable is that the main styles of guitar playing people use small guitar plectrums, are Jazz and metal.

Versatility, preference and style

While small picks are often associated with specific styles, they can be used across various genres, offering versatility to the player who might switch between rhythm and lead parts frequently.

Ultimately, the choice of pick size is highly personal and depends on the player’s style and preference. Some guitarists simply feel more connected to their instrument and more in control with a smaller pick.

Small plectrums at ChickenPicks guitar picks

When you finally found your favorite small sized guitar plectrum shape, check what we have to offer. And all of our products can be used as bass guitar- and mandolin picks as well.

Shredder

The Shredder is one of our smallest with beveled edges and a rounded tip.
The are available in a 2.4 & 3.5mm thickness, which you might find too thick at a first glance.

Please note that all Shredder users were Dunlop Jazz II and small teardrop guitar plectrums users before they discovered the ChickenPicks guitar picks Shredder 2.4 or 3.5mm.
Our picks are extremely easy to play with and you will be amazed by how easy it is to play fast single note runs.

Find your rounded tip small guitar picks here at Shredder picks.

Badazz III

The Badazz III picks are our small picks with an extremely sharp tip and beveled edges all around.
These Badazz III picks are available in 2.0, 2.5 & 3.2mm. There’s a good variety of thicknesses available.

Beveled edges

The beveled edges allow you to glide off of the strings very easily without the need of slanting the pick in a certain way.
The extremely sharp edges deliver a crips and clear bright tone with tons of bottom-end and nice mid.

Find your Extremely pointy small plectrums here at Badazz III picks.

Best guitar picks for beginners

When you’re new to guitar, you might want to know what is the best guitar pick for beginners.
And when playing electric guitar, you might be interested in how to create better guitar tones by placing your guitar effects pedals in the right position on your pedalboard.
That said, the guitar effects pedal order on your pedalboard is important for creating the sound you like most.
Read our blog about “the right pedal order”.

Better grip using pick grippers

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.

Variety sets

If you’re not sure what to choose, you could always check our variety sets in general.

For small picks in particular check these below.

• 2-pack Shredder (2.4 + 3.5mm)
• 3-pack Badazz III (2.0 + 2.5 + 3.2mm)
• 2-pack Variety Jazz picks heavy (Shredder 3.5 + Badazz III 3.2mm)
• 5-pack Variety set with Shredder & Badazz III (Shredder 2.4 + 3.5mm) & (Badazz III 2.0 + 2.5 + 3.2mm)
• 7-pack Variety set small picks
  

Pick sizes chart
Check for all sizes and measurements the guitar picks sizes chart.
Of course, most of our picks are perfect for bass guitar as well.

Best 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 ones 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.

You might also like to read the following blogs about guitar picks

Here you can read the story about why I started to make my own guitar picks in the mid-1980’s.

Also learn what kinds of pick noise there are and how to get rid of it, by changing settings on guitar or amp. Or even when using different guitar picks, like boutique guitar picks that are manufactured to solve problems that standard plectrums offer.

The question if guitar picks should be flexible or not is interesting if you wonder what kinds of picks you need.
And why thick guitar in many situations are better than thin picks.

How to hold a guitar pick

Place the guitar pick on top of your index finger with a little less than let’s say 6mm sticking out past the fingertip. The pick is sandwiched between the thumb and the side of the index finger.
The index finger should be behind read more…

What others say about ChickenPicks guitar picks

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

The verdict on small plectrums

Different guitarists have different preferences, and what works well for one player might not suit another.

The choice of pick, including its size, thickness, and material, is a crucial part of a guitarist’s personal setup. Just try different styles of picks and find out what suits you best.

About the author

Hi, my name is Eppo Franken and I started to make my own picks in the mid ’80’s.
In 2010 my wife Jolanda and I started ChickenPicks guitar picks, because we’d like to see if others would enjoy them as well.

I play guitar since 1980 and my favorite style is country chicken picking and some kinds of rockabilly.
Send us an e-mail and let’s talk about guitar tone and picks