The Complete Handbook of Guitar Picks
A Practical Reference for Players, Technicians, and Retailers
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
From celluloid to carbon fiber, this manual covers every physical spec and practical application of the guitar pick, for players and businesses.
About this book
The guitar pick is a simple object that produces a disproportionately large effect on your sound, technique, and versatility. Yet, it is also a product category obscured by marketing jargon and anecdotal opinions. This handbook moves past the hype to offer a detailed, fact-based examination of pick construction, starting with the polymer chemistry of common materials and ending with market analysis and business opportunities.
Reader Reviews
Ryan Davis
★★★★★Finally, a resource that treats the pick as a functional tool and not a fashion accessory. The chapter on understanding the dynamics of how a pick's flex actually translates to attack and tone has completely reframed how I choose a pick for a session. I have been playing professionally for fifteen years, and this is the first time I have seen the physical variables of durometer and thickness laid out with this level of clarity. This will be the reference. I have already bought copies for the other players in my circle.
Emily Allen
★★★★★I bought this because I run a small teaching studio and I'm constantly asked, "Which pick is best?" This book gave me a concrete, actionable framework to explain the trade-offs between nylon and Delrin, and why a 1.0mm pick behaves differently than a 1.5mm one. The 'comprehensive reference' label isn't an exaggeration. It is dense, so don't expect a light read, but it's exactly the kind of technical, practical detail that's impossible to find all in one place online.
Amy Harris
★★★★★A very solid, deep reference. I am a hobbyist with a decent collection of picks, and this explained a lot about why some of my expensive picks feel different than the cheap ones. I only knocked off a star because I think the section on maintenance, while accurate, is a bit short given how much detail is given to materials. I'd also like to have seen a bit more on how specific artists choose their picks, but I guess that's a topic for a different book. As a technical manual, it's excellent.