RESOLVED - Picks: Can't Decide Between Max Grip & Standard Jazz III

Gear
#1

EDIT: Updated to reflect some good wisdom provided by Tom_Gilroy:

I would say though, this shouldn’t matter. Your technique should be robust enough to deal changes in conditions. If using a different type of Jazz III breaks your technique, your technique isn’t adaptable enough.

Original Post:

Hi all,

I’m brand new to both this forum as well as CTC. Been playing for about 35 of my 44 years on this planet.

LOVE what I’m seeing and already seeing an improvement in speed in just a few days.!

I’d previously been playing mostly with either a Fender “Medium”, or a Dunlop 0.88 USA Nylon (Dark Grey with some grip lines).

I dumped out my big bowl of picks after I realized I needed something that would NOT flex.

I was surprised to find I actually had a few Jazz IIIs, and was even more surprised that I had a “Max Grip” Jazz III.

Imgur - 2 Jazz III & 1 Jazz III Max Grip

I just watched the entirety of the “Grip” videos, and I was playing along while watching, switching back and forth between the smooth red Jazz III and the black “max grip”.

MY QUESTION: For anyone who’s had this decision before them - and chose one - HOW did you come to that? Will the Max-Grip ultimately slow me down as I get faster? Or not?

I know the answer to this question will probably be “just use both until you figure it out”, and I’m fine with that.

But I’m curious if other people might have thought the max-grip was preferable at first, but later found that the standard Jazz III is ultimately the superior pick.

Thanks!

#2

Ironically, I’ve always found the Max Grip Jazz IIIs provide less grip than the standard Jazz IIIs.

I would say though, this shouldn’t matter. Your technique should be robust enough to deal changes in conditions. If using a different type of Jazz III breaks your technique, your technique isn’t adaptable enough.

2 Likes
#3

Also try the Dunlop Flow.

1 Like
#4

I’ve always found the Max Grip Jazz IIIs provide less grip

Yeah I think for me it’s like the “illusion” of grip when I first pick it up. Hence why I’ll sometimes grab the Fenders instead of the .88 grippy grey nylon Dunlop.

Your technique should be robust enough to deal changes in conditions

Instead of just focusing on a single pick I’ll use a handful of different kinds while building up speed.
This is helpful. Thank you.

I would mark this thread as “Resolved” if there was a way to… nevermind; figured it out.

I’ll edit my post to show this helpful information. Just curious though, is that advice considered “gospel” here? Like is that a common wisdom in these forums or just your own take?

Thanks again.

#5

Also try the Dunlop Flow.

Interesting. I was not aware these existed. Where have I been the last eight years?

Do you prefer Ultex for these?

#6

It’s one of the most well supported ideas in the science of motor learning.