Ted Bell - Posted - 01/09/2025:  12:15:00

Noobie player here. I assumed the thumb pick's location on the thumb is where it wraps around the thumbnail, but in watching Mike Witcher's videos on Peghead Nation and then paying closer attention to other videos, I'm questioning my assumption. It seems that it might be worn between the thumbnail and the knuckle. Can y'all educate me on what the usual placement of the thumbpick is?



Thanks,

Ted

Edited by - Ted Bell on 01/09/2025 12:15:35

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 01/09/2025:  13:42:37

Almost out the door, don't have time to check it out right now - I'm guessing that like many of us, Mike is using a BlueChip thumbpick in the video. They "ride" up higher on your thumb than other thumbpicks. 

bluechippick.net/

RezBluez - Posted - 01/09/2025:  17:31:00

I don’t wear mine that far back on my thumb, simply because I got very short thumbs. So I think it really varies for some people.

Ted Bell - Posted - 01/09/2025:  18:04:39

I use a blue chip thumb pick, but it fits firmly around my thumbnail and isn’t big enough to go past my nail to the flesh area beyond. In all of my reading and learning about the dobro it seems that most things are, “what works best for you.” Is this one of those things, or is it primarily worn one particular way?

Thanks,
Ted

doug662 - Posted - 01/10/2025:  03:22:46

I do to, Ted.

PeterJ - Posted - 01/10/2025:  06:49:55

Partly covering my nail/cuticle, partly on flesh. I've seen reso and banjo players push it further back toward the knuckle, but this is where it feels natural for me. It really is a case of "what works for you."

Charlie Bernstein - Posted - 01/10/2025:  08:19:21

Put it where it's comfortable and doesn't fall off.

If it's uncomfortable or falls off no matter where you put it, try a different thumpick.

JC Dobro - Posted - 01/10/2025:  10:13:46

Yeah, t will depend on your thumb's anatomy. Mine's partly on nail, partly on flesh (bluechip). Snug it on so you can be confident with stability during attack, but not cut off circulation or otherwise be uncomfortable.



FWIW, I do the ol' thumb suck to get a sheen of saliva, then put on the pick. It stays on firmly, with probably a bit less tension/stress that if I didn't do that little move. A trick I learned from a pro in my newbie days.

Edited by - JC Dobro on 01/10/2025 10:14:52

doug662 - Posted - 01/12/2025:  06:31:26

I went and checked myself and I place mine between thumbnail and the first joint.

NCNewbie - Posted - 01/12/2025:  09:45:59

I mostly use a BC reso thumb pick, but I also have a Perfect Touch thumb pick that is completely different. It's very comfortable and I use it sometimes.

Here is a link to the website.perfecttouchpicks.com/perfect_...pick.html

Ted Bell - Posted - 01/13/2025:  09:54:59

Thank you all. I'm going to order a larger BlueChip and try it out.

Thanks,
Ted