Customer Reviews

Alaska Pik Finger Guitar Pick Medium

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Used when playing on my nylon string classical guitar... After trial & error and much trimming & filing, I was able to get each of the picks (I had 4) the way I wanted them. I had to label each so I'd remember which went on which finger. Was pleased to use them for a few weeks and liked the fact that I didn't have to worry about chipping a nail or making myself bleed when I'd pick my nose... I mean, when I would scratch an itch. I then eventually decided to grow my fingernails back again... nothing beats the tactile feeling from your own fingernails for finger-picking (your guitar, that is).

I am a singer songwriter just getting into classical guitar, and have used these for years, to great effect. If you are a person like me whose nails are on the weak side, they are really a godsend, allowing you to dig in much more than normal nails allow. Granted, they are not as comfortable as using your real nails. I find that they tend to feel tight after more than an hour of practicing, and then I need to take a break, take them off, then return after five minutes or so. But for people like me whose own nails get pretty shredded by playing strongly on steel strings, these are, to my mind, the next best thing.

The reviews written above are right-- you do need to keep your nails long on your right hand for them to stay on. And it's important to get the right size. But I never manicure them or do anything to them, and for me they fit fine. (Maybe they work better on women? My hands may be smaller than the reviewer writing above.)

You should also know before buying-- they do sound slightly different. I don't notice it so much when practicing, but in recordings I can hear the difference. The attack sounds just has the smallest sound added to it, like you're hitting the string with something wider than a fingernail. Which is, of course, exactly what you're doing.

Anyway, I just wanted to chime in because there are such negative reviews here, and as someone who really relies on these, I'd hate for people who might really benefit from them to be turned away from buying.

Cheers!

(And no, I'm not an employee of Alaska Pik.)

Frankly, I'm a finger picker. I've always used a thumb pick and my own fingernails because no other finger type pick seemed to work. I'd tried acrylic polish to strengthen mine, even tried fake nails (thank you James Taylor for that tip). My own fingernails have always been my favorite pick, but fingernails aren't exactly made of steel. They break, they chip off, they tear off. Face it, they're prone to accidental damage. I found the Alaska Pik one day after damaging yet another index fingernail (just when I was getting to the best part of the song I was learning.) I found them right after they were introduced, through an article on a guitarist's website. When I got mine I couldn't believe how well they worked. Having small fingers, I ordered the correct size, they fit just tightly enough not to move. I had no filing or clipping or adjustments to make. What was left of my fingernail (not much, I'd really done it this time) slipped easily into the groove that holds the pick in place and gives it that "real fingernail" feeling as you play. I honestly couldn't be happier with this pick, it gives new life to my playing when the worst happens.

Lately I've gotten into playing a lot of fingerstyle guitar, and I really don't want to grow my nails out very long. After all, I've never found a woman that found long nails on a man very attractive. Anyways, with these I can use these while still keeping my nails fairly short. At the same time, I really have a very nice feel once you get used to playing with them. I'd say they're the next best thing next having real fingernails, but they don't chip or wear as easily. If you're really in doubt, just YouTube Sungha Jung, and you'll see how well these picks work.

I'm able to grow adequate nails for finger picking on fingers 3 and 4. I've found hardening laquer to be of some benefit though the clear shine looks girly. I use medium Dunlop for thumbpick. The Alaska didn't work too well on the thumb. I use a medium Alaska pik on my 2nd finger(index) b/c I can't seem to grow strong enough nail on this finger. I used to use National metal finger pick on this finger However, the Alaska produces a more natural tone and truly fuctions as a natural extension of my fingernail. I have used acrylic nails mentioned above with success, but found that they were harmful to my natural nails making them even weaker.

Sorry guys, this is not the holy grail. The picks fall off immediately and they also have a tourniquet effect---so when they do fall off, it's a releif. If you want long strong nails, have your local nail place put on acrylic nails--the tone is best if they don't put the plastic under the acrylic; but then the nails break easier. I find it a little uncomfortable getting my nails done, especially if it's a dude doing it-----but, it is absolutly worth it when you hear what you can do on the instrument---no finger pick for nylon strings can ever match that function.

I've been playing finger-style acoustic and hybrid electric for many years. Nail maintenance have always been a challenge. And using finger picks on any finger other than the thumb feels too foreign to me...like trying to play with chopsticks. I do use a Dunlop thumb pick. When I heard about these I thought it was a great idea and thought I had found the perfect tool for the job. Not so much...here's why:

1. Hard to get the fit right - if too tight the turn your fingertips blue...too loose they come off on the first note picked. You can stretch them out for a better fit but it's never quite right.
2. For these to work you need enough fingernail to hold on to the first "rung" of the pick. Not enough, and again, they will come right off. I found that to get them to stay on for a whole song you need to have pretty long nails. If you need to grow your nails out you might as well use your nails.
3. Alaska Pik suggests a number of fixes....trimming the Pik to a comfortable fit and feel, cementing rubber on them to hold them in place, etc. Well, after $10 invested in these things I found none of the "fixes" really worked either. There is no money back guarantee or warranty...live and learn.

I have talked to other players and have yet to find anyone who has tried these that has ever had an Alaska Pik stay on their fingers for an entire short song. I really wonder if the positive reviews I've seen on these are provided by employees of Alaska Pik.

Not worth the trouble....use your own nails, artificial nails, or the flesh of your fingers.