Best Guitar Picks & Bass Picks AI pick

Chosen by an AI model from its trained knowledge, with its reasoning.

AI pick: Dunlop Tortex Standard 418P.73

The .73 mm Tortex is the industry's default all-rounder: its matte surface grips well, it resists wear and it handles both strumming and picking.

Not for: Players who want the warm, snappy feel of celluloid or a very small precision pick.

Dunlop Big Stubby (line)

A very thick, rigid pick gives a punchy, even attack on heavy bass strings without flexing.

Not for: Guitarists who strum chords and need some give in the pick.

Dunlop Nylon Standard (line)

The thin nylon gauges flex smoothly across strings for an even, quiet strum.

Not for: Lead players who need a firm tip for articulation.

Dunlop Primetone (line)

Hand-finished beveled edges release cleanly off the string and give a clearer high end.

Not for: Players who lose picks often.

Gauge for instrument: Guitar strumming: .50–.73 mm. Guitar lead: 1.0 mm or more. Bass: generally 1.0 mm or more. Thin picks flap on bass strings, and thick picks can make strummed chords sound harsh.
Edge bevel: Prefer smooth or beveled edges with no molding flash. A rough edge scratches the string and adds noise.
Wear resistance: Tortex, nylon and Ultex outlast celluloid. A worn tip changes tone and accuracy.

Dunlop: Tortex, Nylon, Ultex, Jazz III and Primetone cover nearly every need.
Fender: Celluloid 351s, the classic sound.
Ernie Ball: Budget celluloid and Everlast lines.
D'Andrea: Traditional celluloid and Pro Plec.

Mixed-gauge bulk bags if you already know your preferred gauge, because you pay for picks you won't use.

Yes. Each Tortex color corresponds to a gauge, for example yellow is .73 mm, so you can identify thickness at a glance.