My Review of the new Paul Franklin Fingerpicks.

[Bill McCloskey]

Okay, I was incredibly skeptical. You can read the other posts on the fingerpicks to see my concerns. I've been playing national NP-2's like Paul has recommended since I started on pedals. I really like them. Why would I pay MORE money for a "signature" brand? I love Paul, but I needed more.

Someone pointed out that the PF picks were smooth instead of having a small hole in the blade. Okay, I'll bite. I spent my money and 2 days later, they arrived.

Here is the headline for those that don't need more: These are the best, most comfortable, best sounding picks I have ever used. But that isn't what prompted the review. What prompted the review is:

THEY STAY ON YOUR FINGERS WITHOUT SLIPPING. They just don't move. I don't know if it is because of more surface area because of the lack of hole. All I know is that for the first time since playing steel I feel secure. The picks feel like an extension of my fingers. Solid, secure, no slippage. I am completely sold and I'm not easily sold.


https://www.daddario.com/products/acces ... -4%20pack/

[Mike Selecky]

So, basically these are a modified version of the existing NP2 picks - Is the metal thickness the same? The lack of a hole on the blade is intended to allow you to dig in deeper for a different tone - but how is the band any different to allow for a better, more secure fit?

[Bill McCloskey]

I didn't measure but the franklin picks seem thicker. The added grip is coming from your finger tip contacting the inside of the blade, it feels almost like a glove. Very different feeling and much more secure than the the NP2s I've been using for years. Here are some comparison pics.

The lack of a hole on the blade is intended to allow you to dig in deeper

I heard this before, but when I tried it, the hole doesn't get anywhere near the strings. I can't dig down far enough to know if that matters or not. Plus I don't dig down as much as play on the edge of the blade

[David Ball]

I got some in the mail today. I don't know exactly what is different, but they feel entirely different from the Nationals I've been using. I like them. Like Bill, I play of the edge of the pick, and these don't seem to get as much pick click as the others. Don't know if thats due to the thickness, the slightly different bend of the pick or what. But I like them.

I measured the thickness of a regular National (not NP2--older one) and these new picks--the older National measured .027 and the new ones measured .028. Don't know whether that's real or just bad measurement on my part.

Dave

[Bill McCloskey]

but they feel entirely different from the Nationals I've been using.

I know! Right? It is very hard to describe.

[Brad Bechtel]

Well, I went ahead and ordered some based on your review. I normally use ProPiks, but these look great. Thanks for sharing!

[Bill McCloskey]

Brad, If you don't like them, I'll buy them from you for $15.

[Dennis Detweiler]

I put shrink tubing on my picks, and it helps hold them in place. However, I still use spit for security.

[Colm Chomicky]

I was wondering about the concept of digging the picks deeper. Many years ago at Scotty's International Steel Guitar convention, Joe Wright was giving a little demonstration on his right hand technique. If I recall correctly, his advice was to avoid digging deep. I clearly remember him saying "You're not drilling for oil." I wonder what the consensus might be?

[Chris Templeton]

With new picks, Jeff Newman would take needle nose pliers and bend the front edge, where the metal wraps around the finger and bend it forward for a better fit. Finger size plays into it too.
I'm looking forward to trying these picks.

[Fred Treece]

The PF picks look like they are not meant to be bent. The hole in the Nationals and others facilitates smooth bending around the fingertip, but I imagine trying to bend that solid shank would be difficult without creasing or crimping. I use Acri picks, and they are perfect for me out of the box, which is good because they also have a solid shank and would be a pain to bend. A very comfortable, stable, and great sounding pick, btw.

I was wondering about the concept of digging the picks deeper. Many years ago at Scotty's International Steel Guitar convention, Joe Wright was giving a little demonstration on his right hand technique. If I recall correctly, his advice was to avoid digging deep. I clearly remember him saying "You're not drilling for oil." I wonder what the consensus might be?

It could be that Joe Wright means one thing with that statement and Paul Franklin means another. I believe Joe wears his picks so the blades extend just barely beyond his fingertips, so they don’t drop way below the plane of the strings. He physically does not “dig deep” with his picks. What Paul Franklin means by “digging in” refers to a harder pick attack on the strings no matter how you adjust blade depth or angle. A more stable fit and a solid blade may give you a wider dynamic range with a little less effort in that regard.

[Chris Templeton]

I think of Paul's fingerpicks bent all the way back onto the finger. This accommodates pick blocking better.
With pick blocking the rattle of a pick hitting a plucked string doesn't appeal to my playing, but if the string is blocked while picking another string, the rattle isn't heard muck.
I've played with the blades bent back like that but found I like more friction with the blades further out.
On a side note, I've found two sets of old picks I found in lap steel cases, that the edge of the blades were slightly upturned. This minimized the sound of the pick scraping on the strings.
I don't have either anymore, but the lesson for me is not to get so attached picks that you can't get again.
I never got to the point that I have to play with certain shoes, like some.
I remember Jerry Byrd saying the, there was not much pick selection when he started out.

[Jerry Horch]

I found them to be hard to shape for my fingers….didn’t break out the needle nose on em yet…I’d say I’m a blade bender and have a more claw hand with pinky and ring finger out flat …I prefer Dunlop 15 gauge ever since lessons with Joe Adam’s many moons ago.. . I believe he liked em that gauge .. thin, but one can still get a good attack , and feel good on the cuticles….but I’m gonna give the PF’s an honest shot again…

[Bill Ferguson]

I bit and ordered the 2 pack set from Walmart (25) inc. shipping.

Upon arrival, I put these on and bent the ring to fit my fingers. Before bending the blade, I could tell right off these were not for me.
They were just not comfortable to say the least.

I will stick with my Chrome BJ (Buddy/Jeff) picks I have been using for some 40 years and they are still good as new. It is the same design as the later JF picks that are and have been in such hot demand. The only difference is mine are Chrome (harder).

Not saying the PF picks are bad, just not for me.
Plus I don't buy something just because someone has endorsed the product.
I know about endorsements and there is usually $$ involved for every sale.

[Lee Baucum]

The way I wear my old National picks (and my ProPiks) really doesn't allow me to dig down low enough for the hole to come in contact with the string. My picks follow the curvature of my finger tip and extend just a little past the end of my fingernail, which I keep clipped short. My fingertips point straight down. If I push down hard enough for the pick to go low enough to reach the hole, the back of my finger is then pushing the next string forward. I would have to work pretty hard to get that part of the pick to come in contact with the string.

It's great that D'Addario (current owner of the National brand) was willing to work with Paul to design and produce these picks. Sounds like they work well for some folks.

[Brett Day]

I now use Paul Franklin's signature fingerpicks and they are the best fingerpicks I've used! I put them on for the first time on Christmas Eve, and I didn't have to adjust anything. I have several different sets-a set for pedal steel and another set for dobro-they work great on both instruments. Paul Franklin himself is the inspiration behind me using these picks because he's one of my steel heroes.

[Gary Newcomb]

Another vote for these! I bought em and put em on right before a gig and have had them one for every gig I’ve played since! (About 8months or so) I was using proPiks before. Don’t know specifically what’s better about them, but I fidget with them way less and they sound good!

[Larry Allen]

OK I tried them, harder to reshape, maybe a little brighter on my Acoustics and Dobro, no difference on Steel.. used NPs for 40+ years.. going back and forth , no difference. Not as comfortable on the cuticles, Pricey..