DIY guitar picks

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By Collin Cunningham
Posted 2008/06/23 @ 7:49 am
Category Music

Member Aud1073cH shares picks of his handcrafted pick collection -

Handmade guitar picks. Most are made from old plastic cards (gift cards, credit cards, hotel room keys, etc.) Other materials are cardboard, “Handi Snacks” stick, CD, Toshiba laptop, and plastic packaging.

– Guitar Picks on Flickr

Related:

Credit card guitar picks

BY Collin Cunningham

Born, drew a lot, made video, made music on 4-track, then computer, more songwriting, met future wife, went to art school for video major, made websites, toured in a band, worked as web media tech, discovered electronics, taught myself electronics, blogged about DIY electronics, made web videos about electronics and made music for them … and I still do!

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7 Responses to DIY guitar picks

Aud1073cH on June 23rd, 2008 at 5:33 pm said:

I start my picks off similar to the linked instructable, but I do more finishing. my method is closer to this one.

I trace with an ultra fine tip Sharpie pen, then cut out with scissors (for most materials) then I sand the edges smooth with cheap emory boards (those sandpaper sticks for fingernails).

the CD pic was more difficult, because the plastic wants to shatter into many sharp shards.

The four aluminum pics were made from some old toshiba laptops. I cut into them with a hacksaw and nibbler to start with, and used a Dremel cutting disk and files to finish them.

There are great things about making your own picks. You get your choice of material, size, shape, texture and graphics.

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Brandon Abell on June 24th, 2008 at 8:29 am said:

Try using a piece of coconut shell for a pretty awesome pick. A small saw, file, and sandpaper are what you need for that one. Works *great* for mandolin.

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jon on June 24th, 2008 at 10:11 am said:

Horrible idea. Just spend a few cents and buy a real pick. Your strings, and anyone listening to you play will thank you,

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paul on June 24th, 2008 at 2:38 pm said:

hell yeah chevy chase bank

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2nd_beggar on July 5th, 2008 at 2:12 pm said:

I cut some picks with scissors from old CDs and it is so cool!
I used the floor and the sidewalk instead of sandpaper.

you can also make it in any shape you want!

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Luhmann on December 14th, 2008 at 7:34 am said:

Hi everyone…great idea! there is a pick punch coming out next year and the blog is at http://www.pickpunch.com

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Anonymous on December 1st, 2011 at 9:12 pm said:

Starting out as young musicians, they can always find ways in a resourceful manner to make guitar picks. It is one good method to reduce refuse as well as a way to save when cash strapped.

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