Make: Online : DIY guitar picks

DIY guitar picks

Handmade Guitar Picks
From the MAKE Flickr photo pool

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:
Creditcardguitarpicks Crop
Credit card guitar picks

Related:

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: Aud1073cH on June 23, 2008 at 5:33 PM

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.

Reply to this comment

Posted by: Brandon Abell on June 24, 2008 at 8:29 AM

Other materials

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.

Reply to this comment

Posted by: jon on June 24, 2008 at 10:11 AM

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

Reply to this comment

Posted by: paul on June 24, 2008 at 2:38 PM

hell yeah chevy chase bank

Reply to this comment

Posted by: 2nd_beggar on July 5, 2008 at 2:12 PM

Cool!

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!

Reply to this comment

Posted by: Luhmann on December 14, 2008 at 7:34 AM

easier way to make them...

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

Reply to this comment

Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

Subscribe today, save 42% and get web access to MAKE free. MAKE Digital Edition is available only to subscribers.

$34.95 / 1 year
(4 Quarterly Issues)

Subscribe now

Void your warranty, violate a user agreement, fry a circuit, blow a fuse, poke an eye out. Make: The risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things... Welcome to Make: Online!

Make: television is here! Visit makezine.tv or iTunes to see all the episodes.

Connect with MAKE

	MAKE on Facebook Visit our Facebook page and become a fan of MAKE!
	MAKE on Twitter Follow our MAKE tweets!
	MAKE on Flickr Join our MAKE Flickr Pool!

make_tips on Twitter

MAKE's RSS feed is here.
Add MAKE to iGoogle - GoogleGoogle.
How to add MAKE to your RSS reader - Real simple.
Add MAKE on FriendFeed

Why advertise on MAKE?
Read what folks are saying about us!

Click here to advertise on MAKE!

MAKE wins Treehugger Best of Green Award

Make: Online authors!

Gareth Branwyn, Chris Connors (guest author), Collin Cunningham, Marc de Vinck, Peter Horvath (intern), Kip Kay, Goli Mohammadi, John Park, Sean Ragan, Becky Stern, Phillip Torrone

Suggest a Site!

Current Podcast

Weekend Project: Fire Piston Make your own fire starter that uses compressed air and burns at 500 degrees! Thanks to Bill Gurstelle for showing us this at Maker Faire. To download The Fire Piston MP4 click here or subscribe in iTunes. Pick up... More...