There have been a few discussions on Guitar Noize about guitar picks. They can pretty much be summed up into "Jazz III is my favourite". Personally I find those little flimsy things a bit awkward and I get more skin than pick attacking the string. That's if the pick doesn't fly off into the audience every time I alternate pick a blinding run. So I've had a personal preference for the XL version of the Jazz III for a while now and didn't think I had any reason to even look twice at any other pick. I was extremely happy with the Jazz III XL. And then I tried a V-Pick. Some of you may know about these already and if you haven't tried one yet you seriously need to. Yes, they are expensive but when has a pick ever stopped you from sleeping before?! That's right, I could not sleep after trying a pointed V-Pick medium!! I have never had tone like this before. It sounds as beefy as it does when I'm using my fingers. It grips well and it feels good. There's very little resistance against the strings, these things are smooth with a capital smoo. I don't understand how it's possible to get so excited about a little triangle plastic thing but it is so exciting to use these. It's like "where the hell have these been all my life?". I've been using it for three months since so I've managed to give it a really good trial before writing anything about it. It's hands down the best pick I've ever tried and there is little doubt I will be buying a whole bunch of them when I next order some picks. There is definitely a period of some subtle adjustment with these picks. Nothing radical or bad. My picking is no different to before, if anything it's cleaner than before. I think the adjustment is mostly down to how they are quite thick and consequently can squeak a little if you're moving up from a thinner pick. It is worth being patient with it because the pay offs are enormous. There's a large range of different pick types over at www.v-picks.com including a smaller pointed pick which is intended as an alternative to the Jazz III. They tend to be playable on all three sides and cost roughly three times the price of a normal pick. So it does kinda even out and when you consider it that way it's a no brainer! Do yourself a favour and buy one of these picks! Once you find the size and shape that suits you best you will not be disappointed! Paul www.guitarnoize.com Friday April 16th, 2010