As a bass player, you may be wondering what the best bass guitar picks are. This guide will help you find the best picks for your bass.
Quick Look: Best Bass Guitar Picks
★ #1 Best Bass Guitar Pick Overall: Jim Dunlop Primetone ★
- Best Cheap Bass Guitar Pick: Fender Triangle Picks
- Best Rock/Blues/Metal Bass Guitar Pick: Clayton Acetal Picks
- Best Beginner Bass Guitar Pick: Fender 346 Bass Pick
- Best Professional Bass Guitar Pick: Master 8 INFINIX-U Picks
I’m a guitar player but have played bass in the past. I know how hard it can be to find quality accessories like picks for your instrument. It’s important to have a quality pick if you don’t use your fingers when playing the bass.
What Is a Bass Guitar Pick?
A bass pick or plectrum is a small device for plucking the strings of your bass if you’re not a fingerstyle player.
It makes playing faster bass a lot easier for some players.
Types of Bass Guitar Picks
There are several types of bass picks that you need to be aware of. This short guide is a rundown of the basic pick types out in the market.
Celluloid Bass Pick
This is a durable material for playing bass. It’s smooth and easy to hold on to. There is a wide range of celluloid picks in various thicknesses to meet your needs.
Nylon Bass Pick
These picks are rigid for a good attack. Some may have a matte surface, so your pick won’t slide out of your fingers as much when you play.
Tortex Bass Pick
This is another type of bass pick, which is similar to nylon. Jim Dunlop is the primary producer of these Tortex picks. They’re easy to hold on to and have a good attack surface.
Ultex Bass Pick
Ultex is another material used for picks by Jim Dunlop is similar to Tortex. It has a good attack and an excellent playing surface for guitar or bass.
Other Material Types
There are some other materials used to make picks, which vary depending upon the manufacturer of the pick. You’ll need to experiment with a few picks to find the best types for your needs.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Bass Guitar Pick
There are a few things that you need to consider before you choose a bass pick. Here’s what you need to know before buying.
Thickness
Thickness is important in a bass pick. The strings are heavy, so you need a pick that is quite thick to have a decent attack when playing.
Shape
Most bass picks are large triangles because it’s hard to play bass with a regular-shaped guitar pick. Most companies make these larger picks for bass guitar players.
Playing Style
The way you play may also be a factor in the pick you choose. You should experiment with different pick material types until you find one that meets your needs and playing style.
10 Best Bass Guitar Picks
Here’s a list of the 10 best bass guitar picks to help you find something for your own playing.
I’ve selected products that are perfect for all different bass guitar playing styles, so there should be a pick here for you.
1. Fender 346 Shape Bass Pick
- Size: Rounded triangle
- Material: Celluloid
- Grip surface: No
- Best for: Beginner bass players
Those looking to get into bass need a quality bass pick. Fender 346 Shape Bass Pick will get you going. You get 12 rounded triangle picks, which give you a good attack on the strings. They come in different thicknesses.
Why I Recommend It
I’ve used Fender picks for my bass in the past. They are easy to hold on to and have a nice point to attack the strings with. The heavier ones are the best for bass, so try the heavy gauge.
You get 12 picks in this pack, so you will always have enough on hand when playing. They are low cost and the ideal choice for any beginner bass player.
2. Jim Dunlop Primetone Bass Pick
- Size: Rounded triangle
- Material: Ultex
- Grip surface: No
- Best for: Bass players that like rounded picks
Jim Dunlop Primetone Bass Pick have a rounded edge, which brings out the best tones from your bass guitar. They are made with durable Ultex for the pick to last you a long time. You get 12 picks in this package.
Why I Recommend It
You get 12 picks in this package, and you will spend a lot for them, but these are high-quality bass picks for any player. They are made with durable Ultex, so the picks will last a long time.
I like the rounded edges on the pick, making it easier to attack the strings. You get a nice warm tone when playing. These picks are 1.5mm thick.
3. Dunlop Gator Grip Triangle Pick
- Size: Rounded triangle
- Material: Ultex
- Grip surface: Yes
- Best for: Bass players that need a gripping surface
Jim Dunlop Gator Grip Picks have rounded ends that bring out the tones of your bass guitar. They are easy to hold on to thanks to the gripping surface. They are the perfect choice for any bass player.
Why I Recommend It
I’ve used gator picks before, and I’m a big fan of them. The surface has a matte finish, so your fingers don’t slip even if you happen to sweat a lot. They’re a great pick to have in your bass guitar case.
You get 36 picks in this package, so you’ll always have picks ready to go. These are 0.88m, which is an average thickness. They have thicker Gator picks too if you require more for your own playing style.
4. Fender Medium 355 Triangle Bass Pick
- Size: Rounded triangle
- Material: Celluloid
- Grip surface: No
- Best for: Bass players that need a regular triangle pick
The Fender Medium 355 Triangle Bass Pick produces a smooth and pleasant tone. They’re made with hard celluloid, so the picks last a long time. The points are sharp, so they dig into your strings. This pack is a medium gauge with 12 picks in total.
Why I Recommend It
Fender picks are always a good choice. These have a regular triangle shape with good points on the end of the pick. You get a nice attack against the strings.
These are medium gauge, so they’re perfect for most applications. Several gauges are available, with the medium ones giving you a heavy attack and the flexibility of a thinner pick.
5. Jim Dunlop Tri Stubby Picks
- Size: Rounded triangle
- Material: Lexan
- Grip surface: Yes
- Best for: Bass players that need a gripping pick
Jim Dunlop Tri Stubby Picks are made with durable Lexan and are quite thick, so they grip the strings well. They have a center gripping surface for your fingers so that you won’t drop the pick. They come in several thicknesses.
Why I Recommend It
Tri Stubby picks are nice as they are very thick, which is ideal for bass strings. You get a nice attack with these picks, so they are suitable for many different bass guitar styles.
I like the gripping surface on these, so you won’t drop your picks as often when compared to other brands with no gripping surface on them. You get six picks per package, and they don’t cost a whole lot.
6. Master 8 INFINIX-U Picks
- Size: Rounded triangle
- Material: INFINIX
- Grip surface: Yes
- Best for: Bass players that need a solid gripping pick
Master 8 INFINIX-U Picks are made with a unique material that feels like celluloid but is different. They have a sand-like grip, so they won’t fall out of your fingers when you’re playing. The picks produce a nice, bright tone. They comes in a six pack.
Why I Recommend It
INFINIX-U is an excellent pick that feels like celluloid, but they aren’t as slippery as that material. You can hold on to these picks for a long time without any slippage.
They come in nice colors and various thicknesses to meet your needs. They will last longer as they are made with an abrasion material, so you’ll save money when you pick up a set of these picks.
7. Jim Dunlop Flex
- Size: Rounded triangle
- Material: Tortex/nylon Combo
- Grip surface: No
- Best for: Bass players that need a dependable pick
Jim Dunlop Flex Picks have the feel of Tortex and the flexibility of nylon, so you have a well-rounded pick for most applications. They come in a wide range of thicknesses to meet your needs.
Why I Recommend It
I recently tried some Jim Dunlop Flex guitar picks, and they are quite good. The bass picks are the same. They have a good attack and gripping surface on the strings.
They have the durability of Tortex yet the flexibility of nylon, so you get the best of two common pick materials. They come in various thicknesses to meet all your playing needs.
8. D’Addario Duralin Picks
- Size: Rounded triangle
- Material: Duralin
- Grip surface: No
- Best for: Bass players that need a reliable pick
Duralin D’Addario Picks are made with a durable, abrasion-resistant polymer that keeps the player’s fingers from getting tired during a performance. They last a long time and come in different thicknesses to meet any playing style.
Why I Recommend It
Duralin picks from D’Addario are durable and have a decent grip on them. You will always have enough picks on hand because you get 100 in this pack for a good price.
These picks are nice and wide for accurate bass playing and are medium/heavy in thickness. They’re the perfect solution for various bass guitar styles.
9. Clayton Acetal Picks
- Size: Rounded triangle
- Material: Acetal
- Grip surface: Yes
- Best for: Bass players that need a durable pick
Clayton Picks are made with a durable material called Acetal. You get great overtones with this pick. They even hold up to the vigorous picking found in many heavy metal styles. They’ll last forever and give you an amazing performance.
Why I Recommend It
Clayton picks are a good choice for any bass player because they last a long time, thanks to the materials used to make them. They are well suited to any bass player that is aggressive when playing.
These picks have a matte finish so that you won’t drop them as often compared to other bass picks. They come in various thicknesses to meet your needs. Pick up a pack of 12 today and start picking. They are worth it.
10. Jim Dunlop Ultex Picks
- Size: Rounded triangle
- Material: Ultex
- Grip surface: No
- Best for: Bass players that need a dependable pick
Jim Dunlop Ultex Picks are flexible, yet they are durable and will last a long time. They come in various thicknesses to meet all of your bass playing needs.
Why I Recommend It
Jim Dunlop makes high-quality picks, and the Ultex bass picks are the perfect choice for any player. They’re comfortable in your hand and grip the strings’ surface well, so you get a warm tone when you play.
These picks come in a bag of 72, so you will be set up for a long time to come. You can get various thicknesses from 0.60-1.14mm to meet your playing style.
Best Bass Guitar Pick Brands
It’s important to buy your picks from major brands. A lot of the no-name picks aren’t very good, and you’ll end up disappointed.
Here are some of the top brands to consider.
Jim Dunlop
Jim Dunlop is your best bet for the best bass guitar picks. They have a wide range of picks to meet your needs. They also carry a bunch of other accessories. They’ve been making accessories for musical instruments since 1965.
Fender
Fender is another company to consider. They have a lot of different picks to choose from. They carry bass as well as regular guitar picks. Fender has a long history with musical instruments that dates back to 1946.
Clayton
Another great company for picks is Clayton. They have a huge assortment of different picks for you to choose from. They have been in business since 1966 and focus mainly on picks for bass and regular guitar.
Master 8
Master 8 picks come from Japan. They make the popular Infinix picks. These picks are durable and easy to hold on to. The company produces both bass and guitar picks.
D’Addario
D’Addario is known for their strings, but also produces accessories such as picks. They carry a broad range of products and have been producing guitar accessories since 1974.
Bass Guitar Picks Features
There are a few things you need to keep in mind when you purchase bass guitar picks. Here is what you need to know.
Thickness
The thickness of the pick is the main factor. A thick pick is easy to strum with, but won’t hold up to single-note playing as well. Bass players usually require picks that are quite heavy for the bigger strings.
Edges
The pick edge is another factor to consider. A sharper point allows you to dig into the string more, but the sound may not be as warm as a rounded edge. You will have to experiment with pick edges to find your ideal tone.
Color
You will find a broad range of different colors for bass picks, so you have plenty of options. Some companies can design logos for you if you prefer to give your picks some personal appeal.
Durability
The material you choose can be a factor in the durability of the pick. The edge can wear down, and you’ll need to replace your picks. Try to get picks that have decent durability.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Bass guitar picks are quite inexpensive. You can get a basic bag of 12 for only a few dollars. Some picks that are specialty items may cost you a little bit more. The average cost for a bag of picks is around $8.
How Much Do Bass Guitar Picks Cost?
Bass guitar picks are generally low-priced but higher cost than regular guitar picks. Buy a bag to save money. A bag of picks costs between $10-$30 on average, depending upon the quality.
Do I Need a Bass Guitar Pick?
Many players use their fingers for bass, but you may find that a pick works better for you. It’s a good idea to experiment with both fingers and picks when playing the bass.
What Bass Pick Is Right For Me?
It’s difficult to determine the best pick, as we all play differently. You’ll need to try out several picks until something works for you. I would start with a medium thickness pick and then go from there in terms of thickness.
What Are the Best Bass Guitar Picks?
Here is a list of what I consider to be the three best bass guitar picks you can buy.
All of these picks would help you improve your own bass guitar playing.
Fender 346 Pick: Best for Beginners
Fender 346 Celluloid Bass Guitar Picks are ideal for beginners. They don’t cost a lot, yet are easy to use. They’re a good starting point for most players until you find your own style.
Master 8 INFINIX-U: Best for All Players
The INFINIX-U is a great bass guitar pick. They have an amazing gripping surface, so you don’t have to worry about dropping your pick. They last a long time and produce a nice tone.
Clayton Acetal Picks: Best for Faster Playing
Clayton Acetal Picks are quite durable and suitable for faster guitar styles as well as other styles. They are easy to hold on to and produce great overtones. They come in different thicknesses to meet your needs.
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In Conclusion
I hope this guide to the best bass guitar picks helps you find something for your own bass guitar. It’s important to try out several picks until you find something that works for your needs. Experimenting with picks is key.
Please share, like, and leave your comments on this article. We want to hear from you. Now, go pick up your bass, grab a pick, and start playing some great bass lines.