Guitar Picks by Michael Wegen

My Michael Wegen guitar picks arrived from the U.S.A a few days ago and forced me to learn a lot about my picking technique. They were recommended to me by bluegrass champion player Innes Campbell who really impressed me his crystal clear note separation and tone on single notes and bright full tone when he strummed. The picks come in right and left hand versions depending on which edge of the pick is chamfered. I found the picks very sticky at first and it took me a while to figure out what the problem was. It turns out that even though I pick with my right hand I rotate the pick slightly anti clockwise when using a standard pick which is the opposite of what the Wegen picks are designed for. With the help of my fret dressing file and some 1200 grit wet and dry I chamfered the pick on the opposite side and it all came together. The picks are 1.4mm thick and quite hard so they tend to be fairly precise in the way they bring out the sound of the string. You can't get away with much in the way of sloppy picking technique. My normal pick is a Dunlop Ultex with the Rhino on it around 1 mm thick. For more a more attacking sound I use a ligher gauge 0.75 that gives me a bit more twang. My plan is to keep experimenting with both styles of pick over the next few weeks, do heaps of playing, and possibly some recording and see where the sound leads me.

Favourite Acoustic Guitars

Two favourite guitars chilling out before an outdoor recording session.

Gibson Doves in Flight

Here's the headstock of my number one acoustic guitar taken during a break in playing earlier this year.

Innes Campbell - Flatpicking Guitar Workshop

I was lucky enough to catch a guitar workshop by Innes Campbell during the Imbil Acoustic Weekend recently & picked up a few pointers on flatpicking guitar. Innes recently won first prize in the CMAA National Bluegrass Championships in Tamworth in flatpicking guitar. He passed around a 1.4mm Wegen plectrum that he uses to get a great clean attacking sound when picking single notes or strumming chords. His preferred string gauge is 13 to 56 for reasons of tone. Since his perspiration is fairly corrosive he prefers elixir strings which have a protective polymer coating. I found them to be long lasting strings which don't sound particularly bright when you put them on but they do last a long time. They don't corrode but they get furry after a lot of playing. To get tone that really projects my personal choice is Martin phosphor bronze strings either 12/54 or 13/56 depending on the guitar I am using. Important points Innes made were to improve your playing you need identify & work on your weaknesses & bring them up to par & also to split practise time between things he needs to work on & things he loves to play. Playing position was important as well as staying relaxed. You can check Innes & his music out here - http://www.myspace.com/innescampbell

Acoustic Excellence - Duane Allman - Little Martha

Acoustic Excellence - Carlos Vamos - Little Wing

Soulshine live from Heron Island