Thursday's Pick Post

Good Morning One and All,
Finally some sun. Check it out.
http://youtu.be/pY7JZ0-RZQE

How's your day? You can see it's a beautiful day here. Not a cloud in the sky. I hope it's gorgeous where you are as well.
So, I hope you all know and pass around the info that we are Canada's first and best on-line string site. Please tell everyone you know as the more strings and things we sell, the more buying power we have and so the better prices and varieties all round. Bonus for all of us. Our goal is to get you your strings cheaper than retail and right to your door. Here's where I usually list the string names and instruments for the keywords and tags but I'll list them at the end of this article.
Thought we could talk about picks today instead of the usual strings. We'll be doing some interesting string articles in the coming months but lets talk picks.
You know, there's a ton of picks out there today. From plastic/nylon to exotic woods. Some players use coins, Brian May of Queen for example. Some players use coconut shells and there are even tortoise shell. Thank God that we have fake tortoise shell now. Probably not the same sound but definitely better for the Tortoise. Whatever kind of material on Earth that can withstand the abuse of picking is put to the test and each and every one of them sound and feel different. It is always advantageous to try them all out and pick the one you feel appropriate to what your playing. It's a fun little thing for me to try different picks just to hear how they sound and how they affect your playing. I find some are better than others in certain situations, for instance, I prefer to play with my fingers most times but when acoustic jamming you tend to need the pick just for volume. I prefer a heavy pick, at least 1.6 mm, very thick and stays stiff for picking along with strumming. These are rarer to find as the average pick is from .53 to .88 and many places stock up to a 1 or a 1.3 mm. If you haven't already, you should check out the Cat's Tongue Brain Picks at our site www.globalstrings.com. A supremely excellent pick. Comes in all guages and it feels like a cat's tongue in your fingers, great grip and playability and is available up to the 1.6 mm. Our friend Noah just discovered these 1.6 picks and can't live without them now. I know exactly how you feel Noah. LOL. Since Noah cleaned us out of these picks for now, (don't worry, there are more on order) I resorted to the 1.3 mm and must say, LOVE THEM. Great feel, good stiffness and a fine tip for picking.
On the electric guitar I prefer to use a Dunlop Jazz III pick. Very small and very pointy. Great for getting in there and hitting certain strings. Definitely good for lead playing. We'll get these and more picks up on the site very soon. So, you must try out all kinds of picks to feel what you like. The most commonly used picks tend to be nylon and are made by several companies. Jim Dunlops are one of the bigger names in picks, especially the nylon. Players love the feel of them and they come in the full gamut of guages from a thin .38 mm to a 1.00 mm. It seems that beginning guitar players tend to like the thinner picks - .38, .46, .53, .60 and sometimes .73 so they can get the strum down while more advanced players graduate to the thicker picks. Easier for picking along with the strumming.

At globalstrings we carry Jim Dunlop, our very own globalstrings Tortex picks, which are a smooth but somewhat finger forming material that gives nice flex/stiffness and sound. We, of course, always have the Cat's Tongue Brain Pick. You'll absolutely love these picks. Don't forget, if you have any string or pick queries just drop us a line at the site.
At www.globalstrings.com just click on the blue String Catalogue button on the left, scroll down to the picks window and click there.
Well, I hope this was somewhat helpful. It's a big world of picks out there and this touchs on a few of the most common ones. Experiment, feel and enjoy and if you run across a cool and unusual pick please let us know. Pictures to if you can.
Since we're talking about picks and it's the fantastic Joss Stones birthday today I thought this version of People Get Ready with the great Jeff Beck would be quite fitting and slightly ironic since Jeff doesn't use a pick.
http://youtu.be/P7ECdYboOVA


Have a Wonderful, Adventure filled Day
All the Best
Canada's Players use globalstrings
Augustine, D'Addario, DR, Elixir, Ernie Ball, GHS, Hannabach, John Pearse, Savarez, S.I.T., Thomastik Infeld and more for your guitar, bass, mandolin, violin, ukelele, etc.

Hallelujah, It's Friday,

Birthday wishes for the one and only Leonard Cohen and the rhythmically talented Tyler Stewart of Barenaked Ladies fame. Love you guys. Have a fantastic day.

Today's question of the day is:

How are your instrument strings? A little old ? maybe getting a bit dark or even black, not bouncing back anymore, not bright at all??? then it's time to change up those strings. New ones will make you sound so much better, feel way better under your fingers and they'll bounce back like fresh ones should. Your whole playing experience will be that much nicer and will hopefully lead to more playing, so, check out our catalogue. All the strings you want and need for all your instruments. D'Addario, Dean Markley, DR, Elixir, Ernie Ball, GHS, Hannabach, John Pearse, Savarez, SIT, Thomastik-Infeld and a whole lot more of the world's best string companys available through one Canadian on-line shop - www.globalstrings.com - and sent right to your door - FAST via Canada Post. Whenever you need strings for your guitar, bass, mandolin or violin and even ukelele and dulcimer, just order from globalstrings. You can also grab some picks, a capo, some planet waves cables or a wrist saving stringwinder as well while your there. We're trying our best to help you save lots of money on these much needed accessories. Drop us a line anytime if you have any questions, requests or comments. We love to hear from you. Have a great day and All the Best.

Wednesday the 17th of February

It's Wednesday and it's grey. It's not that cold though. A great day to play and play and play some more. If your instrument is not sounding it's best it could be the strings. They may be dead or not the right fit for your instrument. At www.globalstrings.com this is easily solved. The strings are really good prices so you can try different types and see what you like. All the best strings from around the globe are here - Augustine, Dean Markley, DR, Elixir, Hannabach, John Pearse, Savarez, SIT, Thomastik-Infeld and many more. The service is fantastic, the strings are a good price and Canada's best players buy their strings here and so should you. Log on and check us out. All the Best.

Aaaah, The glorious days of Feb.

Just to wake to the snow in very early February. Sure helps to be able to order instrument strings on line and from a Canadian site. DR, Elixir, Hannabach, Savarez, SIT and Thomastik-Infeld are just some of the great names in strings you'll find for guitar, bass, mandolin, violin and more. Fast shipping, low prices and excellent service are all standard at www.globalstrings.com. Log on and make your string life much easier. All the Best.

Holy Tuesday December 1st,

Less than a month to go now till the big day. Only fitting that we awoke to snow this morning in Southern Ontario, Looks like it won't stay long but it does get us in the mood and ready for Christmas. Speaking of Christmas, If your not sure what to get the musicians on your list, look no further than www.globalstrings.com. We've got you covered with a great selection of instrument strings from the World's top manufacturers such as Dean Markley, DR, Elixir, Ernie Ball, Hannabach, John Pearse, Savarez, SIT and Thomastik and for whichever instrument they play like guitars, bass, mandolin, ukelele, banjo, violin. We'll even gift wrap and send to the musician on your list if you wish (just put a note on the order to let us know) or send it off to you to give. The choice is yours and globalstrings will be there with you to take the stress out of your Christmas shopping. Enjoy this holiday season and All the Best.

Welcome to the last day of November,

It's the 30th and tomorrow we are in to December and you know what that means. We'd like to send a hearty congratulations to the Montreal Alouettes. It was a last minute win and we feel bad for the Saskatchewan fans. Always next year. It's another gorgeous day here in Southern Ontario. The sun keeps peeking out from the clouds every now and then and it's a fairly nice temperature. Love the El Nino. Enough about the weather and on to your instrument strings. Whenever (and even before) you need those new strings for your guitar or bass, mandolin or violin just check in to www.globalstrings.com and place your order. Your strings will be on the way and you will have saved yourself some time and money - Oh Yeah! Enjoy the ease of sitting at your computer, saving money and time, picking out your favourite strings from our great selection of Dean Markley, DR, Elixir, Ernie Ball, Hannabach, John Pearse, Savarez, SIT, Thomastik-Infeld and many more and having them arrive very fast via Canada Post right to your door. What could be better? Canada's top players use globalstrings for all their instrument strings and we believe you should to. All the Best.

One Month to Go!

Heads up notice to all. It's on the way. If your wondering what to get the string playin' musician friend, family member or neighbour, a gift from globalstrings is a great choice. From Gift Certificates to a wrapped 2 or 3 pack (We can also include a stringwinder and or a choice of picks as well) your giftee will smile from nut to bridge. Always nice to get new strings. All the favourites are here like Dean Markley, DR, Elixir, Ernie Ball, Hannabach, John Pearse, Savarez, SIT and Thomastik-Infeld and so many more. Shop www.globalstrings.com for the holidays. All the Best.