Antler Plectrum

[y0dsa]

Hi Folks,

Today I made a guitar plectrum out of red deer antler as a gift. But not being a guitar player I'm now wondering if it might be too stiff. How might it be made more flexible or less brittle?

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Jinsin456]

It might not be too stiff mate, flexible picks are good for chords and strumming whereas stiff picks are better for individual notes eg. in a solo. Ive seen me using a coin as an improvised pick so antler would work. Best thing to do is make sure it's thin and it should be fine. It's ultimately a personal thing with guitarists whether they like a hard or soft pick but they are both useful.

Thats an excellent idea btw I really like it.

 

[Salaud]

Hi.. As a guitarist I can tell you that the stiffness of a pick is a matter of personal preference, I sometimes use an old sixpence and you dont get much stiffer than that !!! so I wouldnt worry that your deerhorn is gonna be too stiff ,far more important to concentrate on getting the edges as smooth as a baby`s ****. Hope that is of some help

 

[y0dsa]

Great. That's good to hear. Thought I'd wasted a nice piece of antler there. Hoping it'll be nicer to use than plastic (or coin!).

Cheers!

 

[Mafro]

Plectrums were traditionally made out of turtle shell or wood, so antler should be an excellent material. I use a wooden plectrum for playing mandolin and would love to try playing with an antler plectrum.

 

[Bluemerle]

Hope the guitar its for was not too deer!!

OK, i know i will get my coat!