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I've been using these for years- whenever I start using too much of the pick I do picking exercises using the Stylus for a few weeks and it corrects the issue. It's definitely not designed to be your main pick- it's a practice tool.

"That was just my 300 bpm speed bursts that I do first thing in the morning to warm up my right hand." I had to actually pause the video because I was laughing so hard! (My 16th note "speed burst" warm ups are, at best, 130 bpm! 🤣) Bernth, you are amazing, my friend!

I've been playing and teaching guitar for over fifty years. I received my BA at Berklee and I was there when the Stylus Pick was being developed. All the top players there were in on it and it was all the rage. The bookstore could barely keep them in stock. Now, it's still available and as the only physical device out there to directly address the fundamental principles of smooth, precise high-speed alternate picking, I can say with confidence that the manufacturer's claim that the Stylus Pick is "The Most Effective Speed Picking Method Ever Developed", is true. Almost no student I've ever known has had any regrets for trying it. Occasionally, there will be a student who simply can't grasp the concept, or a teacher who might be afraid of a little healthy competition. If you decide to try it, make sure you get the book of exercises and instructions that go with it - they are an essential part of the method and work like magic to increase your proficiency, fast, In my humble opinion.

It seems like the initial reviews completely missed the point of the pick. This seems like a teaching tool rather than a replacement pick and is meant to actively correct deep picking (Specifically for speed picking). It seems like it could actually be a pretty valuable tool for certain contexts. I also don't think it was ever intended to be a replacement to all other picks.

I tried in 80’s. I found it helped my digging in to deep when alternate picking. It was black back then. Made me think of gliding more. Just a teaching tool not a live use product.

I tried them out because Berried Alive said he learned on them. I found them to be helpful in exactly the way Bernth said. I was using waaaaaay too much pick depth basically all the time. I feel like that practice translated back to a regular pick pretty well, but I definitely wouldn't use these for a performance.

Wow I had one of these back in the 80's. Worked great back then for learning how to gallop and alternate picking, cool to see its still around.

I bought one of these in the late 80s. I probably still have it lurking in one of my guitar cases. I hated it. I get that the point is to teach you to use only the very tip of a regular pick, but damn they suck to use.

i’m very interested in trying this for my practice now, as i struggle with transitioning between strings and pick depth control, although i’m moving much faster with every other aspect. this may be a help

Stylus Guitar pick? *Maybe it was made for me*

I’d have to drill holes through the pick to keep it in my fingers for sure. I have extremely dry hands and everything slide out of my hand and fingers. Still always wanted to try one.

Tried it in the '80s. Discovered that the Dunlop Tortex Jazz III purple or black picks held at an angle to the string worked better and you could still strum a chord.

Back in the days my guitar teacher gave me this pick to practice some specific exercises. It was weird at first, but it definitely helped me improve my technique.

I have a few of them, and I like using them for scale practice and warmups. They're interesting, because it forces you to learn economy of movement in order to play AT ALL, which is something I wish I would have learned years ago.

There is a PDF that fully describes how to use the pick. It's a development training tool.

Actually yes. I bought my first set with the book back in the 80’s and still use them. They aren’t meant to be a regular pick but like Bernth pointed out it’s a tool to improve your technique. Good video!

I have them and I don't use them much but they did cure me of one thing - I was picking way to deep and was always hitting the pickups on my guitar and since you can't pick deep with the stylus pick they cured me of that.

I love them... I've been using them for a short while and has really helped with precision. It's extremely frustrating at first while they correct specific habits but after a while it becomes easier. When using a regular pick everything feels so much smoother with less friction because of the adjustment in pick depth

Once again, proof that you shouldn't blame your tools. An amazing guitarist with flawless technique and it isn't half bad as a pick

The only reason I know about this pick is because of Charles Caswell from Berried Alive, how he made more grip is he took a knife and actually slides little cuts into the Pick to get a better grip, they way it works is it’s supposed to train you to use less of the pick, so you’re supposed to use it a lot so you can get used to it, and then switch back to a normal pick.

It actually does work especially helps if you have delayed motor skills like me and have trouble tremolo picking at a decent speed. It also can help you sweep pick cleaner and faster, if you get caught on the ridge often thats literally what its training you not to do.

I used the Stylus pick back in the 80s and it actually helped me fix my "picking depth" issue. It did nothing for my overall speed. I used to dig into the strings to deep and it broke that habit and it only took about a week or two of 15 minutes a day using the Stylus while warming up. Not worth the money, overall, but I can see it helping some people but I wouldn't recommend it as I was a self taught player. If you can't break the picking depth issue this MAY help but for speed exercises? It didn't help me - save for the picking depth issue. PS - I think if I had just been taught, again I had 3 lessons in my entire life, to hold the pick with just a millimeter or two sticking out from your fingers it probably would have had the same result....maybe...who knows right?

Charles Caswell from berried alive is a huge proponent of this pick for practice. It really helps you with playing more efficient and relaxed. If you're struggling on something, try reducing bpm and using one of these. You'll be surprised how fast you got past a plateau.

Here's a tip for the grip on the pick. Cut both sides of it with a knife a bit to make a better gripping surface than the flat plastic one they have. That way, it won't slip from your hand.

I got those in the 80's too! I still have one. They were black back in the day. Hard to use.

they could improve it by adding texture to the flat part of the pick, it would fix the sliperyness of it, even just scoring it might do that for the ones you have. would love to hear how it feels with that modifacation to to

It's a valid practice tool, but not particularly useful. There's so much to consider when picking - depth is a small part of it. And the way you must hold these picks (pretty much 90 degree angle so they don't get caught) doesn't translate well into practical playing because you'd normally hold the pick at an angle.

There's this academy in my country which forms world-class musicians (look it up on yt, it's called Rock Guitar Academy) and they use the stylus pick as a fundamental part of the didactic program

"Those are just my 300bpm speed bursts that I usually do in the morning to warm up my right hand" Yeah that's... that's what I do with my right hand in the morning too

I think you missed one important use for these right from the 80s.. building tremolo picking speed for your sweet thrash metal rhythms. I actually had a hard time with fast palm muted chugging until one of these taught me I was using too much pick.

How exactly did Google know that i bought new picks today including a carbon jazz III. I have been doing extensive testing and have found that for no discernable reason, the Erick Johnson signature Jazz III is the superior jazz III.

One of the most technically gifted guitarists I know used these as a training tool when he was younger. I never thought I’d see one… but now I must buy some!

Of course what was probably failed to be accounted for was that it’s not necessarily pick depth that can catch on the string, but really pick slant (catching onto a flat surface versus a super thin one, ie pick edge)

Servus Bernth, i started playing guitar 2 years ago and even i recognized immediately, that the stylus picks are not made for cords. I use them for playing scales and only use them for about 15 mins, so i didn´t get sweaty and they didn´t get slippery, but improoved my picking technique. I say, for the price, they are awsome !!

I remember once reading an interview with Dimebag Darrell. In it, he said that he would make his picks less slippery by using a dart or a knife to carve little gouges in the pick so that he could grip them better. I have no idea how well that would work on those, but it is an interesting idea.

yeah, i know those 300bpm bursts in the morning to warm up my right hand. But I don't play an instrument.

I had these and they worked great. They worked even better after I took a razor blade and cut a cross hatch in the top flat parts, to get a nice textured surface. My technique improved alot, but beware not to use it too much. It can become a crutch. Thanks for the review.

that does sound interesting, i don't think it would fair well with the type of guitar i'm playing tho - but for the correct context, i could see it being interesting -> like palm mute like heavy right hand where you almost hit your first knuckle on the string as well, great for like mastodon-esque rifts, but seems like an interesting way to develop finess

Jason Richardson swears by these, he has made multiple non-sponsored posts about them in the past

I would sand down the edge part fron biting the string also nip some grooves so it doesn't skip. With a dremel....

Pro-tip; use a razor or knife to score one or both faces of the pick. It helps give more grip and less slip. :)

I actually use them while practicing every so often. In order to get over the slippery surface, I cut lined into it. The dude from Berried Alive used them, saw it on his instagram. Also you can get them of Thomann actually a bit cheaper too.

I don't know if anyone else does this but I use the 1.0mm Dunlop nylon standard max grip picks, but I hold it so I'm using the side of the pick. I find using the point actually slows me down.

It's a training tool I used it in the 90's and got rid of it when I didn't need it anymore.

A tip from Dime, if your pick is slipping scratch some hash marks on both side with a knife or the edge of clipped string and get better grip with any pick

I'll just stick with My Dunlops!

That thing looks like I'd play Guitar Hero on the Nintendo DS with it.

I get the impression that it's designed to be uncomfortable unless you play perfectly, so it's more of a learning tool

300 bpm to warm up in the morning? That's what masters do.

You're going to get more mileage every day of the week just practicing with the pick you're going to perform with over using anything anyone else tells you to use, jazz picks included. This pick, in particular, doesn't allow you utilize varied techniques and locks you into scalpel picking techniques. "Train how you fight." With this mantra, you can avoid confusion or technique rust because you've not limited yourself at any point during your training. And since this apparently ends up being easier to perform the technique rather than difficult, it doesn't equate to weight training when directly applied to scalpel picking. In nearly every way, the pick you perform with is the best pick to train/practice with because it will develop you the most effectively for the performance you are preparing for.

Reminds me of the super thick triangle picks I use for Mandolin, you can get some very chunky muted chords if you use one on geetar

It's true though. it does help you develop extraordinary picking style. My picking feels extraordinary when use a normal pick compared to this one.

3 of those picks for 9.99 "Doesnt seem too bad" I bought a 6 pack of john petrucci signature jazz iii picks st guitar center for 3.99. Ive used the jazz iii's and the XL's and loved the JP signature picks. I was surprised it was only 3.99 when i looked at the receipt

I bought one of these back in 1988 I was only fourteen and still very new to guitar it came with one pick its was black and its also came with a foldout with different speed exercises and I actually remember it was on sale for 11 bucks didn't do me a shit load of good considering I couldn't even speed pick in the first place

I haven't heard "CD-ROM" since the 90s! These coming out in 1984 makes sense. I bet they have a huge back stock along with the CDs.

I still have these picks lying around at home as well, I feel like the reviews don't do this justice. Like you said, these picks are mainly for practicing, IIRC they clearly state that as well, so they were never meant to be used to perform. Have to say I gave up on them though, I get how they're meant to be used, but I just gave up lol.

That strumming at 3:12 was pretty cool

I bought a couple of these picks in the 90's. I played briefly at that time, but only started really playing recently. I actually think of this pick when I am working on my technique and it has helped me to only use the tip of the pick instead of digging in. My tone has become more regular and I am able to play faster since I have more control.

I'm gonna have to 3d print some with a few design changes, mainly grip as you said, but my plastic is already a little grippier, so I may not have to

You said the plastic is pretty thick... Carve a few notches on either side. It seems to be a good warm-up and self-tuning tool, even if not an actual playing pick.

Ya know when you light plastic on fire and it drips fireballs? Those picks work really well for that.

4:03 100% Talent 999% Flex

I think that the people bitching about this is the ones that do not understand the concept of this pick. This is not supposed to make things easier, the opposite actually. If you have any flaw in your picking this pick will reveal. Also who the fuck would use a practice tool clearly made to improve picking technique to strum chords with it. IQ 999.

Man I remember buying these mail order in the mid 90s when I was trying to build speed and accuracy. I had started playing a lot of grunge and classic rock, and by 94-95 I was secretly trying to shred 😂. I also tried the picks with the twisted tip, Jazz IIIs, Tortex, Hot Licks copper picks, the anodised aluminium ones (Techpic?), Old school JD Nylons in 1mm, those terrible Dava Control, and weirdly now I've settled on the Jumbo Flow 420.

I do 300 bpm speed bursts in the morning too, but they don't involve a guitar at all

My friend showed me one of these picks back in 1988 or so, and I have always wondered what they were called. Now I know, after 34 years.

You should put some grip tape on that bad boy. That would help with the slippery surface.

I have a pick with a tip I've made flat mostly through use. That combined with a new way I'm holding my pick makes upstrokes pretty challenging. (Who struggles with pick depth on downstrokes?)

I studied with this pick a lot long ago and it does get you to develop a more deft pick attack which is good for fast alternate picked scalar runs, but that technique can get a bit sterile sounding to the ear unless it’s combined with a more visceral attack at times. The pick is only meant to practice with, not for actual use when performing or recording. I also recommend studying both alternate picking and economy picking (sweeping to cross strings sometimes) to get the best sound when soloing, i.m.h.o..

It's not something I'd really use, since it's meant for a style I don't play that much. It seems like it has a fairly specific use case.

Just started using one of these per the recommendation of my guitar teacher. Honestly, it's been a game changer. Helped me so much with improving my picking technique.

Pick related, potentially helpful info: my pick evolution journey has been from the Dunlop Purple Tortex 1.14 -- to the Dunlop Jazz 3 XL -- and now to the Dunlop Jeff Loomis Signature, which is simultaneously the most initially difficult pick, and the most beneficial technique-improving pick, that I have ever used. Cheers~

I think the hate for these things may be from the misunderstanding of the intended purpose of the pick. It was never meant to replace the traditional pick but rather a tool to be used during your practice to help develop new habits into your picking technique. As seen in the video, this pick immediately highlights the areas in need of improvement and intuitively forces one to make the necessary adjustments.

Aww...based on the thumbnail, I was hoping this was going to be some crazy triple pick!

The problem with these magic pics is that they’re trying to fix something that ain’t broke

i love that youre giving this a fair shake and seriously reviewing this product

I bought them in the late 1980s and they worked great fixing my sloppy picking, they aren't designed for strumming unless you use other part of pick, i think they are great.

I only ever use the tip of the pick but still wouldn't use one of these pics.

An overengineered way to tell you to use just the tip of a pick! If you do have to buy these though or any smooth pick you find slippery, take a knife and carefully score a cross hatch pattern into it or use some super coarse sandpaper for some texture

I’d reshape the back part of it and make it a similar size overall to the Jazz III Max Grip. (My favourite pick) Maybe some form of thin grip tape to stop it moving around.

Early 90s... I had green ones. Didn't spend too much time with them, but I guess they did set me a little straighter than I would have been otherwise... I actually still have them here somewhere lol.

I used it back in the day. However, you have to keep the pick almost at an almost perfect 90-degree angle to get the most out of it. Also, the pick engages the muscles of the back of your hand to slightly elevate it. You should practice at a slow tempo for starters

Could you lightly take some sandpaper or steel wool to the body of the pick to rough it up a bit and get a better grip surface on it? I'm definitely not a guitar player, but I love watching your videos and that thought came to mind. Not being able to hold the pick very well when the point is to develop better pick control seems like a pretty huge design flaw.

3:11 is amazing

Heh, the gray Jazz pick you showed is one of my favorite picks, though there is a small gravity pick that I like also, while it doesn't have the bumps on it like the jazz pick the material it's made of has good grip, most of those picks I fount to be way to big and thick, I likes the smallest one they sold(at Sweetwater)

I had these in the 80s, and got them right at the time I began using the red Dunlop Jazz 3s. I actually filed smooth the edge around the top of the stylus tip, and found that it works much better. Had also taken sandpaper to the sides of the pick to create more of a gripping surface. All in all, practicing with that stylus pick helped a great deal, and I am a better player for having used it over the years. Proof is in the discovery, eh Bernth?

Picking technique and the choice of pick itself is so personal to me that I can’t imagine it making any sense to change it. Been using the same picks for 20 years and it would be very difficult to change now. More importantly, I’m content with my guitar playing. If I were struggling with some aspect of my playing that dedication and practice just didn’t seem to improve... then maybe there’s something about my picking that’s holding me back? But it’s more likely that my current pick and technique will take my as far as I need to go.

Well.. a little double sided tape and maybe some sand paper or something with a rough surface on it, and this pick would be a decent practicing tool probably. Honestly, it could be useful when it comes to controlling how deep you go with your picking, but what do I know lol.

I have one in my pick-box. Time to time someone sees it, and try to use it. Endless fun...

I got a ton of these back in the day for free at the LA 99’ NAMM show. I wasn’t an electric guitar player at the time; mainly an acoustic guitar player and they felt horrendous to use lol

My uncle gave me one when I was a kid just learning guitar and I have been confused by it ever since

I still have one somewhere, but it's worn out, rounded at the tip within a weeks worth of practice... Apparently I'm THAT bad at picking 🤦🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️

How the hell does any one play holding their pick like that it gets stuck %100 of the time when strumming up on a string no matter how little pick depth their is

One tip for anyone who does order: Monster Grips, little round sticky silicone patterned discs, help tremendously with grip. They're a little spendy, imo, but really do work (for me, anyway).

These picks are NOT intended to be used for regular playing. They are used for exercises only. When you learn to do alternate picking with these picks, they force you to use just the very tip of the pick. If you use too much of the pick it'll get pulled in. If you use just the tip you'll get a feel for how the pros use regular picks. They're just for exercises!

I use a .88 pick with the perfect amount of tiny dimples on the part you hold, when i play chords + notes. Turtles! for shredding. the black .88's...I wish I knew where I got them, they're perfect, and over 30 years of playing, I know what works(for me). The .88's have a smooth tip area, with super tiny dimpled wide body, if anyone knows who makes them please comment. thanks! :D

BERNTH, I bought the stylus pick from a mail in cutout ad in Guitar magazine back in 1986 or 7, when i first started playing and as poor as my playing was, those picks made it a whole lot worse. but, i can see how they can be helpful for pick depth training.

There were a few of this type of pick doing the rounds in the 90s. I think maybe M. A. B used one? Have a vague recollection from London guitar show early 90s.

i think you could get a similar effect by using a regular pick at the side, so the smooth curved bit hits the string