What style of picks (metal, thumb, poly...) and why? I am trying to find something more professional than cheap plastic picks.

_________________________
"Get yo' praise on"

2002 Collings CJ Sunburst

For fingerpicks (when I use them) I use a John Pearse plastic thumbpick and AlaskaPik plastic fingerpicks. For flatpicks I use Dunlop nylon or Martin or Collings faux tortoise.

I used Tortex for years, but have switched to Clayton Ultems, just over 1mm. They actually sound better than anything I've tried.

My favorite pick, right at the moment, is a Dunlop yellow tortex (.73 mm) which I have stuck into one of those little plastic covers for the heads of keys, that they sell in little displays on the counter at locksmiths' shops. Gives a great grip.

Peter.

I've been using the Tortex purple 1.14 flatpicks for many, many years. I use a hybrid playing style and always hold the pick, even when fingerpicking. I use the pick as thumb and nails on fingers 2 and 3. I developed this technique a long time ago when I was frustrated by switching from flatpick to thumb pick. Now my fingerpicking style has grown to include some strums and flatpicked notes here and there for accent. I'm going to give the Ultems a try as soon as I find a shop that stocks them.

My picks grow on my fingers.