Guitar Pick Details

Compliance is the measurement of deformation within a structure relative to subjected forces applied. A structure with high flexibility, has high compliance as it has high deformation relative to applied force, and a structure that is rigid, is less compliant as it has little to no deformation relative to force applied. The compliance of a guitar pick holds great importance, as it directly influences, ergonomics and functionality, tonality, and durability.

Tone:

1. Frequencies / Pitch: Less force transmission to the strings generates faster string vibrations that amplify high end frequencies, and produce a bright treble oriented tone.
2. Volume and Impact: Less force transmission to strings leads to a quicker decay in string vibration, resulting in a slightly shorter, weaker sound with less volume and impact.
3. Attack: Flexible guitar picks produce a smoother, relaxed sound, with a gradual progressive attack.
4. Pick Noise: Flexible guitar picks produce “pick noise” due to the snapping and vibration of the pick against the string, which can be perceived as a chirping, or clicking like sound. Although this is true, Flexible guitar picks can reduce pick noise caused by frictional forces, because of less force transmission.

Tone:

1. Frequencies / Pitch: Rigid guitar picks enhance mid to low range frequencies, and produce a wider dynamic range of frequencies, adding more dimensionality and resonance, and producing a richer, more balanced tone.
2. Volume and Impact: Higher force transmission to strings leads to a prolonged decay in string vibration, resulting in a longer, stronger sound with higher volume and impact.
3. Attack: Rigid guitar picks produce a crisp, and clear sound, with a sharp, aggressive attack.
4. Pick Noise: Rigid guitar picks can amplify pick noise generated by frictional forces, due to increased force transmission. This noise can be perceived as a scratching, or scraping sound. Although this is true, Rigid guitar picks reduce pick noise caused by pick snapping or vibration against the strings.

The surface texture of a guitar pick is an important factor to consider as it has great influence on its performance. When a guitar picks surface has a lot of imperfections, (is rough), it ends up having much higher frictional forces when interacting with the strings, impacting tone, ergonomics and functionality. Likewise, a material that is smooth will also have great influences on these performance factors as well.

Ergonomics and Functionality:

1. Enhanced Grip: Having a guitar pick with a rough surface finish, enhances the friction between your hand and the guitar pick, improving your grip.

Tone:

1. Frequencies / Pitch: Rough surfaced guitar picks produce brighter more percussive tones, because of friction's influence on the strings vibrations, which highlights high end frequencies, creating a more treble oriented tone. Rough surfaced guitar picks also produce a wider dynamic range of frequencies because of friction's interaction with the strings, adding dimensionality and expressiveness.
2. Volume and Impact: Rough surfaced guitar picks produce an aggressive sharp sound, with high impact, and has no influence on volume.
3. Attack: Rough surfaced guitar picks produce a crisp and clear sound, with a sharp, aggressive attack that is more pronounced.
4. Pick Noise: Rough surfaces on guitar picks produce “pick noise” due to friction, which can be perceived as a scratching or scraping like sound.

Ergonomics and Functionality:

1. Minimal Effort: Having a guitar pick with a smooth surface finish minimises frictional forces, so the pick glides seamlessly along the strings with minimal effort, making strumming and fast playing easier.
2. Weaker Grip: Smooth surface reduces friction between your hand and the guitar pick, weakening your grip.

Tone:

1. Frequencies / Pitch: Smooth surfaced guitar picks produce mellow, soothing tones that are full, rich, and less harsh and aggressive, by enhancing mid to low range frequencies, creating a more balance oriented tone.
2. Volume and Impact: Smooth surfaced guitar picks produce a gradual dynamic sound that has less impact, and has no influence on volume.
3. Attack: Smooth surfaced guitar picks create a soft, dynamic sound, with a gradual slow attack.
4. Pick Noise: Smooth surfaced guitar picks minimise "Pick noise", because of the lack of frictional force between the strings.

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Important factors to consider during the material selection and fabrication process of a guitar pick are its environmental impacts. This includes effects that the fabrication process has on the environment, (e.g, Energy expenditure, Waste production and management, etc), and includes the relationship and influence materials and structural design have on the environment, which is affected by properties such as, (Biodegradability, Biocompatibility, Recyclability, Durability / Life-span, etc). 

Comparing and weighing the environmental impacts of different design decisions, is an extremely complex problem to measure that can end up becoming subjective and left up to interpretation and opinion.

Analysing this complex problem, NITRIDE has accumulated and pin-pointed key factors to consider when comparing materials in this subject field. Using these key factors, NITRIDE has simplified the material comparison issue, by developing a ranking system shown below.