Hufschmid Handmade Guitar Picks Review

This review was submitted by Guitar Jar contributor: Fabio

Some months ago a friend of mine posted by chance on my Facebook wall a link to the handmade picks of Patrick Hufschmid.

…playing those beauties is a truly different playing experience…

I already knew him for his beautiful guitars but I never actually took in consideration the possibility of buying a handmade pick. I was satisfied with my Dunlop.

But I was very curious about them, I read some review online and then I dropped an order for a PHD and a PHD Attack.

From that moment, I putted 2 more orders for other models for a total of 11 picks (four of whom were freebies from Patrick).

Features:

First of all, almost all of them, at least the one I prefer (PHD models), are very thick.

I mean: v e r y.

But the way they are shaped is just amazing, they never slip from your grip and you can’t feel discomfort.

However, the nicest feature of these products is their material. They are made of some very unique lab materials that makes them very durable but at the same time incredibly pleasant.

Ease of use:

If you are not used to thick picks, well are you definitely going to be stunned by how something this fat are ridiculously comfortable and ergonomic.

Within this category of fat plectra I own Phd Drop, Phd Attack Drop, UHMWPE Attack Drop, UHMWPE Drop.

The non-attack Drops are the model I am using almost always for studying and recording. Their dimensions are just perfect.

The barycenter is in the middle of the grip, so it guarantees a secure and precise grip. Attacks, for my tastes are a little bit too large, but they still can be easily played.

UHMWPE material is the one I prefer. It feels very soft and is still incredibly durable, less than PHD version though.

Sweep picking with the UHMWPE Drop is stupidly unbelievable. This material, coupled with the shape of the pick, gives a truly unique experience of sweeping. So smooth.

When I do tapping with my right hand I use the index as well and to be able to go back to alternate picking fast, instead of biting the pick, I slide it with the thumb all the way down the base of the index.

By doing this it sometimes happens that normal, small picks fall, but this happen way more difficultly with this shapes.

For live situations things change a bit. I have an aggressive playing on stage so my grip is very intense.

I tried the Drops a couple of time in these situations but I have to say that after 10-15 minutes they really hurt. After all, is like keeping a very strong grip on a thick object for a long time – it hurts.

Concerning this, I introduce Hufschmid pick I use for gigs: the HufGlow small JazzIII.

Apart from the glowing property (that doesn’t excite me), I have to say that it is incredible useful for live sessions. It is thinner (< 3 mm, I believe) and it has a more standard shape compared to other picks I mentioned but it still smooth and very comfortable.

Sound Quality:

Prologue: I play, to a great extent, with very high gains; I need a lot of attack and precision.

UHMWPE models are a little bit too mellow. They are very clear but the attack and the volume is not that high as with ordinary Dunlop and similar.

PHD are closer to my style, and they reach almost the same attack and volume of the Turtles. From how they impact the strings, the sound is somehow less rough and metallic than standard picks.