Dunlop Ultem Picks
Compared to some cheaper plastics, ultem is a slightly higher-performance material. It may be more resistant to wear and have lower surface friction, resulting in a marginally smoother string release. Ultem is also stiffer, meaning even 1mm picks have a good stiffness for playing lead. Since ultem is sometimes regarded as better than most cheap plastic picks, and not much more expensive, it seems like an obvious upgrade. However, it hasn't become as mainstream as one might expect. This is perhaps due to the natural yellow coloring of the material; aesthetically, its appeal is limited.
Dunlop ultem picks come in multiple shapes and gauges; you can try a few different gauges and shapes to see which one you like.
- ✓many options
- ✓affordable
Material: Ultem (Man-made)
Perhaps in a perfect world, Ultem would probably be the default standard. It's not terribly expensive but performs just a little better than Delrin. It's a bit stiffer, a bit more slippery, and a bit more wear-resistant. However, perhaps the reason it's not popular is that it's not easy to produce different colors. It usually only comes in boring yellow.
📋 Disclosure
No commercial relationship; we bought and reviewed our own.
