Howling Monkey Picks
Howling Monkey Picks are all made from tagua, which is one of nature's best sustainable, ethical (and even vegan) guitar pick materials.
The quality of the picks is phenomenal as each of them is carefully polished and burnished smooth. This reduces any friction that might sometimes naturally appear in the surface of tagua.
The picks are a bit hefty and can be as thick as 2-3mm, but the bevel ensures smooth playing action.
One of the best parts is, Howling Monkey has multiple shapes and styles. In addition to the more standard shapes, there are some really interesting shapes such as the "saucer", which really leverages the smooth edges of the tagua to create an interesting picking feel, as well as the "black starling"–easily one of the most interesting and unique guitar picks in the world.
Owing to the high quality, the unique showcase of tagua ("nut ivory") and the fact that the picks themselves are actually quite affordable for a boutique pick, that all means that Howling Monkey picks are a must-try for any player curious about guitar picks.
- ✓Made from sustainable plant material (tagua)
- ✓Lightweight and comfortable
- ✓Smooth picking action
- ✓Eco-friendly and renewable
- ✓Unique grain patterns (each pick is different)
- ✓Good alternative to plastic for environmental reasons
- ✓Warm, organic tone
- ✗Slightly more friction than ultra-smooth picks
- ✗More expensive than plastic alternatives
- ✗Natural variation means picks aren't identical
- ✗Less common (may be harder to find)
- ✗May wear faster than synthetic materials
Material: Tagua (Natural)
The seeds of certain palm trees produce this ultra-hard material sometimes called "plant ivory". This material is sustainable and cruelty free, and great for making guitar picks. The picks tend to run a bit thick, be a bit stiff, and can sometimes be a little bit grabby, depending on the polish. However, it's probably the best all-natural material for guitar pick making.
📋 Disclosure
Solicited review. We received a sample product to review.
