Picker's Grip Blog

How To Choose And Use The Best Capo Type For Your Guitar By Billy Cokes        A capo is wonderful tool for guitar players as you can change the key of a song and use the same chord shapes. Predominately capos are used on an acoustic guitar however, there are plenty of electric players now using them to get that open chord position sound. There’s a certain wonderful jangle and shimmer to open guitar chords. As a plus, playing full bar chords when using a capo is a relief as the capo clamps down all the strings at...

Tips On How to Choose A String Gauge For Acoustic Guitar  By Billy Cokes  Choosing the best gauged strings for your guitar can be a challenge. With acoustic guitars it’s somewhat dependent on the size of the body. Smaller parlor size or single O guitars are braced lightly which helps the small top to vibrate more freely for better sound. I would suggest only using extra light strings if you want to keep the guitar in one piece. Putting lights or mediums on them could possibly in time put a bow in the neck, pull the top and lift the...

How To Make A Budget Acoustic Guitar Sound Great For Just $20.00! By Billy Cokes, Picker's Grip  Most guitar manufacturers that produce budget priced acoustic guitars typically save costs by installing a plastic saddle and nut instead of using bone. Bone costs more than plastic. It makes good business sense using plastic saddles and nuts on value priced guitars as it helps keep the street price lower for the consumer.  Plastic saddles are more brittle than bone and are subject to breakage over time. Plastic saddles are not high density in structure compared to bone. Bone saddles will transfer the...

By John Tron Davidson, Heavy Repping Of all the topics that come into discussion when asking what people look for in a pick, the most defining is grip. An overwhelming number of plectrums (especially store-bought 351 shapes it seems) that have been collected from gigging musicians have crude knife scores on both sides, indicating that the material could do with a bit of help. Today, we’re going to look at the most fragrant solution that I’ve come across – Picker’s Grip. OriginsDeveloped in Charlottesville, Virginia by life-long musician and Charlottesville native Billy Cokes, Picker’s Grip was birthed out of a desire to attain, and maintain,...

Learn about our friend, artist James Willis who customizes guitars and cases with fantastic artwork. Make your guitar or case special and something to treasure for a lifetime! Don't forget to check out all the images on his Facebook or Instagram links. James Willis: In the late 90's Willis focused his attention on painting the ever-changing Manhattan landscape. With his stylistic use of oils and acrylics, Willis seeks to capture the dynamic beauty of the city as well as the dramatic color shifts weather and light have on the architecture, people, and streetscapes. The artist focuses on everyday New York...