Introduction: Guitar Thumbpick
A guitar has 6 strings. When playing finger-style, you use your thumb (1) for the thickest 3 strings, and the next three fingers (2=index, 3=middle, 4=ring) for picking the next three, thinner strings. When picking the strings with a guitar pick, or plectrum, (which produces much clearer sounds), you hold the pick between your thumb and your index, so your index finger becomes unavailable for finger-style playing.
The thumbpick is basicly a pick that you can wear on your thumb, like a ring. It's a great invention, since it allows you to play both styles at the same time, giving you more creative freedom.
Because I didn't find one at my local music store, I thought why not make one myself back home? So, after playing with paper templates, I came up with a final vector template which, when cut out of a piece of plastic and properly assembled, works out just fine. I attached the vector template in the tutorial, either for printing and cutting the shape out with scissors and an xacto knife, or for CNC laser cutting.
Materials needed:
1. CD case cover - I found out this plastic has many desirable qualities: ideal thickness, plasticity and elasticity. plus, it's nicer when transparent ;)
2a. For printing-cutting: printer, scissors, xacto knife/cutter, scotch tape
2b. For CNC: well, a CNC laser cutter
Since I don't have (yet) a CNC machine, I will take you through the steps I took: printing and cutting out.
Step 1: Print and Fit the Template to the Plastic
Open up whatever file format you can use from the ones supplied at the end of the instructable, and print it - just keep in mind that it should be printed at 100% scale. Then cut it roughly around and stick it with scotch tape to the inside-curve of a piece of CD-case cover.
Step 2: Cut Out the Shape
I first cut out the outline with the scissors, and then cut out the finer details with the xacto knife. After this, I removed the template and all remaining scotch tape.
Note: when cutting the outline (exterior), be sure to keep compensating the loss of scotch tape by re-taping the edges already cut, so that the paper template would stick in place throughout the whole process.
Step 3: Tying the Knot
First, bend the plastic piece following the original bending direction, and clutch it together as shown in the first picture.
Then continue bending inwards and clutch together the two corresponding slots, as seen in picture 3.
Finally, keep bending inwards some more until you can pull out and hook up the ending hook into its corresponding slot.
That's it. The rest is just a matter of adjusting it it to your finger and going ahead to play the guitar.
Notes:
1. This template fits my finger snugly (as it should) - but you are free to adjust/scale it to fit yours.
2. It's best to print out and try out a paper template first. There's no point in cutting multiple plastic versions - so first measure, then cut.
17 Comments
8 years ago on Introduction
I was playing around with the idea of somehow attaching a zip tie to a thing guitar pick, but, I like your idea better. That is, if it works for me.
8 years ago on Step 3
I actually took a really easy way of making a thumb pick. the little pull tabs that come off of a juice or milk carton with a plastic lid and spout. I found the minute-maid pull-tab fits my thumb best. but for a slightly larger option the delight ice coffee offers a looser fit. Maybe I should make my own instructable about it :P
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
do make an instructable for your idea,
8 years ago on Introduction
I've been trying to think of a good way to make my own thumb pick. I can't stand the few that I have tried. The angle of the one you made looks about like what I am looking for. I want one that will work for strumming as well as picking. I hope that plastic is thing enough. Great job and thanks for sharing.
8 years ago on Introduction
@tinpusher, that's precisely what I'm talking about!
8 years ago on Introduction
Author, when you say "flexible CD case" are you referring to the round "cake dish" style lid for a spindle of CDRs (or dvds, etc)?
Thanks in advance for the clarification and nice 'ible.
10 years ago on Introduction
I couldn't find any flexible cd cases, so I looked around for something else to use. I decided to try the side out of an Ovaltine container. It sorta worked though I cut out the first iteration with scissors only. I found that it was a little too small for my thumb. I cut a thin strip of paper and ran it around my thumb about where I expected it to sit. I found I need to add about 3 mm. That's easy enough to do simply by cutting the pattern and spreading it a bit.
10 years ago
This was great , but the Frame Keeps on falling apart but it could be easily fixed with tape, so besides that it was great and thanks for making this instructinabble
10 years ago on Introduction
:) You welcome, Peter
10 years ago on Introduction
That`s it. Thnx a lot.
11 years ago on Introduction
I saw a video which gave me a good idea. The guy made it out of an old pill bottle. He cut out the shape of his thumb and then taped it to his finger. I tried and it worked Really well! Its easier than this template however less permanent obviously.
11 years ago on Introduction
This is nice - good that you supplied templates for editing as well.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Thanks, man. Well, how else? Of course I supplied the template, otherwise what's the point? :)
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
I meant in an editable format - that's unusual.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
mmm I thought this would be normal, and that everybody does that
11 years ago on Introduction
Nice, great idea...
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
thanks man!