Magnetic Guitar Picks

by mikeasaurus

30K24342

Intro: Magnetic Guitar Picks

Every guitarist needs a pick, whether it's beachside strumming or arena shredding. Make sure you have your guitar picks close by making magnetic guitar picks! You can stick these magnetic picks to your strings, tuning heads, mic stand, or anywhere else you might need a guitar pick. These picks are a fun way to show your nerdy side while rocking out, they're fun and inexpensive to make.

I read this article about a company that sells magnetic guitar picks, but after seeing the price of ONE pick was $4 (not including shipping) I decided to make my own. Just super glue small neodymium magnets to the back of guitar picks, that's it! Design differences aside, picks are easily damaged or lost (even with magnets) and I wanted an inexpensive alternative to a slick commercial version

commercial magnetic picks
  • $4 for one (shipping extra)
  • $25 for 10 (shipping extra)
my picks
Just how powerful are these guitar picks? I plastered my magnetic picks on a guitar and filmed my friend shaking the neck, simulating EPIC rock moves:

These picks passed the test and can be stuck anywhere you might need some instant jamming: the fridge, your mic stand, side of your car. The locations are endless.
Grab your guitar, crank the amp to 11, and get ready to rock!

40 Comments

26nmiller 1 year ago

Great if you drop it in the guitar's soundhole - just turn it over and move the guitar around until the pick is near the strings!

zoerainbows 5 years ago

i always loose my picks.......always Nice instructable

BrandonO32 6 years ago

i like the idea alot! but making the magnet inside the pick would be ideal for me, with a little rough spot on each side for grip.

ILykMakin 8 years ago

Don't jam with a mechanical watch on!

This is cool if pic grip isn't something you're too fussy aboot.

I like 2 sided tape on the upper bout.

Something I stumbled on back in 1988 when I got to pick up and strum a bit on the 1984 Frankenstrat(!) in EVH's tech's hotel room.

elliot5445 9 years ago

don they stick to the strings when you play? I'd like to make these but my dad thinks that would be a problem.

mdlmusic 10 years ago

Great idea. I made a couple of these and they work perfectly.

lilrocker90 11 years ago

I wanted to try this, however i did it a little differently. i sandwitched the the magnet in between two picks. i wanted to melt the ends a little so i could squish the ends together to make it a single pick. little did i know, guitar picks are super flammable.

jangothor 11 years ago

About the picks...not the magnets
Light or thin picks bend too much and I suppose a softer drying glue might help but my first experience is that they just fall off. Stiffer picks like those pictured might work but I don't use them.

LucDaRocka1 11 years ago

We needed this earlier today! We dropped a pick in my acoustic!

LucDaRocka1 11 years ago

Well I did, then my Grandpa who plays guitar too dropped his pick in his guitar..... lol

soshimo 11 years ago

If pickups work off disruption of a magnetic field, will these pickups hurt or change your sound? I know there are other transducers, like peizo, but the majority of pickups are coil based. Older pickups are notorious for picking up mains hum, which is caused by a 50-60hz magnetic flux from the alternating current on main. Won't these also cause disruption?

zolfox 11 years ago

One big thing to remember... THESE ARE MAGNETS and they AFFECT YOUR BANK CARDS IF YOU THROW THEM INTO YOUR WALLET POCKET...
CAREFULL NOW...

ledguy315 11 years ago

The magnetic barcode on credit cards and rfid cards is not affected by a small neodymium magnet. I have tested this with several cards/magnets. There is almost nothing to worry about. Besides most people slide the pick into a wallet pocket, so its not going to be moving around all over the strip.

DIY-Guy 11 years ago

With all due respect, my supermagnets wipe out magstripe cards in a single pass. But then again, I buy the premium magnets and not the standard "super magnets."

ledguy315 11 years ago

I suppose a more superior neodymium could have that potential. I admit I have not worked with the higher quality versions, so it may be possible then. While at it, who is your neo supplier? I'll have to try these.

Pfarmkid 11 years ago

Got to have them Dunlap

ansil 11 years ago

Very nicely done. Just one question.why would I need this since the magnet will get in the way of the pics natural placement thus hindering the playing. Great idea about putting the magnet in pick but too strong of a mag wiill cause a tremolo effect while you play
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