using a sixpence as a plectrum.

racefaceec90

or a 2 shilling piece in my case (couldn't find a sixpence in my old coin mug).

obviously due to a certain brian may,i thought i would try it and see what it is like.

actually feels quite good tbh (but difficult atm to use).

like the feeling of weight the coin has,you can also feel the strings vibrate with it more also.

i cannot play any brian may stuff i'd like to add,but would love to be able to play i want it all.

am going to keep using the coin though,as it does feel strangely good to use.

any tips on how to get better at using it greatly appreciated :-)  

HAL9000

Use a 1p piece - it's cheaper to get replacements!

I'm here all week folks!

jd0272

Surely it'll increase string fatigue?

EricTheWeary

IIRC Brian has a very light touch whilst playing through some very loud amps so for a lot of players it would require quite an adaptation of technique. I have tried it at some point but trying to use it like I would use a regular plastic plec was a non starter.

jellyroll

HAL9000 said:

Use a 1p piece - it's cheaper to get replacements!

Not if you get the relic Custom Shop ones....which feel more played in. You can get them on ebay for £7.99 each. 

guitarfishbay

My tip is to buy the Dava Master Control Nickel Silver instead - http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/images/dava-master-control-nickel-silver-pick-p4629-4415_medium.jpg

Very similar tone and feel but in a plectrum shape so easier to adapt to IMO. I find coins too wide at the striking point, plectrums having a tip make picking a lot easier.

Lexie1

I used a Sixpence for some Brian Mayesque stuff and loved it. As anyone whom is a shredder will tell you, they don't work for that, but for the speeds I play at and the things I do, I really like it. And it always leaves you with an edge, no matter how much it might move in your hand.

Well worth a try for no other reason than the new sounds you can get with some experimentation, especially with the serrated edge.

bingefeller

No tips other than the coin will chew through your strings In no time. Try a Herco Flex 75 and play with the rough edge against the strings or a V-Pick 1980 (which was designed for the Brian May sound). Good luck!

Sassafras

I think I'd mill down the serrations a wee bit to soften the attack slightly.

Assuming Brian May's been using the same sixpences over the years then some of them must have fairly smooth edges by now.

Lexie1

You obviously need to soften your attack, but the results are well worth it imho. I have V~Picks and the metal tipped jobby shown above and they don't do it for me, but different strokes, different folks etc.

sunshinewelly

i tried it when i owned a red special and found it very hard to use.

I do use herdim picks which have a serated edge which gives a similar effect

Gassage

When I'm in amsterdam I often make a few tram track dimes out of euros! Makes a huge thump when the tram goes over it...more than you'd think

Dominic

I am totally addicted to Vpicks -use the unfeesibly thick Snake model - 5.4 mm !  have tried everything else

hobbio

I saw a May gear tour and his tech was going on about the amount of metal shards he was always cleaning off the guitar.

Gassage

But yet he rarely breaks a string and leaves strings on for ages?

hobbio

The tech also said they go though all sorts of coins, and buy them by the bag whenever they see them, so perhaps the coins themselves wear faster than we'd all expect them to.

I'll link the video later, can't access YT from work.

speshul91

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o717/adamward3015/20150202_131507_zps7m29j43k.jpg

That's the sixpence I use, get them shaped right and have the back against your thumb and the Queens Head facing down it makes it smoother to use imho

ESBlonde

On the rare occasions I used coins back in the day I went for American quarters. Size of a 10p/2p but lighter alloy. Great for that Tony Peluso - Goodbye to Love sound.

SNAKEBITE

There used to be a pub in Bolney, on the old A23 called the "Queens Head" that had a picture of Freddie Mercury on the name board.

Not sure that helped a whole lot.

SNAKEBITE

I prefer thrupnee bits......................

Gassage

SNAKEBITE said:

I prefer thrupnee bits......................

I agree they bring new facets to your playing....