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Where to begin? A forum Santa sent me a new Snark tuner and it included a Snark celluloid pick. I didn't know they made picks but what the heck, I tried it out. The "no-slip" grip appealed to me so I ordered some more. A discussion about grips ensued. Someone suggested I try "Lizard Grips". They are silicone (or something close) dots that you stick on any pick you like for a better grip. I Googled "lizard grips" and found out the site was down. That seemed unfortunate so close to Christmas. I then went to YouTube a found a demo video. The spokesperson said Amazon sold Lizard Grips, so I went there to see what I could see. No Lizard Grips, but they had something called Monster Grips. I ordered some and sent an email to Monster Grips asking them if their grips were like lizard grips. Here is the bulk of the reply from Monster Grips.
>>>Good day, Mark!
Thanks for reaching out and for your interest in Monster Grips. Yes, we are the original and awesomely effective silicone grip “for guitar picks and more!", and you will find us in Guitar Player and Guitar World, both of which picked us for review and gave great feedback! Unfortunately, Lizard Grips infringed on us knowingly, so we had to follow legal action.
I just activated a 30% off coupon for Christmas (use: MGCHRISTMAS), so your friends can get in on the action! Additionally, we have a video on our home page, https://www.monstergrips.com, so hopefully that helps.
Have a most wonderful Christmas, and happy new year!<<<<
I never thought of myself as having a problem with my grip. I never drop picks, which is what I thought the essence of a grip problem was. But when I played with the no-slip grip I realized the pick was staying in place moreso than the ones I usually used. (I hadn't realized how much they moved around until I had one that didn't move at all.)
Maybe others have problems holding a pick in place. I tried "Gorilla Snot" once, more out of curiosity than an urgent need, but I couldn't abide the tacky feel. I'm fussy about my hands and don't want anything sticky or tacky in them. (With the exception of oranges and the occasional spare rib.)
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12-24-2015 09:10 PM
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I never drop my pick, but your post made me curious so I just ordered some Monster Grips. Thanks for the tip and merry Christmas!
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@Mark, do you have an e-mail address for Monster Grips? I'm having some sort of issue with ordering on their site.
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@edh, when I ordered, the pages sometimes would not load and I had to refresh a couple times.
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Aaaakkkk!!! I "HATE" sites that have popups!!!
I don't think I could suffer any thickness added to the pick, if you haven't tried the Dunlop Jazz III Max Grip style they're worth investigating. Their added benefit is they have the quietest pick to string noise I've encountered.
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I ordered mine from Amazon.
Originally Posted by edh
http://www.amazon.com/Monster-Grips-...=monster+grips
I haven't tried to order directly from Monster Grips, though there's a 30 % discount if you do. (There's a promo code ---I think it's just MGCHRISTMAS--in the thread called "Monster Grips".)
https://www.monstergrips.com/shop/mo...rips-16-count/
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My browser blocks most pop-ups, so I don't see them. I can't wait to get these things and see if they work for me. It's a gamechanger to have something one can apply to any pick. One can have the grip one wants (-if these indeed provide the grip one wants) on ANY pick. That's nifty. Originally Posted by GNAPPI
Aaaakkkk!!! I "HATE" sites that have popups!!!
I don't think I could suffer any thickness added to the pick, if you haven't tried the Dunlop Jazz III Max Grip style they're worth investigating. Their added benefit is they have the quietest pick to string noise I've encountered.Last edited by MarkRhodes; 12-25-2015 at 11:32 AM. Reason: spelling
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Just ordered a pack. At the price I don't feel I'm gambling much by trying them out. Thanks for the heads up.
The only time I ever seem to have a problem with the pick shifting in my hand is when I'm doing warm up exercises where I'm doing long sections of tremolo runs. On gigs I don't seem to notice it.
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I didn't have to register or sign-in as i just paid with paypal at check out.
As for pop-up, I did not get them. Maybe because I was on my ipad?
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That was my view----if they don't work, I'm not out that much. But man, if they do, I'll be thrilled. This way, I can use any pick I want! (I've got hundreds of 'em, all types and sizes, in a cigar box.) Originally Posted by setemupjoe
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I gave trying to order from their site. I ordered from amazon.
Last edited by edh; 12-25-2015 at 06:50 PM.
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I got mine today. (Jeez, seems like I just ordered them Christmas Eve but it must have been the day before. Still, that's fast!)
First impression: where have you been all my life? I like them. The "dots" are about the diameter of a shirt button, though much thinner. Very thin. But my thumb stays right on it.
I added a second dot to the other side of the pick. Quite the cushion! I don't know if that is really needed. (I think most players would be happy with a dot on the thumb side. YMMV.) Surprisingly, because the grip is more secure, I need less finger / thumb pressure to hold the pick. I hadn't thought about that at all.
My practice weeks start on Sunday (-it's the Catholic in me), which is tomorrow. So tonight I'll make up a sheet for the week and because of the new grips, I'll add a few picking exercises and see how they compare to how I was doing the last time I focused on them.
16 dots come in a package. That allows for some experimentation with different types of pick.
I'm glad I bought them and wish I had known about them sooner.
(This is all in the way of a first impression---all comments "subject to further review". ;o)
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For what it's worth, I find it easier to hold the Benson grip "shape" with the grips....
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You got me all intrigued. Originally Posted by MarkRhodes
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I really do like them. Only now do I appreciate how much picks moved around in my hand before. (I never dropped them, though.) Now they stay in place and this addresses my most maddening weakness: inconsistency. It would be grand to fly on the guitar---and there flickers some hope for that yet---but more than anything I want to be play well what I know I know how to play. It's embarrassing to consider how many hours I have spent playing things I know how to play but couldn't play consistently. It was less my picking technique---not the world's best by far but not bad either---than my grip on the pick! Who knew? I certainly didn't? (I tried Gorilla Snot---too tacky; couldn't stand it--and "grippy" picks that felt like sandpaper, which didn't work for me either.) This works. "O frabjous day! Callooh, callay!" Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
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Merry Christmas to you too, Richard. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Originally Posted by Eddie Lang
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On one pick, I stuck Monster Grips on both sides and on another, I stuck a grip on just one side (-the thumb side, or the side with the logo on it). I prefer the one-side only version.
Last day of the 30 % discount... (If you do order some, it wouldn't hurt to mention you heard about them on the Jazz Guitar Forum.)
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Been emailing with the good folks at Monster Grips and got a few answers to questions some of you may have about them.
>>>>To directly answer the two examples you mentioned though [how long do the grips last?], for those with dry skin, the silicone is durable enough that it can outlast the pick, depending on material such as Tortex. Those with oil and/or sweaty hands may need to periodically wash the grip with a mild, non-moisturizing soap, to eliminate the oils and restore tack. The body chemistry could potentially breakdown the grip more quickly.
[Do the picks work on all types of picks?] I have used Monster Grips successfully on wide array of material types, and far beyond just for use on guitar picks. They are great on wood drum sticks, other instruments, the bottom of equipment or effects pedals, the bottom of monitors, keyboards, and more.
Regards!<<<<<<
The guys from Monster Grips will be here soon. (It turns out they were here before but the account was mistaken for spam and banned. Oops! I'm probably responsible for that. Anyway, Dirk will untangle things and then we can have the guys from Monster Grips to answer any other questions anyone may have.)
For me, this is the biggest help to my playing in I don't know how long. Those of you who know me, know I've been struggling with my picking technique for years. (For a lot longer than I've been here.) It turns out that a big part of my problem was a poor grip. (I never dropped picks, but they would "turn around" in my hand while I played; I assumed that's how it was for everyone. Wrong-o in the Congo!)
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I just placed an order on their website--thanks for the tip about the 30% discount.
Danny W.
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You're welcome, Danny! I hope you like them. I have no affiliation with Monster Grips but they really are a game-changer for me and I'd love to hear that others benefit from them too. Originally Posted by Danny W.
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12-28-2015, 07:31 PM #21destinytot Guest
Thanks, Mark! UK supplier Monster Grips? Silicone Grip Aid, 16-Pack
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That picture intrigues me. It's like the package I have, only the background is much lighter. On mine, the background is dark, which makes it hard to see the sheet of transparent dots. So I stick the back of the sheet to the sticky side of a post-it note. Originally Posted by destinytot
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Anyone got their grips and tried 'em out yet?
I wish I'd had these years ago----many of my picking woes were actually grip woes. If only I knew then what I know now....
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Initially, I put the dot in the middle of the pick. That's a good default setting. For most players. But for Benson pickers, it may be better to have the dot off-center because the thumb tends to ride high on the pick. Some experimentation should get you to 'just the right spot.'
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I placed an order to try some out. Will give a yell when I give'm a road test.
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Raney and Abersold, great interview.
Yesterday, 11:21 PM in Improvisation