Music Study Table, Picks, and Strings

Posted on 3 May 2021

I set up a small, dedicated table for studying music theory.

My electric guitar is strung with the Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinkies (9s), but since my hands are more used to the classical guitar with heavier strings, I ordered some Regular Slinky 10s in my second batch. Ideally, I should learn how to press the strings more lightly, but I still tend to press some open-position chords out of tune.

The Hybrid Slinkies have heavier low strings, so it's like having 9s on the high strings and 10s on the low strings (9 11 16 26 36 46). The low strings feel fine on those, so I got Regular Slinkies for the 10s (10 13 17 26 36 46).

I also bought hard tension classical strings, because when I put normal tension strings on my classical guitar, they felt a little floppy.

Music study table and gear

I've also been experimenting with picks.

From feel alone, my favorite one so far is the green Nylpro 1.4mm pick. My only complaint about it is that the ridges sometimes catch on the strings while strumming. It feels great for single-note picking though.

I've settled on the black Dunlop Jazz III picks for now. I don't remember the thickness, but I think it's this one. I didn't like the plastic texture of the regular (red) Jazz IIIs, but the Gator Grip ones are good.

I used to play with the regular Dunlop Tortex picks, but I found that I prefer a sharper tip this time.

I like the Tortex Flow 1.5mm picks, but they seem to make a bit of extra noise. I also think it would be better if it were more rounded between the faces and the sides.

Assorted guitar picks