Video summary

Pick Bass Masterclass for Metal Musicians

Main summary

Key takeaways

Summary of the video

The speaker explains that sounding like them (a metal-focused bassist) isn’t only about gear. It mainly comes from picking technique, and then from how different pick/string choices interact with that technique.

They outline a 3-part “picking technique masterclass”:

1) Picking basics + technique (how to hit the string correctly)

How to hold the pick

They recommend a “closed fist” pick grip (pick resting between the thumb and a curled index finger) because it provides:

  • strong support
  • efficient power transfer
  • easier muting
  • reduced wrist/hand strain (compared to gripping the pick out between more extended fingers)

Attack matters

The “attack” (the start of the note) defines instrument character the most. They caution that many people think they need to strike harder, but striking harder can cause:

  • choking the string
  • going sharp
  • wasted energy

Rest stroke (key technique)

They recommend rest stroke: pick the string and let the pick come to rest on the next lower string. This helps by:

  • stopping the pick’s motion efficiently (less energy wasted)
  • keeping the movement direct
  • reducing wrist strain
  • improving control of attack

Rest stroke angled into the fretboard

They modify the motion to be angled more toward the fretboard—around 40°—to increase attack and harmonic content.

Pick angle

  • Picking flat creates a big surface hit and a fast, slap-like release.
  • They prefer a slight angle where the pick scrapes and exits more gradually, creating a more spread-out, groove-friendly attack.
  • They warn not to move excessively along the string while doing this.

Picking “hard” vs picking with authority

They argue tone isn’t “just pick harder.” Use the least force necessary to get the right sound—authority—because excessive force can lead to:

  • wrist/picking pain
  • technique breakdown

2) Gear choices (picks + where you pick)

Pick thickness

  • Thin picks
    • more flex/give
    • can sound more slap-like
    • often require more force for the same output
    • can smooth uneven force (like a natural “compressor”)
  • Thick/rigid picks
    • sharper attack
    • can expose uneven technique
    • if you hit too hard, they can “choke” low notes while other harmonics ring

They say their workable range is about 0.70–1.0 mm, depending on pick material and technique.

Pick materials

They mainly use Dunlop Tortex/Ultex/related and nylon picks, noting they feel different and produce distinct attack character.

They suggest testing differences by dropping picks on a hard surface to hear how their impacts sound.

Pick shape

Smaller/more flexible shapes (e.g., jazz/flow styles) behave differently than sharper/triangle shapes. They specifically note that very guitar-oriented sharp tips aren’t ideal for bass technique, because bass often relies more on the side of the pick for attack.

Picking position (where on the string)

  • Near the neck: warmer/rounder tone
  • Near the bridge: brighter, tighter bass
  • Behind the bridge pickup: less bass and more low-mid focus; they suggest avoiding it for now
  • Their preference: picking in front of the bridge pickup on a standard Jazz-style bass for a balance of tightness and bass response

They also emphasize that body setup matters: whether you’re sitting vs standing changes arm angle, so you should test both positions.

3) Strings: thinner vs thicker + practical guidance

Too-thick strings

Too-thick strings can become dark/muddy—especially with distortion—reducing clarity.

Distortion and compression

Distortion compresses highs and lows, so tone depends more on the balance of bass and treble than simply going thicker.

Tapered strings

If you want some benefits of thicker strings, tapering at the bridge contact point can reduce the typical low-mid “obstructive” buildup, making thick strings behave more like thinner ones tonally.

String material

They claim material matters less than technique and pick choices once you account for everything.

They still recommend strings they like—especially Ernie Ball Cobalt—described as providing:

  • a smoother aggressive bite
  • less papery mid “clank”

They also share their own gauge/tuning preferences across multiple basses and playing styles.

Personal ear/taste

The most important part is developing your own taste and learning the relationships between:

  • technique
  • strings
  • pick choice
  • the rest of the setup

Closing / next steps

They point viewers to other videos (pedals, future setup tweaking, reviews/playlists) and encourage continued exploration.

Speakers (who spoke)

  1. The video’s main presenter/instructor (the bassist teaching the picking technique; no name given in the subtitles).

Original video