aLaska Piks

These are such a wonderful invention for fingerstyle players! They are made in the U.S.A. The fabulous Kristina Olsen introduced me to these in 1995 and I have been using them instead of metal fingerpicks or fingernails ever since. They produce a sound very like natural nails. They work on strings just like fingernails, so you can play downstrokes as well as upstrokes with them, unlike the metal picks. They are also far more precise than metal picks for classical, ragtime and Celtic styles, anywhere you need some precision and control of attack with more strength and volume than untreated fingernails.

As a guitarmaker working with all kinds of tools which are rough on the hands I find Alaska Piks are the perfect solution to the problem of maintaining fingernails. I’m a pretty rough player but have found I can now play much more intricate pieces than I used to and still be heard in my band the Ten Cent Shooters, playing archtop and resonator slide guitar.

Alaska Piks are made in white plastic or brass. The plastic ones are the most poplular. They are made in four sizes - small, medium, large and extra large. At first I found the large piks most comfortable, but have since found that the medium ones really are best for my medium to large hands. If they feel a little tight at first, persevere. Kristina Olsen uses a rayon surgical tape to hold her Alaska Piks on in sweaty situations. I used to do this, but find that the medium piks hold on well enough. Another theory I have developed since using them is that that since they put a little stress on the base of the fingernail in use, the nail starts to grow thicker and stronger after a while. An added benefit......

PRICES

All plastic piks are $2.50 Australian dollars apiece. For bulk or wholesale sales I have a reduced price. Please contact me to order.