Three small items that change how an instrument is played. Picks are specified in millimeters — around 0.5 mm (0.02 in) bends and strums, around 1.0 mm (0.04 in) articulates single notes — and “medium” means nothing across brands. Capos are specified by neck curvature: a capo shaped for a curved steel-string neck will buzz on a flat classical one. Straps are specified by width, and a bass on a narrow strap is uncomfortable within twenty minutes. We compare those numbers, and the locking systems that keep an instrument off the floor.
A mixed pack of twelve picks in five materials and several thicknesses. Pick material and thickness change tone and grip more than most beginners expect, and neither can be judged from a photograph.
Count
12
Materials
Ultex, Tortex, Jazz III, Gator Grip, Max Grip
Use
Electric and acoustic guitar, bass
Amazon reference
DE B0752N9XTL · US B07H277CDP · GB B0752N9XTL · FR B0752N9XTL · IT B0752N9XTL · ES B0752N9XTL
EAN
0710137102491
Answers the thickness question in one afternoon instead of over months
Grip materials included, which matter more than tone for anyone whose hands sweat
No US offer at the time of writing
Best for: A first month with a guitar, or anyone who has only ever used one pick.
Twelve picks restricted to the medium and heavy range, across five materials. The pack to buy when thin picks have already been ruled out — bass players usually start here.
Count
12
Range
Medium and heavy
Materials
Tortex, celluloid, ultex, nylon, Max Grip, Gator Grip
Amazon reference
B0055VBYWC (identical on 6 markets)
EAN
0710137049970
Skips the thin picks entirely, which most players abandon within weeks
Nylon and celluloid included — two very different feels at the same thickness
Heavier picks are harder work for pure strumming
Best for: Bass, lead playing, and anyone who has already decided thin picks flap.
Ten sheets of pick plastic, six inches by one and a half, stated to yield fifty picks. It is raw material for a pick punch, and the punch is a separate purchase.
What it is
Ten plastic strips, each 6 × 1.5 in, for use with a pick punch. It is not picks, and the punch is not in the box (maker’s bullet)
Yield
Stated to make 50 picks — which at $11.95 is 24 cents each (maker’s bullet)
Tool required
A pick punch, stated as the Pick-a-Palooza punch or any other. The only product on this shelf that needs a tool you must already own (maker’s bullet)
Stated alternative
The maker positions the strips against cutting up gift cards and credit cards (maker’s bullet)
Thickness
Pick-A-Palooza puts nothing in writing on this — no gauge in millimeters, and no indication that the ten strips differ from one another. Three listings on this shelf publish millimeter figures
Material
Described as plastic, stated to make real quality picks. No polymer is named, where the two pick packs on this shelf name five materials each
Recorded size
152 × 38 × 3 mm (5.98 × 1.50 × 0.12 in) in the product record, which matches the stated 6 × 1.5 in
Manufacturer reference
PC10845-01
Weight
Not in the product record
Amazon reference
B0CBQCKSN4
EAN
0850030891334
Fifty picks for $11.95 is 24 cents each, against the shelf’s packs of twelve
A punched pick is the shape and thickness you cut, not the one a brand chose
It is not picks: without a pick punch this is ten sheets of plastic
Best for: Someone who already owns a pick punch and has run out of things worth cutting up.
A two-inch polypropylene strap with stitched leather ends and an extended end that carries three picks. It adjusts to 72 inches — the longest on this shelf — and the picks are a separate purchase.
Length
41 to 72 in — 104 to 183 cm (40.9 to 72 in). The longest maximum on this shelf; the other three straps here stop at 60, 60 and 56 in (maker’s bullet)
Width
2 in polypropylene webbing, stated for comfort and durability (maker’s bullet)
Ends
Quality black leather, securely stitched to the webbing (maker’s bullet)
Pick holder
An extended leather end holding up to three picks, on the lower front of the strap (maker’s bullet)
Picks
Not included, stated twice in the listing. One of two items on this shelf that contains no picks at all (maker’s bullet)
Pick gauges
Ernie Ball puts nothing in writing on this, because no picks are supplied. Three listings on this shelf publish millimeter figures for the picks they include
Load rating
Ernie Ball puts nothing in writing on this. No strap on this shelf publishes a load or a breaking strength
Color
Black (from the title)
Manufacturer reference
P04039
Weight
91 g (3.2 oz) in the product record
Amazon reference
B07N28MVG5
EAN
0749699100263
Seventy-two inches is the longest adjustment on this shelf — a bass worn low, or a tall player
Stitched leather ends rather than molded plastic, on the two points that actually tear
No picks supplied, where four items on this shelf include between four and twelve
Best for: A bass or an electric worn low, by a player tall enough that most straps run out.
Five pieces in one box, and the only one on this shelf that publishes a gauge for every pick it contains: eight celluloid picks at 0.46, 0.71, 0.96 and 1.2 mm (0.05 in), two of each, with a woven strap, a spring capo, a clip-on tuner and a cloth.
Picks
Eight celluloid picks in four gauges — 0.46, 0.71, 0.96 and 1.2 mm (0.05 in), two of each. The only listing on this shelf that publishes a millimeter figure for every pick in the box (maker’s bullet)
Strap
Jacquard woven, embroidered, with a pick holder. 1.9 in wide, adjustable 35 to 60 in. Stated to allow free movement without catching on clothing (maker’s bullet)
Capo
A strong spring capo, stated for acoustic and electric guitars, ukuleles, basses and violins. Two of the eight items on this shelf include a capo (maker’s bullet)
Tuner
A clip-on tuner with the battery included, stated for guitar, bass, ukulele and violin (maker’s bullet)
Cloth
A microfibre cleaning cloth. The only cloth on this shelf (maker’s bullet)
Capo clamping range
Stage Rocker puts nothing in writing on this. Neither of the two capos on this shelf publishes a neck thickness or a clamping range
Tuner precision
Stage Rocker puts nothing in writing on this — no cent accuracy, no calibration range. The other tuner on this shelf states chromatic operation and pitch calibration
Strap width
1.9 in — the narrowest of the four straps on this shelf, where the other three state 2 in. The difference is 2.5 mm (0.10 in)
Manufacturer reference
SRGAAP-05-JP
Weight
Not in the product record
Amazon reference
B0BZV95MRP
EAN
4718981497615
Four published gauges, two of each: it answers the shelf’s own thin-against-stiff question in one box
Five pieces for $23.25, where the other box on this shelf is $39.99 for four
Nothing published about the capo’s clamping range or the tuner’s accuracy
Best for: A first guitar that arrived with nothing — or a present for someone who owns only the instrument.
A capo, a chromatic clip-on tuner with pitch calibration, a two-inch nylon pickholder strap and six medium-gauge picks in six colors. The better-specified tuner on this shelf, and the narrower pick selection.
Tuner
Clip-on, chromatic, with a high-definition screen and pitch calibration, stated for guitar, bass, ukulele and violin. Battery included. The only tuner on this shelf that publishes either chromatic operation or calibration (maker’s bullet)
Capo
Stated one-handed operation, consistent fretting, and an adjustable fit for almost any neck profile (maker’s bullet)
Strap
Black nylon with leather ends and a built-in pick holder. 2 in wide, adjustable 40 to 60 in (maker’s bullet)
Picks
Six celluloid picks, medium gauge, rounded tip, in black, red, green, white, blue and purple. One gauge for all six — where another box on this shelf supplies four gauges (maker’s bullet)
Pick gauge in millimeters
MARTIN puts nothing in writing on this. *Medium* is stated and no figure is given; one box on this shelf publishes 0.46, 0.71, 0.96 and 1.2 mm (0.05 in)
Capo clamping range
MARTIN puts nothing in writing on this. Neither of the two capos on this shelf publishes a neck thickness or a clamping range, and *almost any neck profile* is the maker’s wording
Tuner accuracy
MARTIN puts nothing in writing on this — chromatic operation and calibration are stated, a cent figure is not
Recorded size
229 × 203 × 152 mm (9.02 × 7.99 × 5.98 in) in the product record
Manufacturer reference
18PROMO0002
Weight
320 g (11.3 oz) in the product record
Amazon reference
B0DFQHYFFJ
EAN
0729789679527
A chromatic tuner with pitch calibration, which no other tuner on this shelf publishes
Leather ends on the strap, which is one of two straps here to state them
Six picks in one gauge, where the shelf’s own reasoning says to try both ends of the range
Best for: A player who wants the tuner to be the good part of the bundle, and has already chosen a pick.
Four blocks that clip over a strap button to stop the strap coming off, with no drilling and no hardware changed — plus a channel that anchors the lead and a holder with four non-slip picks in two gauges.
What it does
Blocks that slip over an existing strap and button to stop the strap releasing, stated to protect against accidental drops and slips. The only strap locks on this shelf, and the product answer to this shelf’s own question about them (maker’s bullet)
Modification
None. Stated to need no permanent modification, so vintage and valuable instruments keep their original buttons — which is the difference from traditional locks, where the button itself is replaced
Quantity
Two pairs, four pieces — enough for two instruments (maker’s bullet)
Cable hook
A channel that anchors the lead to the lower block, stated to keep the cable plugged in and tidy underfoot. The only cable anchor on this shelf (maker’s bullet)
Pick holder
The upper block can hold picks (maker’s bullet)
Picks included
Four non-slip picks — two at 0.71 mm (0.03 in) and two at 0.96 mm (0.04 in). One of three listings on this shelf to publish a millimeter figure (maker’s bullet)
Fitting
Stated to clip onto the strap button, reusable across instruments (maker’s bullet)
Material
IVU CREATOR puts nothing in writing on this — no polymer, no metal, for a part whose whole job is not to fail
Manufacturer reference
IVU CREATOR publishes none. The listing carries no maker’s code at all, only the Amazon reference below
Recorded size
115 × 85 × 15 mm (4.53 × 3.35 × 0.59 in) in the product record, for four pieces
Weight
18 g (0.6 oz) in the product record — the lightest figure recorded on this shelf
Amazon reference
B0B12GXLQR
EAN
0767235257844
Strap locks that change nothing on the instrument: no drilling, no replaced button
A cable anchor on the lower block, which nothing else on this shelf offers
No material published, on a part whose only job is to not let go
Best for: A guitar played standing, or any instrument whose original buttons should stay original.
A two-inch polypropylene strap with three pick holders and six picks already in the packet, adjusting from 35 to 56 inches — the shortest range on this shelf, and the one that fits a child.
Length
35 to 56 in — 89 to 142 cm (35 to 55.9 in). The shortest maximum on this shelf; its 35 in minimum ties with one other strap here as the lowest, which is what fits a child (maker’s bullet)
Width
2 in polypropylene, stated for even weight distribution and to reduce shoulder fatigue (maker’s bullet)
Pick holders
Three (from the title)
Picks included
Six, at 0.71 mm (0.03 in). The only strap on this shelf that arrives with picks in it — the other dedicated strap here states twice that picks are not included (maker’s bullet)
Stated fit
Acoustic, electric and bass guitars, and ukuleles (maker’s bullet)
Ends
YJRNTY puts nothing in writing on this — no leather, no material of any kind, for the two points where a strap fails. Two straps on this shelf state leather ends
Load rating
YJRNTY puts nothing in writing on this. No strap on this shelf publishes a load or a breaking strength
Manufacturer reference
30F6052185
Weight
54 g (1.9 oz) in the product record
Amazon reference
B0HGL1QH5P
EAN
6273828764858
The only strap here with picks already in it — six, at a published 0.71 mm (0.03 in)
Thirty-five inches at the short end, which is a child or a small adult rather than an average one
Nothing published about the ends, which is where a strap actually fails
Best for: A smaller player, or a first guitar where the strap should arrive ready to use.
A flexible pick catches less and gives a softer sound on strummed chords. The usual choice for accompaniment.
Lead playing
A stiff pick transmits more attack and precision on a single note. It forgives imprecision less.
Playing standing up
A wide strap spreads the weight and changes everything over a long session. Strap locks stop the instrument falling.
What you gain and what you give up, on picks & straps
A soft pick strums, a stiff pick attacks
The flexible forgives and softens; the stiff attacks and demands precision. Many guitarists keep both, depending on the tune.
Wide strap against bulk
A wide strap relieves the shoulder and sometimes gets in the way of the right arm. A trade-off to try rather than calculate.
Leather against synthetic
Leather softens and ages well; synthetic slips more and costs less. Leather holds better on the shoulder under a heavy instrument.
Frequent questions on picks & straps
What pick thickness should I choose?
Flexible for rhythm accompaniment, stiff for single notes and leads. Many guitarists use both.
Why do picks always get lost?
It is the most mislaid consumable in music. Buying them by the packet is the only practical answer.
Are strap locks useful?
They stop the strap coming off the button, the most common cause of a dropped instrument. A few dollars against a broken neck.
How do I set the strap height?
The right hand should fall naturally onto the strings and the left reach the first fret without stretching the arm. Very low looks good and plays badly.
Does an acoustic need strap buttons?
Many have only one, and the strap ties to the headstock. A second button fitted by a luthier avoids that precarious arrangement.
Does a pick damage the strings?
It wears them slightly faster than fingerstyle, without being a real issue. A chipped pick, on the other hand, scratches the top.
How should picks be stored?
A small box or a holder stuck to the mic stand. Kept in a pocket, they vanish in the wash.
Does a strap change the playing position?
Yes, and it is the first thing you set: three centimeters more drops the picking hand off the bridge. The stated adjustment range therefore matters more than the material.
What stays with you, on picks & straps
The pick is the most mislaid consumable in music: buying by the packet is the only answer. Flexible for accompaniment, stiff for lead — and strap locks cost a few dollars against a broken neck.
Summed up: picks & straps
Weight: 18 to 320, on 4 of the 8 models.
Recorded size: 115 to 229, on 3 of the 8 models.
Picks & straps, side by side
There is no table here, and the reason is in the listings. The figure published most often across these 8 products is weight, given by 6 of them — short of the four in five a column needs to compare rather than to display gaps. Each product page says what its own maker published.
Sources, and how the order is set
Specifications: manufacturer sheets for musical instruments and gear and the matching Amazon product pages. Prices and availability: Keepa.
Most recent revision in this category: October 7, 2026.
