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Join the Cult of Jazz III

 

We’ve received so many great Jazz III stories from so many players on our blog and Facebook page!
We’ll post more in the coming weeks—so keep ‘em coming!—but here are just a few comments from people who are long-time members or recent converts to the Cult of Jazz III….

 

Rob Barker

I’d always heard a lot about the Jazz III, but for some reason I never picked one up. I used whisper-thin picks, insanely heavy picks, plastic, wood, metal, and nothing felt right. Ten months ago I bought my first pack of Jazz IIIs and I’ll never look back. More precise for picking, pinched harmonics that leap out at the drop of a hat and almost impossible to damage or drop (in the case of my Max Grip carbon picks anyway). For me, using the Jazz III was a massive step forward, and it’s still helping me get the sounds in my head to come across on the guitar.

 

Zaiusbot

After years of using a normal pick I just needed more stiffness but didn’t need the pick to get bigger as a whole. I found the Jazz III and was in love with it. I was into shred at the time and could fire out scales with rapid-fire precision… They’re all I will ever use.

 

T. Aleks C.

I’m a bass player. I had primarily played with my fingers since I started playing. I started playing with a band and there were some tones that they were looking for that I couldn’t quite pop out with my fingers so I asked for a pick, I said “preferably something thick so I don’t accidentally break or ruin it.” One of the guitarist handed me this tiny little red triangle that fit perfectly in my fingers, I started playing with it and the tones that it helped me produce were still warm, but with a nice little high end pop. I loved it, and still do. I’m known in my local music shop as that bassist who buys the Jazz IIIs (apparently there aren’t many of us).

 

Oli

My pick tin is Jazz III, and Jazz III only. Bonamassa said it right: After playing it, you can no longer play regular sized [picks]… The Jazz III has immensely improved my playing, I own around 200 of them, and all the money I saved and spent on them, I haven’t regretted one penny.

 

Erik Z

I was a purple Tortex 1.14mm guy until 1997. My guitar teacher at Berklee at the time, Norm Zocher, was trying out the Jazz III during one of our lessons and we were talking about how fine and exact it was while playing—almost like a scalpel or sharpened pencil. Anyway, he let me take one of his (a red one). That was it…from that day forward I have never used another pick. Every other pick feels like a roofing shingle or something. You never get that “pick” sound; it works as an extension of your body rather than a “plectrum.” I’ve bought all the different ones too—black, grip, ultex—but still keeping coming back to the reds. I actually have one sitting right next to me right now, and I’m not even playing guitar.

 

Cameron

Look… to say that these are great picks would be an understatement. These undeniably have shaped my tone into the monster that I have always wanted.

 

Jayiron

When I first tried them, I was like “These things are tiny, what are they gonna do for me?” But it’s the size that matters for me! I have better articulation with them, chords sound fuller, and I can get the harmonics that I want with no more than a joint movement versus a pick movement with the others! Absolutely love them! They have become my secret weapon.

 

Scott Conner

For me what makes the Jazz III my pick of choice is the combination of the small size, the pointed tip, and the edge bevel. That shape is perfect for economy of motion and the tip goes exactly where you want it.

 

Jcmfer

I play nothing but Jazz III and the E.J. customs…They’re super fast and smooth and have great rebound off the strings. I started playing them about four years ago and my playing took off. I use them for bass and guitar and for all styles—jazz, blues, rock and metal. There is nothing I’d rather use.

 

Morten

Since I made the switch to the Jazz III, some how my playing just lifted. My metal chucks, triplets and whatnot got tighter and sharper. My soloing became freer flowing, and my picking speed got a lot faster and precise. I just love these little black gems. I love the feel of them in my pocket, and I love the freedom and playability and sound.

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Comments (31)

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Category: Picks

  • Jimshine

    I have been a Jazz III user for 20 years. After learning on standard picks, I found a Stubby pick in the case of a guitar I just bought. I liked it very much, so I went looking at some of the other smaller Dunlop picks. I bought a few of each and ended up settling on the black Jazz III’s. I have yet to wear one out. They get lost before they wear. The guitars, amps, effects, they all come and go. The Jazz III’s are here to stay.

  • Amir Ahmadi

    So I’ve been playing for 3 years and for the longest time I used Tortex .88. I loved them but for lead I’d always felt them slowing me down, hitting the pick up and at times just completely awkward. A friend of mine told me about the v-picks and how they help with your picking style and sound great. I got the jazz sized pick 1.5 and it did improve my picking but I still felt that slight drag so I decided it was unavoidable. THEN, I got a co-worker let me use his Jazz III red and I was sold. Smooth, durable, personally I have no problem with the grip on the nylon and stable. The notes rung out clearly and the chugs were just as solid as with my .88′s. The nylon and the tortex 1.14 Jazz III’s are all I use now <3

  • Steeve Rock

    I’m playing guitar for 26 years now and have always looked forward for a pick tht’ll suit my playing style. I began using a friend’s pick, that was a nylon 0.60, and sounded nice. but as I played harder music as my skills were increasing, I neede something more hard but I never loved the tortex cuzthey were too slicky and easy to break. I tried big stuby but they were too big. So I came back to a nylon 0.68 and stood with that for a long time until I went to study music in college and I saw my teatcher playing with a Jazz III. I just felt like trying it and there was the ultimate encounter! I love the way I can picnh and sweep with that wonder! I first played with the regular nylon one and discover the Ultex one, I realy loved the tone of it so I moved forward again! When you got the Ultex 2.0 it was a revelation! the shape of it is totally awesome! I couldn’t expect more from a pick to play Pure Death Metal!!

    keep us rockin’ folks!!

  • Kckstrt

    Yea, pretty much the only pics that will last for me through a whole set.  I have tried the big heavy’s with the “F” on them, and they become rounded in about two songs, plus they are just too big.  I love the thickness and red is my favorite color.  Been playing for 35 years, using these pics for at least 20 years…

  • D Rail Gtr

    I’ve been using these picks since I began playing guitar 28 years ago and use nothing else. It is about as close to getting to a guitar string besides using your fingers to pick. There is so much more controll and presicion using a Jazz III. With regular picks I would choke up on them to the tip anyway, sort of like using a baseball bat too large and gripping it in the middle of the bat. With a Jazz III you don’t have to do that, it is already the right size, and shape. When they wear down a little, you have a Jazz II if you want that. Sometimes I’ll even use the reverse side of the pick if I want less attack. I’ll always use a Jazz III. I can really use nothing else and feel the music the same. Best pick ever!  

  • Michael McGinley

    Jazz III’s changed my career for the good. I used to play Snarlin Dogs but the picks would always bend out of shape. So my friend who already played Jazz III picks handed me one when I needed a pick to jam with and it improved my playing so much. I threw all my other picks in the trash and bought packs of these small devils. I been playing for 5 years and been playing Jazz III’s for about 2. I play a lot faster and smoother with them and I will never turn back.

  • Craig Andersen

    Send me some samples.

  • Djloertscher

    I tried jazz IIIs in highschool, i think it was my senior year. I heard Tom Morello used them so I had to. Now I’m on the Carbon Fiber ones with the max grip, but that shape has changed my life.

  • Mldgtr3

    Tony Cardenas
    I started using the Jazz III pick when my guitarist gave me one, I loved it from that moment on. I looked at how my two of favorite guitarists used the jazz (Kirk Hammett & Matt Heafy), that’s when I ordered the max grip jazz III picks from Dunlop. I love my picks so much, there is so much stability, smooth picking, & I can pick up so much more speed. The Jazz III pick will be the only pick I’ll ever use from now on.
    LOVE IT!!!!!

  • http://twitter.com/Commoder64 Ian Covelli

    I first tried Jazz III picks a few years ago when I was practicing with my friend and the next day I went out and bought two bags of them.  Ever since then I haven’t been able to play with anything else.  Jazz III picks become an extension of your hand.  I got a sample of the max grip picks last year and they’re easily my favorite picks to play with.

  • Alexei Bocharov

    My way to JazzIII began 10 or 12 years ago, when my friend gifted me a pack of different picks and there was a small size pick of JimDunlop “Stubby”. After using it i understood that i probably never take in hand a standart size picks. And several years ago i bought JazzIII in Moscow just to try, and JazzIII became The Best Picks to play for me. But it`s very hard to find JazzIII picks in Russia.

  • Joker21srb

    On my desk is a pile of picks.. Tons of ‘em.. Every time i would visit a music store i would grab as much different picks as i could, so i could find the one i like best. Jazz III stands on a pile of his own..

  • Patrickdoob

    It was four years ago that my good friend and the best guitarist I know personally gave me a Jazz III to try out. I was hooked right away. A few days later the jazz III made it to the cover and was editors pick in one of the many guitar mags I subscribe to. Playing with any thing else now somehow feels wrong. I now give them out to any guitar player I run across. Many are now disciples! To say I love my Jazz III is an under statement.

  • http://myspace.com/dannygibbs Danny Gibbs

    I’d read artist testimonials about the Jazz III but had never actually used one until the cashier at my local Guitar Center gave me one to try (black). This was three years ago and since then I will use no other pick when playing electric. My speed has increased as has my accuracy. I still use the yellow Tortex picks for acoustic but never again on electric.

  • Raintree420

    I used to be a Tortex guy.  All colors!  Got turned on to the J3′s about 2 years ago and will NEVER use anything else..well maybe the James Hetfield ones when  I play bass, but thatch it.  I can hardly even use a regular pick anymore!  They feel too big.

  • http://twitter.com/Mattathyah Matthew McCarthy

    Small Jazz III are the most confortable pick I have ever used, love the speed and fluity of my playing when I play with one of these little beasts. Thanks very much Dunlop for healping me with my tecnique!!!

    Matt -Headon-

  • ZR

    I read about the Jazz III in a guitar magazine and became curious about this pick. After buying a combination of the red and black nylon, I became sold on the Jazz III picks. I’ve been using them for four years now and I’ve noticed my technique is cleaner, faster, and more precise! I’m a big fan of the black Jazz III nylon and recommend them to any players who are serious about their picking!

  • Rboyle

    Never used a pick until a few years ago, played finger style for years, and did not feel comfortable using standard size picks. Read a Bonamassa article a few years ago and purchased the red Jazz III; will never use another style of pick.

  • TMoody.com

    I first tried the Jazz III (black) after reading about it in a guitar magazine with Erci Johnson on the cover.  It was a little awkward at first but now I cannot use any other pick.  I order them by the truck loads.  The best and only pick (to me) on the planet…. thanks Dunlop!!!

    T.
    TMoody.com

  • Scott

    Through showcasing my hand-carved guitars, I have been fortunate enough to meet Joe Bonamassa and Eric Johnson both several times. I was curious as to why both of these virtuosos were using these very unique picks- so I tried them. It took me about a week to get use to them, but now I can’t imagine ever playing without them. When I show them to people I always say, “I can now imagine how surfers must have felt when they finally put down their long wide surfboards and tried the newer, smaller, more athletic styled boards.”  It’s really liberating!!!!! My favorite is the Jazz III MAX GRIP and I ain’t ever going back 

    Scott
    SMFGUITARS

  • Tklontz

    I started out playing with Fender Jazz picks.  I progressed to standard sized tortex picks.  After reading an article about the black Jazz III, I decided to give them a try.  It was like coming home again.  Very comfortable.  The black Jazz III is now my pick of choice.

  • Danny

    I’ve never tried the red, I only use black. Can somebody explain what the difference is because I may try the reds.
    Thanks

  • http://www.youtube.com/user/cwhanna C.W. Hanna

    Everything single guitar thing I have on my youtube stite is played with a red dunlop jazz III, ultex JAZZ III or red JAZZ III XL …hands down my favorite everything picks. Wanting you to make a red jazz III XL max grip PLEEEZE?
    http://www.youtube.com/user/cwhanna

  • http://www.facebook.com/afterthecrash Kenny Masters

    I have not played an electric guitar without a Jazz III since 1998.  My favorite changes seemingly randomly, from the Reds, to the Eric Johnson signature to my current favorite the Ultex.  My very first guitar teacher let me borrow one, once, and after about 5 minutes of getting used to it, I never wanted to use anything else.  I actually am amazed whenever I see somebody doing precise technical picking with anything but… *especially* those big floppy deals everybody seems to love.  

    I have resorted to ordering larger, medium picks with my name/band logo on them strictly for merch/throwing into the crowd/signing purposes.  So at any given moment I’ll have hundreds of picks with my own name on them; and I refuse to use them.I think that definitely places me as a member of the Jazz III cult.  

  • Darien Dingus

    When I first started learning, and since my 7 year career began, what brought me onto guitar (same story for John Petrucci) is Michael Angelo Batio. Just something about watching him play at 11 years old made me want to piss myself. Then I found out what pick he was using along with a ton of aother brilliant guitarists. The Red Nylon Jazz III. I had been playing the ultex “rhino” picks (before the design updated) and felt that they were good, and i could play fast, but they were just too big and weren’t as fast as i could go. Then I picked up some Jazz III’s and I just took off. Light, fast, economical in shape. Perfect. I tried them in stiffo, ultex, max grip, tortex, and bonomassa’s style. In the end, for me, it just comes down to the smooth, classic red nylon I’ve come to love.

  • Darien Dingus

    Black is just a rougher heavier texture. Red is more streamlined and a better release in my opinion. I advise you get a pack RIGHT NOW!

  • Jeggs2717

    Been using Jazz III reds and blacks for 3 years now. Precision… that’s the word.

  • Greg Page

    Just got my first Ultex Jazz III’s and Ultex Jazz III 2.0′s about two weeks ago… These are the most awesome picks I’ve ever used!  I’ve long been a fan of the normal reds, blacks (LOVE the max-grips) and Tortex III’s but the Ultex’s, especially the 2.0′s take the game to the next level!  My jamming buddy just ordered up 24 packs of both the Ultex Jazz III models so we can afford to lose some and give some away!

  • http://www.bandmix.com/profile359256/ Johncmichelson

    I Use The Red Jazz III Pick /
    Great Pick ,    Accurately Feels  Resonding , Articulation , Bounce and Attack.
    Increases Speed Pcking Also… John C Michelson

  • Angela

    I discovered that I liked smaller picks about a year ago, and now the Jazz lll picks are perfect for me.. for a while it was hard to find anything except the standard design and size pick that everybody copies. I have a supply of the Jazz lll’s so I won’t be wothout them if I’m playing somewhere off the beaten path.
    Angela

  • Metalgweetar5150

    What’s so great about Jazz IIIs? EVERYTHING. Thick enough to take a beating, never flex during fast playing, and the tip…utter perfection. It is the very definition of speed, tone, and precision. I never gave a crap about picks until i used jazz IIIs, now it’s the only pick that meets my standards. The carbon max grip models took the best, and made it better. I can’t imagine a better pick. I am forever a member of the cult of the jazz III, Thank you Dunlop