A mandolin pick sets the attack, the volume and how fast you can tremolo. Mandolin players often use thicker, rounded-triangle picks than guitarists, and the material changes both the grip and the tone.
The six picks below are sold as mandolin picks or as picks that the maker lists for mandolin. They differ in shape, material, thickness and pack size. Facts come from each Amazon.com listing page. We have not used these picks ourselves, and tone claims are the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Thickness | Thicker picks are listed as louder and punchier; thin ones flex more |
| Material | Acrylic, casein, celluloid and Delrin differ in grip and wear |
| Shape | Rounded triangles are common for tremolo and clean attack |
| Pack size | Dozens and 10-packs cover loss, a single pick does not |
Specs at a Glance
| Pick | Material | Thickness | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| D’Addario Acrylic Reso | Acrylic | 1.55 mm | 3-pack; punchy, high output per the maker |
| Pickboy Nytro | Celluloid | 0.75 mm | 10 picks; mandolin |
| Golden Gate MP-12 | Celluloid | X-Stiff | Dozen; rounded triangle; tortoise pattern |
| D’Addario Chris Thile | Casein | 1.4 mm in title, 1.44 mm in bullet | Single pick; beveled corners |
| D’Addario Acrylux Nitra | Acrylic and nitrate blend | 1.5 mm | 3-pack; warmer tone per the maker |
| Dunlop Americana | Delrin or polycarbonate (conflict) | 1.5 mm | 3-pack; round triangle |
The 6 Best Mandolin Picks
1. D’Addario Acrylic Reso Mandolin Picks
A 3-pack of 1.55 mm acrylic picks that the maker describes as giving punchy, high-output tone without losing clarity, with natural grip and control. The listing says they are mandolin picks and gives the model number 2AR7-03.
Suits: players who want a thick acrylic pick. Strengths: a mandolin label and a 3-pack. Weaknesses: only one thickness. Skip it if you want a thin, flexible pick.
View D’Addario Acrylic Reso Mandolin Picks 3-pack 1.55mm on Amazon
2. Pickboy Nytro Mandolin Pick
A pack of 10 celluloid picks at 0.75 mm, listed as mandolin picks. The bullets are brief: thickness, material, count and instrument. The pick size is marked small.
Suits: a thinner feel. Strengths: a 10-pack for spares. Weaknesses: few tone details in the listing. Skip it if you play with a heavy attack.
View Pickboy Mandolin Pick Nytro 0.75mm 10 Picks on Amazon
3. Golden Gate MP-12 Deluxe Rounded Triangle
A dozen tortoise-patterned nitrocellulose picks in a rounded triangle shape, listed as extra stiff and for guitar or mandolin. The maker describes the shape as good for rapid tremolo and a clear attack, and the finish field says polished.
Suits: a tremolo-minded shape. Strengths: twelve picks and a stiff gauge. Weaknesses: no millimeter figure is given. Skip it if you want an exact thickness on the page.
View Golden Gate MP-12 Deluxe Tortoise Style Flat Pick Rounded Triangle Dozen on Amazon
4. D’Addario Chris Thile Signature Casein Pick
A single casein pick made to the specs of mandolinist Chris Thile, with a triangular shape, beveled corners and a heavy gauge. The title says 1.4 mm while the bullet says 1.44 mm, and the maker describes the tone as warm and balanced.
Suits: a signature-style pick. Strengths: beveled corners and a heavy gauge. Weaknesses: sold as a single pick. Skip it if you want a pack of spares.
5. D’Addario Acrylux Nitra Mandolin Picks
A 3-pack of 1.5 mm picks made from an acrylic and nitrate blend, with a smooth finish and strong grip. The maker says the tone is warmer than the Acrylux Reso, and the listing says the series comes in standard and jazz shapes.
Suits: a warmer tone. Strengths: a 3-pack and a smooth finish. Weaknesses: thick only. Skip it if you want a brighter pick.
View D’Addario Accessories 2AN7-03 Acrylux Guitar Picks Mandolin 1.5MM 3-Pack Nitra on Amazon
6. Jim Dunlop Americana Round Triangle
A 3-pack of 1.5 mm round-triangle picks. The bullet says they were created for mandolin and flatpicking and are molded of polycarbonate, but the material field says Delrin and the compatible device field says guitar, so confirm those details on the page.
Suits: a mandolin and flatpicking shape. Strengths: a 3-pack and a thick gauge. Weaknesses: conflicting material wording. Skip it if you need the material confirmed.
View Jim Dunlop Americana Round Triangle Pick 1.5MM 3 Pack on Amazon
Using Your Picks
- Hold the pick lightly, since a thick pick still needs a relaxed grip.
- Try a thin and a thick pick on the same song to hear the difference.
- Keep spares in a small case or on the mandolin case lining.
- Replace a pick when the tip rounds off or chips.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing by color instead of thickness and shape.
- Buying only one pick of a style you have not tried.
- Assuming every listed thickness matches the title.
- Gripping a slippery pick too hard.
Mandolin Picks FAQ
Which ones come in larger packs?
The Golden Gate MP-12 is a dozen and the Pickboy Nytro is a pack of 10.
Which one is a signature model?
The D’Addario Chris Thile Signature Casein Pick.
The Short Version
For thick acrylic, the D’Addario Acrylic Reso. For a thin pick, the Pickboy Nytro. For a dozen rounded triangles, the Golden Gate MP-12. For a signature casein pick, the Chris Thile. For a warmer blend, the Acrylux Nitra. For a round triangle, the Dunlop Americana.
