Description
First released in 1981, Tortex® Picks were originally intended to be a high quality replacement for tortoiseshell. Jim Dunlop’s trail-blazing creation became so much more than that, however, establishing its own identity and becoming the new standard by which all other picks are judged.
Building on the precision, consistency, and color-coded gauge system he introduced with Nylon Picks, Jim resolved to create a pick with a bright and snappy attack, superior memory and durability, and an improved grip. He chose Delrin as his base material and then spent more than a year developing a special treatment process to draw out its full potential. This treatment process is what sets Tortex Picks apart from all others, providing their unique grip-enhancing matte surface and aggressive attack. Finally, Jim expanded on his previous picks’ color-coded gauge system to create the bright and timeless palette that has become an industry standard. Because we stick to Jim’s original formula, Tortex Picks remain our bestselling pick line. And we still make them at the Dunlop HQ in Benicia, California.
With Tortex, Jim Dunlop launched a revolution, and the world of picks has never been the same. The turtle logo is instantly recognizable, and the vibrant Tortex palette has become a gauging shorthand for guitar players. Go into any music store and ask for Green or Yellow Picks—chances are, you’ll be shown a pack of Tortex .88mm or .73mm Picks. Countless musicians across the world, representing every genre and playing style, have chosen Tortex Picks to help them do what they love.
Made in the USA.
Setting the Standard Since 1981
Originally designed to replicate the feel of a tortoiseshell pick, Dunlop’s Tortex line has since outgrown its iconic tortoise mascot, revolutionizing the world of guitar picks for over 40 years. Before Tortex picks came along, guitar players could only choose from a limited selection of plectrums that often came in only three ambiguous sizes: light, medium, and heavy. Jim Dunlop sought to provide a solution in arming players with a complete range of thickness standardized to the 100th of a millimeter, and easily recognizable by Dunlop’s signature color-coded system. Excellent durability, perfect grip, and snappy tone have made Tortex the industry-standard pick for guitar players around the world. Whether you’re a pro or just beginning your musical journey, you can be sure that there’s a Tortex pick for you!
Signature Tortex composition and durability
Jim Dunlop strove to provide guitar players with the best pick possible, constantly refining his materials and processes until he arrived at Tortex’s signature composition. Tortex picks are designed with a grip-enhancing surface that naturally feels “just right” — there’s enough texture to firmly stay in your fingers without ever feeling sticky. Constructed from a highly durable plastic called Delrin, Tortex is resistant to the constant wear and bending that guitar picks are subjected to; in other words, they offer a long shelf life even with heavy playing. And of course, Tortex picks are world renowned for delivering a clear and articulate sound that’s ideal for electric, acoustic, and bass guitar playing across the entire spectrum of musical genres.
Dunlop standard pick shape: the standard for versatility
A jack of all trades, the Dunlop standard is the most common pick shape. There are a wealth of specialized picks that excel in their own way, but Sweetwater guitarists find that the sheer versatility of the standard is unmatched. It’s the standard for reason!
