Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
4.5 (9)
$5.76
Guitar Center
5.0 (246)
$5.76
Amazon
4.8 (25812)
$5.76
Reverb
$26.24 New
$22.89 Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (711)
$5.76
zZounds
5.0 (17)
$5.79
Thomann
4.7 (655)
$6.80 $6.70 $0.10 · All time low

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm Guitar Picks". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

In the world of guitar picks, Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm Guitar Picks stand out as a timeless choice for musicians of all stripes. Crafted from signature Tortex material, these picks were designed to mimic the feel of tortoiseshell, offering a combination of durability and performance that has made them a staple since 1981. Whether you're strumming an acoustic ballad or shredding an electric solo, the Tortex pick provides a grip-enhancing surface that feels just right in your fingers, ensuring it stays put without feeling sticky. The 0.50mm thickness delivers a bright and articulate tone, making it ideal for a variety of musical genres.

Dunlop’s commitment to quality and innovation is evident in every Tortex pick. With the standard pick shape renowned for its versatility, these picks are suited for both beginners and seasoned professionals. The Tortex composition not only resists wear and tear but also maintains its precision-cut edge for consistent performance. With a pack of 12, you'll have plenty of picks to keep your music flowing, while the color-coded thickness system makes it easy to find the right pick for your style.

Key Features:

  • Thickness: 0.50 mm
  • Pack of 12 picks
  • Made from durable Tortex material
  • Enhanced grip for comfortable playing
  • Bright and articulate tone suitable for electric, acoustic, and bass guitars
  • Standard shape for versatile use across genres

Product specs

Shape Standard
Gauge .50mm
Material Tortex
Quantity 12

FAQs

What is the primary advantage of using Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm guitar picks?

Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm picks offer a bright tone and a smooth, fast release, making them ideal for strumming and rhythm playing. Their lightweight design provides flexibility, which is particularly beneficial for acoustic guitarists and those who prefer a softer attack.

Are Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm picks suitable for beginners?

Yes, Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm picks are suitable for beginners. Their thin gauge is forgiving and easy to handle, allowing new players to develop their strumming technique without exerting too much pressure.

How does the Tortex material affect the performance of these picks?

The Tortex material provides excellent durability and a consistent grip, even when hands are sweaty. This ensures reliable performance and a familiar feel, making it a popular choice among guitarists.

How many picks come in a pack of Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm?

Each pack of Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm picks contains 12 picks, offering great value and ensuring you have plenty of spares for practice and performance.

Can Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm picks be used for electric guitar?

While Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm picks are often favored for acoustic guitar due to their flexibility, they can also be used for electric guitar, particularly for rhythm playing and genres that benefit from a lighter touch.

Little.Guitar

Little.Guitar

ปิ๊กกีต้าร์ Jim Dunlop รุ่น Tortex Standard

Video thumbnail for ปิ๊กกีต้าร์  Jim Dunlop รุ่น Tortex Standard by Little.Guitar

ปิ๊กกีต้าร์ Jim Dunlop รุ่น Tortex Standard

Little.Guitar

Little.Guitar

Reviews

PROS

  • Provides dynamic control for varied playing styles

  • Durable construction with excellent grip

  • Soft yet firm for acoustic strumming

  • Produces crisp, clean tones on acoustic guitars

  • Ideal for fast strumming, enhancing picking speed

  • Offers a unique blend of flexibility and stiffness

  • Minimizes string breakage compared to thicker picks

  • Long-lasting despite being thin

  • Available in packs, making them easy to share

CONS

  • Limited durability; may require frequent replacement

  • High price point for some users

  • Not ideal for electric guitar soloing or heavy playing

  • Can produce side-tone clicking noise in certain styles

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm Guitar Picks.

User experience

  • Switching from 1.0mm picks to 0.5mm significantly increases endurance and ease in strumming and vibrato, enhancing punk/rock performance dynamics.

    Source
  • Thin picks allow for a unique variability in resistance by adjusting the curvature of the pick, enhancing control over strumming and lead playing dynamics.

    Source
  • Thin picks warm up and become more flexible during longer sessions, affecting playability and potentially extending their lifespan compared to thicker picks.

    Source
  • Users report that Dunlop Tortex picks, such as the 0.50mm, seldom break, but the tips wear down over time, suggesting durability with normal usage.

    Source
  • For aggressive playing, Dunlop Tortex picks maintain their integrity, with users noting they often lose them before they break.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Users transitioning from 3mm stubby to thinner picks describe the experience as initially uncomfortable, likening it to playing with a "dorito."

    Source
  • Dunlop Tortex picks are recommended over Ernie Ball cellulose picks, which are noted to snap quickly under hard playing.

    Source
  • Nylon picks are praised for their near indestructibility compared to Tortex, with some users highlighting picks like the Dunlop nylon series for durability.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • 0.5mm picks provide a natural compression effect, especially beneficial for bass playing to prevent harshness in strumming.

    Source
  • For funk and quick right-hand movements, thin picks like the Dunlop Tortex 0.50mm are favored for their twangy sound and ease of strumming.

    Source
  • Users report that thin picks, such as the Dunlop Tortex 0.50mm, are ideal for studio settings due to their versatility across multiple genres and recording scenarios.

    Source
  • The 0.50mm Tortex picks are favored by punk players for their balance of speed and strumming ease without breaking.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Some players prefer using Jazz III picks for faster playing, but note a learning curve due to their smaller size and sharper tip.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 12 Reviews and 58 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
thecloud9th

funky

need to strum fast? buy this. thats it. thats absolutely all i could say.

Preferred Settings + Usage:

try putting your fingers near the tip to make it less flimsy

tsua
tsua

258

Perfect for bass

It’s like the .6mm picks they have but slightly thinner, making it feel nicer to play on bass

nikfarr
nikfarr

15323

A One-Trick Pony (But It's a Good Trick)

It's a little lame to review a guitar pick, I know. But much as a painter will select different brushes for specific purposes (certain textures, sizes, whatever) a good guitarist should probably have a handful of picks available for specific tasks.

This floppy little Tortex plectrum is my go-to when strumming chords on an acoustic guitar. It's virtually useless for anything else--try playing electric, and you'll likely tear it in half on the strings halfway through one song. It's borderline awful for picking single notes, especially if you're going to play more than one per measure. It's too soft to snap back into position, and it's very easy to find yourself missing beats.

But let's go back to the acoustic strumming. If you've got a solid rhythm and a light-to-medium strumming technique, you'll find that one of life's most sublime pleasures is raking this paper-thin pick across a fresh set of bronze strings. There's just something so clean about the sound this plectrum draws from a guitar; it sounds like all the great background rhythm playing on classic rock records from Bowie's 70s stuff to the Who's... well, almost everything.

chipinaga

God god god

Super resistentes y le da un sonido super rico a mi strat, literalmente perfectas.

fleshwound

Way exceeded my initial expectations

I thought it would just flap around and be useless, but it just glided across the strings like they weren’t even there. Criminally underrated pick.

dumpsterbassist

Awesome. Floppy. Goodness.

Oh boy, how I adore these picks. As a bassist, I find them useful for fast strumming because they kind of flop off of the string, not only producing a harder sound but actually helping pick speed. Overall, great.

jimmarchi1

these red plastic triangles can be used to pluck a string

The red tortex picks were my favorites when I was in highschool. I played in Jazz Band and I must have gone with really light, floppy picks to be contrary. Its very un-jazz to use a pick less than 1mm. The thin tortexes last a long time and have good flex for certain kinds of speedy runs. They sound very good on acoustic. I am not picky anymore, I use whatever is handy (often my hands are handiest), but I used to give a shit and I liked these. I do not know why. They're not special nor are they especially awful...

I know I still have a bunch in one of my cases.

jimmarchi1

by the way, both puns were intended

amazingforlife

A way to use it is a ukulele/nylon string pick, as it works great as one of those.

jimmarchi1

you don't play classical guitars with a pick

joshfryer

The Best

The only picks I will use without complaining about it. (For guitar at least.)

grant_dati

Main pick for acoustic

Gives an acoustic guitar a nice loose tone that I like

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Alex Turner uses Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm Guitar Picks

Alex Turner

Guitarist

Arctic Monkeys

...
Verified via Theguardian

Alex Turner, lead guitarist of the Arctic Monkeys, is known to use Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm Guitar Picks, as mentioned in a feature by The Guardian.

See how Nick Valensi uses Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm Guitar Picks

Nick Valensi

Guitarist

The Strokes

...
Verified via Getty Images

In this image you can see the red tortex guitar picks on top of Nick's Fender Deville

See how Paul Gilbert uses Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm Guitar Picks

Paul Gilbert

Guitarist

Racer X

...
Verified via YouTube

At 14:08, Paul says “Thank you .50 millimetre Tortex” about pick scratching.

See how Rivers Cuomo uses Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm Guitar Picks

Rivers Cuomo

Singer, Guitarist

Weezer

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, where Weezer performed "Say It Ain't So", you can see in a couple of shots Dunlop Tortex .50 picks attached to the pickguard.

See how Shawn Mendes uses Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm Guitar Picks

Shawn Mendes

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Shawn Mendes is seen using Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm Guitar Picks in photos from the iHeartRadio Music Awards Fan Army Nominee Celebration, as featured on Zimbio.

See how Peter Steele uses Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm Guitar Picks

Peter Steele

Singer, Bassist

Type O Negative

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video at 2:36, it is stated that Steele had a very interesting picking style and that to achieve it, he used Dunlop Tortex .50mm guitar picks.

Later at 4:48 we can see a stillshot of Steele with four Red picks on his stand to support this idea.

See how Nile Rodgers uses Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm Guitar Picks

Nile Rodgers

Singer, Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via GQ France

In an interview with GQ France, Nile Rodgers mentions his preference for Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm Guitar Picks, highlighting their unparalleled quality.

See how Jesse Lacey uses Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm Guitar Picks

Jesse Lacey

Singer, Guitarist

Taking Back Sunday

...
Verified via Photo

Seen throughout multiple photos and videos during the years brand new was together are a set of red tortex .50mm picks

See how Brad Shultz uses Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm Guitar Picks

Brad Shultz

Guitarist

Cage the Elephant

...
Verified via YouTube

Brad's technician states that he uses a Dunlop .5 pick and uses the fatter side to play.

See how Danny Jones uses Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm Guitar Picks

Danny Jones

Singer, Guitarist

McFly

...
Verified via Photo

Danny Jones is seen using Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm Guitar Picks in a user-uploaded photo on Irishmirror.

See how Tom Linton uses Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm Guitar Picks

Tom Linton

Guitarist

Jimmy Eat World

...
Verified via Photo

Tom uses Dunlop Tortex 0.5mm picks, according to Guitar Geek.

See how Garth Brooks uses Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm Guitar Picks

Garth Brooks

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Garth Brooks uses Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm Guitar Picks, as shown in a Jim Dunlop infographic.

Album Usage

The Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm Guitar Picks has been featured on the following albums:

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm Guitar Picks, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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buzzsaw_berserker

buzzsaw_berserker

Gear IQ 395

ryanhislop

ryanhislop

Gear IQ 222

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