I've been playing guitar for 15 years or so, and I have been using these picks for as long as I can remember. I started out with regular Tortex plectrums and made my way up to these. The first time you pick it up, you instantly feel that embossed grip surface. The only downside I can see to this plectrum is the color, if you lose a black plectrum on stage you won't find it again, but that's why you buy them in bags of 72!