How To Use Your Flip Pick
Material, Durability & Proper Use Guide
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Flip Pick™ celluloid picks are designed for players who love the classic feel, tone, and response of traditional guitar picks. This page explains how celluloid behaves, how to use your Flip Pick properly, and what to expect in terms of durability.
Proper Installation (Very Important)
Flip Pick RAVEN picks are designed to flex — but should never be forced.
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To attach your Flip Pick:
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Slide the wings on gently, rocking side to side as you ease the pick onto the post
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Do not snap or pull the wings outward
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If resistance is felt, stop and reposition
Tip: Celluloid installs more easily when your hands are warm.
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Every player is different, but we've found that positioning the finger strap directly on the knuckle provides the best position to hold our pick for strumming, and best allows us to continue articulating the index finger when finger picking.
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The strap is designed to be flexible, but you will want to experiment with positioning and practice benign your fingers with the finger strap affixed to get the best results for you.
Playing Technique Tips
To extend the life of your celluloid Flip Pick:
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Use a slightly flatter pick angle, especially when strumming hard
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Let the pick glide across the strings rather than digging straight in
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Avoid twisting or sideways flexing of the pick
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Store picks away from heat (cars, amps, windowsills) and avoid playing with them in cold temperatures.
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Players with a consistently heavy attack may prefer thicker gauges or alternate materials.
Gauge Recommendations
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.46 mm (Light): Light strumming, softer attack
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.71 mm (Medium): Balanced feel; avoid excessive flex during installation
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Aggressive players: Thicker gauge or non-celluloid material recommended
What to Avoid
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Twisting or snapping the wings into place
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Sideways bending of the pick
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Rapid or forceful installation/removal
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Exposure to high heat or prolonged dryness
About Celluloid Picks
Celluloid acetate is one of the original guitar pick materials, prized for its:
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Warm, musical attack
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Familiar flexibility
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Natural feel against the strings
Many players prefer celluloid because it responds more organically than modern plastics.
However, these tonal and tactile benefits come with different durability characteristics than modern engineering materials.
Understanding Durability
Celluloid is naturally less impact-resistant than modern synthetic materials, especially in thinner gauges. Because Flip Pick uses a flexing wing system, celluloid picks may wear or break sooner under certain conditions.
This is normal behavior for celluloid and does not indicate a manufacturing defect.
Breakage is more likely with:
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Aggressive strumming or heavy pick attack
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Forceful installation or removal
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Repeated flexing of the wings
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Thinner gauges (.46 mm and .71 mm)
Celluloid picks are considered consumable items, similar to standard flat picks.
Warranty & Expectations
Guitar picks are considered consumable items. Normal wear, breakage, or damage resulting from playing style or handling is not covered under warranty.
Damage caused by excessive force, twisting, or improper installation is not considered a manufacturing defect.
That said, we stand behind our designs. If a celluloid Flip Pick breaks unusually early under normal use, please contact us — we’re happy to help and want you to have a great playing experience.
Choosing the Right Material
If durability is your top priority, we recommend:
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Thicker gauge picks
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Alternate material options designed for higher impact resistance
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If tone and feel are your priority, celluloid remains a classic and rewarding choice.
Final Notes
Celluloid picks have been used by guitarists for decades. When used properly, Flip Pick celluloid picks deliver excellent feel and performance — with the understanding that material choice always involves trade-offs.
