Our picks to store and show off your favorite guitar picks
If you’ve read our article on guitar display cases, you’re probably already thinking about displaying a prized guitar on your wall. But what about your guitar picks? Let’s face it, guitar picks are easy to lose. And what about those personalized, sentimental, or prized guitar picks? To help you keep your picks organized, we suggest a guitar pick case. We’ve rounded up a selection of guitar pick cases for pick storage.
And, if you have personalized, or otherwise special guitar picks, you’ll want a guitar pick display case. These are purpose-built frames for displaying guitar picks. We’ll share some options for those as well.
How Special Are Your Guitar Picks?
Guitar picks fall into two categories:
- Picks that you regularly use to play guitar
- Special picks that you want to display
Your guitar picks will be less likely to go missing if you keep them in one place. And as a bonus, keeping your pick collection together means it will be easy to swap picks on a whim. For my part, I regularly switch between multiple types of Dunlop Jazz III picks, depending on the guitar I am using and the tone I’m going for at a given time (see our article on Jazz III picks for tonal impressions and recommendations).
Guitar Pick Storage and Organization
First let’s discuss the first category, which are picks that you use to play guitar regularly. We all know that picks have a tendency to disappear, and it’s a drag to lose one of your favorites. And since today we enjoy a bevy of pick choices at all price points, there’s a good chance you may have an expensive pick, such as a D’Addario Casein, or a pick from Blue Chip. And finally, you’ll want to keep them away from babies, pets and vacuum cleaners.
Guitar Pick Case Sizing
There are two things to keep in mind for sizing when choosing a pick box or display frame. First, how much pick storage do you require? If you’re the kind of player who likes a large number of picks because you swap between different types, you’ll want to choose a pick case that has some depth.
Second, the type of pick. Our guitar pick case recommendations can hold any size or type of pick. On the other hand, the guitar pick display frame choices are designed for standard, classic Fender-size picks.
Guitar Pick Cases: Our Picks
1. EXCEART Guitar Display Case
The Exceart case is a simple, handsome wooden guitar pick case.
2. Bnineteenteam Beech Wood Guitar Picks Box
Bnineteenteam’s wooden case is constructed of genuine Beech wood, and shaped like a guitar pick. Note that this case is a compact design, and will hold fewer picks than other cases. It’s a good choice for when you have a few select picks that you want to keep on hand. The natural beech color is pleasing, and the wood grain is attractive.
3. Musiin Walnut Wood Guitar Pick Box
The Musin is very similar to the EXCEART, but made of Walnut.
4. ARTIBETTER Guitar Wood Picks Box
The Artibetter offers generous pick storage space in an attractive, guitar-shaped box. It doesn’t have a cover, so choose another if that is a requirement.
5. Modern Artesian Guitar Pick Caddy Box
This is a different take on pick storage, and I like it. It’s made of Aspen wood, and reviews say that it’s nicer than expected. The finish has an attractive sheen to it, and the sliding fretboard top is unique. To my eyes this has a midcentury, vintage vibe, and will definitely be a topic of conversation when people realize what it is. I also love the fact that they included a maple fretboard in the design!
Ashtrays
Surprised to see a smoking utensil? Don’t be. I’ve found that ashtrays are an excellent way to store guitar picks. Ashtrays are great because many of them have a rounded shape, and this makes it easy to scoop a pick out of it. Of course, you’ll want an ashtray that hasn’t been used, because the last thing you want are ashes on your picks (yuck!)
1. Hoobar Ceramic Ashtray
The Hoobar is a Chinese-style ceramic style that comes in 4 colors.
2. Amzcku Ceramic Ashtray
At first, I wasn’t sure if I liked the Amxcku, but the look has grown on me. The black faux-marble and gold has a dark, 70’s rocker vibe.
3. Bey Berk Black Marble Cigar Ashtray
Unlike the Amzcku, the Bey Berk is genuine black marble. It’s quite attractive, and since it’s made of stone it will have superior durability. Fancy cigarette not included.
4. Raw Hyd Solid Indian Walnut Cigar Ashtray
The Raw Hyd is made of Indian Walnut. This wood is in the Juglandaceae family, and to my knowledge is not used in guitar construction. But hey, this is an ashtray, after all. Bottom line is that it looks good. The Indian Walnut wood radiates warmth, and will compliment the wood grain of your guitar.
5. Kepfire Simple Style Crystal Square Ashtray
Now for something completely different. The Kepfire is made of amber-colored glass. At 1.5” deep, it will hold an assortment of plectrums. Being made of glass, it has some heft, and will stay where you put it.
Guitar Pick Display Cases
Now let’s talk about Category 2, which are special picks that you want to save and display. A collection of picks takes on a new level of significance when they are in a display case. But you don’t need to be a collector of picks to display them. Other reasons to display guitar picks include:
- You have a pick from one of your favorite guitar players
- You have a pick from a memorable concert that you attended
- You have a pick from a famous guitar player
In all of these scenarios, a guitar pick display case makes a lot of sense. Displaying guitar picks is economical, it doesn’t take up a lot of room, and it will protect a cherished plectrum.
Pick display cases are pretty straightforward, as they are basically a frame that is sized to hold a specified number of picks. The exception is the HHUXIUE Guitar Pick Holder, listed below, which is an entirely different design.
1. Tiny Treasures – 2 Pick Display
This is small, and perfect for showing off one or two special picks. The frame is made of wood and the clear Acrylic window offers UV protection as well.
2. Tiny Treasures – 6 Pick Display
If you have a few more special picks, this is the one. It has the same features as the 2 pick display.
3. Tiny Treasures – 12 Pick Display
Up the ante with a 12 pick display from Tiny Treasures. It has the same features as the others, and enough storage to display a decent collection of plectrums.
4. Open Road Brands Guitar Pick Frame
This is the big guy. For when you have—or expect to have—many guitar picks, this large frame from Open Road will hold 60 guitar picks! Dimensions are 23.875″ W X 16.25″ H X 0.75″ D. The frame is constructed of MDF, and is made in the USA.
5. HHUXIUE Guitar Pick Holder & Display Case
For something different, take a look a this HHUXIUE display. It’s not a frame, but is instead a cross between a pick storage solution and a pick display. It is constructed of Black Walnut, and holds up to 50 picks.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are pick collector, or just suffer from chronic misplacement of guitar picks, a guitar pick case is an instant upgrade compared your picks getting lost in the cushions. And don’t sleep on the ashtray idea, either. I personally keep my plectrums in an inexpensive glass ashtray, and have found that it works extremely well for me.
Happy Playing!