Fred Kelly Picks

Many distinguished artists use Fred Kelly picks including:

Fred Kelly Players

Here’s what they have to say about Fred Kelly picks:









Doyle Dykes


“I use the thumb pick, in fact this little pick has my name on it. I was pretty jazzed up about that. This is the Kelly Speed Pick. It has the long shank on it and I like that because you can really get down on it. It has a nice angle.” — Doyle Dykes






















Thom Bresh

“The only thing that I can simply say is these are the only picks I use. They are the only picks that sound good.” — Thom Bresh





















Tommy Flint



Tommy Flint is a suberb fingerstyle guitar soloist. He resides in Nashville Tennessee. In addition, he is actively involved in fingerstyle guitar workshops and clinics. He is an expert on the Merle Travis (his cousin) guitar style and performs a colorful assortment of country fingerpicking styles.

















Pat Kirtley


“Fred Kelly makes the best thumb pick. The Slick Pick is my favorite, it is the only pick I use.”– Pat Kirtley



























Cal Denison





















Laurol Luppi (with Tommy Emmanuel)


“The best pick for me is the Polycarb Slick Pick X-heavy. It creates really great sound from the guitar, and is small enough to allow my hand to move freely. The bumblebee picks are very nice too, but the Slick pick is the right pick for me.”







Kynch O’Kaine

I used to cut, widdle, and file my thumbpicks just to get them to be usable. It was a time consuming process that produced inconsistent results. I am happy to say that those days are over! Every one of Fred’s picks are consistent. They all sound great and I find them very comfortable! Because of the Bumblebee’s comfort and agility, I am now able play ideas and shapes that had technically stumped me in past.

As a veteran faculty member at the University of Miami’s Studio Music and Jazz Program I have to teach, play, and perform in a variety of styles, be it Jazz, Country, Funk, Folk, Fingerstyle, or Rock. This thumbpick handles it ALL with ease. Even pinch harmonics can be had because the ingenious design of the thumbpick strap doesn’t totally enclose the thumb! Beautiful work Fred…I’d like to order 1000 more!”






















Kenny Gill


“I’ve tried many different kinds of thumb picks over the years but none have been as comfortable and as great as the”FRED KELLY” picks!”


Thanks Fred, Kenny Gill, Nashville, TN



















Buster B. Jones


“Fred, you’re the best! Thanks”





















Michael Fath


There are countless thumb picks available. However, some of us need the small, yet heavy, jazz pick design; for the flat or circular picking techniques that the best fusion, jazz and rock players possess, and the thumbpick concept for the flashiest rockability, country and blues licks we also need to play. Fred Kelly’s bumblebee pick is without a doubt, the ONLY pick that gives us the best of both worlds! Many thanks Fred, for keeping me at the cutting edge! -Michael Fath

















Anthony Smith


Like all your products they set a new standard of Excellence! Fred Kelly Picks raise the Bar to a Higher Level when it comes to Quality. Fred Kelly Picks Improve the Performer’s Performance! Thank You so Much! God Bless You! Anthony

David Gillis


I have been using the yellow Fred Kelly thumb pick for quite a number of years now.
I like the minimalist design, using a small amount of plastic making it very light weight and maneuverable.
This design fits snugly on my thumb so it “stays put” and it doesn’t make an annoying ‘click’ sound when I engage the string. I buy these picks because I haven’t found anything better.
















Eddie Pennington

While teaching at guitar camps I used to show students how to shape their thumbpicks so they could use them to pick with. A few years ago I met Mr. Fred Kelly and he gave me a slick pick, and I looked at it and realized that is how I’ve been having to shape my thumbpicks. I think a Fred Kelly thumbpick will help any picker to play better. Just put one on and leave it on long enough to get used to it and you’ll never be happy with anybody else’s pick. Also, I know Mr. Kelly, and he cares about us pickers because he is a picker too. Do you know who’s pick your using, and do they even care if you use their pick?












Richard Kiser
Christian Guitarist