In 2020, Florida-based Acoustik Attak Chief Product Officer (and bassist) Mark Labbe and New York-based CEO (and guitarist) Michael DePietro came to a realization about standard flat picks: that no matter how heavy, medium or light they were, they were all still flat.

The duo’s innovative, scientific series of Attak Piks, introduced with the Ambush and Attak models in July 2020, give guitarists and bassists alternative plectrums with patented raised ridges, diamonds and other patterns on both sides of their lower tip attack zones. The results are enhanced sound waves derived from multiple strikes — achieved with only one strum — on a guitar or bass, regardless of an electric or acoustic player’s choice of instrument or strings. Acoustik Attak expands its innovative line of products by introducing four new pick models: Blade, Blade II, Surge, and Stealth.

Both Blade models, and the Surge, follow the original idea with different textured patterns on both their top and underside tips. Stealth, though structured with a mathematically-engineered, curved bevel tip, presents an interesting spin on the traditional pick by providing more precision and consistent dynamic control — along with an equally-effective grip area.

“After playing with the new Piks for a while, I went back to a regular pick and it sounded dull by comparison,” says New York-based guitarist Brian Goss, who’s worked with New York City punk acts The Noise and Warzone, plus members of Guns N’ Roses, Television, and The Misfits. “It was like a case of reverse engineering to figure that out.”

Labbe and DePietro achieve such engineering through their own exhaustive research, plus collaborations with world-renowned musicians like Goss and sound engineers like California-based Jason Mariani, a Grammy winner for his work with Mumford & Sons. In Attak Piks’ new models, that engineering extends to the Surge, Stealth, and two different Blade Piks.

Blade’s tip ridges produce a compressed sound on individual notes, and can produce a wah effect when overdriven. Blade II offers the tone of the original with even more clarity, rigidity and precision.

Stealth’s curved-bevel tip is a phenomenon, lending itself to gliding across strings with consistent dynamic control to produce a more open, rounder bottom end on basses and electric guitars.

And Surge’s multiple rows of raised finite cones result in overdriven and growling tones on guitars and basses, particularly energizing heavier musical styles.

Acoustik Attak’s research team has an aggressive plan to not only introduce more innovations in the pick market, but expand into other important accessory categories, unveiling more revolutionary, patented ideas starting in 2022. The future is here now.

Attak Piks are available at attakpik.com, with packs starting at $5.99.