Precision Guitar Picks
Crafting the Perfect Pick
High-end quality guitar picks and accessories. Specialist in professional guitar picks and custom accessories.
Steve Clayton, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of musical accessories, specializing in guitar picks, based in Talent, Oregon. The company was founded by Steve Clayton, who began his music business journey in 1966 at the age of 16 by selling chord chart posters to music stores nationwide. Today, the company operates out of a 16,000-square-foot factory, providing quality products to musicians worldwide.
Acetal
Steve Clayton, Inc. introduced a line of picks made from Acetal, a durable plastic developed by DuPont. Acetal is renowned for its strength, making the picks virtually unbreakable and resistant to notching, even during intense use.
Ultem
In the mid-1980s, Steve Clayton, Inc. pioneered the use of Ultem, a material celebrated for its crisp, clear tones and its ability to brighten string sounds. These qualities quickly made Ultem picks a favorite among musicians and inspired imitations from other manufacturers in the industry.
Exotic
The Exotic Series features an array of picks made from rare and unconventional materials like ebony wood, horn, coconut shell, and even stone. Each material brings its own tonal characteristics, offering players a chance to experiment and discover new textures in their sound.
About Clayton
The Inspiration
Steve Clayton initially focused on producing guitar slides. However, when a competitor entered the slide market, he decided to pivot toward guitar picks. Determined to create a product with lasting success, he developed a list of essential criteria: It needed to be durable and non-perishable, had to be small and compact due to limited storage space, should leverage existing distribution networks and had to be a consumable product that customers would purchase repeatedly. In 1979, these considerations led him to design the first in a line of premium guitar picks tailored to players of all types.
The Story of the Eagle Logo
Steve started by simply printing his last name, “Clayton,” on his picks. Later, he designed a thick pick featuring an elephant before eventually turning to clip art for inspiration. One day, he came across an eagle design reminiscent of the Roosevelt era, with “Made in America” written underneath. The nostalgic feel of the logo appealed to him, so he modified it, replacing “Made in America” with “Clayton USA.” He then tweaked the eagle design to make it edgier, and the iconic logo perfectly complemented his guitar picks.
Partners
Steve Clayton, Inc. has partnered with some of the world’s most recognizable names, including Playboy, New Line Cinema, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., and Ed Hardy. Their innovative designs and unmatched quality make them the go-to choice for guitar picks and accessories.
Claytons products are trusted by legendary artists and chart-topping bands like Tenacious D, Eric Church, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Switchfoot. Whether you’re a professional musician or a casual player, join the ranks of those who demand the best in precision, durability, and style.