Dunlop Jazz III XL Stiffo 1.38mm: the metal canon precision pick
Dunlop Jazz III XL Stiffo, 1.38mm thickness, larger Jazz III shape in black nylon. The original Jazz III scaled up for players who find the standard Jazz III too small. The metal canon precision pick. With citations from Dunlop's official product page.
Reviewed by the Change Your Strings editorial team ·
Dunlop's Jazz III XL Stiffo is the larger version of the original Jazz III pick at 1.38mm thickness in black Stiffo nylon. Same Jazz III shape, sharper tip, and precision feel as the original red Jazz III, but scaled up for players who find the standard Jazz III too small for their picking hand. Stiffo nylon is the brighter, stiffer Dunlop nylon variant, more aggressive than the standard red Jazz III nylon. Used widely across metal, prog-metal, and metalcore for fast alternate-picked passages and lead work where Jazz III precision is needed but the small standard shape feels cramped.
What this pick is
The Dunlop Jazz III XL Stiffo is the larger-sized version of the original Jazz III pick at 1.38mm thickness in black Stiffo nylon. Stiffo is Dunlop's stiffer, brighter nylon variant — more aggressive transient than the standard red Jazz III nylon, slightly less stiff than Ultex.
The pick keeps every element that makes the Jazz III precision-grade for metal lead work: the sharp tip for fast alternate picking, the small footprint for control, the durable Dunlop construction. Just scaled up to a more comfortable grip size for players whose hands feel cramped on the original Jazz III.
Anatomy
Why this fits the metal precision lane
The Jazz III shape is the canonical precision pick for fast metal and prog-metal lead playing. The sharp tip delivers articulated transient on every alternate-picked note; the small footprint keeps the picking hand under tight control. At 1.38mm thickness, the pick has enough body to survive heavy down-picking and aggressive lead work without flexing into pitch-bend.
The XL size variant solves the ergonomic problem the standard Jazz III creates for players with larger hands. The standard Jazz III is famously small (and that's the point — Eric Johnson built his entire fluid alternate picking technique around the small footprint). But for many players, that small size translates to grip strain on long tracking sessions or live sets. The XL keeps the precision without the strain.
The Stiffo nylon material delivers a brighter, more aggressive transient than the standard red nylon Jazz III. For metal lead work, that brightness reads through high-gain amplification more clearly. For jazz or fusion (the original Jazz III genre, in red nylon), the warmer red is preferred. Stiffo is the metal-side spec.
Best for
- Metal and metalcore lead playing with fast alternate-picked passages and string skipping
- Prog-metal rhythm and lead where Jazz III precision is needed but the standard size feels cramped
- Players who already use a Jazz III and want the same shape in a more ergonomic size
Worst for
- Acoustic strumming — too sharp, too small; use a 351 shape in celluloid
- Players with smaller hands — the standard Jazz III may already be the right ergonomic fit
- Country and chicken-pickin' — too thick, too sharp; medium celluloid is the lane
Verdict
The Jazz III XL Stiffo is the metal-canon precision pick for players who need Jazz III character in a more ergonomic size. The Stiffo nylon material gives more attack and brightness than the standard red Jazz III; the XL shape gives the picking hand more room. If you want the exact Petrucci spec, step to the John Petrucci Signature 1.5mm Ultex Jazz III. If you want the original Jazz III character in red nylon, step down to the standard Jazz III. The Jazz III XL Stiffo is the comfortable middle.
Jazz III XL Stiffo Black 1.38mm
Why this one: The metal-canon precision pick at 1.38mm in stiffer, brighter Stiffo nylon. Larger Jazz III shape for picking-hand comfort without sacrificing precision.
Related
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Jazz III and Jazz III XL?
Size. The Jazz III XL is the larger version of the original Jazz III shape, scaled up for picking-hand comfort. Same sharp tip, same Jazz III character, just easier to grip for players whose hands feel cramped on the small standard size. Both come in multiple thicknesses and materials.
What's Stiffo nylon?
Dunlop's Stiffo nylon is the stiffer, brighter variant of their standard nylon. The black Stiffo Jazz III XL has more attack and brighter transient than the standard red nylon Jazz III. The stiffness translates to faster pick recovery between strokes; the brightness translates to clearer pick attack on high-gain rigs.
Who plays the Jazz III XL?
The Jazz III shape (in various sizes, materials, and thicknesses) is the standard precision pick across modern metal and prog-metal. Eric Johnson is one of the most-cited Jazz III players. John Petrucci has his signature 1.5mm Ultex variant. Most metalcore and prog-metal lead guitarists use a Jazz III variant; the XL specifically is the choice for players who find the standard Jazz III too small to grip comfortably.
How does this compare to Ultex Jazz III XL?
Same shape, different material. Stiffo nylon is brighter and slightly less stiff than Ultex; Ultex is even brighter, stiffer, and more durable. Stiffo for warmer attack with the brighter-than-red-nylon character; Ultex for the brightest, most precise feel. Ultex outlasts Stiffo nylon by 3-5x but is more brittle.
What thicknesses does the XL come in?
The Jazz III XL comes in multiple thicknesses across Dunlop's material lineup. The Stiffo variant ships at 1.38mm. Other XL variants include red nylon (standard Jazz III nylon) at 1.38mm, Ultex at 1.38mm, and the John Petrucci signature Ultex Jazz III at 1.5mm (though that's the regular Jazz III shape, not the XL).
Why pick the XL over the standard Jazz III?
Hand size and grip comfort. Players with larger hands often find the standard Jazz III too small to grip without strain; the XL solves that ergonomic issue without changing the shape's tonal character. If the standard Jazz III feels comfortable, no need to step to the XL. If your fingers feel cramped on a standard Jazz III, the XL is the answer.
Sources
- Dunlop, Jazz III XL Stiffo official product page, Dunlop
- Dunlop Jazz III XL Stiffo 1.38mm, Amazon listing, Dunlop / Amazon