This discussion reminds me how "personal" playing guitar is. Bass players, drummers, keyboard players, just don't seem to have this emotional/personal attachment to the instrument. I've watched a zillion jams over the years and have never seen a guitar player borrow an axe to join the jam. Yet bass players often do, drummers, keyboard guys always. I've seen all kinds of singers join a jam, have never seen one bring there own mic. So.... all these little things like choice of picks, strings (Strums fave subject), pickups etc.. are part of the phenomenon.

Buying a $4 pic is also a small indulgence if you will. Can't drop a fortune for a vintage Les Paul or pre war Martin, but I can have the absolute best pick. Sort of like spending $4 for a cup of coffee at Starbucks.