Joe,

this isn't really an answer to the question you asked, but it is an answer to the question "what kinds of alternative gizmos do you sometimes use for fingerpicking?"

This won't complement any of the "classic" fingerpicking techniques, but if you just want something that gives fingerpicking a soft "pluck" and provides a unique sound, try these:

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&keyw...20finger%20tips

The little nubs snag the strings and create a sound that's more aggressive than the fleshy part of your finger, but less aggressive than a fingernail or pick.

Plus, when your fingers are dry, you can use them to turn pages in the book you're reading. Really!

places like Office Depot carry them. Note that One size does NOT fit all... I had to buy 3 different sizes to accommodate the diameters of my fingers

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ey71h8ep047758h/AAC12jNM0Hz9Q8zsh5iDeqNHa?dl=0