PDA

View Full Version : Pick Thickness



AeroJoe
Mar-07-2005, 3:12pm
I keep on file, people's preferences of their favorite plastic picks when they ask me to duplicate them in shell...for most, I keep an example of these plastic picks taped on a "3 X "5 card to use as reference. I picked up a handful of Fender Extra Heavys at a local music store last week, as my reference picks were beginning to show wear from tracing, etc. I noticed that some of these looked thicker than others, although they were ALL labeled "Fender Extra Heavy"...

I got them home and discovered, that despite all being labeled "Fender Extra Heavy", some were *OVER* 1/32 of an inch thicker than others!!!...this may not seem alot, but I know there are those of you out there that can feel such a difference. I certainly can. These were the tortoise-colored plastic ones...I also found discrepancies in the "clown barf" ones as well. #
My point...those of you that prefer plastic picks and have a specific thickness that is perfect for you, get a handful of them and double check them if you want the ones that meet your specific requirements. I think Sam Bush uses a .96 D'Andrea...I #have no doubt he'd sound great with the edge of a cut up credit card. But if you have a specific preference as to an exact thickness like he does, make sure you are getting that exact thickness that is perfect for YOU when you go buy your picks, even if the pick already has it's thickness stated ("extra heavy") or, like some, stamped on one side with it's thickness in "millimeters". # Hope this helps...

Sorry for the double post...meant to add and mention the " Fender "Clown Barf" picks as well but wound up posting twice. My bad...

Jonathan Reinhardt
Mar-07-2005, 8:26pm
I get funny looks when I bring out the calipers in the music store. But that's the test.

rasa

mandroid
Mar-07-2005, 9:19pm
a Fender medium means a fortuneteller contacting Leo from beyond... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Milan Christi
Mar-08-2005, 12:41am
...when they ask me to duplicate them in shell...
I'd like to know a little more about the 'duplication'. I can't find shell picks anyhere. I've even tried in vain searching the antique shops for old items made from shell so I could make my own I have one old shell pick and I seem to go back to it a whole lot. Could use some more.
Thanks! Milan

AeroJoe
Mar-08-2005, 1:27am
It's not antique shops that you need to go to...it's antique shows...where there's hundreds of dealers. Your chances will be better in finding usable pieces. Cracked and otherwise damaged items offer more bargaining power in your favor...just be sure you know what you are looking at is the real thing, not paper-thin shell overlay or celluloid. It's been stated here on the Cafe by various people, the laws concerning the stuff...all I can say is antique dealers buy it and sell it over every state line and with seemingly impunity. Ebay strictly forbids it and cancels the auctions they can catch of people offering tortoiseshell items up for bids. Sometimes a few pieces still slip under their radar. Sometimes it's a set-up...a user by the Ebay name of "borkum_riff" is a Georgia State Wildlife Officer. Gooood story, that one...

You use your own judgement as to what you do with the stuff should you obtain it.
Is there a difference in sound (tone, volume, so forth) of shell over plastic? Yes... Will you like it? Up to your ears to decide. Some prefer it, some don't.

Will a shell pick make you a better player? Absolutely not. Practice will...that's why I said Sam Bush would still sound great with the edge of a cut up credit card. But still, THE point of contact between you and your $200 or $200,000 mandolin, is gonna be your pick. Just something to think about when mandolin testing...might be a good idea to take along several different picks as well as your favorite.