The Definitive Pick?

[johnwalser]

I had been using my Fender Extra Heavy picks for several years and then several months ago Mandohack sends me a couple of his new favorites called “Pro Plec”. Most of you have seen pictures of Ted…..well, he ain’t as dumb as he looks. This pick is very slick across the strings, is of the exact perfect thickness for playing the tension of mandolin strings and a hardness that gives outstanding tone. He has even now put a “JazzMando” logo in gold on the back for extra grip and to help me find them on my dark carpet. I use a rounded corner, but it has a pointed tip also. This is just the Jerry Douglas of picks (we’re not likely to see anything better in our lifetime). Ted is selling them at http://jazzmando.com/jazzmando_picks.shtml
If you try these, you just won’t be going back to your old picks.
John

[Steven]

Very true!These picks are outstanding,I prefer the tri corner/rounded triangle(#346),its larger and gives me more control than a standard teardrop.I had been hooked on the Dunlop 1.14 which is also an outstanding pick,but the overall quality (finish,edge bevel,material hardness) of the Pro Plec edges the Dunlop out.

[Steven]

By the way if you want them in the #346 tri corner I got mine from Suncreek Music (suncreekmusic.com).Super fast shipping and a good price.

[Eugene]

I've tried a great many different Pro Plec shapes. Frankly, I don't like any Pro Plec for what I do with mandolins. They tend to be too thick and, in my hands, render a tone that's too "muddy" on lightly strung bowlbacks. Thank God they sound nice in Ted's and your hands, John. I'm also thankful that there are plenty of plectra from which to choose and that none is definitive.

[PhilGE]

I frequently use the small pointed teardrop, shape #358.
http://www.bigcitystring.com/pp358.gif
It's small so enough that I can't keep a death grip on it, but large enough to hold w/out fear of losing it.

-Phil

[PCypert]

I used to love getting a set of TI's from Ted. He'd throw in some of these pics with the orders. They sound just as great on my acoustic as well. Love those pics. I would say they are the most versatile of the pics I've cycled through. The Dawgs were good for a dark tone, but were difficult in fast passages and you always had that tone. The Fenders were always just kind of functional. The tortis imitations never did it for me. Sometimes I want that dark sound and can easily swap for the Dawg pic on one song, but I use the "Ted Pic" 99% of the time.
Paul

[RolandTumble]

I got one with my latest set of JM-11s from Ted. It's okay, but I'm sticking with Ultex. I'm buying those semi-locally now, but got my first from Ted with a set of TIs. The ProPlec is just dull, to my ears (and on my mando--YMMV).

[glauber]

I'm still sticking to the F1 (http://www.f1pick.com/).

[Tim]

A couple of weeks ago I ordered two sets of the JM-11s from Ted and didn't get a free pick. #I feel cheated now. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Added note: This was just an attempt at humor (hence the smiley) but Ted has offered to send me the picks. Great customer service!

[sirtwangalot]

Whats up with the wegen 150 mando pick? I found it very scratchy and was disappointed. It didn't pull out the tone to well, but maybe this is just my technique or lack of. I do like the feel of the wegen and it stays in my hand well

I am starting to think I prefer the standard triangular shape the most comfortable after all, although I haven't given up just yet on mado style picks. I am curious about those clayton golds, from what people describe this is what I'm finally looking for- maybe. Picking a pick is a pain.

[Evets]

Is it still legal to even say the words "Tortoise Shell"? And could there be serious consequences for asking for suggestions on where to actually aquire one?

[Ted Eschliman]

And could there be serious consequences for asking for suggestions on where to actually acquire one?
No serious consequences for asking here, just for answering here.

[niagaraflsbob]

just to chip in - ilike the ultex 1.0 triangle shaped pick with the rhino imprint. you can lean into this pick!! so before you spend mucho pesos on another mando trying to get more volume (also known as banjo killer syndrome -BKS - oh no! not another acronym) you might want to make sure you are using a stiff enough pick. ( oh no! not meant to have any other conotations)

[merv]

Right now I am using the Ultex 1.14 and for strumming use a modified Golden Gate . These seem to work best for me.

[Burner]

A friend of mine keeps tortoises - now if one were to fall down the stairs.......

[ajh]

I've been using the "Ultra-Plec" in 2mm for quite awhile. #Has anyone compared them with the "Pro-Plec"?

Thanks
Tony

[Mando4Life]

I miss the old Pro-plecs...material was a lot more like TS..

Here's my 3 faves....the best is the middle one...

WBL

[racuda]

The one in the middle looks a LOT like TS.

[Gaelen]

Greg Boyd Rounded Triangle Ivoroid are a great pick.

They fit somewhere in between the very hard tone you get from a Pro Plec but are not as "muddy" (as some say) as a Dawg.

I also have a Tortem and use Wegen M 150's.

On Guitar I much prefer small picks such as the Clayton small teardrop 1.52 or the Dunlop 205, If playing a "strummer" I go for Wegen Bluegrass or Dunlop 1.5 - 2.0 mm Gator grip.

Picking your pick is crucial for the right tone for the song you are playing.

[jaco]

They work for Mike Marshall and Josh Pinkham.

[ronlane3]

Evets, Just use TS and people know what you are talking about. As for acquisition of said material, I know nothing. ;^)

[harleymando]

i always use whatever pick i aint lost.......

[mikeo2]

Here are the little guys that hang out in my Weber case. For some reason I end up using the little 207s most of the time. This is odd to me since I paid about 100 times more for the pick on the right end.... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

http://www.mikeo2.com/misc/mandopics.jpg

[harleymando]

i also like to finger style on my ovalhole.....

[Asha]

Just to add my $0.02. #Just ordered a set of JM-11 strings from mandohack, and he included the JazzMando pick as a freebie. #

Well, I was impressed. #I'm actually surprised how much I am enjoying it. #

Over the years I've cycled through Golden Gate, Dawg, and Wegen (and various Gators and other Dunlops as well). #

I would describe the difference here (from my current standard, the Wegen) as less brittle and yet more defined, neither sharp nor muddy, just smooth and well balanced. #YMMV. #(Sounds like I'm describing a fine wine!)

I will say I'm using the pointy end and do find tremolo slightly tougher than with the rounder picks though. #A little practice will clear that up I'm sure! #

Anyway, I ordered a package to allow for losing that single one, as I would not want to be without one now. # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Great service too by the way...

*-- Asha

[ira]

good tone from the tedpick, but i'm sticking with my ultex .88 large tri for now- stiff enough for power and flexible enough to get the sound i want. also, really confortable in my hands and minimal slippage.

[Arnt]

I bought a couple of tortoise picks from the "Duke of Pearl" at this summer's ASIA symposium. #He recycles them from old tortoise shell picture frames, spoons, combs and what not. #I like 'em.

[red7flag]

I use the 3.00 mm Jim Dunlop Big Stubby. I like the grey ones that are not translucent and have less a plasticy feel, more the feel of their Tortex picks. I have not noticed anybody on the cafe using these pics. I seem to get a nice sound from both my Weber and Collings, but being new to the mando, have this sinking feeling that I have adopted a bad pick.
Tony

[glauber]

I haven't tried the 3mm, but the 2mm Big Stubby is one of my favourite picks. It doesn't sound "plasticky" at all.

[mikeyes]

It seems like this is an endless, and in some respects, pointless dialogue to try and determine the ultimate pick since it doesn't exist. Those of you with MAS who are willing to spend the money and accumulate a selection of picks will probably agree that each mandolin is different and that each one responds best to a different type of pick. Sometimes I use a different pick for one tune only because it makes that particular tune sound best. Go figure.

If this is getting too "picky" and you are of the WSM persuasion (i.e. any pick will do) then this discussion has no meaning either.

Probably the best thing about these posts is that I get to find out what new or weird picks are out there. Usually I go ahead and buy a supply of the newest thing but almost always go back to the picks that make each of my mandolins sound the best to me. The journey is worth the trouble.

BTW, TS has not been my choice for any of my mandolins. The range varies from Wegen to the Dunlop 207 depending also on the type of strings that I have on a specific instrument and whether I am playing BG or Irish music.

[glauber]

I used to think the pick more important when i was starting. Currently, i can hear the differences, but there is a wide range of picks that work just fine for me. As long as they're not too rounded and not too flexible, they're fine.

[glauber]

(IMHO)