Pick Click?

[mandofiddle]

I listened to a couple of clips from the new Skaggs album that is linked to from the homepage, and found this quite interesting.

http://www.skaggsfamilyrecords.com/SoundClips/BrandNewStrings-3.mp3

When listening to the clip of title 3, it sure as heck sounds like there's a lot of pick click on the fingerboard extension. Now I always assumed that pick click was not neccessarily a good thing, and that's why a lot of folks get their extension scooped or cut off. To hear it on a Skagg's album is pretty surprising to me... Personally, I have my extension scooped, because I HATE the way pick click sounds.

I'm curious to hear other folk's comments...

[jjboone101]

Man, you're right about that. Sounds like a woodpecker hard at work! Wonder if that is Ricky or Andy Leftwich on that cut...

[ronlane3]

It almost sounds as if someone is keeping time with him doing that on purpose?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif???

[mandoman4807]

That pick click doesn't do Justis to that great tune. At least in my opinion.

Darrell

[Moose]

A "pick-click" on one of Ricky's self-produced, self-proclaimed CD's..!!!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif - This poses lot's of serious questions don't it...!!??... Well, if Ricky does it.., there MUST be a reason. mmmmm.... : I have no doubt(s) much ado will come of THIS ...; stay tuned folks. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Tom C]

That's it. I'm re-developing on my penninsula.

[mandofiddle]

Note to self. Everything I've learned about clean tone and no click is wrong. Ricky does it, I must too http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[GTison]

ALL THIS MAY BE ON THE WRONG SECTION BUT,

I WONDER HOW MANY MANDO PLAYERS have scooped their fingerboard extension only to play it and it was the picking hand all along!!!!! I'm SURE no one would EVER admit to it though. Pick noise is many times just a hangup.

[Jim M.]

There's an interview with Sam Bush, I think it may be on his instructional DVD, where he says he had the extension cut off because the click annoyed him so much. IIRC, he says he first got the idea from either Roland White or Doyle Lawson. And if you look at the Gibson Doyle Lawson model, you'll see it doesn't have the extension.

[neal]

I will. After a workshop with Compton and Long they got me to stop posting my pinky. A lot more accurate that way, and now I think the scoop was unneccessary. But it sure looks cool.

[Albert Whiting]

maybe he doesn't want to cut the extension off because it is a loar. that is quite an expensive extension. by the way i hate pick click. lol

[Pete Martin]

I cut the extension of my gilchrist and never looked back. I hate that click sound.

[AlanN]

Alan Bibey modified his technique to not click the florida on his Loar. And his action is all the way down. Can't argue with his attack.

[earthsave]

I have a few Skaggs tunes on my Media Playerlist and always am amazed at the speed, clarity, and tone he has. He rips through Boston Boy and How Mountain Girls are the two that come to mind.

[earthsave]

BTW, I'm a notorious pick clicker. I just play too hard and dig too deep. Usually so I can hear myself. Havent had the gumption to scoop out my extension yet though.

[Wando]

I read an interview with Wayne Benson where he says he likes the click and that's why his signature mando has Florida. I don't think anyone but Thile actually plays notes on the extension so it seems that percussion is all it's good for.

[mandoman4807]

I read an interview with Wayne Benson where he says he likes the click and that's why his signature mando has Florida. #






Wayne Benson has scooped this signature model. His new DVD shows evidence of this. #Interesting #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif I guess he hates it too.

Darrell

[mandoman4807]

Also, I saw Mike Compton this past weekend at Fast Grass Bluegrass at Lowe's Motor Speedway. I looks like he scooped his Gil, and put the fret wire back in. It looks good. Thinking of doing the same to my scooped extension as well.


Darrell

[uncle ken]

Regardless of the click, it's a cool little tune, kinda reminds me of the guitar lick on "Life in the Fast Lane". I've been playing in on media player with the speed on slow to learn the neat little slides he does.

[levin4now]

neal, the got you to quit posting your pinky eh? how is that working for you? (I just spent the last 5 minutes trying, and then i read your post.) i'm way less precise without my pinky rooted to the top.

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

If I could play like Ricky, and pick click was the price I had to pay, I'd say okey-dokey. I can't play like him, and I scooped anyway. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

I try for a clean tone, but I guess it really doesn't bother me to hear players like Ricky or someone of his stature clicking or sqeaking on the strings. It's kinda like watching Tiger Woods flare one out into the trees. Reminds me that we're all human after all.

If you listen to tone poems its all over it there to . I don't think I would scoop a loar either. You would be suprised at alot of players who do click with the extension down there.

[neal]

Alan, the mechanics don't feel right at first. #Lots of slow picking #and missed notes, # and unintended double stops, but less now than before. # It helps if you can see the guys actually do it. # Accuracy is improving and posting feels weird now, unless I'm trying to crosspick. # I'm actually beginning to understand what it means to have a loose wrist and relax.

BTW I was wrong in my earlier post about it being unneccessary, #played one without a scoop. #Click click click. #So I'm glad I got it scooped. #I'm not that accurate yet.

[levin4now]

any comments on the cd as a whole? like it or not? great musicianship? i may buy it. this time I'm asking for advice before i buy a cd.

[sgarrity]

I hate to be a critical, but it's not my favorite Skaggs recording. Doesn't seem to be much real bluegrass on it. He even plays electric guitar on several of the cuts. His earlier efforts were much better in my opinion.
Shaun

[dj9124]

I will have to agree with Shaun on that one. Ricky and Kentucky Thunder is one of my favorite bands, I will have to admit that I was a little disappointed with this CD. As far as the pick noise that is the first time I ever heard it come from Ricky, he is a much better picker than that which leads me to believe that it was possibly intentional, he at least would have heard it while putting the album together and redone it had he not wanted it to be heard, although I must admit I don't know why anyone would want the click noise in there.
Dave

[Peter Hackman]

I never pick in that area. Am I missing something?
I thought the usual reason for shortening the fretboard
was to accomodate a pickup, pretty sure that's what Jethor did on his F5.

[Kevin K]

That area on most mandolins has some sweet tone and volume.

[Sfss5]

I agree with u garrity, hes even playing a mandocaster, i went out and got the cd theday after it came out, 3 instrumentals, the clicking seems sort of different bc it isn't on any of the other songs i hear.Not a lot of "real" bluegrass, doesn't sound like his type cd