HIGH DOLLAR PICKS....Yea or Nay?? Do you Use One or No Way??

[journeybear]

Kind of what I was getting at. The OP says:

Last night I was looking through some older threads talking about different picks. One of the picks that was mentioned was one that I had not heard of before ...

Do these picks really sound that much better than the other picks that cost much less than these? Do they improve your playing? What do these picks have that all the others don't?

I can't believe the answers to these questions weren't in those threads. Read through them; you'll see.

[Mandorich]

I've been happy with my Fender 351 extra heavy picks..

I use a generic version of those. All white with no writing on them. I bought a gross of them in 1980 and have yet to run out. I've tried lots of different picks in that time but have not found one that feels or sounds as good for me.

[Mandorich]

Caleb, I'd like to try that Primetone if there are no takers yet. I'll even send back one of my vintage late 70's generic extra heavy that I use. Sorry but I can't seem to figure out how to private message here.

[Ultra Turtle]

I used to use BlueChip, but I don't like the fact that they don't 'wear'. They're too slippery for my taste.

I had a guy in Holland, who makes picks for primarily Gypsy Jazz players, make me some custom shaped picks out of the same material, cotton fiber. The tone is phenomenal, and feels much better than anything I've used. He has now added them to his line of picks, all hand made.

[Caleb]

Caleb, I'd like to try that Primetone if there are no takers yet. I'll even send back one of my vintage late 70's generic extra heavy that I use. Sorry but I can't seem to figure out how to private message here.

PM sent.

[Jeff Hildreth]

Magic picks are nonsense.

[dwc]

I have 3 Blue Chip picks, and I love them all. I have a CT 55 for mandolin and two different flatpicks for my guitar. I guess I don't see $35 as a tremendous expenditure given that my mandolin cost $5000. I have guitar straps and capos that are $150. But I don't mind paying more for quality gear. Are these expenditures strictly speaking "necessary?" Of course not. I could play with a $0.50 pick and use a shoelace as a strap. Are these expenditures "worth it" to me? Absolutely.

So why are Blue Chips "worth it" to me? I don't typically loose picks. I played with the same exact mandolin pick for 10 years. I loved that pick, but it had some problems. It was thick, but because it was thick it had no give or snap. It was hard to hold on to, and it required maintenance as it wore down over countless hours of playing time. The Blue Chip doesn't wear (at least not yet), it is thick but has just the smallest amount of snap, and when my hand gets a little sweaty from playing outdoors in South Carolina summers, the Blue Chip takes on a sort of tacky or sticky feel. I still drop picks, but I drop the Blue Chip less frequently.

[mandroid]

They shuffle back and forth amongst people, in the classifieds, Here ,
I've never bought one directly from Blue Chip.

[spufman]

Blue Chip will take 'em back for 30 days if you're not happy. I knew immediately that I was not returning mine. I keep a Primetone 1.4 in my pocket just in case, but I will pick the CT55 every time. I just love the tactile feedback and I think they sound the best, especially in upper positions. I figure the tactile part entices me to play with more finesse, control and power. No perceptible wear so far (about 6 months near-exclusive use).

[Mandorich]

I took Caleb up on his generous offer to give someone his extra Primetone pick. I played it for the first time tonight and was pretty impressed.

My mandolin sounds fuller and woodier but with no sacrifice of bark or volume. While it's a bit of an adjustment I'm starting to like the feel of the rounded corners and beveled edge. Thanks Caleb!

[Perry]

Yea

[Michael Weaver]

I used to use BlueChip, but I don't like the fact that they don't 'wear'. They're too slippery for my taste. I had a guy in Holland, who makes picks for primarily Gypsy Jazz players, make me some custom shaped picks out of the same material, cotton fiber. The tone is phenomenal, and feels much better than anything I've used. He has now added them to his line of picks, all hand made. <img src="http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=125099"/> <img src="http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=125100"/>

Just ordered one of these from Caravan Guitars in Chicago. A little cheaper than BC but not by much. I will give it a run...

[Mark Wilson]

Just ordered one of these

Cowabunga dude!

[Caleb]

I took Caleb up on his generous offer to give someone his extra Primetone pick. I played it for the first time tonight and was pretty impressed.

My mandolin sounds fuller and woodier but with no sacrifice of bark or volume. While it's a bit of an adjustment I'm starting to like the feel of the rounded corners and beveled edge. Thanks Caleb!

And thank you for the cool pick you sent me.

[Caleb]

Just ordered one of these from Caravan Guitars in Chicago. A little cheaper than BC but not by much. I will give it a run...

That's probably the coolest LOOKING pick I've ever seen.

[Pete Martin]

After years of playing TS and then years of Pro Plec, I must say I really like the Blue Chip. Going to try some different thicknesses since you can return them. But I am hooked!

[Pribar]

I have been known to spend a buck or two on picks...

[Michael Weaver]

<img src="http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=125439"/> I have been known to spend a buck or two on picks...

And game set match.....you sir win! I love how you have 7 Blue Chips and then I look down and see the Pick of Destiny.

[Mike Arakelian]

When I first started playing the mandolin I tried several of my guitar picks without success. I went to my local guitar store and bought a dozen picks in different sizes, shapes and thicknesses. I had a bit more success and was reasonably happy until I stopped at the Blue Chip booth at IBMA last year. Just five minutes using a BC TP-1R-60 was all it took. $35 is a lot to spend for a little pick, but to me, absolutely worth it. I can't tell you why, but they do play and sound better.at least to me.

[Mark Wilson]

I have been known to spend a buck or two on picks...

Ding ding ding! We have a winner!

[Narayan Kersak]

I've played and owned V-picks ($10-15), Red Bear ($35 or so), Blue Chip ($60 I think), Wegens (don't remember), Golden Gate ($.75), Pro Plec ($.75), a handful of cheap normal old guitar picks, and two vintage legal tortoise shell picks (which I don't have anymore).

My favorite overall was the Red Bear TriCorner in Pink I bought about 10 years ago. It cost around $25 or something. I actually still have it, and still play with it, but keep it in a safe place, because I don't want to lose it. I've played other read bears that I didn't like, and I gave most of those away.

My go to picks are the V-picks and Pro Plec. Anytime I see a deal on V-picks I get a handful off them. I love them. They are crazy thick but grab the string perfectly for the way I play. The pro-plecs beat all the others I've tried hands down (except for the V-picks). I've tried two blue chips and gave both of them away.

I've found its often the person playing and not the pick that makes a difference. But if you find a pick you really like personally and makes you more comfortable in playing, you will play better.

[Jeff Mando]

Why does my pick cost so much? For that matter:

Why does my mandolin (guitar, fiddle, banjo, etc.) cost so much?
Why does my housing cost so much?
Why does my transportation cost so much?
Why do my hobbies costs so much?
Why does food cost so much?
Why does my family cost so much?

We all make decisions about what we're willing to pay -- and what can afford to pay -- for all the things that are important to us. We all have different priorities, and also different abilities to pay. And these change during the course of a lifetime.

So true! Or, as we used to say, "my income doesn't equal my OUT-GO!"

About 20 years ago my buddy and I were looking at guitar magazines and making fun of whatever new accessories were being advertised at the time, and I said something to the effect of, "If someone could market a $100 pick, somebody would buy it." Well, we are dangerously close to that. I do think marketing plays a role....

Another thought, in general, I have with accessories--let's say a certain pick will improve your sound by 3 percent. A certain set of strings, 2 percent, a tonegard, 3 percent, better tailpiece, 3 percent, better bridge, 4 percent, a good setup, maybe 5-10 percent---you get the idea--at what point does the sound of a $500 mandolin equal a $5000 one? I'm guessing--never? (and how much over $5000 was spent on those accessories?)

OTOH, those Dutch picks do look pretty sexy.....

[dusty miller]

"Can you believe they make a $35 pick?" I think that's what I said to my wife. " I mean what stooge is going to pay that?" Well.... me I guess! It wasn't long before I had to have one and bought one for me and one for a friend to try, we both really like them! I keep a CLOSE eye on mine so I don't lose it but a great pick for sure. Always fun to try different things to get some subtle differences in sound out of my mandolin.
LOTS of picks out there to try, go high end or grab a handful for $10, it doesn't matter! Whatever gets that sound or feel you are looking for.

Kris

[JeffD]

I'm not busting on anyone that chooses to play one. I'm just curious about a pick that costs $75 per. I've never seen something like that.
For those that do play them, do you regret buying one now or are you totally happy with them?

How long could high end pick companies be in business if nobody was buying them or if a lot of folks who did have buyers remorse? Their very existence all these years indicates that yes there are folks who love them and think they are worth it, and that assuming they can't all be taken in, there must be something about the picks that does in fact make a difference.

So check back in when you have tried one (borrow one at a festival or jam or buy one and save the packaging to return it if not satisfied) and let us know if you like it and whether or not you notice a difference, and whether or not the difference is worth it to you.

[Londy]

Yeah, you need to try some and decide. OR, you can have way more fun making them yourself with this!