The Traveling Pick Sampler - Anyone Interested?

[jhammond]

I am planning on getting SAMPLER #2 in the mail today or tomorrow to Mr. JSellers.

Added the following 6 picks from my collection:
V-Pick Freakishly Large (Lite)
Clayton Acetal 1.9mm
Dunlop Stubby 1.0mm
Dunlop Stubby 2.0mm
Dunlop Ultex Jazz III 2.0mm
Buffalo Horn about 1.5mm

I enjoyed this sampler experience and learned quite a bit.
Summary:
Turns out I still like the BlueChips the best. (Still prefer my TP size/style to the bigger CT55. No I did not add it to the sampler...)
The Dunlop Primetone (no grips) was my 2nd but I prefer more of a point than the rounded in the sampler. So, I am going to order some. Seem to be most similar to the BlueChip as has been discussed ad nauseam. I have the ones with grips but feel that the No grip ones may be better to me.
I still like my Buffalo horn picks but this collection really gave me some perspective and they didn't stand out quite as much as the picks above.
I was surprised at some of the others that were in the running for backups: Fender heavy(good backup pick) and 1.5 Tortex standard. I was surprised that I was OK with the teardrop shaped picks after mainly using the triangle (346) shape for a long time.

I like my Clayton 1.9mm better than the one that was in the sampler so that's why I wanted to add it.

I was almost hoping that I would like a Wegen but didn't really like any. I have tried one before this and couldn't love it them either. They feel OK on the strings but I don't feel like they sound as good.
I had the same experience that I always have with the V-Pick and do not like how they feel on the strings. They seem to stick with the exception of the pointed one probably due to less surface area on the string.

Thanks again and keep the samplers going. I think it would make a list of the best things I have seen come from Mandolin Café Forum. Of course it is no where near as effective as the normal "Which Pick" arguments that go one forever and ever and prove nothing...

This process gives a wonderful perspective on individual personal preferences.

[Chris Daniels]

Hello all! Here's the first list update for 2017. Anyone else want to sign up?

Sampler I

Mattslouch - Current holder of Sampler I
Radish
Cosmic Graffiti - (No PM response)
Chris Daniels
Stompbox
Paul Merlo

Sampler II

Joey Anchors- Current holder of Sampler II

C.

[Joey Anchors]

Just got the sampler last night and boy the variety of picks is great!

I'm currently playing with a BC TAD40 (RB) and like the feel of the DAWG. The sad thing is my MD404 will be going into the shop for upgrades this weekend.

Who is next on the list so I can send this sampler out to? Also could I be put on a wait list until my mando is out of the shop?

[Chris Daniels]

Just got the sampler last night and boy the variety of picks is great!

I'm currently playing with a BC TAD40 (RB) and like the feel of the DAWG. The sad thing is my MD404 will be going into the shop for upgrades this weekend.

Who is next on the list so I can send this sampler out to? Also could I be put on a wait list until my mando is out of the shop?

Hi Joey, hope you enjoy the sampler!

As far as a timeframe, some people can be done with the sampler in a few days, others prefer to keep it a couple of weeks so either way you should have plenty of time to check it out unless your mando is out of commission for an extended period of time.

Next on the list is Roger Moss, who I forgot to add to my updated list above. Sorry Roger!

Sampler II

Joey Anchors- Current holder of Sampler II
Roger Moss

C.

[dstratto]

Please add me to the list

[dschonbrun]

Hello all! Here's the first list update for 2017. Anyone else want to sign up?

Sampler I

Mattslouch - Current holder of Sampler I
Radish
Cosmic Graffiti - (No PM response)
Chris Daniels
Stompbox
Paul Merlo

Sampler II

Joey Anchors- Current holder of Sampler II

C.

Hi Chris, please add me to the list for Sampler II, I have several pics to add to it that I have learned aren't perfect for me, but will help many other folks in deciding what they like.

Best,
D

[Chris Daniels]

A number of updates to the Sampler II list already today. This is good since #1 is in the UK for the time being. This also gives #2 an opportunity to grow in variety.

Sampler II

Joey Anchors- Current holder of Sampler II
Roger Moss
dstratto
dschonbrun
coolwood
mandobassman

A reminder to all of the group-established house rules:

1. Current holder of each sampler contacts the next recipient in advance via PM to get both address and phone number.
2. At some point prior to shipping, phone contact (voice or text) should be made for final confirmation.
3. The new recipient should post to this thread when they have their sampler.

These simple steps will make sure that there are minimal delays in getting the picks passed around plus making it possible to track down a sampler if it goes AWOL again. I have to say, I think it's fantastic that we are all able to trust our fellow Cafe members with such valuable resources and would hate for something to happen to them.

C.

[mandobassman]

Hi Joey,

Could you add my name to the list for Sampler II? I had a blast trying the first sampler and would love to see what this one offers. I also have a few new picks to add.

Thanks!!

[Mark Gunter]

Please sign me up for Sampler II as well

[Chris Daniels]

Since time has run out for me to edit my last post, here for posterity are both sampler lists as of January 4th, 2017:

Sampler I

Mattslouch - Current holder of Sampler I
Radish
Cosmic Graffiti - (No PM response)
Chris Daniels
Stompbox
Paul Merlo

Sampler II

Joey Anchors- Current holder of Sampler II
Roger Moss
dstratto
dschonbrun
coolwood
mandobassman
Mark Gunter

C.

[Tabbcam]

I'd like to sign up for sampler 2

[Mattslouch]

...and so I bid farewell to the Travelling Pick Sampler as it heads north to Radish after its, slightly extended, Christmas stay with me. Its certainly been an interesting house guest, and when I finally got the chance to sit alone and go through the picks I very quickly established the ones that made me … or my Krishot … happy. And they were the usual suspects, Blue Chip, Wegen, Dawg, Golden Gate.. you know the drill … but also the round edged triangle Smooth Primetones that I'm using already. Clearly they do sound different, sometimes subtly, sometimes dramatically and sometimes, according to my wife, not remotely, but as I changed day to day which sound I liked most, I figure I'm either happy to stick with what I have or I need one of each.
(Sadly I think I could have bought one of each for the cost of the import duty I had to pay UK Customs to get the sampler into the country, which I hadn't even considered might happen, and left me wishing I hadn't got involved for a while. But the people at UPS insist that can be claimed back when the sampler heads home.)

That said I was surprised to find I liked the Andrea (?) Pro Plec as much as, if not more than, any of them, and I was also surprised by the very different feel of the Wegens which I was expecting to love, they seem to be made of a some plasticy stuff unlike all the others which reminded me of something I can't quite put my finger on. But my instant reaction was that it felt rather cheap, that's not to say that my instant reactions know anything about that kind of thing. I think the highlight of the sampler experience, however, was the Blue Chips with “Mandolin Cafe” printed on them, while not my favourite picks they felt like little celebrities and I was gladdened to be part of their journey.

[Mattslouch]

Oh, there was little I could offer Sampler I that it didn't already have except a Triangle Shaped Gibson Medium!

[soliver]

Wow,... super impressed that this is still going!... Kudos to Caleb (just celebrating his 10 yr anniversary playing mando I might add) for starting this .... SUUUUUUUPER COOL!

Keep it going gang!

btw, I'd sign up for the Pick Sampler II, but I am super pleased with my Blue Chip (and various and sundry others) all thanks to the original TPS, so I will pass.

[Radish]

Hi all,

just a quick note to confirm the sampler arrived in good order at my place. My biggest test time will be this weekend I think, and when done I'll return it to Mattslouch for him to send it back across the Atlantic, hopefully with the effect that he can recoup his losses somewhat.

[Joey Anchors]

Sampler II is on its way to Roger Moss!

Few of my favorites.. Dawg, and the Horn picks.

[Chris Daniels]

List update for 1/18/17

Sampler I

Radish - Current holder of Sampler I (Will be returned to MattSlouch for shipping to US)
Cosmic Graffiti - (No PM response)
Chris Daniels
Stompbox
Paul Merlo

Sampler II

Roger Moss - Current holder of Sampler II (pending delivery)
dstratto
dschonbrun
coolwood
mandobassman
Mark Gunter
Tabbcam

Let's keep it rolling!

C.

[Roger Moss]

Sampler II arrived today. Will probably go to next person next week.

[Joey Anchors]

Sampler II arrived today. Will probably go to next person next week.

Glad it made it safe and sound!

[Starbuckna]

Please add me to the list. I'm in Canada but mailing cost shouldn't be a problem as these are not product for sale.
Honshould I send PM to?

[Mark Gunter]

Hello Starbuckna, and welcome to the forum with your first post! No need to do any PMs until the time comes for sampler to go to you. Just posting the above will get your name on the list. Chris Daniels will have it listed the next time he posts here.

[Caleb]

A while back JeffD and I did some swapping of picks via US Mail. I ended up with a couple of the "mandolin" picks from Pickboy. I like them a lot but since I use the rounded shoulder and not the point, I found them hard to hold on to. So I searched the Pickboy company for a pick made of the same material and in the same gauge and found these excellent pearl picks.

Here's the deal: I'd like to add a pearl pick to each Sampler and one of the "mandolin" picks (sorry, I'm keeping the other one). These pearls will be a bit lighter than many here are used to, but I think you'll be so impressed by the material that you may want some in a heavier gauge, which they do come in.

Whoever has the current Samplers, or whoever is next in line if they're in-route, please PM me and I'll get these out to you.

[mtm]

I'd like to get on the list ... does this post get me on the list????

thanks

[Caleb]

FYI: The Pickboy pearl and Pickboy "mandolin" pick have been sent to "dstratto" for Sampler II. I'd still like to add the other Pickboy Pearl to Sampler I.

[Chris Daniels]

Morning all,

List update time. I don't have an ETA on Sampler I making it back across the pond so I've added the 2 new recipients to #2. We can make adjustments once I have #1 in my hands for inventory.

Caleb, I'll send you a PM so I can add the Pearl.

Sampler I

Radish - Current holder of Sampler I (Will be returned to MattSlouch for shipping to US)
Chris Daniels
Cosmic Graffiti - (No PM response, but is active on the forum. Will try again.)
Stompbox
Paul Merlo

Sampler II

Roger Moss - Current holder of Sampler II
dstratto
dschonbrun
coolwood
mandobassman
Mark Gunter
Starbuckna
mtm

C.