Blue chip picks

[JeffD]

For my instruments, and the way I play, the BC comes between the Wegen and the RedBear in brightness. In todays jam I played with the Wegen until the end when a lot of folks left, at which point I took out th BC to play with the few jammers left, a more intimate situation. Nicer tone, but not quite as cutting.

When playing alone, its between the BC and the RedBear, and the difference is slight. I like the feel of the BC the way it kind of sticks to my finger.

I got a few Pro Plecs that I got for the shape. For my playing there is no comparision. The Pro Plec is a compromise in tone and volume. Its too bright, almost brassy, and lots more click, it takes more push to produce the same volume.

[Rob Powell]

For my instruments, and the way I play, the BC comes between the Wegen and the RedBear in brightness. In todays jam I played with the Wegen until the end when a lot of folks left, at which point I took out th BC to play with the few jammers left, a more intimate situation. Nicer tone, but not quite as cutting.

When playing alone, its between the BC and the RedBear, and the difference is slight. I like the feel of the BC the way it kind of sticks to my finger.

I got a few Pro Plecs that I got for the shape. For my playing there is no comparision. The Pro Plec is a compromise in tone and volume. Its too bright, almost brassy, and lots more click, it takes more push to produce the same volume.

Hey Jeff,

I see an oval in your avatar, is this what you played in the jams?

I think I would have to go with you on playing a Wegen on an oval in a jam. The minor volume edge over the BC would probably be more substantial on an oval.

I think the Red Bears would be great for recording (for me.) As I stated before, I actually like the tone better than TS. I like the RB tone the best of all my picks really but I just don't get enough volume with them. Consequently, I wind up being so heavy handed that my speed suffers and I need all the speed help I can get.

I'm able to get enough volume in a jam situation with the BC that I don't need to play a Wegen AND I like the tone better on my mando. I haven't picked up the Wegens in weeks.

I'm going to get my mando a set-up next week by a luthier so I'll have to see if I change my mind after a good set-up.

[JeffD]

No, at this particular jam I was playing my Weber Aspen II (see my pics). I agree about recording, Red Bear probably has the best tone of all, slightly edging out the BC. But they are so close it could be a matter of your mood at the time, or the tune you intend to record.

The BC on my Gibson A2 (avatar) is really nice. The tone is almost milky. Just a joy. I may be mistaken, but I think I can play a little faster with the BC, because of the way it stays put in my grip.

Its good to have choices.

[Skittle]

Anyone going to IBMA.........Matthew has him a booth there with all the models of picks he makes. He ought to sell a lot there.

[Dan Voight]

I just got mine a few days ago and I'm sending it back. Its a good pick but the wegan is brighter and louder and 1/4 the price.

[randygwatkins]

I just took the plunge and ordered a TAD50 with a TPR point, so I would have both point shapes to try. Man, that is one great pick! Tone, handling and comfort are great...as long as I can keep up with it it's easily worth $35 to me

[John McGann]

I just got mine a few days ago and I'm sending it back. Its a good pick but the wegan is brighter and louder and 1/4 the price.

Different strokes the brightness of the Wegen is why I don't use it on mandolin- the instrument is plenty bright for me; I want the dark, ancient tones

But lots of folks prefer the brighter tone and more power to 'em!

The loudness that the player hears isn't necessarily projection; the lower pitched sound waves travel farther and move more air than the higher frequencies. That brightness gives the illusion of volume to the player, but across the room in a jam, the more air you can move, the further the sound will travel, and tends to mic better.

[sgarrity]

Here's the weird part.....the Wegen Mando pick sounds much darker than the BC TPR on my mandolin. I love the BC for guitar. Still trying to get used to the pointier shape for mandolin. They are great picks.

[Tony Sz]

In my opinion, the 2 best accessories to come along in recent times are the TONE GUARD and the BLUE CHIP PICK. I wouldn't want to give up either of them.

[Moldrush]

I just got a blue chip at IBMA and I love it it's real similar to the redbears but not as breakable. the wegans I've never been able to get used to just feels weird in my hand.

[Stephen Lind]

brought one back from Nashville
so far
i prefer the Dawgs

guess i'm also more on the "dark ancient" side of things than the high lonesome

[Skittle]

Check out the BlueChip website now.......new very satisfied users......IBMA winners.........Dailey and Vincent, Dan Taminski, and mando great Adam Steffey.....SUPER!!

[Steve Perry]

Sort of off topic here, but... What's the name of the tune Rhonda is playing in the video on the Blue Chip website? Or, is she just noodling around? Seems like I've heard the tune somewhere before, but can't place it.

[Ronbo]

Hey fellow mando folks!
I played a festival yesterday in Cape Fair Missouri and a friend of mine had one these Blue Chip Picks. I used it on both shows and loved it! I've been searching for the ultimate pick for 33 years, I think my search is now over.

[Skittle]

Ahhhh yes another convert!!! I now on my seven months of use and ...................no wear. INCREDIBLE

[Paul Kotapish]

Interesting to note that some folks find the Wegens brighter than that Bluechips. I typically use the Wegen TF 140, and it is plenty warm for me. The Bluechip TP 40 (a little thinner) sounds much brighter to me, and I use it when I need a little more high end under the ear--in noisy conditions, typically. I suspect that the thickness of the picks has more to do with the tone than the material, but I'd need to do a more controlled comparison.

I'll probably get one of the TAD 50s or 60s and compare those. At this point, I figure I won't have to buy another pick for the rest of my life.

[Jim Broyles]

Well, I've used mine for 3-1/2 weeks now. It is a very good pick (still) but it is considerably darker and quieter than my Ultexes. I like it , but I just prefer the Dunlops. I will not be adding another Blue Chip to my collection.

[kelvin]

Hello All,
I am fairly new to playing mando 1 1/2 years of non-stop playing and am having a blast. I have tried most of the picks mentioned on the forums and have found things that I like about just about all of them. But recently I had the good fortune of bieng able to hang around Wayne Benson for several hours before a show and after the show. I asked Wayne about his pick and showed it to me. I think it was a BC TAD 50. I have been playing the Red Bears and the Wegen CF 140. I like both of these picks but had mainly been using the Wegen CF 140 for the last several months.

After hearing Waynes comments on the BC I order one. The TAD 50 teardrop shaped. I have to say that the tone is comparable to most high end picks but unlike most picks I have used that sometimes take a bit of getting used to, this pick felt good from the start. I also think from a speed factor it is the fastest pick I have used. I keep switching from pick to pick and everytime I pick up the BC I think man this pick has good tone and it is fast. So I would say that even though they are 35 bucks in the scheme of things they are a great investment.

JMHO
Kelvin

[fiddlersgreen]

I now carry Blue Chip picks at Fiddler's Green Music Shop in Austin. I was sceptical about a $30 pick but I have to say they stand up to all the hype. I play irish mandolin and my manager plays bluegrass and we both bought one. They're perfect!

[Ken Olmstead]

My T-shells are permenantly stored for posterity. Maybe a mando museum or something. The BC is amazing no wear after excessive "tenor banjo" techniques on my mando! Wegen's always sounded "muted" to me. Suprising to hear so many comments about them being bright. That's ok though cause I often seem to find my self on the other side of the tracks!

[Rob Powell]

I'm now down to 3 mandolin picks and 3 guitar picks. I use a TAD 60, TS and a Red Bear Mondo heavy with a speed bevel on the mando. I use a TPR 50, TS and a Red Bear C heavy with speed bevel on the guitar. I alternate between BC/TS/Tortis depending on what sound I'm looking for (or how fast I need to play).

That reminds me I need to have a pick sale

[foldedpath]

Okay, I finally decided to try one. The TD40 looked to be closest in shape and thickness to the two main picks I use; a standard Fender heavy guitar pick and a Dunlop Ultex (1.0mm or 1.4mm). I use the shoulder of the pick instead of the point, and strings these days are either TI Stark flatwounds or Gibson Sam Bush/monel. I play mostly Irish, blues, jazz. I'd probably be using brighter strings and a thicker pick if I played bluegrass.

The surface is very smooth, with a polished feel that I like. I seem to have fewer problems dropping picks or having them rotate out of position when the surface is slick (the Fender heavy is like that too). It's a "fast" pick with a good bevel, but I can't honestly say it's any easier to play fast licks and Irish triplet ornaments than the Fender heavy guitar pick. Maybe a more advanced player could take advantage of the material and bevel... I'm no speed demon on mando.

As for the tone... it was worth trying, but to my ears (and on my instrument and strings), it's not bringing out the sound I'm looking for. The volume is good. The highs are good, with nice chime-like quality. But there's something lacking in the bottom end of the mandolin tone. The Fender heavy and Dunlop Ultex bring out a lower frequency, woody sound that I'm missing with the Blue Chip (the Ultex does that the best, but I like the smooth feel of the Fender a little better). I can see where the tone might be an advantage in a band where your really need a lot of "cut" to be heard, but right now I'm looking for a more balanced sound.

So there 'ya go; the BC doesn't work for everyone. I don't consider the money wasted, because it's actually closer to what I'm looking for than the Red Bear, Dawg, and Wegen picks I've tried. So it will stay in the herd of backup picks, and one day I might find an instrument where it's a good match.

[Dan Adams]

I think I found the oppisite of the Blue Chip? I bought a couple bio-degradeble chips at a small Celtic shop on Friday. They're made out of wheat fiber. I went to the website, Wheatware.com, and they were at NAMM. So much for my discovery. Interesting difference in philosophies; a chip that last forever, and one that is will disappear over time. Hey, that discribes all my picks! No financial interest on my behalf, just an interesting find. I've been playing a medium and a heavy on my different instruments, and I don't really have an opinion one way or the other at this time. Dan

[alanz]

As a novice mandolin player, I've been using a TPR60 happily for the past couple of months on a Big Muddy M0-W mandolin.

I recently acquired an Ovation MCS148 and would like another Blue Chip pick for this instrument and as an alternate pick for the Big Muddy.

So, I'm wondering which would be a good pick to order that's a little different from the TPR60 I already have. Perhaps a TP60 or TP50? Which would have the most noticable change... the tri-point shape or the thinner pick?

Thanks for your thoughts.

[Philphool]

..... which would be a good pick to order that's a little different from the TPR60 I already have. Perhaps a TP60 or TP50? Which would have the most noticable change... the tri-point shape or the thinner pick?

The thinner would make more difference IMHO.
Although I really find less difference in the different thicknesses with the BC as compared to other material picks.