Blue chip picks

**Bikewer** · Jan-19-2009, 10:38am

Many years ago, when I was first starting to learn guitar flatpicking, I went through the same pick-search everyone else does.

I even obtained some genuine tortoiseshell jobs (this was about 1978...).

They were very nice, but not enough nicer than the Dunlop .88mm jobs I use now to justify the 5-bucks apiece price. (not to mention the poor turtles..)

Having only recently taken up the mandolin, I find those very same Dunlops to be just fine. I would have to ask if a 35.00 pick was 34.00 better than the Dunlop before I bought one. It would be very hard to imagine how this might be.
Do they last forever? (I loose mine all the time; wouldn't matter)
Do they produce such an enormous improvement in sound to justify the expense?
Much like the so-called "designer" audio cables which cost the Earth, I think the improvement is mostly in the mind of the listener.

**Miked** · Jan-19-2009, 11:44am

Originally Posted by Bikewer

I would have to ask if a 35.00 pick was 34.00 better than the Dunlop before I bought one. It would be very hard to imagine how this might be.
Do they last forever? (I loose mine all the time; wouldn't matter)
Do they produce such an enormous improvement in sound to justify the expense?
Much like the so-called "designer" audio cables which cost the Earth, I think the improvement is mostly in the mind of the listener.

You should try one out and then see what you think. If you look back through the posts, you'll see many nay-sayers that became believers.

As far as losing them, you tend to be a little more careful when they cost $35. I treat my TPR50 like it was gold (or maybe silver)!

**woodwizard** · Jan-19-2009, 12:04pm

Originally Posted by Miked

You should try one out and then see what you think. If you look back through the posts, you'll see many nay-sayers that became believers.

As far as losing them, you tend to be a little more careful when they cost $35. I treat my TPR50 like it was gold (or maybe silver)!

Yup! I was one of the hold back and see guys for a long time hoping that some day I'd get a chance to try one out before I forked out the money. Never happened so I just hung out and kept reading all the many positive and very few negative posts about em' until I finally broke down and purchaced one. To say the least I was very happy with the results. You can tell the difference for sure. I now think the price is not so bad. I really pay attention with what I do with my pick when I'm not using it that's for sure.

**man dough nollij** · Jan-19-2009, 5:27pm

Originally Posted by Bikewer

Having only recently taken up the mandolin, I find those very same Dunlops to be just fine. I would have to ask if a 35.00 pick was 34.00 better than the Dunlop before I bought one. It would be very hard to imagine how this might be.

They are made out of some wild plastic that is grippy to skin, but VERY slippery against the strings, somehow. I have two. One lives weaved through the strings of my Weber, and one lives with my Stadium beater. Can't imagine how I'd lose one, since they never get more that a foot away from the mandolins. I think they're worth the $35, easy.

**latentaudio** · Jan-20-2009, 8:10am

Not to start a war here, but does anyone believe there is any post purchase rationalization effect going on here?

How about a blind A/B/C/D test to see if the Blue Chip can be picked out of 3 or 4 other picks?

**250sc** · Jan-20-2009, 8:39am

Latentaudio,

Post purchase rationalization would be hard to prove but could be an issue. On the other hand, there are enough people, both professional musicians and weekend warriors, who feel strongly that these picks provide them with something they've been searching for.

I haven't read all the posts so don't know if you've tried one or decided that due to price or other reason you haven't. If you try one you might be able to establish for yourself if rationalization is a factor.

Personally, I bought one early on and thought it was good but not any better than my Wegan. However, every few weeks or so I've tried it again and find the tone is not much different to my ear than the Wegan but since it is thinner I find it easier to play with. I'm not one who feels I have to rationalize purchases due to cost. The cost of this pick won't make any difference to my lifestyle since I don't often spend money. I'm fortunate to own the things I need and am not a "toy of the month" type of guy. If I can't play something on the instruments I own I know the problem is me and not the instrument. I also don't buy into the idea that new gear will inpire me to play more or better. Ideas inspire me, not hardware. So, in my case it isn't likely that I'm rationalizing that "I spent the money....it must be better than what I'm currently using".

**Dfyngravity** · Jan-20-2009, 9:24am

Being that I own my own business, I know the feeling when people start baulking at the price for a product. In order for your business to stay afloat you have to charge enough money to cover the price of the material, labor to make it, and enough profit to go towards paying other bills. That being said and knowing that the material is probably pretty expensive, $35.00 is what needs to be charged to keep the business going. Maybe the price will go down once everything is up and running and the business is doing well.

If you can't spend $35.00 for the pick than you can't spend $35.00 for the pick. Personally I can't spend $20,000 for a mandolin. Is that mandolin better than the $3,000 mandolin I play? I don't know, but I am not out there talking down the $20,000 mandolin simply because I can't afford it.

If it sounds good and last for a long time, than it is a good product and probably worth the cost. It seems from the website that many people like the pick.

**JeffD** · Jan-20-2009, 9:45am

Originally Posted by Dfyngravity

Being that I own my own business, I know the feeling when people start baulking at the price for a product. In order for your business to stay afloat you have to charge enough money to cover the price of the material, labor to make it, and enough profit to go towards paying other bills.

Well....

I charge what I think the market will bare, maybe a bit less to attract or keep a customer, maybe a bit more to give the appearance of special quality, but basically the market tells me what I can sell it for. And, yes, if that doesn't cover the materials and labor and pay the rent and secretary's salary... then the business will not say afloat.

**Ken Olmstead** · Jan-20-2009, 9:58am

The not wearing is the big issue for me. I love the tone and feel but when they wear akwardly it drives me insane! I just ordered a BC that I hope is appropriate for my tenor banjo style. The other night during a live performance (videos in the tenor guitar forum) my nylon pick that I use wore funky in the middle of the show and started hanging in the strings. Very frustrating! I contacted Matt at BC and he is sending me the stock pick that may work, but if not, he is willing to modify it somewhat to accomodate me. That is amazing customer service and worth cash to me! If it works, I will order another as a backup!

I have not lost a pick in 5 years since I pay more for them!

**Dfyngravity** · Jan-20-2009, 10:28am

JeffD, I definitely agree that you can charge what the market will bare. However, I don't know if that's the case here. Yes, real tortoise picks are very high but that is because many people want them and there is an extremely limited quantity, so the market drives the price. In this case it is the materials and or the process of making the pick that determine the price. I do not believe (correct me if I am wrong) that the material is a rare material, just an expensive one. As of right now, the demand for these particular picks are probably not too high so the $35.00 that is being charged simply covers all of the costs to produce them plus the % of markup that allows the company to grow.

But I definitely agree with you JeffD. As long as people buy the picks and they are making enough money to cover themselves than the market will bare the prices set. Hopefully it does, because I love to see small companies succeed. The small company is what this nation was built on and sadly enough they are becoming fewer everyday.

**Bikewer** · Jan-20-2009, 10:58am

Latentaudio...Being a skeptic, I like the way you think...

There is a rather large subjective element to all this; not just picks but strings, audio components, and whatever.

I read an interview with some Rock God who claimed he could hear the difference between which batteries he put in his effects pedal.....

Over at the James Randi (skepticism) forum, we had an onging attempt to get the maker of some of these vastly-expensive audio cables to submit to a head-to-head comparison using scientific analysis equipment. He would not.

Years ago, Guitar player put up a full-page picture of the favorite picks of 50-60 different players, all acknowledged top-flight musicians. The differences were striking. Everything from pesos to big floppy triangles cut from sheet plastic. And everything in between.

I likely won't be buying any expensive components of any kind. Hardly a buck to spare these days, and I'm not a professional musician. I don't begrudge folks who can plop down many thousands for a fine instrument, and I suppose if you're in that boat you can pay 35.00 per flatpick as well.

**papa willie** · Jan-20-2009, 11:26am

In answer to Latentaudio's question: How about a blind A/B/C/D test to see if the Blue Chip can be picked out of 3 or 4 other picks?
I just lined up several picks in front of me, closed my eyes and began playing the same licks repeatedly, each time changing picks. I found that there was a different tone and quality to each one. Being a newbie to the mandolin, coupled with my deterior hearing from age, I wouldn't be able to tell you which was which: but I would be able to tell if you had changed picks. I think someone that has more experience than myself would be able to tell you the BC from the others.

**woodwizard** · Jan-20-2009, 11:54am

Originally Posted by latentaudio

Not to start a war here, but does anyone believe there is any post purchase rationalization effect going on here?

How about a blind A/B/C/D test to see if the Blue Chip can be picked out of 3 or 4 other picks?

That was the first thing I did when I got my BC. Layed all my favorite picks in a row and picked the same tune with each pick. Listening very carefully. I could tell the difference. The BC was a big time winner. IMHO

**Ole Joe Clark** · Jan-20-2009, 8:19pm

I think this thread has been picked (pun intended) about to death.

Oh, by the way, I like my BC also.

Joe

**Buddah** · Jan-21-2009, 12:27pm

I've got 3 of the Blue Chip TPR-50 picks, and really like the feel, tone and playability. Before using these, I'd always played with a Dunlop 1.5 "greenie" (the one with a gator on it), using the shoulder of the pick, rather than the point. I know that I'm not the only one out there using a tear-drop shape pick in this way...has anyone tried using any of the Bluechip TD picks in this manner?
At any rate, I think I'd like to try a TD50 for guitar...anyone want to swap their TD50 for one of my TPR50s?

**lgc** · Jan-21-2009, 1:12pm

don't drink the cool-aid.

**Andrew B. Carlson** · Jan-21-2009, 8:44pm

My Blue Chip TAD60-1R is in the mail. I just recieved my Wegan tf140 and Dawg picks. I like the attack and tone I get with the Wegan and I like the soft "finger-like" sound of the Dawg. I'm wondering what the Red Bear picks would sound like compared to these? Seeing as I already shelled out $40 for a BC, and seeing what I like about the other two, should I think about shelling out another $20 for the Red Bear? Or are they too similar?

**mandolirius** · Jan-22-2009, 3:57am

<don't drink the cool-aid.>

Well, I started out as skeptical as the next guy but I've had mine for several months now and it really is the perfect pick for me. I am a pick geek and will try anything but I really do feel the search is over. And there is absolutely zero sign of wear.

**kirksdad** · Jan-24-2009, 8:44pm

Got my "V" picks yesterday. I ordered four different sizes/styles a mix of standard and light. I have to say I'm pretty disapointed. I don't like the standards at all. The lite is descent, I like how it "grips", but to me just makes too much pick noise. I bought a Jim Dunlop "Jazz Pick" for .50 and thought it sounded just as good. For right now I'll stick with the Jim Dunlop, and maybe give Blue Chip a try

**Mike Bunting** · Jan-24-2009, 10:20pm

[QUOTE] Yes, real tortoise picks are very high but that is because many people want them and there is an extremely limited quantity, so the market drives the price. [QUOTE]
Perhaps the reason that TS is so expensive is that it is illegal! The source, the Hawksbill tortoise, is on the endangered species list. You can get all the sordid details if you do a search of related threads. The BC comes as close as anything to emulating the feel and tonal response to the illegal ones, to my ears and fingers.

**JeffD** · Jan-24-2009, 10:40pm

Originally Posted by Bikewer

I would have to ask if a 35.00 pick was 34.00 better than the Dunlop before I bought one.

Do they last forever?

Do they produce such an enormous improvement in sound to justify the expense?

Yes.

No.

Yes.

The Blue Chip picks are not my favorite. To me the Red Bear Tortis just edge out the Blue Chips in tone. They do seem to wear extremely well. They are not cheap either, they go for $20 per.

But yes, the toneal improvement is worth the expense. Heck, people spend five to ten times that much to have someone make precise and sometimes esoteric adjustments to their mandolins to make the same percentage improvement in sound.

It is objectively verifiable that there is a difference in sound with the high end picks, but to be fair, everyones' tastes and playing style is a little different, so whether that difference is worth the price is up to you.

**Kip** · Jan-25-2009, 5:12am

Originally Posted by Bikewer

Latentaudio...Being a skeptic, I like the way you think...

Over at the James Randi (skepticism) forum, we had an onging attempt to get the maker of some of these vastly-expensive audio cables to submit to a head-to-head comparison using scientific analysis equipment. He would not.

Greetings, nice to see a fellow skeptic outside the JREF forum!

I submit that I have just ordered a BC and am looking forward to seeing what it's like. They do offer a return policy now.

**Skip Kelley** · Jan-26-2009, 11:14am

It has been almost a year since getting the Bluechip and it is the best hands down! I searched for the perfect pick for years and settled on one kind but, this pick is the real deal! I would hate to have to use another kind!

**Skip Kelley** · Jan-26-2009, 11:17am

Originally Posted by Bikewer

Many years ago, when I was first starting to learn guitar flatpicking, I went through the same pick-search everyone else does.

I even obtained some genuine tortoiseshell jobs (this was about 1978...).

They were very nice, but not enough nicer than the Dunlop .88mm jobs I use now to justify the 5-bucks apiece price. (not to mention the poor turtles..)

Having only recently taken up the mandolin, I find those very same Dunlops to be just fine. I would have to ask if a 35.00 pick was 34.00 better than the Dunlop before I bought one. It would be very hard to imagine how this might be.
Do they last forever? (I loose mine all the time; wouldn't matter)
Do they produce such an enormous improvement in sound to justify the expense?
Much like the so-called "designer" audio cables which cost the Earth, I think the improvement is mostly in the mind of the listener.

I think about the price the same as having a nice dependable car. You don't think too much about putting good tires on it. When you can spend thousand of dollars on a well made instrument, $35. isn't bad at all!

**Michael Cameron** · Jan-26-2009, 10:44pm

To me,the most important thing about the Blue Chip is the way it comes off the strings so effortlessly. Makes tremoloing,fast picking and strumming just feel more efficient/less drag somehow. The smooth,rounded bevels are subtle and very well done.

It does seem easier to hold on to than most other pics.
The lack of pick noise and great tone is just gravy.

If real shell was readily available,legal,didn't harm endangered species, and cheap,I'd still prefer the BC,which,seems not to show signs of wear after months of playing,unlike shell that has to be touched up pretty often.

I'm not saying how great BC picks are because I have one. If there's a better pick anywhere I haven't found it yet.

The only thing that may be improved on is, somehow, inserting a GPS micro-chip in it. I would really hate to lose mine,a TAD 60 with all corners rounded.