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Thread: Trying out the Mccray picks..

  1. #1
    Registered User ash89's Avatar
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    Default Trying out the Mccray picks..

    has anyone tried the mccray picks since their launch this week?

    thought i'd mention my recent experience..

    my envelope of mccrays arrived about a week ago to australia after about 10 days in the post...
    the fellows there worked with me very closely to decide which ones to get.
    i ordered a variety of sizes and shapes, plus was sent a 'Fraley" model..
    all bevelled nicely.
    easier / practical to get a selection posted all the way down here rather that just a couple.

    as i told the mccray fellows, i hadn't tried anything in the "boutique" line of picks before..
    my favourites being the commonly found dunlop 'ultex' till now..
    he said they "were like 'ultex' on steroids", which i guess pretty well describes them.

    it's still going to take me some time to learn how to drive these better, and which shapes and thickness i use for which instrument, and or job at hand,
    but the first thing i must say is that
    they bring out more overall sound than what i'm used to (which is awesome),
    and with that comes much more complexity/nuance from the quality instruments i have tried them on.
    and they are really fast....faster than i've 'driven' before..
    hence the 'driving leassons' i still need to make!

    the tone improvement is there over my previous picks, i can feel it because i hit it sometimes,
    but as i play more with these i should be able to dial it in.
    they are differently a different hi octane beast to what i'm used to..

    i've tried them mostly on a gibson jumbo type 6 string so far and i was getting about 50% more growl and grunt out of the guitar,
    and the last couple days have been using them on a gibson type F4 mandolin....

    after a bit of getting used to, i can hear so much more 'sting' coming from the mando, and the "tremolo" strums are real clean sounding.
    the picks really do slide over the strings like butter..or maybe like glass is the better description.
    and they seem to stick to my fingers without feeling sticky..

    let me say i'm only a mildly intermediate player, but the 4-5 sessions i've had so far with these has seemed to bring out more feel in my playing, and definitely the beginnings of better tone..(see above)

    it's not taking long to know which one to reach for to get which sound/tone i'm after
    for a particular thing.
    currently the 'Frayley'...which at first looked too small, but is currently my favourite for how it feels in my hand.

    one thing i do notice is more audible "string click" which i'm learning to control.
    Tony Hannock
    ..long live the small fish..

    gibson #28855 1916A
    hester #026 F4, hester true A5..#034

    joe gallacher '1' size and 00-21 12 fretters.
    gibson lg-0 '68 (wood bridge, solid spruce top)
    eastman slope shoulder jumbo (E10SS)
    '63 strat, gibson '68 ES-335, guitar mill tele '53 Black Guard

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  3. #2
    formerly Philphool Phil Goodson's Avatar
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    Phil

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  4. #3
    Registered User f5loar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Trying out the Mccray picks..

    I tried the Fraley too and felt it was a wee bit too small for my grip. Sounded great though. I am trying the new edge series which at first glance seems like a totally different pick than the regular clear blueish picks as they are solid yellow. I was told it will turn vintage brown in a short time.

  5. #4
    Registered User ash89's Avatar
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    Default Re: Trying out the Mccray picks..

    Quote Originally Posted by f5loar View Post
    I tried the Fraley too and felt it was a wee bit too small for my grip. Sounded great though. I am trying the new edge series which at first glance seems like a totally different pick than the regular clear blueish picks as they are solid yellow. I was told it will turn vintage brown in a short time.
    yeah the more i use the fraley, the easier it is to handle it's size for me..
    and the self gripping of the material holds it in place, which is handy as because of it's size there's not much tolerance for it to move..

    i'm looking forward to getting the yellow one, but earlier they said that the only difference between that and the blue one is it's less likely to wear or break..for they heavier handed player..
    Tony Hannock
    ..long live the small fish..

    gibson #28855 1916A
    hester #026 F4, hester true A5..#034

    joe gallacher '1' size and 00-21 12 fretters.
    gibson lg-0 '68 (wood bridge, solid spruce top)
    eastman slope shoulder jumbo (E10SS)
    '63 strat, gibson '68 ES-335, guitar mill tele '53 Black Guard

  6. #5

    Default Re: Trying out the Mccray picks..

    These look interesting...I'm open to using different picks then what I used in the past. I like the U$S15 price tag on these as opposed to the "Blue-Chips"

  7. #6
    Middle-Aged Old-Timer Tobin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Trying out the Mccray picks..

    I might be interested in trying one of these yellow ones, but they don't seem to be available on the website. All they have listed are the blue ones???

  8. #7

    Default Re: Trying out the Mccray picks..

    Ah, I see they changed their moto from 'better than the worlds best pick'. Thats good because they arent better than the best picks in the world IMO. Maybe the yellow ones will be different but the see thru blue's are pretty much your typical acrylic pick, heavy on the volume and harsh on the tone, at least to these ears. Might be the ticket on a darker sounding instrument or in a volume needed situation.

    They are a pretty good pick if you like that tone, best acrylic pick Ive tried but in the grand scheme of things Id rate them in the middle of the boutique pack significantly behind BC's, then wegens and RB's. Still, nice to have another selection for people to give a go.
    Last edited by shortymack; Sep-30-2013 at 12:52pm.

  9. #8
    formerly Philphool Phil Goodson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Trying out the Mccray picks..

    The yellow ones ("Edge series"?) are very different. Very similar to BC but slightly brighter to my ear.

    My Review
    Phil

    “Sharps/Flats” “Accidentals”

  10. #9
    Registered User ash89's Avatar
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    Default Re: Trying out the Mccray picks..

    Quote Originally Posted by Tobin View Post
    I might be interested in trying one of these yellow ones, but they don't seem to be available on the website. All they have listed are the blue ones???
    give'm a call and ask..
    Tony Hannock
    ..long live the small fish..

    gibson #28855 1916A
    hester #026 F4, hester true A5..#034

    joe gallacher '1' size and 00-21 12 fretters.
    gibson lg-0 '68 (wood bridge, solid spruce top)
    eastman slope shoulder jumbo (E10SS)
    '63 strat, gibson '68 ES-335, guitar mill tele '53 Black Guard

  11. #10
    Registered User mcgroup53's Avatar
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    Default Re: Trying out the Mccray picks..

    Agree

  12. #11
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    Default Re: Trying out the Mccray picks..

    I love my McCray pick I have the 2.5 Triangle

  13. #12
    Registered User ash89's Avatar
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    Default Re: Trying out the Mccray picks..

    Quote Originally Posted by Mandolin-Tele View Post
    I love my McCray pick I have the 2.5 Triangle
    i keep favouring the slightly thinner ones, but i haven't tried them on electric yet.

    do you use yours on acoustic instruments?
    Tony Hannock
    ..long live the small fish..

    gibson #28855 1916A
    hester #026 F4, hester true A5..#034

    joe gallacher '1' size and 00-21 12 fretters.
    gibson lg-0 '68 (wood bridge, solid spruce top)
    eastman slope shoulder jumbo (E10SS)
    '63 strat, gibson '68 ES-335, guitar mill tele '53 Black Guard

  14. #13

    Default Re: Trying out the Mccray picks..

    I have been using a McCray pick for almost 6 months and love it!!

  15. #14

    Default Re: Trying out the Mccray picks..

    I use my McCray pick on acoustic and electric guitar and mandolin.

  16. #15

    Default Re: Trying out the Mccray picks..

    These McCray pick pull tone out of your instrument like no pick I have ever used.

  17. #16
    Registered User ash89's Avatar
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    Default Re: Trying out the Mccray picks..

    Quote Originally Posted by Kenneth Newell View Post
    These McCray pick pull tone out of your instrument like no pick I have ever used.
    i don't play very 'hard' as such..
    have you had any wear issues?

    what thickness and shape are you using?

    they say the newer 'edge' (yellow) ones wear better..
    but maybe sacrifice tone..
    Tony Hannock
    ..long live the small fish..

    gibson #28855 1916A
    hester #026 F4, hester true A5..#034

    joe gallacher '1' size and 00-21 12 fretters.
    gibson lg-0 '68 (wood bridge, solid spruce top)
    eastman slope shoulder jumbo (E10SS)
    '63 strat, gibson '68 ES-335, guitar mill tele '53 Black Guard

  18. #17

    Default Re: Trying out the Mccray picks..

    I'm getting a McCray Edge pick soon. I will give a full review after I get it.

  19. #18
    Registered User ash89's Avatar
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    Default Re: Trying out the Mccray picks..

    Quote Originally Posted by Kenneth Newell View Post
    I'm getting a McCray Edge pick soon. I will give a full review after I get it.
    will look forward to that..

    have you had wear issues with the blue ones?
    Tony Hannock
    ..long live the small fish..

    gibson #28855 1916A
    hester #026 F4, hester true A5..#034

    joe gallacher '1' size and 00-21 12 fretters.
    gibson lg-0 '68 (wood bridge, solid spruce top)
    eastman slope shoulder jumbo (E10SS)
    '63 strat, gibson '68 ES-335, guitar mill tele '53 Black Guard

  20. #19
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Trying out the Mccray picks..

    Interesting... It took me awhile to figure out this site. I play mostly jazz shaped picks for mandolin and prob would get a jazz "edge". So, the $16 one looks like acrylic (maybe) whereas the yellow one is like the BC and priced similarly.

    Quote Originally Posted by f5loar View Post
    I am trying the new edge series which at first glance seems like a totally different pick than the regular clear blueish picks as they are solid yellow. I was told it will turn vintage brown in a short time.
    Is that true? why would that happen? Does the plastic change over time?
    Jim

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  21. #20
    Registered User ash89's Avatar
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    Default Re: Trying out the Mccray picks..

    So, the $16 one looks like acrylic (maybe) whereas the yellow one is like the BC and priced similarly.
    not sure, but i think one difference in the costing is that you can go to heavier thickness with maccray without a boost in cost.

    Is that true? why would that happen? Does the plastic change over time?
    maybe it reacts with skin acids coming off the fingers..
    i have noticed my 'Ultex' picks have gone a little darker with use.
    Tony Hannock
    ..long live the small fish..

    gibson #28855 1916A
    hester #026 F4, hester true A5..#034

    joe gallacher '1' size and 00-21 12 fretters.
    gibson lg-0 '68 (wood bridge, solid spruce top)
    eastman slope shoulder jumbo (E10SS)
    '63 strat, gibson '68 ES-335, guitar mill tele '53 Black Guard

  22. #21

    Default Re: Trying out the Mccray picks..

    I use the Tru series three point 1.25. The wear is very minimal. I play very hard and I use the same style and thickness on mandolin and guitar acoustic and electric. It works and pulls tone like crazy. I'm getting The Edge series in a 1.5 three point. I will give a full review after I get a couple of days working with it.

  23. #22

    Default Re: Trying out the Mccray picks..

    The material of every pick changes over time. They are working on a pick material that will stay the same and not wear as much and last and keep the tone you demand everything you use the pick.

  24. #23
    Registered User ash89's Avatar
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    Default Re: Trying out the Mccray picks..

    I will give a full review after I get a couple of days working with it
    be interesting to hear your thoughts on the comparison.
    Tony Hannock
    ..long live the small fish..

    gibson #28855 1916A
    hester #026 F4, hester true A5..#034

    joe gallacher '1' size and 00-21 12 fretters.
    gibson lg-0 '68 (wood bridge, solid spruce top)
    eastman slope shoulder jumbo (E10SS)
    '63 strat, gibson '68 ES-335, guitar mill tele '53 Black Guard

  25. #24

    Default Re: Trying out the Mccray picks..

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Interesting... It took me awhile to figure out this site. I play mostly jazz shaped picks for mandolin and prob would get a jazz "edge". So, the $16 one looks like acrylic (maybe) whereas the yellow one is like the BC and priced similarly.



    Is that true? why would that happen? Does the plastic change over time?
    The material used for the "Edge" series (gold color) will over time change in color to a bronze color because the material can "oxidize" but, this all depends on how much UV light and or Heat the pick is exposed to. Oxidizing will not change the tone or the wear resistance of the material. The material is engineered to hold it's integrity under extreme conditions, this is called (low creep). Also its "dry lubricated" to deliver improved grip.
    Hope this helps

  26. #25

    Default Re: Trying out the Mccray picks..

    I got my McCray Edge pick yesterday. This pick is what i have been searching for in a pick.

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