What pick do you use?

**Axlis** · Nov-05-2008, 1:25am

Howdy All!

I know that this subject has probably been ran into the ground, but as a newbie to the Mandolin, I'd like to know what everyone else prefers. I tend to use an Ultex Jazz III for the precision, but the tone seems to be a little dark. The thicker picks do well for speed, but I don't get the brightness I'm looking for. I've tried some tortex picks, but they seem a little clunky and work against speed (for me anyways). Anyone with a suggestion for a happy medium, a pick with bright tone and won't slow me up?

What do you guys think about the "super picks" (red bear tortis, bluechip, ect.), are they worth the money?

Thanks for all the help!

BTW, I play an old Harmony mandolin, it holds tune and plays fairly decent.

**Mike Bunting** · Nov-05-2008, 2:34am

What do you guys think about the "super picks" (red bear tortis, bluechip, ect.), are they worth the money?

Yep.

**Joel Spaulding** · Nov-05-2008, 3:15am

A very hardy "Yep", in aggreement with Mike B. above.
See This thread concerning Blue Chip picks.

Before changing to Blue Chips about a month ago, I was (and still am) a big fan of the Jazz Mando labeleled, D'Andrea ProPlec 1.5 mm. Inexpensive, fast, fairly bright - but that is my subjective assessment.

Starting out, I had difficulty moving into heavier picks from the typical medium/light picks often favored by our 6 string bretheren - but after a few weeks I was able to really appreciate how the heavier, less flexible picks worked in concert with the strings to produce a more "mando-like" tone.

Can't speak to Red Bear or Tortis, but I played a Wegen for a week and really liked it.... until I lost it.
For me, Blue Chip is the way to go - but we will see how long I can hold on to this one!

**Mike Snyder** · Nov-05-2008, 3:31am

Red Bear Mando heavy with bevel- loud and mediuim bright, best I,ve found.
Dunlop Jazztone 207- use the rounded shoulder, not the point- cheap and loud- darker than the
Bear. I was very much opposed to paying big bucks for a pick, until I tried the Bear. Now I keep a 207 in the case for back-up. The sound is enough better with the Bear that I always use it.
Tried the Wegans. They weren't for me. Different mandos, techniques, strings... different picks.
I've not had an opportunity to try the Blue Chip. I won't pay those bucks for it without a test drive first.

**Bertram Henze** · Nov-05-2008, 3:33am

Wegen TF140

**Ivan Kelsall** · Nov-05-2008, 5:10am

As usual,picks & the sound thereof is a very subjective & personal thing,each individual prefering one or another type of pick. The only sensible thing to do is to try as many different ones as you can,bearing in mind the volume/tone that you're trying to achieve. Certainly in the UK,i've found that most shops will allow you to try a variety of picks & i'm sure that in the US also,that's most likely the case. Just don't latch on to picks that are no longer available, as did one of our lady members on here. Personally,i've tried dozens of different picks,only to find that the ones that Weber supplied were by far the best sounding ones for my Mandolins - maybe i shouldn't have been surprised,
Saska

**Tripp Johnson** · Nov-05-2008, 6:00am

Wegen M150

**Jim Broyles** · Nov-05-2008, 6:06am

Quote:
What do you guys think about the "super picks" (red bear tortis, bluechip, ect.), are they worth the money?

Originally Posted by Mike Bunting

Yep.

Nope. The Dunlop Ultex 1.14 is still the best sounding pick on my mandolin with me playing.

**Bob Wiegers** · Nov-05-2008, 6:50am

good old fender heavy. if it's good enough for Norman...

**Jeremy Darrow** · Nov-05-2008, 7:58am

Dave Skowron of Red Bear recently reshaped the no. 9. I just got an extra-heavy and I'm really enjoying it. It's a little bright, but without harshness. It also has a little mass that makes it feel really good in my hand.

Full Disclosure: Red Bear sponsors my band, and we sell Tortis picks at our shows.

**Mandodrummer** · Nov-05-2008, 8:00am

Dunlop Jazztone 207

**JeffD** · Nov-05-2008, 9:05am

I use all three of the high end picks you mentioned, and I love them and believe they are well worth the money, but I also use my cheapie stand-by picks, the Gibson and Fender heavies. Different picks for different kinds of playing.

I prefer the three pointed shape, because you get ummmm... three points.

There are plenty of threads on here for and against every pick you could think of. The only concensus being that most people (though not all) do prefer to use a pick.

Just keep trying 'em; see what you like.

**Larry S Sherman** · Nov-05-2008, 9:23am

I think of picks like shoes...no one shoe fits every foot the same, and a hiking shoe is different from a running shoe, etc.

Your favorite pick might be perfect when you play your mando, but if I tried your mando with your favorite pick I might sound thin or too clicky.

I've often noticed that different pick/string combinations make my instruments sound different, so a lot has to do with experimenting to find the right tone for your ears. Again, I think this is different for everyone. No one pick is right or wrong.

I have a small tin box of different mando picks. Here's my favorites:

**woodwizard** · Nov-05-2008, 9:28am

I seem to be always going back to the Wegen M150. I just like the way it feels and the tone I get from it. The RedBear is nice but too slippery for me. Haven't tried the BlueChip yet.

**Austin Koerner** · Nov-05-2008, 10:26am

I've used Wegen picks for a while, but then I started wanting something a little brighter. I play with a Tortis now, heavy C style with a speed bevel. The stone picks are incredible though, I don't usually play with it because it's just so heavy in weight. The tone from those are amazing.

**earthsave** · Nov-05-2008, 10:58am

Originally Posted by Tripp Johnson

Wegen M150

Switched to these a year or so ago from using the D209 for many years.

**Andy Miller** · Nov-05-2008, 12:49pm

No need to pick just one! When gigging, I just reach for one of the two Wegens that I like best for guitar and mando, but when practicing or especially recording, I like have a variety around to work with. Wegens, Bears, some gypsy picks in various materials, whatever. Sometimes I think I specifically want a different sound that a different pick might help with. I also feel that occasional deviation from my normal playing habits helps remind me that there are endless sounds and possibilities, that I shouldn't stop listening for another nice way to play any given tune.

**acousticphd** · Nov-05-2008, 1:12pm

There's lots of variety and personal preferences, and good suggestions above. For me, it's a combination of pick thickness (~1.5 mm), pointiness/roundness, and the bevel on the points. I mostly use rounded triangle Golden Gate picks, or a Wegen copycat pick, and I like a final shape very similar to the black pick, top row 2nd from the right in Jerry's post above. But I always end up making some custom adjustments by hand, and usually get 2-3 picks the way I like best so I have several in play I can grab.

**Kevin K** · Nov-05-2008, 1:44pm

1st choice ... Bluechip TP40
2nd choice ... Bluechip TP40
3rd choice ....Wegen CF140 (Chad from Greg Boyd custom pick)
4th choice... Straight 1.4mm celluloid from Big City Strings with bevel work

**Bryon Winger** · Nov-06-2008, 7:05am

I prefer the Wegens. Either the TF140 or the Bigciy in a similar thickness depending on what I'm in the mood for. I have a Red Bear as well, but can't seem to hear too much difference between it and the Wegens - at least not enough to matter to me.

**PhilTod** · Nov-06-2008, 10:12pm

My main instrument for years has been acoustic guitar, and I have tried dozens of picks over the years (I have literally hundreds of picks at various places in my house!) A few years ago I discovered the Dunlop Gel picks (translucent colored picks-not sure what the material is.) Very transparent pick in that they don't muffle tone, and let the string ring naturally.

I decided to try them for my mandolin, went up a weight to the XH gauge (the yellow one) and it is fantastic! Also cheap-I think they are 25 or 30 cents each.

**Matt Hutchinson** · Nov-07-2008, 4:19am

I tried various Wegens (M150, TF140, TF100, Bluegrass pick) and eventually settled on a custom TF120 which is perfect for me. I do occasionally use a Dunlop Ultex 1.14 as well if I want a sound with a little more 'thump' on single notes.

Matt

**Stephanie Reiser** · Nov-07-2008, 6:54am

I use the "Dawg" pick. I love the heavy feel and the rounded shape. It seems to pick faster than the more traditional Dunlop 1.14 which had been both my guitar and mando pick. So I moved all the Dunlops into the guitar cases, and just use the Dawg on mando. Took a bit to become accustomed to, but now I am very comfortable with it. On tremolo I do not have to tilt the pick sideways as much as I had with the Dunlop.
I'd love to try one of the really high-end picks, such as the Blue Chip picks, but they are just a tad pricey for me right now. Maybe I will meet someone at a jam with one.

**Philphool** · Nov-07-2008, 6:55am

I'm hooked on Blue Chips and Wegens, but frequently I get a yearning to try the V-picks. I've never tried them for 2 reasons: no choice of thicknesses I'm used to. (none of thickness 1.5-2mm) and every time I seriously decide to try them, I go through the ordering process on the web page, get to the shipping cost which turns out to be almost as much as the cost of the picks, and then I back out.

Oh well....