Thinking of switching to a Pro-Plec

[craig.collas]

I have rebevaled some PP,s with satisfactory results

[Phil Sussman]

I was using a Wegen but went back to the Pro-Plec for that slightly darker tone. Agree that the feel is a bit different. The PP does fly out of my hand more than the Wegen. Unlike the rigid Kevlar of the Wegen, the PP I'm using seems to have acquired a curved shape after some use. I don't have a Blue Chip. As for losing a pick, when I got the Wegen, I bought several of them, on the theory that if I have more than one, I won't lose the one I'm using. It's worked so far. But there's a big crack in the floor of the pub where we jam, and I'm just lucky the pick hasn't fallen through that yet. And I've got a bag of PPs just in case. None of this magically improves my playing. Where's that subliminal CD?

[John Adrihan]

This is a very interesting thread. The users of BC- PP - and Wegan seem to have the same results or issues. Most like the PP for its value, but it is harder to go through the strings and hold on to. The Wegan has better grip, mabey a little more money but most perfer the tone of the PP. Then there is the BC. most perfer the tone, but do not like the cost/ Mostly for the reason of the chance of loosing it. And the grip is good.

I too have been trying to use the PP because of price. I also have a Wegan mandolin pick.

I have a TPR 60 and TAD-3R 60 which I feel are the same as the PP just one is smaller. I keep going back to them. They do sound the best and glide through the strings. For me though the best one for grip is the Wegan. The BC's are slippery in my hand just like the PP.

[Pribar]

I never have a problem with losing a pick, the buggers are breeding on me, at least thats what I am telling the old lady

[drbluegrass]

...The BC pics are just too bright and plasticy sounding for my taste.

Chip,


Which BC pick are you talking about? There are a crap load of models. I can't imagine they all sound "too bright and plasticy". OTOH, maybe they do to your ears? And, that's OK.


Tom

[Mike Bunting]

Chip,


Which BC pick are you talking about? There are a crap load of models. I can't imagine they all sound "too bright and plasticy". OTOH, maybe they do to your ears? And, that's OK.


Tom

I can see where one may hear that with the speed bevel models. All speed bevels sound like that to me. I like to have some meat where the tire hits the pavement to get the tone out.

[JeffD]

I am waiting for my BC picks to open up.

Oh.... never mind.

[greg_tsam]

I hear someone is working on a mandopickvoodooo process for that.

I am waiting for my BC picks to open up.

Oh.... never mind.

[Jeff Budz]

Try messing around with adding bevel to the pro plec, you can really make the a lot faster and brighter. I also drill weagan style holes in them for grip, grip cream from elderly solves everything. But I keep going back to blue chip, they just add this little bit of magic...

[OldSausage]

I hear someone is working on a mandopickvoodooo process for that.

What you do is mount them in an old electric toothbrush so they get jiggled back and forth at Monroe velocity. The blue chip material 'remembers' so you'll never have problems with 16th notes again.

[Mandoviol]

I never have a problem with losing a pick, the buggers are breeding on me, at least thats what I am telling the old lady

That's a lotta picks!

[Chip Booth]

Chip,


Which BC pick are you talking about? There are a crap load of models. I can't imagine they all sound "too bright and plasticy". OTOH, maybe they do to your ears? And, that's OK.

Tom

I have used the CT55 and the TAD-1R 60, both have a bevel. I like the rounded corner of the TAD best. I agree the BC picks are "faster" and smoother on the string, but the tone is not what I am looking for. I admit, the differences are relatively subtle and I will occasionally grab a BC and be perfectly happy. But overall I still prefer the simpler ProPlec.

[Jim Broyles]

I have to be honest, I do not get how some folks would use a ProPlec if they didn't have a BC. To me the tonal difference is immense. BC is what I would call normal - balanced over the frequency range of the mandolin and fairly loud, whereas the ProPlec is very dark - to the point of muted or muffled, and not near the volume of the BC. Of course, as I have said many times, the BC is a great pick but no better to my way of thinking, playing and hearing than my go-to Dunlop Ultex 1.14. I can't use the ProPlec for the reasons already stated plus the fact that the material is soft. To me, the strings dig into it causing my playing to be inhibited.

[OldSausage]

In the past I would have agreed with you wholeheartedly, Jim, but recently I think my pick grip has become looser, and I've started to feel more pro-pleccy. I'm still sticking with the bc for now, but try the pro plec every now and then, and I find the drive it gives to the strings inviting.

[pjlama]

It took me a while to figure out which pick the Proplec is and then I remembered my love affair with that dark lady. I got my first one from Ted via a late night Jazz Mando shopping spree. Once turned on I couldn't get enough and bought tons of them just incase I lost one or some. Finally some other pick of the month came along and here I am not able to even remember my beloved Proplec. Ahh, picks they're fickle lovers indeed.

[JeffD]

and I've started to feel more pro-pleccy..

This is the best justification for going with a pro plec. Really, there is no other reason.

[JeffD]

I never have a problem with losing a pick, the buggers are breeding on me, at least thats what I am telling the old lady

I see the beginnings of a separate hobby here.

[Justus True Waldron]

I lost my Blue Chip (CT55) after playing at a nursing home right before Grey Fox. At first I was mortified, as I had been playing it exclusively for the past 6 months. While there I bought a Wegen TF140 and ended up really liking it, especially the grips (I believe Chris Thile once referred to them as "speed holes" in a radio interview) However, two months later I was back at the nursing home and was handed back my BC! I guess the janitor found it and saved it... And my joy at being reunited soon turned to sadness as It now felt strange under my fingers, and oddly bright as well. I stuck with my wegen for another month or so, until two weeks ago I was practicing for a real gig with the guys and realized I wasn't getting the power and speed I needed, and the mando didn't seem to have the edge it did before. I switched to the BC on a whim and haven't looked back since - it just seems to give me that little bit extra "something" I demand when performing, an extra bit of clarity and punch and volume. I'm happy to have it back, and this is just an example of how a pick that doesn't seem to be working in once situation might be great in another (although I only ever play one pick, I don't change based on what I'm doing). It's also proof to me that if there was ever an outright ban on blue chips I could move on and play mandolin just fine - but thankfully I don't have to! I'm quite happy with mine, and now that I've started playing a ton of guitar lately my CT55 is still my favorite pick for that as well...

[Wolfmanbob]

Pro plec is a great pick and I use it most of the time. On the other hand isn't it fun to spend lots of money on experimentation with fancy pics? In reality, I think most of the tone comes from how you play and this is also a function of your comfort level with how a pic feels. I used a fender extra heavy for years, also a great pic. I think some of the fancy expensive pics are made to duplicate the tortise feel which I never really liked. I like a little resillience or "give" rather than a stiff rigid pic. As I said, it's a personal thing, and if you can play, you're gonna sound good with almost anything that feels right in your hand.

[LarryMando]

I must not be very sophisticated because I can't tell much difference between picks - especially after a few measures into it.

[George R. Lane]

Jeff,
You need to have a garage sale.

[Alex Orr]

Meh...I've had the same Wegen for years, and it's all I care to use.