Blue Chip - has anyone tried the really thick 80 or 100 versions?

**terzinator** · Jun-13-2012, 1:20pm

I like my CT55 just fine, but I'm curious about the TAD80 ($50) and TAD100 ($75!)...

I know Matthew has a return-it-if-ya-don't-like-it policy, but just wondering if any of you have tried those two thicker picks, and what you think about them.

**John Duncan** · Jun-13-2012, 2:04pm

I have used the 80 once at a jam when I was trying a buddy's mandolin. For me personally, it felt like holding a small pebble

I think it will be totally up to what you can adapt to and what you like out of a pick. I like thinner, tear drop style picks. If you have been using a pick that is 55/1000 of an inch, then 80/1000 of an inch might take some time to get used to. I know it would for me.

**Philphool** · Jun-13-2012, 4:37pm

I've got a TAD80 that I've been using for one mandolin for the past 6 months. I don't like it for my more responsive mandolins, but it works well for the one that needs just a little more umph to get the best tone.

Using it lets me deliver the required energy to the strings and FEELS LIKE I'm using the same movement and energy that I use with thinner picks on the more responsive instruments. Could it be 'placebo effect'? Maybe. But it meets my purpose well.

For the record, my go-to pick is the TAD60 and I do also like the 55.

YMMV

**fredfrank** · Jun-13-2012, 7:44pm

I have used a TAD 80, and actually have two of them. I tried a TAD 100, but it was just too thick to get through the strings. It just wanted to glide up and over the strings. Probably just for bass or something like that. The 80's produce wonderful tone, but I have a hard time playing really fast stuff with it.

Wait a minute, I have a hard time playing really fast with anything.

**Mike Snyder** · Jun-13-2012, 8:34pm

I have a TAD80-1R and I love it. I lost a 60 1R at Winfield 2110 and went to the BC booth and bought the 80 from the man himself. It's a chunk but I have a Red Bear thats thicker. Probably no need to regurgitate all the kudos on BCs. I like thick picks with a kinda intermediate point, not rounded but not "standard guitar pick pointy". Tone is BC bright, but my instrument is darkwoody sounding and I select strings, set-up and picks with that sound in mind. The Red Bear is darker and noticably thicker than the BC 80 and has a tone I love, but the BC is really fast and slick. I usta go to a Wegen TF-140 when the session got really loud for volume but the BC has plenty and I use it unless alcohol is a (loss) factor. Matt didn't have a 100 on hand when I bought mine or, who knows? I love it and tell folks it's a Clovis point.

**John Duncan** · Jun-13-2012, 8:44pm

Originally Posted by Mike Snyder

...I lost a 60 1R at Winfield 2110...

Wow! Whats Winfield like in the future? What tunes are people playing at 5500 BPM?

**evanreilly** · Jun-13-2012, 9:28pm

I regularly used a TAD80 and was extremely happy with the feel and playability of it. Then a friend gave me a TAD80-1R and that has become my fave pick. The rounded corner gives me a really smooth sense of gliding across the strings. So, now I have two of them!!!!!!

**terzinator** · Jun-14-2012, 8:57am

Thanks, guys. I think the 80 with the Thile-like points would be sweet. (Although maybe the Thile is a bit more beveled, but not sure about that.)

I don't think I'd want the 1R. I used to have a TPR-60, and I rounded one of the points even more... While the rounded side glided nicely, it made me feel a little sloppy and I couldn't get any volume. So I was always futzing with it to avoid that side, and I just preferred the points on the Thile55.

I think the thing I'd like about the 80 is for what Philiphool says: that it would give more oomph while not feeling like I had to play harder.

Leaning toward giving it a try, but keep the comments coming!

**Buck** · Jun-18-2012, 10:24am

I bought a used TAD-80 for $25 and reshaped it to a TPR shape, with a shorter bevel. The standard BC speed bevel is about twice the length of my natural wear pattern and leads to a much thinner edge. I do not like it at all. I now order my BC's with no bevel and shape it myself.

**terzinator** · Oct-04-2012, 4:09pm

Bit the bullet and ordered a TAD-80. Love it. I thought it would feel too thick, but the thing feels great and glides nicely over the strings. I feel like the pick's mass helps smooth things out, and I don't get the yips by trying to control things too much.

Like using a really massive putter on the golf course. Just trust and let go.