Chris Thile using BlueChips exclusively

[Pete Martin]

I remember a Mark O'Connor fiddle workshop many years back where someone seriously asked him what kind of rosin he used.

Just like the Mars Blackman - Nike - Michael Jordan commercials, "It's gotta be the SHOES!!!"

[Paul Kotapish]

Originally Posted by Pete Martin

I remember a Mark O'Connor fiddle workshop many years back where someone seriously asked him what kind of rosin he used.

People will grasp at anything they think might give them a magic key to the land of better playing. But, to be fair, why not ask? If someone has already done the reseach, why not start there? Maybe it won't make a lick of difference, but what does it hurt to know?

And some fiddlers claim that the choice of rosin--and how it is applied--makes a difference.

Byron Berline once spent ten minutes of a fiddle workshop talking about how to apply rosin to the bow so as to conserve the rosin cake--until someone grumbled that the cost of the workshop was enough to buy a lifetime supply of the best rosin. That's when he started talking about double stops.

[Youda]

...because they aren't looking for magic keys to play better. If they were, they'd be practicing 8 hours/day, or using a metronome, or all the other things Thile does to be the kind of player that he is. Instead of trying to play better, they are just looking for status symbols.

[mandolirius]

Originally Posted by Youda

...because they aren't looking for magic keys to play better. If they were, they'd be practicing 8 hours/day, or using a metronome, or all the other things Thile does to be the kind of player that he is. Instead of trying to play better, they are just looking for status symbols.

I think that's a bit of a leap. But even if it's true, what does it matter?

[Youda]

OK. Why don't we have a thread about what kind of picks Caterina L. uses? Or how about Erhard Fietz? Or even Marshall?

It doesn't "matter." It's just a discussion.

[sgarrity]

Originally Posted by Youda

OK. Why don't we have a thread about what kind of picks Caterina L. uses? Or how about Erhard Fietz? Or even Marshall?

It doesn't "matter." It's just a discussion.

Because the vast majority of mando nuts probably don't even know who they are. I only know two out of the three, and those two are exceptionally talented musicians. Whether they like his playing or not, virtually everyone with a mandolin knows who Chris Thile is. Michale Jordan has sold Nike a lot of shoes, and Thile may very well help BC sell a few more picks. More power to 'em!

[Albert Whiting]

On thing that is important about Thile using one is the fact that the guy is the equivalent of a mandolin rock star and arguably one of the greatest if not the greatest mandolin player that has lived so far. Thile has changed the way the mandolin is played and has inspired so many young kids to start playing mandolin among other instruments. Think about how many mandolins Lynn Dudenbostel has sold due to Chris' name. Chris playing his mandolins is a huge reason that used ones can fetch $30,000.00. So the point to this is that Chris' name is a big deal and I think if I made picks, mandolins, or straps, Chris would be the biggest endorsement a person could have. So congrats Matthew for your success.

[Chris Biorkman]

Originally Posted by Youda

...because they aren't looking for magic keys to play better. If they were, they'd be practicing 8 hours/day, or using a metronome, or all the other things Thile does to be the kind of player that he is. Instead of trying to play better, they are just looking for status symbols.

A Blue Chip pick isn't exactly the mandolin equivalent of an Escalade on 20"s.

[man dough nollij]

To me, it's not about the name or the fame.

It's the fact that the dude plays more than anybody I know of. I'm sure he practices more than I work, which has (with the addition of superhuman talent) made him one of the top three mandolin players alive.

He is in a position to be very discerning about the stuff he uses. If a pick is noticeably better, he's obviously going to go with it. I seriously doubt that it has anything to do with an endorsement. Do you really think that Matthew has enough bucks to bribe a top player to use a pick he doesn't like? That's silly.

I have Mike Marshall's "fundamentals" video where he shows that he uses a ToneGard and TS pick. I didn't get a TG because Mike has one, but because a lot of experienced folks on the Cafe have raved about theirs. I'm a die-hard TG fan now, and I really can tell the difference. Same thing with the BC. They're awesome. I could care less if Chris likes 'em, but I'm not at all surprised. They rock.

[Mike Bunting]

Blue Chip pick isn't exactly the mandolin equivalent of an Escalade on 20"s.

What's an Escalade?

[man dough nollij]

Originally Posted by Mike Bunting

What's an Escalade?

[Mike Bunting]

That's a status symbol?!!? Only in America.

[Jim Roberts]

Status symbol in America? Not where I live. Probably made in Canada, Mike, as was my Chevy.

I think Mike Marshall plays with the Blue Chip picks now, too, and I am told that one of the finest builders of our beloved instrument is going to do an article in an upcoming issue of Bluegrass Unlimited on the BC pick and the maker of the pick.

[JEStanek]

Originally Posted by Youda

OK. Why don't we have a thread about what kind of picks Caterina L. uses? Or how about Erhard Fietz? Or even Marshall?

It doesn't "matter." It's just a discussion.

Caterina's plectrums are cheap. Just go to the beach and get a seagull feather and trim your bevel. Don't take my word for it. See Mando Magnificat Part 1.

I think armed with a similar plectrum I would sound more like a seagull squawking than Caterina!

Jamie

[Mike Bunting]

Status symbol in America? Not where I live. Probably made in Canada, Mike, as was my Chevy.

When I say America I mean the continent. Not knocking the U'S, one of my favorite places id Austin and I'll be back in Owensboro in September. Not so sure anymore about made in Canada these days, GM has closed a few big plants.

[Jim Roberts]

Mike...you sure have your share of great mandolin builders in Canada...Heiden, Weins, Baird, etc. Maybe they can start building Blue Chip picks in the closed GM plants up there, too!

[mandolirius]

Originally Posted by Youda

OK. Why don't we have a thread about what kind of picks Caterina L. uses? Or how about Erhard Fietz? Or even Marshall?

Probably because they aren't using new products that have just come on the market. I mean, regardless of who endorses them these threads are about the product, first and foremost.

I was an initial skeptic but was impressed not by the growing list of big-name endorsements but by the number of converts that were being made right here on this website, average joes and janes.

But the pick still had to win me over and when my curiousity finally got the better of me, the Blue Chip proved its worth.

[JEStanek]

I have recently been signed a lucrative deal to endorse the Crimson Celluloid Crisp Pick. This is an economy model that even the budget conscious mandolin proletariat can afford. It gives my mandolins that patent pending crisp tone that typically was only reserved for Balalaikas. Sadly, these are imported but they still sound good on my mandolins, even the imported ones... which is almost all of them.

What was most striking about these Crimson Celluloid Crisp Pick is how even the sound they produce can be. Not just across the strings on my mandolin, but everyone who tried the Crimson Celluloid Crisp Pick sounded exactly the same as me. That was a cool effect. So, if you want to sound just like me please see my ad on Jamieslist.com.

NFI.

Jamie

[JEStanek]

OK. That was clearly in jest. I've not tried the Blue Chip Pick. I felt guilty buying a couple of Wegens. Turns out those didn't agree with my mandolin/string pairings. I like the Pro Plecs the best. Somehow I don't think Chris's bottom line is going to be significantly enhanced by his deal. If he helps BC sell some, that's cool too.

Jamie

[Chris Biorkman]

Wow, Jamie. Senator McCarthy would roll over in his grave if he saw that one.

[man dough nollij]

I have just one thing to say about Jamie's new picks: BORSCHT!!

[Mike Bunting]

Originally Posted by Jim Roberts

Mike...you sure have your share of great mandolin builders in Canada...Heiden, Weins, Baird, etc. Maybe they can start building Blue Chip picks in the closed GM plants up there, too!

And don't forget Larry Muth in Regina.
And actually in my first post I should have said "Only in Alberta", status symbols are pretty big up here where everybody gets rich from oil.

[mandolirius]

Originally Posted by Mike Bunting

And don't forget Larry Muth in Regina.
And actually in my first post I should have said "Only in Alberta", status symbols are pretty big up here where everybody gets rich from oil.

Also Peter Sawchyn. I've played several, all great. I think that's what Jesse Zubot uses and he has a great sound.

[man dough nollij]

What's Brian Dean? Chopped liver??!

[Mike Bunting]

And Olla Neilsen near Red Deer.
Why, we must have more great bulders per capita than anywhere in the world!
And who needs Blue Chip, we've got Buffalo Chips and not to mention flatpicks from Elk hoof and moose horn. Hell yes!