Re: Who has thin bluechips?
The only thing I care about is sound. I like the way the BC glides across the strings, but the Wegen is very similar. The 35 BC was not giving me the sound I wanted, nor the TF100 Wegen. I thinned the Wegen and now it is great. Not sure about thinning a BC, but unless you have a very bright mandolin those thick picks are dead sounding on the lower strings.
Re: Who has thin bluechips?
Just got my BC TAD 40 today. If love it. My BC pic progression has been TP 65, TP 55, TAD 60, CT55( which is a TAD55), TAD 50, TAD 45, and now the TAD 40.
I’ve sold all the thicker ones, in case you worried that I had +$200 BC collection!:disbelief:
The attack is deep and thunky, not smooth like thicker models. My Ratliff is deep and woody toned, so it doesn’t suffer from needing to be darkened.
It is a fast and precise pick, and gave me the sense of control that I felt the thicker picks distract from.
I’ll report back after my next gig this week.
Re: Who has thin bluechips?
I have a TAD 60, TD 50, & TPR 40. Currently favoring the 40. Don Rigsby recommended the 40.
Re: Who has thin bluechips?
Interestingly, I was selling a BlueChip Kenny Smith 40 and picked it up to play with the other day and found that because of it's smaller than usual size it worked well for me - I've tried a TPR40 in the past and ended up selling it as I felt that it hindered me a wee bit when playing triplets, they weren't quite as clean as I like them to be. For some reason with the smaller sized KS40 that's not an issue and I really like the tone I'm getting with it! Guess it's not for sale anymore!
Re: Who has thin bluechips?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jill McAuley
I use a TPR35 and don't find that it flexes at all really - the main difference I find between it and heavier Blue Chips is the tone - if I use a TPR40 the tone is a bit warmer and fuller sounding with more volume, but I find that the TPR35 moves across the strings easier for me so I prefer it for that reason. FYI I also play Irish traditional music exclusively.
I use a small Jazz 35 for Irish, klezmer and classical. It seems a little less 'warm' than the TPR 35 and it is a bit harder to do tremlo. (for that, I use the rounded side). But I love that it can be very quick and articulate. And volume is no problem. I think all BC picks are stiff, maybe the thin one bends a little, but I think that I compensate with "letting the pick move" rather than 'moving the strings with the pick'. The thicker picks do move across the strings easier as Jill says.
Re: Who has thin bluechips?
I added a Blue Chip SR 60 this week with the round bevel. I also own a CT 55. They are worth the price!
Re: Who has thin bluechips?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
MontanaMatt
I have been using a TAD 45 for a while now, having thinned down from TAD 50. I think I want to go thinner...do any of you use a TAD 40 or thinner? Does it remain stiff at the thinner gauges? I’m playing hard drivin bluegrass with a heavy handed technique.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
I've never played them, but I believe there's a company out there called Charmed Life that uses the same or similar material that BC uses and I think they might go a little thinner. Again, never played 'em, but have buddies who have.
M&M
Re: Who has thin bluechips?
Re: Who has thin bluechips?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mando&Me
I've never played them, but I believe there's a company out there called Charmed Life that uses the same or similar material that BC uses and I think they might go a little thinner. Again, never played 'em, but have buddies who have.
M&M
I have a Charmed Life pick in the material they use that is similar to BC's. I have one in .70mm gauge (which replaced the .60mm I'd originally purchased that chipped after 5 min of playing, but they were stand up about replacing it). They advertise the .60mm as being for "soft strumming", stating that they're not intended for "heavy lead playing. I use it for strumming guitar - don't know how it would stand up to tenor banjo playing and it's too thin for mandolin playing for my liking.
BC will make thinner picks as custom orders - I seem to remember seeing a guitar shop (who's name I no longer remember) advertising a run of custom thin BC picks - they were thinner than BC's usual thinnest pick the 35's. Wish I could remember the name of that shop now!
Re: Who has thin bluechips?
Whatever the thickness or brand I want speed bevels.
I like to add a little steeper bevel on a Red Bear Xtra heavy for mandolin.
Re: Who has thin bluechips?
I've gone from SR60 to SR50 and now to SR40, playing all of them on the round side. I prefer the thinner, currently.