Hello friends,
I came across this on YT today. Simple advice from one of the best! Enjoy :)
https://youtu.be/-tCoGGcsi0I
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Hello friends,
I came across this on YT today. Simple advice from one of the best! Enjoy :)
https://youtu.be/-tCoGGcsi0I
Hadn't seen that , Zach . ...thanks for posting ....GREAT refresher even for long-time pickers who may have developed some bad habits .
I'm always amazed at how the right ( heavier ) pick gives even a crappy mando a much better tone and how so many young players may not be aware of the inspiration THAT tip alone can bring you .
Just watched this, and it is very clearly presented. Plus her tone in incredible!
That pick better be magical, for $35! (Buy the magical pick)Quote:
Originally Posted by roysboy
I think I would have to glue it to my fingers. I lose a lot of picks
I have one (a CT55 though). It actually does help create a lot of tone. I always feel like the pick on a mandolin acts like a tone knob on a tele. My Wegen Tf120 is darker (knob rolled back), the PrimeTone too bright and tinny (knob all the way forward) and my BC is somewhere in the middle.Quote:
Originally Posted by MitchStein
Can anyone tell what pickup she is using? I don’t think she is plugged in for the video, but i am curious.
She uses a Radius pickup. I started with a BC 60, didn't like it so went to a 50, 40, 35. and now use a Wegen TF100 (that I thinned down). To my ear the BC picks are dead sounding on my G string, love the glide, but not the sound. My Wegen now has some give, but is still stiff and gives me the a much better sound to my ear. That's what it's all about. It really depends on your mandolin how thick pick you need. A brighter sounding mandolin would benefit from the heavier pick, but a mandolin with some depth or darker sound really doesn't need it nor will it benefit from the heavier pick, if fact just the opposite a thinner pick will give a better sound IMHO.
I've been using a TP60 for the last few years - slightly smaller than a TAD shape.
Perhaps you lose picks because they are no good and your subconscious is making way for a quality product :mandosmiley:Quote:
Originally Posted by MitchStein
She uses a LR Baggs Radius. I have one that I run through a preamp/eq device with my Weber. Works great but is a bit "thumpy".Quote:
Originally Posted by twilson
I lose picks because my cat is no good.Quote:
Originally Posted by MontanaMatt
I got mine as a Christmas gift from the kids about 7-8 or more years ago with my initials on it, so it's precious to me and I'm careful with it. I keep a few Proplecs around too because they're about as similar in feel and sound as I've found for about $2 each. They're not super-widely available, but if you're into saving a few bucks, that's my recommendation. They're good for throwing in your case if you feel like you might have a few too many beers around a campfire and stop caring so much.Quote:
Originally Posted by MitchStein
My thought of basically one pick for 7-8 years for $35 makes it a pretty damn good deal.
Anyone have an opinion on Dunlop Primetone picks?Quote:
Originally Posted by KEB
I would consider one pick for 7-8 years for $35 a pretty damn good deal.
However, I would consider one pick for 7-8 days for $35 a pretty damn good deal of anger at myself.
Many do feel it is magical. Well worth the one time expenditure of an amount that is not even what you would spend on dinner for two at the diner. Certainly worth a try, if you can borrow one.Quote:
Originally Posted by MitchStein
About losing picks. Don't. I heard mandolins are expensive if you lose them as well. :)
I have both the Smooth and the Raised grip ones. Both are loud but don't sound as full as my Wegen or BC, they sound too tinny. I keep a couple PrimeTones in all my cases... just in case.Quote:
Originally Posted by MitchStein
I have a couple of Primetone large triangle 1.5’s, without the grip. They’re good picks, that give a lot of volume and decent tone. They were my go-to picks for a couple of years until I tried the Blue Chip TP60. Still have them in my case.
I loved this video. It's those simple tips that go a long way if you ask me.
To each their own as far as picks go. You've gotta try the spectrum before you find your plectrum ;)
I used exclusively Golden Gate picks at the start of my learning the instrument, moved on to Wegens, then was gifted a tortoise shell pick. That pick made me go to BlueChip, and I've been now playing a CT55 for the last 7 years (and I only lost one!).
Well said!Quote:
Originally Posted by dylanferris
Nice tune and finger movements on the tune at the beginning too.
I like that reasonably well known people take the time to record vids just to help the mandolin community.
This is such a great video, thanks for posting it Zach! It's so easy to fall into the habit of thinking that it's the mandolin "Sometimes my mandolin sounds great and sometimes it sounds meh...." without looking at the things you're doing as a player. Just focusing on these tips every time I play recently has me pulling great tone out of my great mandolin consistently.
Have been using the Dunlop Primetone in either .96 or 1.0 for a while now. A bit more treble than a Blue Chip. For my bands, that's an advantage. The fiddler in my large band has a tough time hearing me play when using a Blue Chip (usually a TD 35 or TAD-1R 40). And my duet partner also prefers the volume and extra treble tone of the Primetone.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mitch Stein
That said, for my own sitting around the house playing, am often grabbing either a Blue Chip or a Wegen. Often the Bluegrass 1mm or TF 1.4mm. In fact, used the TF for an outdoors recording session this past week. That's the thickest pick I've ever used. Doesn't work well on most of my mandolins, but pulls out a decent tone on the Weber. Go figure.
As to the video, it's good. And appreciate her take on things.