I'm a victim of pick goblins

[Drewsey]

I keep losing my picks (my mind might be following suit). I practice exclusively in what is approximately a 15x15 foot area, and despite this tiny space I keep losing picks. I recently bought two Wegen picks to try out, one bluegrass and one TF140, and I lost the bluegrass one no more than 5-10 minutes after opening it. That was near a week ago and I still haven't found it.

It's amazing how many picks I have lost in my little practice area. I probably lost more while typing this. I think I have pick goblins.

PS: So far I'm liking this TF140 pick

[Bob Clark]

When you think about it, the Bermuda Triangle is kind of pick-shaped.

[JeffD]

If you find where they go, take a look around for any missing left socks that might be there. And if you find my sunglasses...

[shortymack]

No, you can't borrow my BC.

[Rodney Riley]

The ones my Grandblessings use usually end up inside their Ukelele. Did you shake your mando?

[Petrus]

Shake your mando around a little. Sometimes they fall in there. At one point mine started sounding like a freakin' maraca. Of course, it's less common with f-hole types.

[F-2 Dave]

spend $35 on a blue chip. I bet you won't lose it.

[Drewsey]

I shook my mandolin... and then shook it a second time just to make sure. No luck.

Anyone ever notice that the picks you don't like don't mercifully disappear? I swear I could throw these Dawg picks, and Dunlop Americana Mandolin picks over the back fence, and I'd find them waiting for me on my desk when I get back inside. However any pick I even slightly like disappears.

Such a spiteful goblin.

[surfnut]

I played a white wegen 150 for three years retired it for a bluechip for the last 9 months. I always slide the pick under the strings when I'm done playing, always, works for me. I have used some extra picks to test drive mandolins at the local music shop, Sylvan Music, lots of mando's, and have left the pick under the strings and had to go back in the store to retrieve it. Maybe an exorcism?

[OldSausage]

and I lost the bluegrass one no more than 5-10 minutes after opening it. That was near a week ago and I still haven't found it.

You should keep looking, I love my Wegen bluegrass pick, especially for guitar but I've been liking it more on mandolin recently. But they're black, so they do lose easily - I bought a pack of 4 and I'm down to my last one.

Did anyone say luminous paint yet? I'd never really use it myself, but I sometimes am tempted.

[Bertram Henze]

15 by 15 feet is way too big. Try 3 by 6. You need to have a tiled floor and no furniture but one piece to sit on. And you must not flush.

If you still lose picks, then start looking for wormholes.
Luminous paint is good, but better yet is a tiny point of aluminum foil glued to each pick and a standard metal detector (the kind they have at airports).

[Petrus]

I shook my mandolin... and then shook it a second time just to make sure. No luck.

Awesome, I just made $5. (I bet my friend I could get someone to actually shake their mandolin in search of a lost pick.)

[Bertram Henze]

Awesome, I just made $5.

Just a drop in NYSE's ocean, but it is a beginning. Next, you have to claim $10 because he shook it twice.

[Ivan Kelsall]

There was some speculation on here a while back concerning the way lost picks turn up under the bed,trasmuted into 'wire coat hangers' !!!. Always buy white picks if you have the choice.They're much easier to see. (Anybody want to buy a few dozen wire coat hangers - the dust kitties come free !?),
Ivan

[foldedpath]

Maybe the Underpants Gnomes have found a new business plan, with some of these boutique picks.

1. Collect Picks
2. ?
3. Profit

[Ivan Kelsall]

"Underpants Gnomes " !!!! - Waaaaay too much info.there fp - The bind moggles !!!,
Ivan

[Toni Schula]

You should keep looking, I love my Wegen bluegrass pick, especially for guitar but I've been liking it more on mandolin recently. But they're black, so they do lose easily - I bought a pack of 4 and I'm down to my last one.

Did anyone say luminous paint yet? I'd never really use it myself, but I sometimes am tempted.

My Wegen - whatever type it is - is white. I am very glad about this, when I drop it. Still I have to search all my jeans front and back pockets and shirt pockets frequently to finally find the pick in the mandolin case...

[Petrus]

I'm gonna design a pick with an internal RFID that beeps when you press a button on your iPhone.

[dang]

I swear I could throw these Dawg picks, and Dunlop Americana Mandolin picks over the back fence, and I'd find them waiting for me on my desk when I get back inside...

I also had a hard time getting into the Dawg picks, only use them if I am looking for a really dark tone. I used the Dunlop americana (it was just OK) for a bit before I spent a small fortune on blue chips...

[Petrus]

I've occasionally tried those very large triangular guitar picks ... a little unwieldy but they do work, and are harder to lose.

[Carl Robin]

I was given a package of 100 picks by a friend that kept hearing about lost picks. What a thoughtful gift ! I'm not picky about picks, as long as they aren't too flexible. That leaves about 75 that are just fine. The annoyance of the lost pick is in the rear view mirror. At least for a few years.

[Paul Busman]

V-picks makes some models in glow in the dark acrylic. Turn off the lights, and the pick will show up.

[UsuallyPickin]

I have a Guardian and a Bobelock double case. Occasionally a pick will slip under one of the isolation pads between the instruments. I had lost a BC pick and was looking for it . I saw in the case a tip of it sticking out from under the pad. If your case has a black interior, or not, this may be happening to you. Mine has a maroon interior and hides a BC pick well. Other than that I've got nothing....... I try to leave my picks wedged under the strings but still find one in the watch pocket of my Levis. Perhaps your picks are encouraging you to take them on a outing to a jam session or festival ..... R/

[Jim P.]

Isn't there a famous essay about the malice of inanimate objects...??

[OldSausage]

Isn't there a famous essay about the malice of inanimate objects...??

Perhaps it's entitled "Things ain't what they used to be."

Anyway, here's M R James' chiller:
http://www.thin-ghost.org/items/show/148