We are the music makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams
i'm amazed there are so many folks that appear to put so much constant effort (and big money!) into the mando picks they choose ... it's almost a religious thing.
at 35 bucks a clip for a small piece made of "... a very high grade, self lubricating composite material specially formulated for great playing qualities", that's a purty expensive hobby. indeed. to each their own, that's what makes the world economy go 'round and keeps businesses afloat.
Mandolins are truly *magic*!
Not necessarily. Trying different picks costs me maybe $10 -$15 a year. I spent more than that on my Wood Nymph. It's a fun way to keep changing things up, if only in a relatively minor way. Strings are another relatively inexpensive was to indulge myself without spending $1000 a pop for a new instrument. I also enjoy incremental upgrades. Maybe not economical, but it makes me happy, and isn't that what this is all for?
We are the music makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams
i guess i'm lucky in that those freebie MF picks work just fine for me
Mandolins are truly *magic*!
It is interesting that someone who, I assume, understands the subtleties of changing out stock electric pickups and has a business selling those (see Cavalier Pickups), I would think you would understand the subtleties of using different picks other than over-the-counter ones. I can certainly play with stock and inexpensive picks but like the quality of some of the premium ones. And I find that the shape and bevel of these higher priced ones do make some difference in my picking technique. Certainly no panacea but it adds spice to the fun of playing.
But, as we often say, to each his or her own. No problem either way.
Jim
My Stream on Soundcloud
19th Century Tunes
Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
Mandolins are truly *magic*!
Maybe you missed my last paragraph where I mentioned that I had sold many of the BC picks that I tried. You can easily sell the picks for $25-30 in the classifieds. So I'm spending a net of maybe $10 every 6 months or so. I consider that a pretty cheap hobby. You can spend more than that on a bad hamburger at lots of places.
Last edited by Phil Goodson; Jul-02-2018 at 9:22pm. Reason: sp
Phil
“Sharps/Flats” ≠ “Accidentals”
Yep. Picks and cases are my ongoing xAS.
Like you, I was gravitated towards the smaller guitar shaped picks that I was used to. It took me 3 or 4 tries before I finally settled on the CT-55. The shape is very easy for me to hold on to and seems normal now. So much so that I'm using that same shape for my guitar picks, the Dunlop Ultex .88. And this is from someone who always used a .50-.60 range before.
A quarter tone flat and a half a beat behind.
Matthew Goins of BC kindly makes a TDJ80 RB that I like very much.
It’s a custom pick that begins life as a TD80 and features a Jazz tip and round bevel. It feels/sounds like a Wolle German pick but easier to hold. Also less clicky. Now these picks run $50–but consider what high-end Violin bows cost. Those premium bows are on average $600. Even more eye opening is The silver and ebony mounted violin bow, made by Francois Xavier Tourte, which was purchased in November 2015 for a world record auction price of US $288,960! That musta been some horse.
My BC goes in a thin zippered leather pouch when not being used.
"Music is the only noise for which one is obliged to pay." ~ Alexander Dumas
After playing with a Herco heavy for years, I had a chance to try out a Blue Chip pick a few weeks ago along with a Dunlop Primetone. Not much difference to my feeling and hearing, and at $35 versus 3 for $5, respectively, the choice was easy.
"Those who know don't have the words to tell, and the ones with the words don't know so well." - Bruce Cockburn
I have the CT55 and LOVE it. I was skeptical as to how much of an effect it could have on tone, but it really does bring out richer and cleaner notes, and my playing and technique definitely improved when I moved to it over smaller and thinner picks.
I've settled on Wegen Bluegrass 1.4 for my mandolin and guitar and the opaque Dunlop primetone for the octave mandolin. Picks definitely make a difference. It's also cheaper to geek out on picks than mandolins.
So now that I've settled on picks and cases, I'll need something else to stave off MAS for a few more years. Looks like I will be researching straps.
Girouard Concert A5
Girouard Custom A4
Nordwall Cittern
Barbi Mandola
Crump OM-1s Octave
www.singletonstreet.com
Chuck, check out straps made by Bill Bailey.
He’s a true craftsman and great guy!
"Music is the only noise for which one is obliged to pay." ~ Alexander Dumas
Silverangel A
Arches F style kit
1913 Gibson A-1
Thanks for the tip on the Bailey straps. Don't want to derail the thread but I will order one as soon as I get paid!
Girouard Concert A5
Girouard Custom A4
Nordwall Cittern
Barbi Mandola
Crump OM-1s Octave
www.singletonstreet.com
Those Bailey straps are real nice, I like the El Dorado straps too...he made one of these into a mando strap for me without the buckle, I love it!
https://eldoradostraps.com/product/h...-guitar-strap/
Northfield F5M #268, AT02 #7
30 days return for replacement or refund on off the shelf non engraved picks
I have a friend that swears by BC but, just got a carbon fiber pick, I’ve not heard much about them, I don’t check the “pick world” threads very often. What is the consensus on CF for picks?
Timothy F. Lewis
"If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett
Yea i have this real expensive hobby. I bought a BC pick several (more like many) years ago, for something like $35.00 and I still have it and i still use it. That's $35.00 one time. Terrible.
On the other hand I found a diner where I can get two eggs sausage or bacon potatoes and rye toast and unlimited coffee for something like $11.00. I save so much money I go there every Saturday morning.
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