Aargh. And there are no guitar shops near!
Coins don’t work. No bread tags around.
Any suggestions?
Aargh. And there are no guitar shops near!
Coins don’t work. No bread tags around.
Any suggestions?
JBovier ELS; Epiphone MM-50 VN; Epiphone MM-40L; Gretsch New Yorker G9310; Washburn M1SDLB;
Fender Nashville Deluxe Telecaster; Squier Modified Vintage Cabronita Telecaster; Gretsch 5420T; Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat: Washburn Banjo B9; Ibanez RB 5string; Ibanez RB 4 string bass
Pedalboard for ELS: Morley Cry baby Miniwah - Tuner - EHX Soul Food Overdrive - EHX Memory Toy analog Delay
Fender Blues Jr Tweed; Fender Greta;
Credit card?
Timothy F. Lewis
"If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett
Always keep a few spare picks in your wallet as one usually at least carries that with them
Every case of mine has a few picks, a Snark tuner and CR 2032 battery. Sometimes a pack of strings too.
All three of the replies are things that I always do . . . but in a real pinch, you can fold up a piece of paper, and wrap some clear tape around it. It's hardly perfect and may not last too long . . . but they are easy to make and worth a shot.
Same thing happened to me last week. I used a credit card, and even found that I could hold it as well as a pick, if not even more stably. Didn't sound as good, but it was better than nothing.
It ain't gotta be perfect, as long as it's perfect enough!
Sorry! Where did you go? Maybe a fellow mandoliner can loan or mail you a pick?
First thing I did when I got my mandolin is get a leather pickholder from TMS that attaches to my keychain. It hold 3 picks easily. I never go anywhere without my keys so I always have a pick. OTOH, I've never tried a credit card. May be awkward but now I've got to try it out.
"If your memories exceed your dreams, you have begun to die." - Anonymous
I too have a key fob pick holder that is always with me. I have gone to a gig forgetting my picks but saved by my key fob.
Old Hometown, Cabin Fever String Band
The corner of a pocket comb works well and sounds good.. If you have a way of cutting it off it might even make a good pick for every day.
Thank you all for your suggestions.
Mirabile dictu - the ship that was meant to be shut open this morning. So I know have a selection of picks!
How long is your holiday? Snipping a corner off a credit card is probably your best bet - though I'd try Mike's suggestion of some folded paper with tape. Maybe the pull-tab off a canned beverage would work. Or a thick shaving off a piece of wood. Or learn to play fingerstyle.
But really.... five mandolins, four guitars, a banjo and two basses?
Quite frankly, I'm surprised you don't have all manner of picks falling out of every imaginable place...
"Keep your hat on, we may end up miles from here..." - Kurt Vonnegut
I thought I had one in the case! Aaargh.
But solved now.
How can anyone only have one pick ?
Dave H
I have dozens. But they’re all at home. I now have five more. How I don’t have one is beyond me.
JBovier ELS; Epiphone MM-50 VN; Epiphone MM-40L; Gretsch New Yorker G9310; Washburn M1SDLB;
Fender Nashville Deluxe Telecaster; Squier Modified Vintage Cabronita Telecaster; Gretsch 5420T; Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat: Washburn Banjo B9; Ibanez RB 5string; Ibanez RB 4 string bass
Pedalboard for ELS: Morley Cry baby Miniwah - Tuner - EHX Soul Food Overdrive - EHX Memory Toy analog Delay
Fender Blues Jr Tweed; Fender Greta;
You don’t keep emergency picks in your shoes?
use your pocketknife to carve one out of a small piece of wood
Somebody told me that those tiny inner pockets at the front of your jeans are especially for picks. I looked in mine, and, lo and behold, there were a couple that I dont remember ever putting in. Good thing is, they don't fall out in the washing machine. So, stock up your pockets!
"What's that funny guitar thing..?"
Funny you mentioned combs. I'm usually ok on picks, but recently I misplaced both my capos, [1] no music stores around, no time for mail-order, so I looked around the house for something to make a temporary capo out of. Pencil? Nope, don't have any. Pen? Not flexible enough, won't conform to the curved fretboard. How about a new comb from that spare package of combs that's been sitting in the junk drawer for years? Yeah that might work... So then, something stretchy to tie the comb onto the neck - available options were black elastic hair ties and black bra straps. Figured the elastic hair tie would be easier, no disassembly required nor extraneous clothing bits dangling off my guitar. So, the comb capo - works surprisingly well on my extra-low-string-tension GDAEB electric:
Didn't take it out in public that way though.
--------------------
Footnote:
1. Ordinarily, a regular capo is always at the 5th fret of this full-size Strat-style electric instrument, for a 19-inch scale length and GDAEB tuning. So it's like playing a short-scale 5-string tenor guitar (I have arthritis so the scale length is important), but without having to save up forever to buy some sort of actual 'real' tenor guitar... and I want at least 5 strings anyway, I like the high "B" string in GDAEB and, optionally, a low "C" string for CGDAEB full fifths tuning. Lots of possibilities when you keep the 6-string neck width, instead of narrowing down the neck to only 4 strings. Strat-style neck is super comfy anyway IMO, I personally don't have any wish to alter the neck, as far as *width*... although the extra 5 frets neck *length* is not something I have any use for but it's there so I've adapted to it.
Last edited by Jess L.; Jan-07-2020 at 6:50am. Reason: Clarification
I used to buy Dunlop’s by the gross, I have picks everywhere! I keep an old pocket watch (Hunter) case in my case with maybe a dozen in there all the time. As well as a small tin with a bunch as well, then the rest go in other cases, pockets glove compartments, shaving kits, travel bags, camera cases etc.
Timothy F. Lewis
"If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett
I carry a worn-out change purse in my pocket, with at least two dozen flat picks, three sets of thumb-and-finger picks, some safety pins because I have experienced "wardrobe malfunctions" onstage in the past, and two dollar coins and a Canadian "loonie" just in case I'm in need of "spare change."
But then, I'm odd.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
Years ago I played a wedding reception gig using a hunk of a broken CD-ROM - it worked great. But never again!
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