I am trying to set up a poll. I may fail. The question is for classical players: do you use a beveled edge pick or round edge pick?
Beveled
Rounded
I am trying to set up a poll. I may fail. The question is for classical players: do you use a beveled edge pick or round edge pick?
“There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” ― Albert Schweitzer
1925 Lyon & Healy Model A, #1674
2015 Collings A (MT2-V)
Even if I start with a knife like bevel, it pretty quickly wears to roundish. Different materials wear at different rates, but the end result is roughly the same. So long as the edges aren't squarish, the general angle of the point is more important to me. When I file and buff to correct angle on a wearing point, I generally do so in a way that imparts a roundish edge.
I use these most of the time, and the edges are not beveled:
Dunlop Ultex Sharp .73
or the extremely similar
Clayton Ultem Spike .72
Both picks are thin enough to be delicate when needed but stiff enough for power when needed. The very sharp tips make for accurate picking and precise tremolo, and the material wears well and lasts a long time. Plus they are relatively inexpensive.
I also use these on guitar except for Gypsy jazz.
Now, I do NOT play archtop carved top long scale Gibson-style mandolins, but use bowlbacks and European style flatback mandolins exclusively.
I don’t consider myself a classical player, but I dabble a bit. Regardless of the style I’m playing I use 1.4 mm right hand beveled picks (BC CT-55 or Wegen TF 140), but my mandos presently are all arch topped. When I had my flatiron 1N I used a TF 120 or a BC TAD 50 on it, as the lighter strings and flat top didn’t require the thicker picks.
The response so far (showing four rounds to one bevel) totally surprises me! I expected very few would not use a bevel. I personally far more enjoy a rounded edge. I probably should have made four choices, in retrospect:
1) rounded edge with mild or rounded point
2) rounded edge and very pointed
3) beveled with mild or rounded point
4) beveled and very pointed
However, I think the idea of “pointy” becomes perhaps too subjective.
Last edited by Tim Logan; May-29-2020 at 12:46pm.
“There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” ― Albert Schweitzer
1925 Lyon & Healy Model A, #1674
2015 Collings A (MT2-V)
For me, it depends on the instrument. On my bowlbacks, I use a rounded edge nylon pick (I don't think you can put a meaningful bevel on nylon) and on my Gibson and Mid-Mo I use a 1mm Wegen pick with a bevel. They're very specific matches to the instruments: I've tried swapping them around and I can't make it work at all.
For what it's worth, on my mandocello I use a large stiff clear plastic triangle pick with sharp pointed tips (no bevel) -- they're the tool of choice to coax some treble tone out of the flatwound TI mandocello strings.
Martin
Not to put too fine a point on it, so to speak, but people have "pick collections" which include all manner of pointedness, weights, bevels, materials, etc. Why? Because of the many variables that come into play when you choose a pick to play with: what instrument are you using (thanks, Martin Jonas)?; what strings are on that instrument?; what is the style of music you are playing?; and, I suppose, in some cases, what is the particular piece?
My two cents.
Joe
What you all said, definitely, but this neophyte has learned something surprising to me: talented classical players do not shy away from rounded edges. I like them but sort of assumed it was considered a “no-no”. I have learned from these posts and votes. Thank you!
“There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” ― Albert Schweitzer
1925 Lyon & Healy Model A, #1674
2015 Collings A (MT2-V)
I use "BlueChip TAD-1R 40". It has very smooth beveled edges and it maintains its shape for a very, very long time. In my experience about 1000 hours of playing and some more.
Toomas Rannu
I use the Dunlop Ultex, the standard flat pick (1.0mm) which has a symmetrical bevel all around.
Then again, I am not mainly a classical player. The shape allows a dark tone if I angle the pick, and brighter if I turn it flat to the strings. I am using round-wound strings, as well.
Bandcamp -- https://tomwright1.bandcamp.com/
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The viola is proof that man is not rational
From my from view at the bottom looking up, LOL, this:
https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...e-3-in-C-major
says you are an amazing musician (I loved that performance). Thank you for participating in this survey!
“There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” ― Albert Schweitzer
1925 Lyon & Healy Model A, #1674
2015 Collings A (MT2-V)
As many of you have stated, I have a box of picks collected through the years mainly just to try out based on recs from here or artists I like. I keep a couple of lighter/slimmer picks around to loan guitar playing buddies, but have given most of those away. I really have settled on the BC and Wegens listed above, and will even use Wegens in high risk situations, like lake docks, lol. Tried Primetones, Dawg/Golden Gate, Tortex, Ultex, Gator, Big Stubby, Clayton, Fender/Gibson celluloid, some jazz style picks, etc, but really just prefer these two. 🤷#♂️ May change tomorrow, but for now that’s where I’m at...
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