Dunlop Primetone picks
The thread on mandolin-centric Christmas gifts got me thinking. Everyone seemed to come out of the woodwork to recommend super premium picks like Blue chip (which are actually orange if you're ever seen one, go figure). Now I'm sorry, but the cheap old SOB in me just can't make myself spend that much on one pick. However, it did make me remember that the guy who recommended Elderly Instruments to me as the place for me to buy my first mandolin, Baron Collins-Hill over at MandoLessons.com, includes Jim Dunlop Prime Tone picks in everyone of his starting mandolin gear packages. And a guitar store a few towns over from me sells 3-packs of Jim Dunlop Prime Tones for just under $10.00. So last week I took a drive up to that store and picked up a pack and have been playing with them
After playing for a week with this new pick Primetone Triangle 1.4mm Sculpted with Grip (the only triangle picks he had in stock) I can truthfully say that my ears detect no difference in tone at all. I will admit that the triangle shape, compared to the traditional teardrop shape of my usual Jim Dunlop USA Nylon 1.0s, did make my grip in the pick feel like it was more secure, and made me feel like I had better control. So much so that I've ordered a 3-pack of smooth triangle 1.5s from Amazon, with the possibility of a 12-pack to come if I like them.
Eastman MD-514 (F body, Sitka & maple, oval hole)
Klos Carbon Fiber (on order)
And still saving my nickels & dimes & bottle caps & breakfast cereal box tops for my lifetime mandolin.
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