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Thread: Where to buy the long classical picks?

  1. #1

    Default Where to buy the long classical picks?

    Hello Mandofolk!

    I live in California and would like to buy some classical mandolin picks (the kind they use in Europe) to try out.

    Are these available in the US?

    If not, where can I order them from?

    Also, what is the proper name for these picks?

    Thank you!
    Aldon

  2. #2
    Registered User Louise NM's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to buy the long classical picks?

    The US is slim pickings.

    Osiamo's Pickboy mandolin picks may be similar to what you're looking for. They come in a faux tortoise-shell color or a festive rainbow version. Strings By Mail carries Dogal mandolin picks. The Dogals are clear, so if you drop one may be a while until you find it. Both the Pickboys and Dogals are small.

    I ordered some from Galli in Italy some months ago. They are bigger, and you have your choice of thicknesses. Shipping wasn't horribly expensive—I think I ended up paying around $25 for a dozen picks with shipping, and had them in a week or ten days.

    Not sure there is a specific name for them.

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  4. #3

    Default Re: Where to buy the long classical picks?

    Thank you, Louise.

    I'll checks out the links you gave!

    Aldon

  5. #4
    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to buy the long classical picks?

    Do you mean the Neapolitan type or the even longer "Roman" type?

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to buy the long classical picks?

    Pettine picks usually show up on eBay from time to time. Here’s one, but you may need to re-work the tip: https://www.ebay.com/itm/One-Vintage...-127632-2357-0
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    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to buy the long classical picks?

    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

  9. #7
    Timothy Tim Logan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to buy the long classical picks?

    Red Bear offers these two picks.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Link: https://www.redbeartrading.com/ccp8/...w&ref=RBFPICKS

    Also, you might find Ralf Leenen's video very useful. He does like the Galli picks by the way:


    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NwdELWoEHiI
    Last edited by Tim Logan; Feb-19-2022 at 3:11pm.

    “There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” ― Albert Schweitzer

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    Default Re: Where to buy the long classical picks?

    I have the Pettine, Galli, and PickBoy picks, and use them all. I prefer the Pettine (purchased on eBay some time ago,) but I use the PickBoy for everyday use, because they were cheaper and easier to find. YMMV, but if you find the Pettine, I would snap them up, as I haven't found them very often.

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  13. #9
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to buy the long classical picks?

    See how it goes but, at the worst, you can make your own picks by buying a sheet of plastic. I did that years ago when I made some Roman style picks from a small sheet of Ultem plastic. Takes a bit of work but it is kind of fun and IIRC the Neapolitan / Pettine picks are relatively thin so are easily workable.
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    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to buy the long classical picks?

    Quote Originally Posted by Charles E. View Post
    Yup, that one of the German school picks.

    I saw this too:

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/27453017688...75.c101224.m-1

    "Vintage Pettine"

  16. #11
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to buy the long classical picks?

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidKOS View Post
    Yup, that one of the German school picks.

    I saw this too:

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/27453017688...75.c101224.m-1

    "Vintage Pettine"
    yes, David that is the same Pettine picks I posted above.

    BTW the Wilkes are very different from Pettiness or many other plectra made of hard material. They are made of a rubbery plastic and are very different in producing tone. Often played by the German school of classical playing along with Thomastik strings.
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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to buy the long classical picks?

    Stupid auto-correct. Not Wilkes! Wolle pic mine tinker above.
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    Default Re: Where to buy the long classical picks?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    yes, David that is the same Pettine picks I posted above.
    Oops.

    So sorry. Can't say I've been at my best lately.

  21. #14
    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to buy the long classical picks?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Stupid auto-correct. Not Wilkes! Wolle pic mine tinker above.
    No problem, my friend. But those Wolle picks are another animal, softer plastic, etc. Not Neapolitan.

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to buy the long classical picks?

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidKOS View Post
    Oops.

    So sorry. Can't say I've been at my best lately.
    No need for any apology!! Great minds run in the same gutter.

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidKOS View Post
    No problem, my friend. But those Wolle picks are another animal, softer plastic, etc. Not Neapolitan.
    Absolutely agree! Charley mentioned those and they are loved by the German school players. Whoops! I said that already. Too many devices. The OP only asked for long classical pick without specifics. We are all guessing what he is looking for,
    Jim

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  24. #16

    Default Re: Where to buy the long classical picks?

    Thank you all for your responses!

    The video of Ralf Leenen playing all the different picks is a fantastic resource.

    So the long picks are "Roman" and the not-so-long picks are "Neapolitan"! Good to know! I need to remember that the short name is for the long pick and the long name is for the short pick.

    I was initially interested in the Roman style picks because they are so different from what I've been using, but after watching the video I'm now also interested in ​the Neapolitan style.


    At this point it looks like the Roman picks that I was originally looking for are hard to find, but the shorter Neapolitan picks are more readily available.

    I think I'm going to order a couple of Neapolitans to play around with while looking for a Roman style.

    Again, thank you all so much for your guidance!

    Aldon

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    Registered User rnjl's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to buy the long classical picks?

    Carlo Aonzo sells classical picks on his website:

    https://www.carloaonzo.com/merchandising

    I haven't tried them, don't play classical, but I heard about it on his Mandolins and Beer podcast.
    Last edited by rnjl; Feb-20-2022 at 10:26pm. Reason: post was incomplete

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to buy the long classical picks?

    Actually many years ago when I regularly attended Carlo Aonzo’s workshops he used to use John Pearse heavy jazz picks and I used them for classical playing. I found a few in one case this morning and I liked playing with it. It has the right size and thickness for me and the right amount of pointiness. Might be another possibility for the pick arsenal: https://www.jpstrings.com/brpicks.htm#Flat
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    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to buy the long classical picks?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Actually many years ago when I regularly attended Carlo Aonzo’s workshops he used to use John Pearse heavy jazz picks and I used them for classical playing. I found a few in one case this morning and I liked playing with it. It has the right size and thickness for me and the right amount of pointiness. Might be another possibility for the pick arsenal: https://www.jpstrings.com/brpicks.htm#Flat
    As opposed to the Django "buttons".

  31. #20
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to buy the long classical picks?

    Not as long and pointy as the Neapolitan but not a bad pick. Frankly you should try multiple picks and even use them depending on the feel of the music.
    Jim

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    Default Re: Where to buy the long classical picks?

    I was checking out John Reischman’s signature pick at Apollo Picks’ website and saw some longer classical styled picks in their gallery. Nick is presently catching up on orders so the store is closed, but you can email him to get on a wait list for when he opens it back up. I like the material and tone of my Mike Marshall pick from them, though I need more of a point. So, the Reischman round one would never work for me, lol. Blows my mind how people pull volume and tone out of that shape pick…

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to buy the long classical picks?

    CES: ah I see what you are talking about:

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    Registered User Elliot Luber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to buy the long classical picks?

    I saw them available on GreatBearTrading.com

  38. #24
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to buy the long classical picks?

    Quote Originally Posted by Elliot Luber View Post
    I saw them available on GreatBearTrading.com
    Sorry, that’s a dead link and Tim Logan already mentioned Redbeartrading.com in thread #7 above: https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...=1#post1856946
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