Wall Street Journal Video on Blue Chip Picks

[Spook410]

[DMgolf66]

Very cool!

[Rustic]

There is something about the release of these picks off the string. I may not be playing any faster but at least it feels like I am... ;-o

[Cunamara]

Never tried one, but they are often praised by those who have. When I've listened to videos showcasing them, the BC picks sound a little snappier and brighter than I want. But if I was a bluegrass player, they sound like the shiznit.

[DawgBone]

Seems like the dunlop prime tones have come pretty close with the clicky-clicky long wearing material. My wife likes them but I don't use flat picks myself.

[Cunamara]

I have been switching to fingerstyle with very very short nails a la Rob MacKillop's video about this (except with steel strings) for about 18 months, but when I use a pick it is either the D'Andrea ProPlec 358 shape or the Dunlop 204 roundish jazztone or whatever it's called. As you can tell, I like a pretty small pick and all of the Blue Chips seem to be much larger than I care for. Their jazz line all have pointy tips which I don't like, generally speaking.

I started working on fingerstyle technique through Gene Bertoncini's book "Approaching The Guitar." For a while I tried using a thumbpick and fingers and also tried butterfly picks, but it seems like just using my fingers is easier. I used pick and fingers a la Ed Bickert for years, but came to the conclusion that holding the flatpick made using the rest of my fingers harder than it needed to be.

Regardless of that personal detour, which was apropos of not very much, it was really interesting to see the BC production equipment. All of the machines they're using are expensive and need to be amortized, as well as the very expensive material they are using. In particular, their edge finishing machine was interesting; despite the automation, there is still a lot of hand finishing to those picks. it certainly makes the price seem more understandable compared to stamping or injection molding which can probably produce a lot more picks faster.

[sgosnell]

Blue Chip picks are not bright, IME. I have close to a dozen of them, of various shapes, sizes, and thicknesses. None are what I would call bright. I have lots of other picks, acquired over many years, and they almost all sound brighter than any of the Blue Chips I have. The difference is subtle, but present.

These days $35 isn't as much as it used to be. A set of strings can easily cost more, and not last nearly as long. People clutch their pearls at the thought of losing one, but I've never lost one. I just take cursory care and don't worry about it. I'm not trying to evangelize anyone to buy any pick, there are too many choices available to even know about all of them. Use whatever you prefer or have handy. I've seen my father break a tooth out of a plastic comb to get a pick when he had nothing else, and it worked. Whatever gets you through the tune...

[FourOnSix]

As you can tell, I like a pretty small pick and all of the Blue Chips seem to be much larger than I care for. Their jazz line all have pointy tips which I don't like, generally speaking.

As do I. Blue Chip will make a pick the size and shape of a Fender 358, though they don't list the model on their website. How do I know? I have a few and I love them. Like the 358, they do have a fairly pointy tip, so you may not be interested. But if you are and would like to know what they call the model, I can dig it up from my emails with BC.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Like Cunamara, I’m a 204 user. I switched from ProPlec when the warping problem started maybe 2 to 3 years ago. The Dunlop Jazztones have been great. I’m not a heavy picker, so YMMV. But they last for me through several months of gigging about twice a week and practicing every day. The only wear I notice is the gripping surfaces. Although not textured, they start out very grippy and get smoother over time.

I have no trouble holding them even after months. But I realized along the way that I’d reverted to my old grip between thumb and two fingers. I’d switched a few years ago to thumb and forefinger with my other fingers extended and resting intermittently on the guard. I used the thumb + 2 grip for many years, but I rested my wrist lightly on the top and often against the low strings. I rarely rest it against anything since going to the 204s and have no trouble with it unsupported.

The Blue Chips sound great, but I’m very happy with 204s.

[JazzPadd]

Before switching to the thumb, I was an avid Blue Chip picker and I still have several if need arises.

[bluejaybill]

Never tried one, but they are often praised by those who have. When I've listened to videos showcasing them, the BC picks sound a little snappier and brighter than I want. But if I was a bluegrass player, they sound like the shiznit.

Actually not really. It all depends on the thickness and the point shape. Thicker and rounder point both make for a rounder tone obviously. Most of mine are at least 1mm, and I use the point shape to get a brighter or darker tone. But when I switch to one of my other normal picks they sound brighter and trashier (more noisy harmonics) to me. It should be said though that I never use those really thick picks that some favor.

Also there is little "click" at the note onset, which some like. And never any edge abrasion, even after years of use. A bevel eventually forms from your playing but it stays smooth.

EDIT: I realize I was a little unclear here, I meant to say that there is not much click to the onset of the note, which I like. For some styles of music, mostly in the rock vein, an initial click or chirp is desirable to some folks. Carry on!

[Spook410]

Unfortunately I prefer the $75 100mm large triangle.

They seem to have the most consistent tone of any pick I've tried. Not bright. Ultem and acrylic are bright. Just sort of even across the spectrum. I enjoy using a variety of picks and have them in all sorts of materials readily at hand. However, if I could have only one it would be the Blue Chip. Well, that and real tortoise. And then there's casein. So, yea, never going to have just one type. Guitars, picks, amps, et al. Part of the joy of music.