Expensive Guitar Picks?

**stevedenver** · 03-01-2012, 04:10 PM

cool -good for you, i am truly curious

fwiw, i still have a gross, (less probably twenty of so) old mid sixites fender medium 351's

unfortunately , i no longer use mediums.........

as for this stuff about 'dont cost that much to make'....
neither does most stuff for sale-thats business, and if you make the ony game in town , ie unique, you have to, so to speak, 'pay to play'

**cosmic gumbo** · 03-01-2012, 05:08 PM

My cousin Willard sells used picks on ebay.

**NSJ** · 03-01-2012, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by Pierrot

hmmm hmmmm....

DUGAIN Gold plated pick with hole - Picks - Picks | Woodbrass.com

You wanted to learn the contours of the English language here, no?

Please take notice of the difference in inflection and intention between--

(1) Really expensive picks?

And

(2) Expensive picks, really?

**Pierrot** · 03-01-2012, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by NSJ

You wanted to learn the contours of the English language here, no?

Please take notice of the difference in inflection and intention between--

(1) Really expensive picks?

And

(2) Expensive picks, really?

Are you sure? I tried to signify, with economy of words and space, that at the mentioned price, the OP could even buy a golden pick. (well, almost)...

Anyway, any further explanations of finesses of English language are indeed welcome.

I can offer classes of French, Spanish, Portuguese, Galician and some Arabic as a trade-off for the effort...

**mercosound** · 03-01-2012, 06:17 PM

Lately I've been experimenting with a Blue Chip TD40 (1mm) instead of the Tortex 1mm (blue) picks I've been using for the past 30 some odd years. Does the Blue Chip produce a slightly different tone? I think so... Does it have a higher friction coefficient that enables me to exert less pressure holding the pick, and thus play faster? Maybe... Is it "God's way of saying that you have too much money"? Probably... Is it all good? Definitely...

**paynow** · 03-01-2012, 06:24 PM

**jazzbow** · 03-01-2012, 06:33 PM

Here's a tip for hobbyists.

Being naturally adversed to spending money unnecessarily, old jazzbow trawls carboot/yard sales and charityshop/thrift stores for old cow horn ornaments and if he's real lucky some old tortoise shell trinkets.

Then we trace our favourite pick shape, cut to rough shape with a hacksaw and then sand to shape and thickness, not forgetting bevels. Then shine with a fine compound polish and then with a scribe score the sides or drill holes for a better grip!

My Wengen fake

**NSJ** · 03-01-2012, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by paynow

Roy Curry, "National Flatpicking Champ"?? What? Is that scheduled the same day as Wife carrying - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

He must have been seeded in an easy region, bypassing the Duke/North Carolina/Kansas match ups.

Or, as the Europeans say, no "Group of Death". Which means he missed out on Group B: Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Portugal. Or, alternatively, no Group C: Spain, Italy, Ireland, Croatia.

**aniss1001** · 03-01-2012, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by coolvinny

I also think it's funny that some of those who posted above thinking people are crazy to spend $35 or thereabouts on a pick are of the view that Ken Parker's archtops are worth the money. Hmmm.... I'm not saying they're not, but it's odd to support a $30,000 guitar and yet look down one's nose at a $30 pick.

I just wanna add that my previous comment wasn't about looking down on anyone who spends $35 on a pick! It just never occured to me that a tiny peace of plastic or whatnot could ever cost that much.

And you're absolutely right that given the 1000s of $ people spend on equipment to achieve the sound they like $35 or even $300 for a pick wouldn't make much of a difference.

**paynow** · 03-01-2012, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by NSJ

Roy Curry, "National Flatpicking Champ"?? What? Is that scheduled the same day as Wife carrying - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

He must have been seeded in an easy region, bypassing the Duke/North Carolina/Kansas match ups.

Or, as the Europeans say, no "Group of Death". Which means he missed out on Group B: Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Portugal. Or, alternatively, no Group C: Spain, Italy, Ireland, Croatia.

. Apparently there is such a thing. I was looking on YouTube for jazz guys using these picks, all I came up with were country guys. Not that there's anything wrong with that; I would just like to hear a jazz player using one to get an idea of the sound.

**jazzbow** · 03-01-2012, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by NSJ

Roy Curry, "National Flatpicking Champ"?? What? Is that scheduled the same day as Wife carrying - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ha ha ha, cough! cough!(got chest infection, that link almost killed me

!
I counter and parry with
Bog Snorkeling in Wales - Wales Bog Snorkeling Championships and Bike Bog Snorkeling

Originally Posted by NSJ

Or, as the Europeans say, no "Group of Death". Which means he missed out on Group B: Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Portugal. Or, alternatively, no Group C: Spain, Italy, Ireland, Croatia.

Yes, or 'The Group of Meh,' Group D: England, Scotland, Wales, Iceland.

**Gramps** · 03-01-2012, 06:56 PM

Blue chips are often compared to tortoise shell and since there is a real mistique for tortoise shell by bluegrass musicians in the US that is where the market for blue chips has been.

BTW. There are a lot of bluegrass players who scoff at the idea of $35 picks too.

**NSJ** · 03-01-2012, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by Pierrot

I can offer classes of French, Spanish, Portuguese, Galician and some Arabic as a trade-off for the effort...

Munito Obrigado!

I could use all the help I can get.

This constitutes my singular convo with a Spanish citizen about Galician guitarists.

Me: (M): "Did you know that one of the most famous musicians in the U.S. is a Spanish-American guitarist? In fact, he is SO famous, he transcends guitar and music, and you can identify him in U.S. popular culture by using only his first name?"

Otra Persona (O): "What is his name?

M: "Jerry".

O: "Jerry? That is not a Spanish name!

M: "But he's a first generation American . His parents immigrated here from Spain."

O: "Ah, what part of Spain?"

M: "Well, his parents are from Galicia. From Deportivo De La Coruna, possibly?

O: (laughing): "Deportivo?????"

Incidentally, when I watch Copa Libertadores matches, I always register a silent protest when the (Spanish speaking) announcers say the following about any match involving those wonderful Brasileiros from São Paulo F.C.:

"GOOOOOOOOL! GOOOOOOOOL! GOOOOOL por San Pablo!"

**RuffRider** · 03-01-2012, 07:55 PM

If a mellow tone matters to anyone - here is a regular priced pick that sounds as close to a human thumb on single note picking as I've ever heard.

(The Dunlop Jazz Tones are nowhere near the mellowness of this pick.)

Try this pick in the 1.52mm thickness; "Clayton - Acetal". It comes in three different shapes. Musician's Friend sells them for $3.99 per dozen with free shipping. Steve Clayton USA - Acetal Guitar Picks

**Patrick2** · 03-01-2012, 08:36 PM

$35 to $50 for a guitar pick??? Other than pluck a string when guided to do so by the human hand . . . . what exactly do these picks do??

**jonotes** · 03-01-2012, 09:46 PM

Play with your thumb. It costs nothing and sounds great.

**ah.clem** · 03-01-2012, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by Gramps

I've read that the price of the raw material is very high ($4800 for 10"x10" sheet)...

A bit off-topic, but does anyone have any idea what this miracle composite is? I do some work with composites and I can get a half-inch thick plate of high-grade carbon fiber 12"X16" for under $100, including shipping. I don't think I've ever seen or heard of a production composite costing $48 per square inch. Perhaps a plate of carbon nano, but I don't know if such a thing even exists. I've seen a few patent apps. for carbon nano plating but haven't heard of any being produced yet. I would love to know what this material is. I wonder if they would tell me if I asked...

**Philco** · 03-01-2012, 10:15 PM

Out of control......?

Who.....me?

One way to measure indecision

**Tom Karol** · 03-01-2012, 10:28 PM

Wow, a lot of spirited discussion generated by this one! No buyer's remorse yet, but of course all I've got is an order confirmation so far!

I did try all the picks I have again - basically all the various Dunlop 'jazz' shapes in different materials, plus the D'Andrea Pro-Plec and the Wegen Twin. I still like the amber Ultex Jazz III (1.14mm) the best, and I have 72 of them that I bought for $30.

If I don't like the Bluechip better, I'll still keep it (partly to remind me of my folly). Then if I ever go to the finals of a National Flatpicking Championship, I can display it discretely in the same way that people with Rolex watches make sure that you know that they have one!

Anyway, I'll let you guys know what I think when I get it.

**NSJ** · 03-01-2012, 10:44 PM

"Blue Chip". Wait a minute. Isn't that the name for a type of stock/commodity/bond sold on the NYSE????

Not getting why this is a big deal. It would be if you bought like 100 of them. But 1? Knock yourself out.

That is a cool pic of all those picks!

**aniss1001** · 03-02-2012, 03:47 AM

Hi Tom,

Just curious as to why you don't like the Pro Plec (if one can possibly describe such a thing with words).

I just tried one yesterday and it was like a "where have YOU been all my life"-experience right from the 1st note I picked. It has the hardness I like; None of the fluffyness you get from softer picks and a nice attack. And at the same time it's surface is soft so is doesn't have the "aggresiveness" and somewhat "scratchy" sound I get when I use the harder picks I've tried (again.. not easy to describe with words).

PS: Wow that enormous photo with the picks really messed up the readability of this thread. I have to constantly use the horizontal scrollbar to read anything.

**Tom Karol** · 03-02-2012, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by aniss1001

Hi Tom, Just curious as to why you don't like the Pro Plec (if one can possibly describe such a thing with words).

Sure! I liked everything about it but the sound - too dark and mellow (for me); I like a fairly bright attack.

You know I've been thinking ... well, rationalizing I guess. Again, worst case it will be a $40 experiment and I'll stick with the Ultex Jazz III's - I've got lots of them. No big deal. But if I really really like this Blue Chip pick and it's as long lasting as it's purported to be, I'll get 2 more. I like the pen analogy: You can buy 6 boxes of disposable ballpoints which will serve the function of putting ink on paper, or you can buy a couple of really nice fountain pens which will make writing vastly more personalized and pleasurable. Both options can be argued convincingly, I think.

And @ Philco: My mind just cannot process that picture!

**Gramps** · 03-02-2012, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by ah.clem

A bit off-topic, but does anyone have any idea what this miracle composite is? I do some work with composites and I can get a half-inch thick plate of high-grade carbon fiber 12"X16" for under $100, including shipping. I don't think I've ever seen or heard of a production composite costing $48 per square inch. Perhaps a plate of carbon nano, but I don't know if such a thing even exists. I've seen a few patent apps. for carbon nano plating but haven't heard of any being produced yet. I would love to know what this material is. I wonder if they would tell me if I asked...

I think this is the material.
Meldin 7001 Polyimide Rods, Plates - Order Meldin Online

**Tom Karol** · 03-02-2012, 09:59 AM

Update: I just received an email saying that my pick has been shipped via USPS 1st class flat rate. Should have it by early next week then. Stay tuned ...