Finally tried a Blue Chip pick, I'm hooked

**jazzimprov** · 08-23-2016, 05:34 PM

this the 2mm TAD 80?

**AlsoRan** · 08-23-2016, 09:37 PM

I did some reading on this. The Jazz 100 appears to be 2.5 mm and the size of a Dunlop Jazz 3, which I like.

Is it that "self-lubricating" attribute of this pick that makes it "glide" through the strings the way normally aspirated picks won't?

**wagz** · 08-23-2016, 10:06 PM

I normally use Ultex Jazz III picks. A customer(s) have brought in Blue Chips and let me try them. They really do glide across the strings (as in less resistance) and sound great. Two of my customers have been using their BC picks for years. No signs of wear, as far as I could tell. Compared to the Ultex that I normally use, the sound is a bit less "clicky". From what I recall, the tone of the transient with the Blue Chip was less pronounced than with the Ultex. The Ultex was similar to real tortoiseshell, but not as natural sounding. (Surprise, surprise! It sounded more like plastic, in comparison.) The Blue Chips had their own tone going. Very "smooth" sound. I've considered buying one, but they are a bit pricey. Plus, I don't make much money. Maybe next year, God willing.

**AlsoRan** · 08-24-2016, 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by wagz

I normally use Ultex Jazz III picks. A customer(s) have brought in Blue Chips and let me try them. They really do glide across the strings (as in less resistance) and sound great. Two of my customers have been using their BC picks for years. No signs of wear, as far as I could tell. Compared to the Ultex that I normally use, the sound is a bit less "clicky". From what I recall, the tone of the transient with the Blue Chip was less pronounced than with the Ultex. The Ultex was similar to real tortoiseshell, but not as natural sounding. (Surprise, surprise! It sounded more like plastic, in comparison.) The Blue Chips had their own tone going. Very "smooth" sound. I've considered buying one, but they are a bit pricey. Plus, I don't make much money. Maybe next year, God willing.

Thank you for your thoughts.

When I read about the pick being "self-lubricating," then it got my attention. I will one day have to give that $75.00 one a try, as much as I hate forking over that much money for a pick. It had better deliver or it will be hard to look my family in the eye.

**greasy0015** · 08-24-2016, 09:30 AM

FYI I just posted one of these beauties in the For Sale section.

**AlsoRan** · 08-28-2016, 11:23 AM

Well,

I got no answer about the "self-lubricating feature" so as has been the case in my life, I am leaping alone into the unknown, with my eyes closed and without any clarification or opinions that directly addresses this potential pitfall.

Just kidding. The folks here have been such a great help through the years. I am just going to go ahead and take a chance on this on.

I made this decision after looking at the cost, both in time and money, of buying a good drummer software set. Somehow, in my clearly diminishing mind, the blue chip pick seemed to be a better idea at $75.00. Like many a foolhardy young person, I am going to see for myself whether or not this pick is really all that.

Here I goooooooo....

**vernon** · 08-28-2016, 12:12 PM

Whoa there... Before you jump. I once bought a used BCJazz 80 and it didn't work at all for me. Love the 50 and 60. But the 80 had a bevel on it that didn't work. Someone told me you could have them make it more tapered and that would work better.

Yes, the self-lubricating thing... The pick sticks better your hand when you start to sweat. Great thing. But there is something about the way the pick slides off the string that makes it super quiet, articulate, and fast. So BC are really great tone producers but I didn't have such good luck with the real thick ones.

Perhaps someone else could chime in...

**Tom Karol** · 08-28-2016, 02:41 PM

I use the 60 with 12's and the 50 with 11's - works for me!

**AlsoRan** · 08-28-2016, 05:03 PM

I normally use a 3 mm Dunlop small stubby. No bevel. Hmmm... Might be a point of concern. I will give my opinion when I get it.

**vernon** · 08-28-2016, 05:32 PM

I hope it works for you. If it doesn't you should be able (since you bought it from them) to send it back and ask them to reshape the bevel for you. I think they will do that. I couldn't because I bought my 80 used. Cheers!

**AlsoRan** · 08-31-2016, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by vernon

I hope it works for you. If it doesn't you should be able (since you bought it from them) to send it back and ask them to reshape the bevel for you. I think they will do that. I couldn't because I bought my 80 used. Cheers!

My pick came today in the mail, less than a week after ordering it.

My first impression is that like you, I think I would have preferred to do without the beveled tip. But, since my picking hand was already nicely warmed up, I jumped right in to some fast playing on songs on which I seemed to have reached my speed limit (memorized single note soloing such as I'll Remember April and Impressions).

I noticed right away how the pick, despite being thicker, cut through the strings like a cleaver. There was no longer the problem of getting hung up in the strings, at least not as badly as I am used to getting hung up here and there.

I will report back on the tone of the pick and how it might affect my strumming.

**AlsoRan** · 09-03-2016, 12:11 PM

Yes, this pick is the real deal.

It immediately added a five percent increase in my playing speed and the tone is nice and solid, just as with other picks I have used.

I prefer that the pick had a different tip, more like the shape of the 3mm Little Stubby that I favor, but is still slips and slides through the strings such as no pick I have ever tried.

I have ordered a different Blue Chip model because I want a little longer tip on it, like the Eric Johnson Dunlop model.

Thank you all for this advice. It has been a clear winner for me.

**medblues** · 09-03-2016, 05:14 PM

My wife got this as birthday present for me, I like it for strictly (and loudish) electric playing and speed work but it has a louder click than my Proplec for acoustic playing.

Finally tried a Blue Chip pick, I'm hooked-blue-chip-jazz100-jpg

Finally tried a Blue Chip pick, I'm hooked-blue-chip-jazz100-jpg

**AlsoRan** · 09-09-2016, 07:11 PM

My last comment:

The TD60s just did not get it for me. Too big in surface area, although it was thin.

TD60 - BlueChip Picks

So from now on, the Blue Chip Jazz 100 is my pick of choice.

**Runepune** · 09-09-2016, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by AlsoRan

My last comment:

The TD60s just did not get it for me. Too big in surface area, although it was thin.

TD60 - BlueChip Picks

So from now on, the Blue Chip Jazz 100 is my pick of choice.

I didn't find any shapes that suited me so I chopped a TP60 to a suitable shape

I really liked the sound and smooth action. Especially after slightly buffing the tip with 3M flexible polishing paper.

Finally tried a Blue Chip pick, I'm hooked-bluechip_chopped-jpg

Finally tried a Blue Chip pick, I'm hooked-bluechip_chopped-jpg

**AlsoRan** · 09-09-2016, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by Runepune

I didn't find any shapes that suited me so I chopped a TP60 to a suitable shape

I really liked the sound and smooth action. Especially after slightly buffing the tip with 3M flexible polishing paper.

Where there is a will (and a little creative ingenuity) there is a way!

**sgosnell** · 09-09-2016, 10:49 PM

I'm bummed. I didn't get a nice wooden box with my Blue Chip 40, just a little plastic bag.

They were also supposed to send a pick pouch, and it didn't arrive. Oh well, at least the pick works. Seriously, it's a nice pick, sounds good with all my instruments, but I'm still not certain it's worth $35. But it might be in the long run, so I'll keep picking with it.

**AlsoRan** · 09-10-2016, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by sgosnell

I'm bummed. I didn't get a nice wooden box with my Blue Chip 40, just a little plastic bag.

They were also supposed to send a pick pouch, and it didn't arrive. Oh well, at least the pick works. Seriously, it's a nice pick, sounds good with all my instruments, but I'm still not certain it's worth $35. But it might be in the long run, so I'll keep picking with it.

That nice little box is an accessory for $10.00 (US dollars).

Nothing is free they say.....

**sgosnell** · 09-10-2016, 04:49 PM

So they say. And they're usually right.

**mooncef** · 09-10-2016, 04:51 PM

I got my TD60 and i like it , very smooth and it size doesn't bother me i want a pick i can feel in my grip !
for the Jazz picks i don't think i like the pointy tips (style jazz III), how do they glide ?

**AlsoRan** · 09-10-2016, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by mooncef

I got my TD60 and i like it , very smooth and it size doesn't bother me i want a pick i can feel in my grip !
for the Jazz picks i don't think i like the pointy tips (style jazz III), how do they glide ?

I have the Jazz III in the carbon and the ones in Ultex. The black, thicker Ultex has a nice, sharp point - but none of them glide like these Blue Chips. It is this gliding feature (from their supposedly "self-lubricating" material) that makes them so slip and slide through the strings.

I have a crazy 195 bpm song on which I play 8th note downstrokes. I have never been able to get past 184 beats per minute but the same day I switched to that pick, within 30 minutes, I was playing at the rated speed.

It was an almost spiritual experience.

**mooncef** · 09-10-2016, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by AlsoRan

I have the Jazz III in the carbon and the ones in Ultex. The black, thicker Ultex has a nice, sharp point - but none of them glide like these Blue Chips. It is this gliding feature (from their supposedly "self-lubricating" material) that makes them so slip and slide through the strings.

I have a crazy 195 bpm song on which I play 8th note downstrokes. I have never been able to get past 184 beats per minute but the same day I switched to that pick, within 30 minutes, I was playing at the rated speed.

It was an almost spiritual experience.

Yes today played with this pick for the 3rd day , it's just getting better , i noticed how it glided , something about the speed bevel and the material makes just so smooth ! i have yet to try the jazz line too but i like the slightly rounder tip honestly !

**AlsoRan** · 09-10-2016, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by mooncef

Yes today played with this pick for the 3rd day , it's just getting better , i noticed how it glided , something about the speed bevel and the material makes just so smooth ! i have yet to try the jazz line too but i like the slightly rounder tip honestly !

I am happy for you.

Greentone made a comment about spending thousands on a guitar and the being hesitant to put some money into the pick. I am glad I paid heed to his comment.

This has been a good few weeks of advice that I have followed here on this forum.

**mooncef** · 09-11-2016, 06:30 AM

Originally Posted by AlsoRan

I am happy for you.

Greentone made a comment about spending thousands on a guitar and the being hesitant to put some money into the pick. I am glad I paid heed to his comment.

This has been a good few weeks of advice that I have followed here on this forum.

sometimes when i tell a friend how much this pick costs , he's like wow , why the hell , sometimes myself i have a hard time justifiying the price !
so what do you think justifies the price ? precision? hand made ? material ?

**AlsoRan** · 09-11-2016, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by mooncef

sometimes when i tell a friend how much this pick costs , he's like wow , why the hell , sometimes myself i have a hard time justifiying the price !
so what do you think justifies the price ? precision? hand made ? material ?

At least in the US, I gave up trying to "justify" prices of things. Whatever people will pay for it is the price, even if its just a bunch of hype.

INMHO, if Blue Chip was not getting the price they wanted, they would lower it or at least have specials.

75.00 was a little crazy for one pick, but given what it is doing for my playing, I would have probably paid 150.00, but not before I tried all of the cheaper alternatives.

I admit, I was desperate for some sort of breakthrough.