-
Hi fellow jazzers! For decades I've been using a Gibson Heavy tear drop jazz pick. But over time, all but one have gone missing. I've tried many replacements but after your hands and mind acclimate to one shape and size of pick for your entire playing career, adjusting to another is essentially impossible (at least for me!). I understand these are no longer available, and was hoping someone here might know of a source for some. I only have one left, and am bringing it to a 3 day guitar fest, and am concerned that I will lose it and be up the creek.... Here is a photo. Can anyone rescue me? Thanks!! Hopefully, Len....
-
07-25-2016 07:59 PM
-
What about the Guzz picks?
I have a bunch of Jazz III and once I got some of these picks (recommended from Howard Alden) never went back, they're vastly superior.
https://www.guzzguitar.com/S3_GUITAR_PICKS.html
I use the 3mm ones.
Despite the picture, the tip is rounded and has double bevel. The sound of it and playability is IMHO awesome.
-
Either that one is really worn out or it's one I never saw? I have a couple of heavy black Gibson teardrop picks but they are pointier than your pic like the also defunct Fender 358 teardrops.
At any rate I will send you the Gibson picks and 20 or so Fender 358's I have. Pm me if you want them.
-
Thanks that is a very generous offer but if the picks are not the Gibson teardrop shape with the engraved "splash" it is not what I'm looking for. It may be one you never saw they are very uncommon.
Regards,
Len
-
they haven't made those in eons, good luck w/that.
to have any shot, keep glued to ebay, join other guitar forums and post there, maybe you'll get lucky.
but if were you I'd experiment w/something made more recently.
-
I bought my last Gibson teardrops (once called the Gibson "Star" pick) sometime around 2000. IIRC Fender had a similar or identical shape called the 347 that I used sometimes, but there was something about the material that I didn't care for.
Dunlop makes a series of Tortex picks of the nearly same shape, called the Teardrop, but they're a lot brighter than the Gibson Stars. They seem to have a more pointed tip than they used to.
Dunlop also makes a line called "JD Jazztones" that sound very similar to the Gibson teardrops. I've had good results with the #207 - the shape is different from the Gibson, but it does sound very much the same, and it's comfortable. I use these almost all the time now. I think the round tip has something to do with its sound.
-
I found some on eBay. You just have to keep watching and they do come up occasionally.
Originally Posted by Len R
Hi fellow jazzers! For decades I've been using a Gibson Heavy tear drop jazz pick. But over time, all but one have gone missing. I've tried many replacements but after your hands and mind acclimate to one shape and size of pick for your entire playing career, adjusting to another is essentially impossible (at least for me!). I understand these are no longer available, and was hoping someone here might know of a source for some. I only have one left, and am bringing it to a 3 day guitar fest, and am concerned that I will lose it and be up the creek.... Here is a photo. Can anyone rescue me? Thanks!! Hopefully, Len....
-
That's a Norlin Gibson logo, isn't it?
The pick is named the Gibson GG-50H.
Is this close enough? Rounded Jazz Guitar Pick, 1.00mm, Pearl
Last edited by Jabberwocky; 07-26-2016 at 05:06 AM.
-
Went on the same journey ended up with Fender 347
-
I think the closest replacement would be the D"Andrea pro plec in the 358 size. I used those teardrop Gibson picks in the late 70's.
-
Yeah, the Fender 347-shape looks like the closest equivalent as does the Pickboy that I found. Originally Posted by skiboyny
-
I'm obsessed with your problem. One of these:
Red Bear Trading Co. The Best Guitar Picks Made - Your Tone Starts Right Here ?
-
I did some digging in my pick collection and did a size comparison/flex of the Gibson Splash in heavy, (and I only have one) and the D'Andrea 347 and Fender 347. The Fender is just a tiny bit smaller than the Gibson, but the D'Andrea 347 (available from Muscian's Friend) is very, very close to an exact copy in size. In flex, the 88mm is almost identical to the Gibson Splash Heavy, but it still falls somewhere between the 88mm and the 73mm. The matte finish feel is almost nonexistent the 88 and 73, however it is more noticeable on the 1.14 (I don't have a 1.0mm). They feel and play about the same. Might be worth a try for a few bucks. Incidently, I was just down touring the Gibson Memphis plant and asked about the teardrop, and was told many players asked about that pick, but it is out of production. You may have to go on a pick hunt or give one of the readily available picks a look.
Last edited by es34569; 07-26-2016 at 10:49 AM.
-
Len, the shadow cast by the pick in your photo made the tip look a lot rounder or perhaps it is worn. This is one photo I found:
Looks like a black celluloid 347!
-
I'm a fan of the Dunlop Jazztone 204
Dunlop Manufacturing :: Guitar Picks :: :: JD Jazztones?
The 204, 205, or 207 might be worthy replacements
-
Hey everyone, thanks for all the replies and great information! Had no idea so many others knew and loved this pick and also can't find it. I will look on eBay as suggested, and try a couple of the alternatives. Which Red Bear do you think would be the closest? I will also try a Fender 347 and a few others you guys recommended. Jabberwocky, yes, my pick is extremely worn, as it is the only one left and I've been using it for years. Thanks again! Len
-
You might -worst case- have to find a larger pick and trace and cut or have someone do it then make the bevel by dragging the pick against sandpaper laying flat...
Call Gibson and send a pic of the pick ..maybe they have more...?
If you need that exact shape ( 3 mm is really thick also) to play your best- I get it...
-
Red Bear Style A, Style D or Style F. Just guessing. There is a dimension chart.
Your best bet is to find a teardrop celluloid and reshape it. That means Micromesh, Wolfram Nail File, Alaskan Whetstone, elbow grease.
You could also contact Gary Wagner for a real deal repurposed tortoiseshell Gibson teardrop pick. See the teardrop 0.92 on the right-hand side of the photo? It is a $40 pick. What the hey, drink less beer or wine for a month or twelve...
Last edited by Jabberwocky; 07-27-2016 at 05:35 AM.
-
-
Had not heard of those. I'm happy with my current pick but if I ever run across one of these, I'd give it a whirl if only to satisfy my curiosity. Originally Posted by Sacco
-
take a look at the d'andrea 347's..they come in a bunch of different mm gauges..are readily available ie. mus friend..and can be had for 3-4$ a dozen!!
made of delrin
cheers
-
I feel for ya, I have my favorites, and used to use Gibsons until they disappeared from the market. I just found one, a heart shaped one, and man! I want more.
But, its not only the shape, or the thickness, it's also the material and the finish or the feel that the material imparts.
On the other hand, by looking for a new pick to rely on, you may find some alternatives, and you, like I did, found something better. I play cleaner, faster, and still get the attack I enjoyed with picks of the past, when I use the medium or heavy Fender 358 celluloids. They last a good long time even tho they are available at MF at low cost per 1/2 gross. Downside....they get lost easier, but I hardly ever drop them! compared to others.
-
those black gibson picks were in fact made by d'andrea, and the material was called "eboneen"!
cheers
-
To the best of your knowledge, are the newly manufactured "Gibson" picks made from eboneen? I bought several Gibson #351 picks recently, and the material looks and feels the same as my Gibson "Splash" teardrop. Originally Posted by neatomic
Chuck
-
sorry don't know...but i see d'andrea has similar looking (not shaped) black picks of celluloid..so if they are still oem pick supply for gibson i'd imagine they are of the same material..as far as what "eboneen" is/was..i have no idea Originally Posted by es34569
maybe an email to d'andrea...also a request for a 347 sized pickup in black
cheers
Reply With Quote
New Painting
Yesterday, 10:46 PM in Everything Else