Red Bear Picks

**JohnW400** · 07-27-2009, 05:03 PM

Anybody try the Red Bear picks? I see they sell for a lot of money considering it's a PICK.

Anybody ?

**g.lawless** · 07-27-2009, 10:06 PM

I swear by my Red Bear style B heavy's when playing flat top acoustic guitar but prefer Dunlop 205's for jazz. To my ear the Red Bear(style B, I haven't tried the li'l jazzer) is brighter than a 205 but still sounds round and full.
They are expensive, but they are great picks and might be worth a try.
By the way this is my first post after being a long time lurker!
Greg Lawless

**JohnW400** · 07-27-2009, 10:58 PM

Welcome to the forum

I use 205's. How does the B compare in size to the 205? Is it more like a regular Fender style pick? or is it the same size as the 205?

**g.lawless** · 07-27-2009, 11:56 PM

The B is slightly larger and more rounded than a standard size Fender 351. A couple of the other styles look to be about the size of a 205 though. http://www.redbeartrading.com

**P.J.** · 07-28-2009, 04:31 AM

Originally Posted by JohnW400

Anybody try the Red Bear picks? I see they sell for a lot of money considering it's a PICK.

Anybody ?

I have one and I think it is pretty cool. My wife constantly teases me about the 20 dollar pick because she knows how many normal ones get washed or lost but so far it hasn't been washed or lost. I think I would like it better if it were smaller and teardrop shaped, but that is just me. The sound is very nice with it.

=-) PJ

**hot ford coupe** · 07-28-2009, 08:01 AM

20 sheckels for a pick!?!?!? These must be some great picks.

**MikeJ** · 07-28-2009, 08:23 AM

hmmm I have only ever used a fender heavy pick..
Bought a box a gazallion years ago and they are still going.
Does the pick really make that much of a difference?

**JohnW400** · 07-28-2009, 09:18 AM

I see Elderly Instruments are having a close out sale. $14. I'll try one just to say I did it.

**mangotango** · 07-28-2009, 11:26 AM

GBP12.15 for a plectrum???

Are you guys mad?? Dammit, I want at least a set of strings for that price. In fact, my first guitar didn't cost me that much!!

Sorry, at the rate at which I lose them, I'd be bankrupt after the first few gigs...................

**JohnW400** · 07-28-2009, 11:33 AM

I just have to see what all they're all about. I have to see with my own eyes and feel them with my own hands to see why and if they're worth it.

I ordered one and will let you know. Kind of crazy though. $20 pick

**Scolohofo** · 07-28-2009, 11:54 AM

Those gypsy jazzkats given a lot more for their picks!Wel,not more but the same.
http://www.wegenpicks.com/

http://www.dugainpicks.com/horn.html

**P.J.** · 07-28-2009, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by MikeJ

hmmm I have only ever used a fender heavy pick..
Bought a box a gazallion years ago and they are still going.
Does the pick really make that much of a difference?

Picks, regardless of price =-), make a huge difference in sound and in playing. I definitely hear a big difference in materials and thickness and use different picks for different sounds. It is definitely worth investigating because picks are relatively cheap so you can get a bunch of different ones and experiment.

=-) PJ

**MikeJ** · 07-28-2009, 12:07 PM

looks like I need to do some experimentation...
cheers

Mike

**JohnW400** · 07-28-2009, 01:28 PM

Mike, experimentation is always good but I'm using the same pick for over 20 years (Jazz 205). I'm just curious about why it's worth $20.

Same with anything. I want to see why something is valued the way it is. (within reason) Like port wine or expensive food. Something that's an extravagance. What's the difference between say a $15 bottle and a $60 bottle of 20 year old, for example.

**MikeJ** · 07-28-2009, 03:14 PM

Now wine I know a little more about....

In the meantime I look forward to your report and I will try a 205? or should we go all out and use one of these Picks and Stones Gemstone Guitar Picks

Cheers Mike

**JohnW400** · 07-28-2009, 04:01 PM

I have three of those already

bought 'em back in the 80's. Not my cup of tea. Brought them out this week after I saw the Red Bear ones and started to play. They started to hurt my wrist. So now they go back in the coffee mug that holds my old and unusual picks

**hot ford coupe** · 07-28-2009, 05:02 PM

Holy Schmoley!!! I took a look at some of those other picks and I can make billions of those. I build large scale model cars and do a heck of a lot of scratchbuilding. One sheet of a good solid plastic and I'm in business.

**MikeJ** · 07-28-2009, 08:03 PM

Originally Posted by JohnW400

I have three of those already

bought 'em back in the 80's. Not my cup of tea. Brought them out this week after I saw the Red Bear ones and started to play. They started to hurt my wrist. So now they go back in the coffee mug that holds my old and unusual picks

Blimey I have obviously missed out somewhere along the line.. I have used the same pick (make) since the 70's........

**rio** · 07-28-2009, 09:36 PM

I bought one after a Martin factory tour back in 2006 and still have it today, nor major signs of wear on the pick. On my acoustic (Martin 000-28EC) it sounds great. On my electric, well archtop that is (Eastman 805ce) it sounds only good. I think the improvement of sound from these picks is more from an acoustic instrument. They feel great to play though and I do wish I could use it on my archtop. I do when playing it acousticly but I get a better electric sound with D'Andrea pro pleks. Still though, do check them out and get one because they last and are pretty cool.

**hot ford coupe** · 07-28-2009, 10:57 PM

I remember reading where Les Paul used to cut off pieces of pick guard material and shape his picks into triangles. He said when one point broke off, he just turned it around and used another side. Then again, he got a fantastic sound out of a dang 4 x 4 with a neck stuck to it. That was the famous Log. He made a lot of great recordings with that guitar and those cheap picks. I still can't see spending that kind of dough on picks when my strings only cost me half that. If I need to, I sand down a pick, polish it and it sounds great.

**JohnW400** · 08-01-2009, 12:16 PM

The pick arrived yesterday. It's an "A" style extra heavy. Size wise it's a bit bigger than a Jazz 205. The main difference is the beveling on the tip.

I played with it a bit and noticed that it has a brighter sound with a sharper attack. This is probably a good pick for gypsy style playing. It's a nice pick, well made. I like the 205 better but I'm a creature of habit.

As far as it costing $20 (or even $14 on sale at Elderly Intruments) I would have to say no. Maybe $5 each.

In comparison to the stone picks I have, It's a better pick because of the bevel. This allows the pick to 'slide' of the string with less resistance. I'll have to check on those stone picks to see if they come with beveled tips and try those.

**csoul** · 08-02-2009, 07:14 PM

john, is it heavier than a 205?

**Perhaps** · 08-04-2009, 07:32 PM

One more pick to throw into the works, Blue Chip;
BlueChip Picks - The Worlds Best Guitar and Mandolin Picks-Blue Chip Picks

Reportedly taking the flatpicking world by storm and moving out from there.
35$. !!!!

**JohnW400** · 08-04-2009, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by csoul

john, is it heavier than a 205?

Well, it's a hair thinner, but just as stiff. It's a nice pick though. I've been playing with it a bit. definately a different tone and I think It's a faster pick due to the bevels. The 205's hang up after they wear in a bit and the plastic wears away the point a bit.

We'll have to see how this one holds up.

**JohnW400** · 08-04-2009, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by Perhaps

One more pick to throw into the works, Blue Chip;
BlueChip Picks - The Worlds Best Guitar and Mandolin Picks-Blue Chip Picks

Reportedly taking the flatpicking world by storm and moving out from there.
35$. !!!!

No way!!! I can't believe it. Loks like we're into the day's of boutique picks.

I'll pass on this one. I may revisit the the stone picks and see if they have any think beveled and cheaper,

But I still really dig my JAZZ 205 and still have at least 500 of these picks