Seeking a tougher pick

**whiskey02** · 03-02-2023, 03:37 PM

While I don't have a problem when playing flatwound strings but the roundwounds on my acoustic (.13-.56) just eats up the edges of my picks. I've been trying to use a more shallow pick angle and that helps a bit, but I still "play the way I play". I use fender heavy celluloid (though only with flats on my electric now) and dunlop ultex. Ultex is significantly tougher than celluloid but still the edges get scratched up and gritty (in a bad way) from the low strings. I don't like the idea of just discarding one pick after another, but I also know I'm not about to pay $35-$50 for a blue chip. I don't even know if BC picks get scratched up from wound strings? I've never tried acrylic or Wegen/booteek picks. Would appreciate any suggestions or comments.

**AllanAllen** · 03-02-2023, 03:48 PM

Just toss them. Picks and strings are disposable.

**Stringswinger** · 03-02-2023, 04:32 PM

You will lose (ouch!) a Wegan before wearing one out.

**RomanS** · 03-02-2023, 04:33 PM

For electrics I use the red Dunlop Jazz III XL picks, and they last forever - I've never worn one down...
Even tougher are the Dunlop Primetone picks (sometimes called the "poor man's Blue Chip") I use for acoustic guitar (with 13s) and mandolin - I think you'd have a hard time wearig those down...

**bluenote61** · 03-02-2023, 04:48 PM

Also a vote for Dunlop Jazztone or Big Stubby and - of course! - Wegen picks.
As said before, you will loose them easier than wearing out.

**rpjazzguitar** · 03-02-2023, 05:44 PM

I use a Golden Gate mandolin pick. I carry a sheet of fine sandpaper (can't recall the number) in my guitar case. I polish out the rough edges every now and then. Works fine.

**whiskey02** · 03-02-2023, 06:19 PM

It's not that they wear down, not talking about the tip. It's the sides leading to the tip, they get gouges and rough edges making them scratchy sounding rather than smooth. Though caused by the windings on the low strings, it's when playing on the plain treble strings where you hear the damage. If you run a fingernail along the side of the pick edge you can feel that it's not smooth. Like I said, the celluloid's get marred pretty quickly while Ultex resists a while longer. I'm surprised that it happens to ultex because it's so durable. I get no discernable tip wear with either one.

Edit: it's as if one did a pick slide 90 degrees down a wound string, leaving a cut mark along the edge.

**nyc chaz** · 03-02-2023, 07:08 PM

If you are that tough on picks then you might want to reconsider and get a Blue chip pick.I have one 10 years that's had considerable use and it still looks almost new.A pick made from casein lasts well too like Red Bear or Honey picks.It's cheaper to buy one of these picks when you add up the cost over time of buying bags of the picks you are using now.

**JSanta** · 03-02-2023, 07:25 PM

I have been playing a pick made by Tommy Davy over at djangoguitars.com for the last year (quite literally, I got it this week last year) and it's still in almost new condition. These are the same "milk stone" material on the Red Bears, and I love the feeling and tone of Tommy's picks. The nice thing with this material is that they get a bit tacky where you hold them as your body heat warms up the material, but still glide effortlessly over the strings. I only play on a SelMac style guitar, so these picks take a beating, and after a year, there are fine marks where I hold the pick where my finger prints have caused little scuffs and indents that make it even easier to hold.

**shrews824** · 03-03-2023, 10:06 AM

I use these and they are the absolute best imo. They are a little expensive, but nothing like a Blue Chip. You can have them completely customized to your specs too. And they will last forever. Jokko, the owner, is an absolute pleasure to work and deal with.

Shapes - Manouche Picks

**FourOnSix** · 03-03-2023, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by whiskey02

I'm not about to pay $35-$50 for a blue chip. I don't even know if BC picks get scratched up from wound strings?

BC picks are virtually indestructible. If it were me, it would be worth $35-$50 to resolve this problem once and for all. Money well spent.

**TedBPhx** · 03-03-2023, 01:32 PM

Spend the money. Get the BlueChip.

**bluejaybill** · 03-03-2023, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by FourOnSix

BC picks are virtually indestructible. If it were me, it would be worth $35-$50 to resolve this problem once and for all. Money well spent.

I totally agree. I have like 4 of them, yeah it hurt to spend that much, but I have had them for 3 years now, and they have barely worn. I took a close look at them last night after your original post, and they have just developed a slight bevel to match my picking style. They never seem to get rough, and as they warm up they stay stable in your hand. And they have great tone. I got one off the Primetones to compare- sorry, not really that close.

I don't gig much, and it would be a drag to lose them on a gig, so you would need to figure that out. Overall just highly recommended. There is a reason why a lot of great players use them.

**stratology** · 03-03-2023, 02:46 PM

I've tried hundreds, cheap and expensive. Didn't like Blue Chip at all.

Among the best, in terms of sound and durability, were Wegen and Gravity picks.

My current favourites are Gravity Gold - best sounding picks I've played, extremely durable, expensive. Gravity's less expensive acrylic options are great as well.

Wegen Fatone was my go to for years, lasts forever (though there is some wear over long time periods), very powerful sound, but less high end than the Gravity, and harder to get different sounds by different picking techniques.

Compared to pretty much all other pieces of guitar gear, picks are dirt cheap, and make a major difference in sound. So it's totally worth it to spend some money to investigate - lots of picks for the price of a pedal, or even a good cable...

**mr. beaumont** · 03-03-2023, 03:00 PM

I've never worn out a Pro-Plec. And I play steel string acoustic most of the time these days, too.

I tried a Blue Chip. Twice, actually. I had one, disliked it, lost it, found it, still hated it.

**Klatu** · 03-03-2023, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by JSanta

I have been playing a pick made by Tommy Davy over at djangoguitars.com for the last year (quite literally, I got it this week last year) and it's still in almost new condition. These are the same "milk stone" material on the Red Bears, and I love the feeling and tone of Tommy's picks. The nice thing with this material is that they get a bit tacky where you hold them as your body heat warms up the material, but still glide effortlessly over the strings. I only play on a SelMac style guitar, so these picks take a beating, and after a year, there are fine marks where I hold the pick where my finger prints have caused little scuffs and indents that make it even easier to hold.

I went to the djangobooks site, and it looks like the e commerce system has been disabled. Are they still in business?

**JSanta** · 03-03-2023, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by Klatu

I went to the djangobooks site, and it looks like the e commerce system has been disabled. Are they still in business?

Yeah, I talked to Tommy this week, they are just building a new website. If you're looking for something, just use the phone number or email listed on the landing page, he'll get back to you quickly.

**burchyk** · 03-03-2023, 04:09 PM

Got into Pro Plec recently thanks to Jonathan Kreisberg. One of the few pics that come nicely polished out of the bag. Did not need to polish after a few months of use either.

**Stringswinger** · 03-03-2023, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by JSanta

Yeah, I talked to Tommy this week, they are just building a new website. If you're looking for something, just use the phone number or email listed on the landing page, he'll get back to you quickly.

Umm, Djangobooks is run by Michael Horowitz. Django guitars is run by Tommy Davy. They are both friends of mine, but AFAIK, they are not very friendly with each other.

**JSanta** · 03-03-2023, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

Umm, Djangobooks is run by Michael Horowitz. Django guitars is run by Tommy Davy. They are both friends of mine, but AFAIK, they are not very friendly with each other.

Yes, on my initial post I did correctly state it as djangoguitars.com, but your point certainly stands

Tommy is also a friend of mine and a heck of a player and a really good person. He has a Dupont on order for me that he sent specific measurements of the neck on his 1953 (I believe 53) Selmer for them to recreate.

**coolvinny** · 03-03-2023, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

I've never worn out a Pro-Plec. And I play steel string acoustic most of the time these days, too.

I tried a Blue Chip. Twice, actually. I had one, disliked it, lost it, found it, still hated it.

With Blue Chips there is a big difference in sound depending on whether it's "beveled" (the standard I think) or "un-beveled" (free option you need to specify). I can't stand them if they're beveled but the un-beveled are the best I can find. Regarding durability I've been using my "main" one for around 8 years but I have a few spares I keep in pouches in my normal and thinking gig bags (though I play a LOT less than I did pre 2019).

I use the KS60 un-beveled but have tried a few others. KS50 is also pretty nice.