Tedly Nightshade Posted June 4, 2002 Share Posted June 4, 2002 Since using some bronze picks I got off ebay (sold as "brass") my carefully chosen best sounding plastic picks sound very weak indeed. The bronze is great for some things but can be pretty raspy against the wound strings. Right now I'm trying to ignore the rasp as I just can't go back to plastic. I realize that picks are the equivalent of mallets for a vibe player- changing mallets totally changes the sound, and the only reason to have a single preferred type is because it's the only really workable one, where I was at with plastic picks. I need to work with some other alternatives- Tortoiseshell? Bakelite? Ceramic? Hardwood? Stone? Ceramic? What? and where do I get them? Ted A WOP BOP A LU BOP, A LOP BAM BOOM! "There is nothing I regret so much as my good behavior. What demon possessed me that I behaved so well?" -Henry David Thoreau Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrave Posted June 4, 2002 Share Posted June 4, 2002 Graphite? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= ME: "Nobody knows the troubles I've seen!" Unknown Voice: "The Shadow do!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sylver Posted June 4, 2002 Share Posted June 4, 2002 Originally posted by Ted Nightshade: Since using some bronze picks I got off ebay (sold as "brass") my carefully chosen best sounding plastic picks sound very weak indeed. The bronze is great for some things but can be pretty raspy against the wound strings. Right now I'm trying to ignore the rasp as I just can't go back to plastic. I realize that picks are the equivalent of mallets for a vibe player- changing mallets totally changes the sound, and the only reason to have a single preferred type is because it's the only really workable one, where I was at with plastic picks. I need to work with some other alternatives- Tortoiseshell? Bakelite? Ceramic? Hardwood? Stone? Ceramic? What? and where do I get them? TedYou might want to look into the Dava metal tipped picks(I forget the name, but they only make one that is metal tips) I didn't care for them, but if metal is your bag they could be cool. Musicians Buddy(To quote another forumite) carries them. I really don't know what to put here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nc Posted June 5, 2002 Share Posted June 5, 2002 Assuming the 'problem' with plastic picks is their flexibility, maybe you could laminate those brass picks...? (thereby softening their abrasiveness) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wewus432 Posted June 5, 2002 Share Posted June 5, 2002 I had some diamond picks, but after two or three strums they sliced through the strings, kabang. Then I lost one and they cost $5000.00. bummer. Just kidding,ha ha ha. Ted I'd like to hear you play because you definitley have some unusual techniques. I mean I've seen bronze picks but I didn't think any one actually used them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip_dup1 Posted June 5, 2002 Share Posted June 5, 2002 Hey Ted Dugain picks, from France, has a super variety of materials-ebony, pernambuco, coconut shell, hematite, etc. I think Lee Flier mentioned that Dunlop distributes them in North America. Tortoise shell goods have been illegal in the U.S. since 1976, and are a violation of the CITIES convention on endangered species. They`re available in Japan but best to avoid them. Try www.tuskbuffer.com if you don`t mind spending a bit. GP magazine had an interesting one last month in the back section but I can`t recall the name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henryrobinett Posted June 5, 2002 Share Posted June 5, 2002 I've been playing with cooper picks for the last 15 years or so. I can't even play with plastic picks. TORTOISE SHELL PICKS??!!!!!! If you know where to get some real, honest to god, tortoise shell let me know!! Those are, hands down, my favorites. But I haven't had any for at least 25 years. I used to do this special thing to them. But the cooper picks I use are Hotlicks Picks #10. I assume I'm the only person in the world who orders them and I'm deathly afraid they're going to have to go out of business. All the best, Henry Robinett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip_dup1 Posted June 5, 2002 Share Posted June 5, 2002 I couldn`t go back to plastic at this point-it`s like trying to pick with a frisbee. Hey Henryrobinett Thought we`d lost you, good sir. Nice to have your worthy input back again. I must reluctantly admit, I have several real, honest to god tortoise shell picks but see my post above. I like the shells much better on the tortoises. also, Dugain has buffalo horn, which IMO is just as nice and less damaging. In fact, let me give this some thought-I`ll be back stateside for a while this summer and if the volume is manageable I might be convinced to bring some picks back with me...we`d be talking $10-15 per unit depending on material. hands up for who would be into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henryrobinett Posted June 5, 2002 Share Posted June 5, 2002 Me! Me! Me! I need the triangle picks. BTW I never went away. I just no longer had anything to contribute to THAT thread, since I had said all I could. BTW again: what constitutes a unit? A pick? All the best, Henry Robinett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henryrobinett Posted June 5, 2002 Share Posted June 5, 2002 Yeah, I know they're illegal in the US. I'm a vegetarian too. If I could find something else that did for me what tortoise can do I'd use it. What am I saying? I haven't used one in 25 years and haven't purchased one in maybe 28 years. I bought a whole gang of them last chance I had. All the best, Henry Robinett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip_dup1 Posted June 5, 2002 Share Posted June 5, 2002 yup, a unit would be per pick. I`m glad THAT thread is outta here too, bro. Why don`t interested parties send me a mailing address at skipt@hotmail.com and I`ll see what we`ve got, ya? henryrobinett-you`re talking about the big triangle ones, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip_dup1 Posted June 5, 2002 Share Posted June 5, 2002 here`s a list of materials, as far as I can remember- ebony boxwood (native to Japan) pernambuco gaiac (a kind of evergreen-don`t know much about it) snakewood (bit more expensive) coconut shell buffalo horn (personal fave) hematite (expensive) red jasper (another fave-expensive) and of course the tortoise shells there may be one or two more-gotta drop by the shop area again this weekend. Ted Nightshade- meanwhile there are really nice picks with carbon fiber that I still like, you can get them at lots of stores-they say hi-modulus on one side and on the other, for reasons I can`t fathom, is a picture of a certain weed which need not be named, and the word `reefer` under it. They`re black in color. Everybody- Now that I think about it, don`t worry about an address just yet-let me know who you are, what you`re interested in and we`ll go from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedly Nightshade Posted June 5, 2002 Author Share Posted June 5, 2002 Wow~ what a gold mine of information! The character that made those bronze picks has some abalone ones, so I'll get some of those, and a bunch of others. Amazing to find so much so fast- I thought I'd be on another of my esoteric quests for weeks! By the way, the only thing unusual about my playing is the projection, volume and tone- I like to take unamplified acoustic as far as it will go, pretty far with high action on Collings- I can hold my own with a grand piano, and do! Take care, and thanks for the great leads on picks! Ted A WOP BOP A LU BOP, A LOP BAM BOOM! "There is nothing I regret so much as my good behavior. What demon possessed me that I behaved so well?" -Henry David Thoreau Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baronedo Posted June 5, 2002 Share Posted June 5, 2002 I use Dunlop Nylon picks which seem to give a decent sound and are more durable than plastic. I use .73mm which are flexible but firm enough for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wewus432 Posted June 5, 2002 Share Posted June 5, 2002 Ted, I'll bet that Collins IS LOUD ! Great guitar, I've seen a few here and there. I tried to jam with a guy that had one once, had to go electric to be heard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyote Posted June 5, 2002 Share Posted June 5, 2002 If you live on a beach, try looking around for pick-shaped shells. This is what I use now. I used to think I was Libertarian. Until I saw their platform; now I know I'm no more Libertarian than I am RepubliCrat or neoCON or Liberal or Socialist. This ain't no track meet; this is football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedly Nightshade Posted June 5, 2002 Author Share Posted June 5, 2002 "Ted, I'll bet that Collins IS LOUD ! Great guitar, I've seen a few here and there. I tried to jam with a guy that had one once, had to go electric to be heard." The joy of it is that it's equally loud and very open and rich in tone everywhere on the neck. No sweet spots, can you believe it? At one time I had a emotional crisis about being a guitarist, after seeing a fabulous sax player in an acoustic jazz setting. This combined with my partner-in-crime's big healthy piano sound made me really wonder if guitar was just this little plinky instrument that needed amplification to play with other acoustic instruments- my story so far, to that point. Well the quest began, and after playing everything in town, dozens and dozens of guitars, handmade, Froggy Bottom, Taylor, Larivee, many old prewar Martins, I came across the Collings. (Humor- the shop owner told me that after I tried each guitar for 5 minutes he had to restring them all... he had high standards, bless him) I was very impressed indeed with the Collings, but as I walked out the door thirty feet from the owner playing some quiet tasty jazz stuff that PROJECTED I mean how, I knew I was going to be selling a lot of gear and cashing in all outstanding debts owed to me. To feel like a for real acoustic instrumentalist ready for any ensemble, no electricity and no apologies, has changed my entire perception of my place in the world, as a guitarist. And that's with (1.5 mm) plastic picks! I can't wait to try all these others... Ted A WOP BOP A LU BOP, A LOP BAM BOOM! "There is nothing I regret so much as my good behavior. What demon possessed me that I behaved so well?" -Henry David Thoreau Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wewus432 Posted June 5, 2002 Share Posted June 5, 2002 Ted: A lot of bluegrass guys play a Collins. You can't believe how loud and good they sound till you hear one in the same room with you. Unbelievable! I need one of those. Your new nickname is The String Shredder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollykin Posted June 6, 2002 Share Posted June 6, 2002 Originally posted by TheWewus: I had some diamond picks, but after two or three strums they sliced through the strings, kabang. Then I lost one and they cost $5000.00. bummer. Just kidding,ha ha ha. Ted I'd like to hear you play because you definitley have some unusual techniques. I mean I've seen bronze picks but I didn't think any one actually used them.hahaha! hand me over some o' dat sh*t! heh, I dont know what you guys are all on about. I've tried harder ones like tougher plastic, hardwood and ceramic... and a metal tipped one at a mates house.. hated them all. I need the flexibility... so I went back to boring, plain, ugly and cheap dunlop 1mm's and found that they are simply the best pick for me. heh. so I just went down to the shop and bought 10 of the suckers. 5 bucks? No worries mate. now theyre scattered ALL over the house hehe "ANDREW! YOU LEFT YOUR BLOODY PICK HERE AGAIN!" Nolly "Money, Bitchez and Cheese!" http://www.playspoon.com/nollykin/files/voxline.gif "I never thought about it, and I never stopped to feel - But I didn't want you telling me just what to think was real. And as simple as it comes, I only wanted to express- ...But with expression comes regret - and I don't want you hating me." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip_dup1 Posted June 6, 2002 Share Posted June 6, 2002 dunlop plastic? no thanks... Hey Nolly-I was out your way in 1999/2000 (saw the new year fireworks in Sydney-awsome). There was a damn fine acoustic maker-a bit expensive but really nice. What the heck is the name of those guys? I think they`re widely available there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomcat36 Posted June 7, 2002 Share Posted June 7, 2002 Jim Dunlop USA Nylon .73mm. Probably the most firm but flexible and durable picks made. I sand the tips down a little more so the tip can skip over the strings faster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollykin Posted June 7, 2002 Share Posted June 7, 2002 Originally posted by skip: dunlop plastic? no thanks... Hey Nolly-I was out your way in 1999/2000 (saw the new year fireworks in Sydney-awsome). There was a damn fine acoustic maker-a bit expensive but really nice. What the heck is the name of those guys? I think they`re widely available there.Hmm... well, we get samick, valencia, ibanez, yamaha, cort, gibson, epiphone, uhhh... maton, takamine, admira, washburn, and probably heaps of others just off the top of my head? I dont know of any "expensive but good" ones... sorry. And YEAH!! DUNLOPS ARE THE SCHIZNITZ!! hehehe - no kidding, I love the way they feel against the strings, it helps me strum up and down more lightly, more of a flowing motion, and since I like nice, flowing chords, that helps. Nolly "Money, Bitchez and Cheese!" http://www.playspoon.com/nollykin/files/voxline.gif "I never thought about it, and I never stopped to feel - But I didn't want you telling me just what to think was real. And as simple as it comes, I only wanted to express- ...But with expression comes regret - and I don't want you hating me." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip_dup1 Posted June 7, 2002 Share Posted June 7, 2002 Nolly- The guitars I have in mind are Australia-made. I`ll see if I can find that brochure I had-get back to you. I still say, if you haven`t had a chance try some of the materials out there-it`s an in-goddam-credible difference. Meanwhile, henryrobinett`s the only one who`s said `send me something`-is that the case? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedly Nightshade Posted June 7, 2002 Author Share Posted June 7, 2002 I'm curious, of course. What's the timetable? Ted A WOP BOP A LU BOP, A LOP BAM BOOM! "There is nothing I regret so much as my good behavior. What demon possessed me that I behaved so well?" -Henry David Thoreau Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinitus Posted June 7, 2002 Share Posted June 7, 2002 First time post for me. This thread is interesting so I felt compelled to chime in (feel free to show me the door anytime...) I regularly use several different kind of picks for electric guitar, I've tried tons of different types. My most frequently used picks are currently Dunlop nylon 1mm, Dunlop Gator .96mm. and Dunlop Jazz III (how come the red one's sound different from the black ones?). I switch around a lot depending on my mood, or what I have on hand at the moment. I tend to lose a lot of picks and have on occasion used a copper penny, or if my pockets contain nothing but lint, my fingernail. The fingernail thing slows you down a bit but I'll be danged if I don't prefer the sound of a string picked with natural fingernail over anything else. I've heard of players paying big bucks for picks made from antler or soft bone, presumably because it lends a tonal quality similar to a human fingernail. Anyone know of a plentiful supply of antler guitar picks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip_dup1 Posted June 9, 2002 Share Posted June 9, 2002 not antler per se, but note the buffalo horn above. I don`t think you could call them plentiful at $10 each, you`d have to start seeing them in a different way i.e., not disposable. I`ll be heading back stateside in late July, I`d prefer to know what I`ll need to pick up by mid-July. Also, note that it`s strictly as a favor-not for profit as in, violating the convention on TRADE in questionable material-so it would have to be limited to two or three per person. Nolly-those guitars were mentioned in a magazine about the local music scene which I have since tossed out-sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip_dup1 Posted June 10, 2002 Share Posted June 10, 2002 by the way, please add one to the materials list-ox bone (very dense). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedly Nightshade Posted June 10, 2002 Author Share Posted June 10, 2002 Tell ya what, I'll see what I can find, and then I'll know what you can get me, skip, that I can't find elsewhere. I do appreciate the offer. Ted A WOP BOP A LU BOP, A LOP BAM BOOM! "There is nothing I regret so much as my good behavior. What demon possessed me that I behaved so well?" -Henry David Thoreau Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetboy Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 i'm assuming that when you say dunlop plastics aren't for you that you're including the tortex's. if not I started using them a while back because my last tortise shell pick wore out and while it's not real tortise, i find there quite nice for plastic. a much different feel than either nylon or the normal plastic picks. i use a 1mm tear drop, pretty heavy, from the side(not the point) and they work great for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip_dup1 Posted June 13, 2002 Share Posted June 13, 2002 Originally posted by jetboy: i'm assuming that when you say dunlop plastics aren't for you that you're including the tortex's. if not I started using them a while back because my last tortise shell pick wore out and while it's not real tortise, i find there quite nice for plastic. a much different feel than either nylon or the normal plastic picks. i use a 1mm tear drop, pretty heavy, from the side(not the point) and they work great for me.Do you mean me? Yes, I`ve tried the tortex ones (I don`t care for those ones that look like an artists`s palette). They`re certainly better, but the kind of materials I`m talking about are just a whole `nother level. Not to be elitist, that`s just the facts. I will say this-that for those who like thin, flexible-style picks, the choices are more limited. The tortoise shells are not gauged, and you have to go through them until you find one that suits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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