Blue Chip Picks

[photodusty]

I play a J-45 mostly. I have had the run down of going through picks the last 15 years. Right now I use a Dunlop Prime Tone that sounds pretty nice.

 

When I bought my J-45 earlier this spring they guy I purchased it from had a Blue Chip Pick. I think it was a 40.... I remember the sound of the guitar, not the sound of the pick on the strings. Part of me thinks I was getting caught up in the "finally finding the right J45" moment that I didnt hear the strings....but part of me really thinks it was this Blue Chip Pick.

 

Anyone here use them? Have you used them and moved on to something else? Any thoughts at all?

 

db

[Lars68]

I have a few of those. I am basically only at a beginners level, even though I have played for many years, so I can't really comment how these picks work for advanced players. However, they help me a lot. They are kind of sticky and don't slip in my grip as easily. They are also the picks with the least pick noice I have ever used. I have sizes 35, 40, and 50. I use 40 the most for basic strumming.

 

I have just started to play a little 12-string and noticed that the pick type makes an even bigger difference on tone. Here I use the size 35 for even more jangle :-)

 

Lars

[merciful-evans]

Yes.

 

I have reviewed the Blue Chip TAD40 in the reviews part of this board.

 

http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topic/122915-bluechip-picks/

[Tarrr]

I have been using Blue Chips for years, have the TD35, 40, & 45.... 40 is my go-to. Traditional tearshape, light grip to hold allows wrist freedom, clear tone. best

[jedzep]

I find them to be a little too thick, dulling/muting the treble tone I like to hear from my old Gibs. Sometimes though, for softer tones, quieter songs I like them to accentuate that beautiful chime-like sound of my 000 Martin. I prefer the Red Bear, which is custom beveled to control for tone. They're badly backed up at Red Bear and open their site for ordering flatpicks only once a week, and you'd better be quick on the draw. I begged and whined so they took pity and pressed out a Classic II beauty just two weeks ago. My old Red Bear was just perfect for my 50's J45. I'd try that out too...if you can get one.

[Motherofpearl]

I have 2 a td 55 and a thumb pick. Dust collectors.

[mountainpicker]

After trying all kinds of picks I've settled on a Blue Chip TAD-40. First off, Blue Chips (BC) play thicker (feel thicker playing) than most other picks. You won't find the equivalent to a Fender Thin from BC. That may not suit you if you're first starting out but down the road you will probably graduate to thicker picks the more you play. But, you might want to wait until you reach that point before investing in a BC. The two things I really like about the BC pick is the inherit tackiness of the material so it doesn't get away from me when the playing gets exciting and I like the way the pick feels on the strings...very smooth and effortless. The material and the way it takes a bevel is just superior to anything else I've ever tried. The amount of pick noise on a BC is less than any other pick I've used except maybe wooden picks or horn. You hear the guitar responding to the strings and that's it. If you are first starting out I'd say that you should figure out the shape of pick you prefer (I like the large triangle) and then the thickness before you pop for a BC. I also recommend paying the extra five dollars to get your name engraved on the pick because if you want to feel your heart beat fast just lose a $40 pick! I did lose one of mine but it came back to me because my name was on it. Runner up to the BC for me is a COOL pick in Heavy, 1.0mm I found walking home from work one evening. Don't know what they cost but they ain't half bad. When you drop your pick on a table the "tap tone" of a BC is distinctive and the COOL is almost identical in that regard. Hope that helps.

[Buc McMaster]

When I played 6 strings a Blue Chip was always nearby, but I did prefer a Red Bear. Both are no-nonsense, no-flex picks that really drive the strings. They do not suit those that like a wiggle in their pick, nor are they for the beginner or casual strummer. For some, like myself, nothing else will do. Still have a few of each stashed away in the unthinkable event that I buy another guitar................

[jedzep]

When I played 6 strings a Blue Chip was always nearby, but I did prefer a Red Bear. Both are no-nonsense, no-flex picks that really drive the strings. They do not suit those that like a wiggle in their pick, nor are they for the beginner or casual strummer. For some, like myself, nothing else will do. Still have a few of each stashed away in the unthinkable event that I buy another guitar................

 

Hey...wait a minute! Thought I saw a pic of a new black Martin in one of your recent posts. That was after you were talking about buying one. I just assumed you had.

 

I'm still grateful for the Blue Chip you gave me.

[Lefty Guy]

I play a J-45 mostly. I have had the run down of going through picks the last 15 years. Right now I use a Dunlop Prime Tone that sounds pretty nice.

 

When I bought my J-45 earlier this spring they guy I purchased it from had a Blue Chip Pick. I think it was a 40.... I remember the sound of the guitar, not the sound of the pick on the strings. Part of me thinks I was getting caught up in the "finally finding the right J45" moment that I didnt hear the strings....but part of me really thinks it was this Blue Chip Pick.

 

Anyone here use them? Have you used them and moved on to something else? Any thoughts at all?

 

db

 

I have a couple of lefty bevelled TAD 35s which are all I use these days. As you say, you hear the guitar, not the strings.

I actually started out with 40s but met Matt at Kaufman Kamp & asked if he could go thinner, which he can slightly as per my 35s. They're perfect for picking AND strumming.

[merciful-evans]

Since reviewing the BLUE CHIP TAD40 I have reviewed 8 further picks (though not on this site).

 

 

 

2 x Chicken Picks Tritone III Series Bermuda III (one x 2.7mm thick & one x 2.1mm thick

 

1 x Stagg Elliptic shaped picks 88.mm thick

 

1 x Tortex by Dunlop USA .88 Triangular with 3 playing edges.

 

1 x Ultex by Dunlop USA .88 thickness Triangular with 3 playing edges.

 

2 x V Picks Medium & Large Pointed, (1.50mm & 2.75mm)

 

1 x Tusq PQP-0488-G4 (.88mm thick)

 

 

I spent a minimum of a week playing each type.

At the end I decided to use V-Picks for all my critical lead playing.

 

This is after using Gibson Triangular (Heavy & Medium) for 20 years.

 

I've now ordered more V-Picks. The Snake & the Screamer.

[photodusty]

Thanks everyone! Some good things to think about.

 

On a whim I ordered a Buffalo Horn pick from Bob Colosi. It should arrive by Saturday. I will report back on my findings :-)

 

 

db

[merciful-evans]

Thanks everyone! Some good things to think about.

 

On a whim I ordered a Buffalo Horn pick from Bob Colosi. It should arrive by Saturday. I will report back on my findings :-)

 

 

db

 

great! Be sure to give it a good few hours of play. Its amazing what you can become accustomed to.

[Jesse_Dylan]

I love BlueChip. I've found the TAD50 sounds absolutely fantastic with my Hummingbird and my J-15. Rich, full, deep sound. I tried TD40 and TD50 and thought they sounded a bit harsh. Guess TAD is where it's at for me.

 

I am primarily a strummer with some flatpicking and goofy leads thrown in, and the TAD50 is perfect for that. TAD60 might be a little too thick :) Seems to darken it up too much.

 

I've tried V-picks (don't like), bone, stone, buffalo, Red Bear... BlueChip last forever, and I like them best. I think it's funny when people complain about the price and then buy two sets of $15 strings every month. We all like what we like, though. (And it is entirely possible that it's all in my head and that the BlueChips are a racket. He says the material is expensive, which is why they cost so much, but it could be a massive mark-up for all I know. Actually don't even care because I like my BlueChips so much. I am such a good consumer.)

 

Does anyone have a TAD40 and/or a TAD50 they want to sell me for $25? I love my TAD50, but I need more than one pick in my life. Right-hand bevel. (So much for being a good consumer.)

[ponty]

I have probably the best picks in the world that I would sell for $75. with a 10% discount for forum members.

Any one interested? Drop me a line at professorpick@snakeoil.com!

[Fullmental Alpinist]

I use a TD-40 as my main pick. I lost a TD-35 that I think sounded a bit better and I have a TAD 50 that I like the feel of (bigger) but like the sound of the other picks more.

 

Basically, it's a very expensive trial and error process to determine which pick to use unless you can try someone else's.

 

I have several Red Bears but prefer the Blue Chips.

 

So, I'll ask the question nobody's asked and no one has brought up:

 

What's the deal with real Tortoise shell picks? I know they're essentially illegal if they're not antiques, but I mean sound wise. Has anyone played them? Has anyone played them who has also played the synthetics?

 

Thanks,

 

 

FMA

[Jesse_Dylan]

Thought this was interesting: "The cost of the picks relates to the cost of the material and labor used to create them. We use an extremely expensive, highly proprietary composite material that must be milled with precision that accounts for the bulk of the cost of each pick. The creation of a pick from this exceptional stock is also very labor intensive. Picks are CNC machined, then beveled and polished by hand before being laser etched."

 

One could (and many do) peg Gibson Acoustics as being overpriced, too, but the fact of the matter is that labor and materials are expensive. You can get cheap guitars from China. Why not get them? They sound about the same anyway, right? A guitar is a guitar.

 

Of course, none of us here think that about guitars, and it is kind of apples to oranges. I used to play with Dunlop nylon picks, and I had about 1000 of them scattered around every place I ever spent time. I've tried going back to them now, and they sound clicky and undefined and horrible. I know perhaps no one is going to claim Dunlop nylon picks are the best (except my dad!), but I was totally fine with them.

 

I do like Wegen picks quite a bit, but even they don't do it for me anymore because I'm used to my BlueChip. On the other hand, people get used to lots of things, even bad things, and can't change.

 

I suppose I'm happy we live in a world with lots of choices, and I'm tickled that I like BlueChips as much as I do. I think they've improved my playing and the tone I get from my guitars. I sure wouldn't have said that before trying them (and I tried them several times and went back to Wegen before it stuck).

 

Of course, I also have an iPhone which I like a lot, but I think they're a rip and overpriced and destructive to the social climate of the entire planet (I am not a fan of off-shore labor). I don't know how that fits in except that I could surely get a cheaper phone that does what I need, but I wouldn't enjoy it as much as my iPhone (my God, can't believe I'm saying that), and I suppose it's the same with the picks.

 

Sorry, not actually trying my best to kill this thread, just thinking out loud over a beer and avoiding going to bed...

[Jesse_Dylan]

What's the deal with real Tortoise shell picks? I know they're essentially illegal if they're not antiques, but I mean sound wise. Has anyone played them? Has anyone played them who has also played the synthetics?

 

I'm curious about this, too. I had someone offer me a tortoiseshell pick in a trade, probably trying to give me the deal of a lifetime (I have no idea what they're worth, but I bet they're not cheap). I just couldn't imagine using a pick that someone killed a turtle 100 years ago to get, even though it probably came from some Victorian's tortoiseshell hairbrush or something. I doubt any tortoises were killed specifically to make guitar picks, but just the same... Weirds me the heck out. I already feel weird enough about my bone nuts/saddles, but at least that's a byproduct of the meat industry.

 

I've tried out picks made from just about everything, but I don't think I've ever tried tortoiseshell... Would really be interested in hearing someone compare it to other types of picks. Surely it can't be that complicated of an organic structure that nothing else in nature compares...? Maybe that's like saying carbon fiber is just the same as wood!

[merciful-evans]

 

 

Does anyone have a TAD40 and/or a TAD50 they want to sell me for $25? I love my TAD50, but I need more than one pick in my life. Right-hand bevel. (So much for being a good consumer.)

 

I dont particularly need my TAD40, but I live in the uk and P&P + currency exchange -% might not be worth the effort.

[Buc McMaster]

What's the deal with real Tortoise shell picks? I know they're essentially illegal if they're not antiques, but I mean sound wise. Has anyone played them? Has anyone played them who has also played the synthetics?

 

Naysayers will disagree, of course, but nothing feels nor sounds like a genuine t-shell pick. I would wager heavily that said naysayers have never played a t-shell pick, lending zero weight to their opinion. They are quite rare and, unless from an old piece that was harvested prior to sheltering law, are indeed illegal to possess or sell. I had several, most of which were made from sheets that were peeled off a very old jewelry box found at a flea market in Missouri. Naturally tacky, they stay in the hand very well. There are hardly words to describe how they feel against steel strings, let alone the sweet, earthy tone they deliver..........if you haven't used one it's hard to relate the experience. Unique, without doubt. The one shortcoming is durability.....they do wear rather quickly on steel strings when compared to modern pick materials and require sandpaper touchup regularly. But there is a reason that genuine t-shell was the material of choice back in the day. Of what's available today, a Blue Chip is the closest thing to genuine shell that I've encountered.

[mountainpicker]

Hey ponty, I'll take fifteen of those picks you're offering since they are 10% off. Contact me at: yeahright@betterbizburro.com for payment particulars. Thanks!

[Jesse_Dylan]

I dont particularly need my TAD40, but I live in the uk and P&P + currency exchange -% might not be worth the effort.

 

Yeah, not only that, but you could sell it in the UK and make a bomb! Next time I go to the UK, I should see if any forumites want me to bring any and mail them from within the UK. They are expensive here, but they're even more expensive in the UK!

[Fullmental Alpinist]

When I played 6 strings a Blue Chip was always nearby, but I did prefer a Red Bear.

 

Of what's available today, a Blue Chip is the closest thing to genuine shell that I've encountered.

 

Buc,

 

You prefer the Red Bear but you think the Blue Chip is most like tortoise, correct?

 

I like the Blue Chip best (of the artificial picks, I've no experience with tortoise) but felt like there was something more to the Red Bear that someone with better technique would be able to bring out. It seemed like they wanted to be scraped past the string with the edge of the pick, kinda like a bow being dragged across a violin string or something like that.

 

Did you play the Red Bear differently than the Blue Chip?

 

Thanks,

 

FMA

[Murph]

I bought one years ago, there is a thread here somewhere I'm sure.

 

I don't like the "sticky" because I LIKE to make adjustments. And the sound is muted.......

 

So, I don't like the way they feel, and I don't like the way they sound.