Of course vintage picks are better… (Eric Johnson)

[Mincer]

Picks matter to me, too, but I don't generally care what EJ or any other guitar hero likes. A pick isn't like a guitar...it is a lot more personal.

[Kac]

I agree they're important too... but making picks looked used... weird.
I use stainless steel picks.

[PFDarkside]

That’s pretty fascinating.

I agree picks are important, I got some Hetfield signature picks and the material, pointy tip and grip are quite nice. My quick picking increased by 10% just with the sharp tip.
I also got some regular Jazz III, great for precise picking but not for strumming.

[ICTGoober]

It's not about Eric Johnson, but I have a weird pick story.....

Back in the 70's at the first music store I ever worked in, I was told to watch for jazz guitarist Jerry Hahn coming in for a box of Fender heavy picks - already paid for. The owner went to lunch and there I was alone. Jerry soon came in (I'd never met him, but knew what he looked like) and asked for the box of picks. He dumped the box of picks out on the counter, and started bouncing them. He'd bounce them a couple times, sorting them into two piles of picks. He went through all of them, swept one pile of picks into the box and moved the others toward me. "You can keep these, I don't want them". I protested, saying he paid for the whole box. "Nope, no problem. Mac (the owner) and I have an agreement". And out he went....

When the owner came back I informed him Jerry had picked up the order, and about his sorting of picks. Mac laughed and said, "He was looking for the picks that bounced highest. He says they have more energy in them". I guess my face looked amazed.... Mac continued, "Now he'll take them home and let them age in a dark closet for a year before he uses them". .... Okay......

Later, I tell some other guys who studied under him at WSU this story and one guy says, "MAN! We had a party at his house the other day with his sons, and if I'd known that, I would have found his stash of picks and put them out in the sunlight to ruin them!".

[Masta' C]

That's a pretty bloated description just to say "hey, we recreated one of EJ's worn down picks and stuck his name on it!"

[JB_From_Hell]

I’m with EJ on this one. Picks matter a lot to me, and having the right one makes a big difference.

My latest rabbit hole is casein picks. Casein is a milk protein-based material that’s supposed to be very similar in use to tortoise shell. I have a few from D’Addario, and a couple Red Bears. I like them a lot.

Also have a bunch of really old Fender Heavies in various shapes, from the 60’s and 70’s. They’re pretty different from the modern version.

[PFDarkside]

I just realized, it’s basically a matte Jazz III, but with some other “peculiarities”.

[GuitarStv]

Exactly! I have a pile of heavy relic vintage jazz IIIs in a drawer at home that I'm willing to sell to any connoisseur willing to buy 'em.

[dave74]

So it's ready to throw away right off the bat,,,,,,,,,,great idea!

[Kac]

wow

[PFDarkside]

https://www.jimdunlop.com/eric-johnson-jazz-iii/

I mean, why wouldn’t vintage picks be better, right?

To create the Eric Johnson Jazz III Pick, we laser-scanned a vintage Jazz III from Eric's collection and recreated it with the most advanced molding techniques available. The result is a Jazz III with a more refined and smooth tip, more flexibility, and a matte finish with raised logos for an incredible gripping surface.