BlueChip picks

[JB_From_Hell]

Disclaimer: I'm aware of the apparent absurdity of spending $35 on a pick.

Has anybody else tried them? I got into them when I started playing mandolin earlier this year. I use the TAD60, which is a 1.5mm, three point triangle, like a Fender 346.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: BlueChip picks

Wha........?

I'm out.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: BlueChip picks

Never heard of them...wonder what this "very high grade, self lubricating composite material specially formulated for great playing qualities" is all about. Funny, the pick is $15 more than the hat. lol

I'm gonna pass on a $35 pick...

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: BlueChip picks

...wonder what this "very high grade, self lubricating composite material specially formulated for great playing qualities" is all about.

They're made of Meldin. It's used in thrust bearings in jet engines. It virtually never wears, but costs something like $1500 for a 10"x10"x1/2" sheet.

The selling point for me is they're super comfortable to hold, don't move at all, and allow me to relax my grip almost entirely, so my picking hand is really loose and relaxed. Like a few other companies, they bevel the edges, which I really like.

Like I hinted at in my disclaimer in the original post, I'm NOT trying to convince anybody to buy one. I was just curious if anybody else was into boutique picks.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: BlueChip picks

Not tried blue chip, but i do have a wegen...another absurdly expensive pick. It was given to me.
Currently tho, i can recommend V-picks. for 35 bucks you'll get half a dozen and they play fast and slick. I like them a lot.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: BlueChip picks

...V-picks.

I have about $35 worth of them

Overall, I like them, but the BCs don't have that acrylic chirp and I prefer the right-hand bevel (also used on Dunlop Primetones) to V-Chip's bevel. V-picks do sit in your hand very, very well, though.

FWIW, V-pick makes one called the Saga that they modeled after an old tortoise pick. I compared it with three old tortoise picks, and they nailed it pretty well. I liked the V-pick better, though. While we're talking expensive picks, tortoise picks are the ultimate let down.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: BlueChip picks

They're made of Meldin. It's used in thrust bearings in jet engines. It virtually never wears, but costs something like $1500 for a 10"x10"x1/2" sheet.

The selling point for me is they're super comfortable to hold, don't move at all, and allow me to relax my grip almost entirely, so my picking hand is really loose and relaxed. Like a few other companies, they bevel the edges, which I really like.

Like I hinted at in my disclaimer in the original post, I'm NOT trying to convince anybody to buy one. I was just curious if anybody else was into boutique picks.

That is very interesting and definitely explains the high cost.

Not tried blue chip, but i do have a wegen...another absurdly expensive pick. It was given to me.
Currently tho, i can recommend V-picks. for 35 bucks you'll get half a dozen and they play fast and slick. I like them a lot.

I have about $35 worth of them

Overall, I like them, but the BCs don't have that acrylic chirp and I prefer the right-hand bevel (also used on Dunlop Primetones) to V-Chip's bevel. V-picks do sit in your hand very, very well, though.

FWIW, V-pick makes one called the Saga that they modeled after an old tortoise pick. I compared it with three old tortoise picks, and they nailed it pretty well. I liked the V-pick better, though. While we're talking expensive picks, tortoise picks are the ultimate let down.

I have a V-Pick and while I like it I find it to be on the uncomfortable side due to size (I prefer a smaller pick personally.)

I've had great luck with picks made from Vinyl records–last forever and have a great sound with both acoustics and electrics.

 

[Matt42]

Re: BlueChip picks

I've never been a fan of expensive picks. I like my Dunlop Tortex Jazz H3 sharps in purple and I'll never switch!

A lot of the bluegrass guys I used to hang with switched to the big wegen pick. I tried one for a while, but I just couldn't get used to having that much pick in my fingers. It felt super awkward to pick with.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: BlueChip picks

It's usually the acoustic guys that like the high end picks. If you play pickstyle acoustic, it's literally creating all the tone. For electric it's much more about feel and control, especially once you add gain. I'd like to try one on my Martin, but I'd prefer to try someone else's rather than buy one.

 

[HiFiRebel]

Re: BlueChip picks

I will check that out at some point. I am enjoying my Gravity picks for most everything now.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: BlueChip picks

I'd like to try one on my Martin, but I'd prefer to try someone else's rather than buy one.

BC has a 30 day return policy. He'll take it back no questions asked if you don't like it. Also, they sell for between $25-30 used over at Mandolin Cafe. Both of mine were bought like that, and I knew I could resell them and only be out the cost of postage.

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: BlueChip picks

......I've had great luck with picks made from Vinyl records–last forever and have a great sound with both acoustics and electrics.

I have never heard of that until you posted this, I would like to try that sometime. Thanks for the idea.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: BlueChip picks

I have never heard of that until you posted this, I would like to try that sometime. Thanks for the idea.

No prob man! I really dig them, cool vibe with the vinyl look and I've never had one slip out of my hand. Sounds great and the ones I buy are the ideal size for me.

 

[ken361]

Re: BlueChip picks

Only V pick I use and like is the Traditional UL, its easy on my Marshall high's. Tortex is way too bright and the other V picks are bright also. Ultex can be decent too. I hear that Blue Chips sounds really good though

 

[BloodRose]

Re: BlueChip picks

If the pick REALLY tripped my trigger, and didnt wear out, Id pop for one. Ive tried dif picks and always gravitate back to the Jazz III carbon fibers.

 

[Mincer]

Re: BlueChip picks

At the rate I lose picks, I can't get attached to any. Also, I can't get attached to ones that I can't find in any music store. Currently, I am using Tortex Jazz IIIs 1.14mm.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: BlueChip picks

Damn,BR,shoulda got ya to toss one of those picks in...

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: BlueChip picks

At the rate I lose picks, I can't get attached to any.

It's funny how they stop getting lost once you're spending more than 75 cents on them

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: BlueChip picks

I "lost" my picks when helping with the youth group...funny how I haven't lost any picks ever sense I quit helping with the youth group. lol

 

[trevorus]

Re: BlueChip picks

I ordered a boutique pick from Purple Plectrums, and it's ok. It's a HUGE thing, but it sounds good. Customer service was a bit bad. Long wait, plus he said he'd ship a machine made one for the orders that were taking so long. Never did get that.

As far as companies who make fancy picks, I really like Gravity Picks.