PFDarkside
of the Forum
https://www.jimdunlop.com/eric-johnson-jazz-iii/
I mean, why wouldn’t vintage picks be better, right?
I mean, why wouldn’t vintage picks be better, right?
Of course vintage picks are better… (Eric Johnson)
- Thread starter PFDarkside
- Start date
PFDarkside
of the Forum
I just realized, it’s basically a matte Jazz III, but with some other “peculiarities”.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
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.
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.
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Chris Pile
Well-known member
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!".
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!".
PFDarkside
of the Forum
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.
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.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
I agree, but especially on acoustic instruments, I pay a lot of attention to what the top players are using. When I’m playing bluegrass guitar or mandolin, there’s the instrument, the strings, the pick, and my hands. The pick’s role in the equation is infinitely larger, and what I’m going for in bluegrass is a lot more similar to what everyone else is: speed and clarity.
If Bryan Sutton, Chris Thile, Billy Strings, Ronnie McCoury, etc… are all using D’Addario strings and BlueChip picks, I’m gonna try those.
I think it depends on your goals. While I love to listen to good bluegrass players, there are no reasons why I'd want to sound like them. Bluegrass is a very specific technique, and their picking developed because they needed volume. So, strong attacks, careful attention to the strong beat and cross picking developed because they had to compete with a very loud banjo. That isn't my goal, so my acoustic technique developed in a different way (my sound did, too). I understand if you are going for a very traditional sound, it would make sense to see how it was done, and copy it ("no need to re-invent the wheel").
My personal choices with picks (and how I pick) is something I had to figure out, as there was no roadmap. As it is, I don't think 'signature picks' take off in quite the same way as 'signature guitars and amps'.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Agree 100%. I’m still new to BG, and I usually hate purism, but 13s on a dreadnought and a thick, beveled pick is pretty much the way to do that sound.
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
I've been using Jazz IIIs (or very similar picks) for all my strumming for years with no problem, and I play a lot of fast funk stuff. Even with my acoustic. There's a slight adjustment from a regular pick but they get quite comfortable with practice.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
I just prefer lighter Tortex or Cellulose for strumming. I’m seeing if I can make these sharp Hetfields my “standard”
pick. I’ve been practicing a lot of heavy rhythm and lead stuff which them and Jazz III work great for, but those raking blues styles I’m still more comfortable with a more rounded, larger pick tip. I’m sure with practice I can adapt, but 25 years of playing is a long time.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
I bought a handful of Jazz picks just to try them, not expensive or anything, and I just looked at one now and it's an Eric Johnson TX pick. Wow, so I'm in the vintage club, accidentally. What I can report is the sucker is too small and constantly gets ripped out of my fingers by the strings, similar to using a coin on my Brian May Guitar (have to totally change my playing to make it all work). If it were a little bigger, it would be perfect, for me. But then I also have the credit card punch kit to make my own picks, so I use all kinds, depending on the sound, weight of strings, kind of music, etc. For example, I change thickness/pliability of picks based on the tempo of the songs; for the same reason I change length and weight of drumsticks on my drums based on the tempo of the song. Makes the resistance/liveliness match the speed I have to play, so it ends up feeling consistent/constant to me.
