Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Blue Chip

#21

Thank you ! I live right on the border with Germany about 35 km north of Zurich…

1 Like
#22

ok here goes…

When i started around 14 months ago i tried a load of different thumb picks and then bit the bullet and purchased a JD Crowe Medium. The other day at a Local Jam i forgot my picks and had to loan some from others and i just struggled with the size of all the ones i tried including a national/dunlop etc

I guess im just so used to the JD Blue Chip picks that i struggle playing and getting tone with any other

Thanks

3 Likes
#23

So the blue chip has to be very comfortable … thanks

2 Likes
#24

ProPik’s large is a lot larger than the BlueChips. On ProPiks, I can almost fit the band of a large around my knuckle on my thumb without any adjustment, but I use a large BlueChip.

5 Likes
#25

i’m reassured … with de propik i played the lick challenge … but somehow the propik slips and flutters somehow … Of course it’s not just the thumbpick that is to blame for the not so well played song … :stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes: Thank you Adam for your help !

2 Likes
#26

Thanks a lot the blue chip has arrived! I have to say it is very comfortable. still i have a little problem. From the position of my hand, my thumb pick is always slightly oblique to the string, with the blue chip there is almost no sound when the thumb pick is not exactly on the string. I hope google translated it correctly …

1 Like
#27

Question, I have big hands and specifically a large thumb, (1" x 3/4") would the large blue chip fit me? also my hands will continue to grow.
And 2 are the sammy shelor fingerpicks worth it?

#28

Check out this video about the sizing of the thumbpicks:

I personally have found the Shelors to be well worth the cost. In my opinion, they’d still be worth their cost even if they were more expensive… they made so much of a difference in my playing. However, they may not be “the best” for you specifically. Everyone’s fingers and tone preferences are different.

1 Like
#29

Does anyone have suggestions on shaping the Shelor picks so that they fit well? I have ruined one set already and I’d rather not ruin another set.

Mike

#30

@Hillbilly_picker My thumb is bigger than yours by your measurement I was able to bend the band out so it would fit my thumb I think when I measured the circumference of my thumb it was just over 2inches I ordered a large but like I stated I had to bend the band out to get it on my thumb

1 Like
#31

Hi Mike, If you mean the Shelor Finger picks then they are made of Stainless Steel which means the are much harder and less malleable than nickel plated mild steel. If you try to shape the lugs using pliers you are likely as not going to damage the metal.

If you can fashion a piece of hard timber to the thickness of your finger or get you hands on a jewelers ring gauge you can fashion the picks using a good rubber or leather mallet.

image

1 Like
#32

I just wrapped tape around needlenose pliers. Worked well and didn’t scratch up the picks.

2 Likes
#33

I believe Jake mentions that golden gate and bluechip tend to run similar if you got your hands on a golden gate large maybe that would help you out in sizing. Just my two cents worth. :slightly_smiling_face:

1 Like
#34

For what it’s worth, after I put all the tech specs aside, I love my JD Crowe Blue Chip thumb pick for primarily one reason: It does not get caught on the fifth string when I’m picking the 4th string.
No matter how carefully play, I cannot get thru a song with any other thumb pick without getting hung up at least once. Apparently my thumb wants to get as close to the strings as my middle & index fingers do, rather than allow for the length of the pick tip. The little gap in classic thumb picks snags regularly.
And I think this poor technique is the result of rolling my fingers on the desktop or my leg when I’m listening to a song. The fingers just want to wiggle out the beat, which means the thumb has to strike the table top, too, not float above it.

There are days I think I should have taken up bowling instead of the banjo!

#35

I agree with what @Michael_Mark said about that. I only use blue chip thumb and flat picks as they are the most comfortable and sound the best. I like the Russ Carson model best

3 Likes
#36

I was wondering about the russ Carson I am currently using the dunlop thumb and finger picks, so not sure what they compare to. How does the longer blade handle compared to a short one like the dunlop, I too snag the 5th string.

#37

Same here. It pulls tone!!

2 Likes
#38

I have both the JD Crowe and the Russ Carson and I prefer the extra length of the Carson also

1 Like
#39

I’ve been using the Crowe for a few years and just got the RC a couple days ago. I’m gonna try it here soon.

I have a lot of Blue chip thumb picks- the previously mentioned Crowe banjo pick, the Russ Carson version, 2 standard Reso picks, and one I had them make me with a TP-80 blade. I like all of them equally so far, and there are none that are bad…

7 Likes
#40

@boonem I try to use a plier with wider jaws and do just a TINY bending at a time before shifting them around the circumference of the band…just little by little.

1 Like