Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Discuss the Guitar lesson: Plectrology– The Study of Flatpicks!

#35

I don’t have any quick witted puns, unfortunately, but their color choice was clever as a way to drum up business…

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#36

From the BlueChip website:

The specially formulated material used to create BlueChip Picks is brown as a result of the complex chemical makeup and processes it undergoes. BlueChip picks is named after our machine shop, Blue Chip Machining. Unfortunately there is no way to change the color of the material without changing the chemical makeup. Odd as it may seem, BlueChip Picks only come in brown.

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#37

Thanks for these Jake I watched them all.

I’ve always been interested in what real tortoise shell sounds like and how much work you have to put into maintaining these picks.

I got some “natural” material picks a couple of years ago - different types of bone and horn. I don’t think I appreciated them fully - but can seen how they do give a more balanced tone. I’ve not used them much.

In reality I tend to pick up the last one I played and keep them in a small bowl or woven in my strings - I’ve added in a couple of the buffalo horn ones to bowl to experiment with them more.

If you ever get the opportunity it would nice to see some lessons from you.

Maybe they’re on the site already but I haven’t found them.

Thanks!

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#38

Great and thorough discussion. My question is not related to picks, though. I’ve seen both Jake and Ben with guitars that have a steel bar between the nut and the tuning posts. Is that some kind of string lock or just a handy place to store a capo? Sorry if it’s a dumb question, but I’ve been playing a long time and have never seen that. Also, I’ve been playing a long time and learn something new in every one of these topics. Thanks!

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#39

Welcome Allen! It’s a type of capo that stores behind the nut.

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#40


Hey Allen Welcome here. This is the cheapest version of that capo design.

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#41

And it works quite well too!

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#42

Thanks for recommending someone to craft a tortoiseshell pick. I’ve emailed Jonah H, to see about a mando pick. You folks are in my oft prayers, for you’re music store and teaching site; and the Purple Hulls to grow huge this coming year.
Matthew K

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#43

Got a question about picks and tone. First off I want to say how thankful I am of the service you provide with these lessons. I got burnt out on guitar about 10 years ago and am just now picking it back up again. It goes without saying, it’s not like riding a bike. I’m rusty as an old nail and everything from theory to guitar lessons has helped me greatly as well as teaching me how to practice. I wish I had known those principles years ago. Anyways, Thank you. My question is on picks and tone. I know thickness matters but I cant really hear the difference on the different materials used and I don’t know if it’s because of my speakers on my computer or its just a minute difference. Does it really make a difference when you hear it in person? Help me out! I need to justify buying a bunch of high dollar picks to try out to my wife :smile:

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#44

Howdy Jason!
Yes, the materials do make a noticeable difference in person to my ear (and most players I talk to). There is also a slight difference in grip and feel. I think a more drastic difference comes from tip shape. Before I bought a bunch of expensive picks to see what I like, I’d first explore the different shapes and textures a bit. I use the Ultex (both primetone and original) and they are inexpensive but sound and feel good enough that I don’t regret playing with them as opposed to my more expensive picks. Start with the inexpensive ones and give it some time before purchasing a bunch of $50 picks. You might find a favorite shape/texture/bevel and then when you do buy a high dollar one, you will know what suits you better.

Welcome back to playing, your guitar missed you!

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#45

Thank you!

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#46

The material as well as the thickness really does make a difference in tone, sound, power, speed, and grip. Most people who say expensive picks don’t make a difference haven’t really tried one.

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#47

Here you go, @campingjay…

Below are the one’s I’m considering…

  1. This has great review in Ben’s site, and maybe made exclusive for Ben’s!

https://store.banjobenclark.com/products/dunlop-primetone-triangular-ultex-pick?variant=31293691789359&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpdmOr5vggwMV5kpHAR0RngttEAQYGCABEgJMnPD_BwE#shopify-product-reviews

You can review dunlop products in their site. The below one look promising as it is between small triangle and triangle, shapewise.

  1. https://www.jimdunlop.com/akira-takasaki-custom-primetone-pick/

OR

  1. Primetone Smooth Pick Triangle 1.5 - 3pk

I have not tried the above Triangle shapes yet but the reviews are great so worth consider buying before you settle on a Blue Chip. I lost my blue chip unfortunately. So, I bought Dunlop Primetone not knowing the small triangle size (as many said it is close to blue chip) but I’m not very comfortable with the shape-size.

I think @Michael_Mark could advise you on size shape etc. on blue chips!

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#48

Welcome to the forum Jason!!

Yes, going from one thickness/shape/material can make a world of a difference in person. It may be “felt” more than heard sometimes, but it can often be heard quite well too. Ben sells Primetones in two sizes and two materials (the smooth kind sound and feel much better to me) and they are great if you want to try a great bluegrass pick for very little cost.

Re BlueChip: I always like to buy one with one rounded corner (1R). You essentially get two picks in one and you can learn whether or not you like the rounded point. TADs are the biggest (same as the large Primetone), TPs are in the middle and STPs are the smallest.

I’ve heard ToneSlabs are phenomenal but have never played with one. Their price did just drop to the same as BlueChip!

And we already have one convert on the forum!

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#49

We have some - we agree that tonally they’re very comparable to BlueChip, but they don’t have that perfect grip feel.

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#50

A friendly reminder that in my opinion, BlueChip’s grip can be restored with simple water and soap.

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#51

I love ToneSlabs. When did their price drop!? I’ve gone back and forth between using ToneSlabs and BlueChips for the past couple months. I don’t have a problem with the feel/grip of them cause I’ve gotten used to it. They do wear down a little faster than BlueChips, but ToneSlab gives you a little sanding block to resmooth it again. Haven’t had any issues with them.

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#52

I should clarify they just get a little rough, not wear down, at least not yet! So smoothing it out fixes it all up

#53

Within the past month I’m pretty sure.

How do the sizes/shape compare to Bluechip? Do they come in about the same size as a TP? My guess is that the biggest triangle would be about the same as a TAD…

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#54

Yes, they are just about the exact same sizes as a BlueChip. They make the same size as the TP because that’s what I have, but not sure which one it is from the website. They’ll have them at SPBGMA I’m sure and they usually have it so you can try them all out like BlueChip does.

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