Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

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

#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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#55

:man_shrugging::see_no_evil::rofl:

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#56

Ah, he says he would like to share a quick word of testimony! Yes, brother!

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#57

I wasn’t even that set on it, actually I’m pretty sure I knew that I didn’t know what I was talking about. I had just recently gotten my first smartphone and I was completely new to interacting with people online and I think I just thought it was fun to stir the pot and be difficult. Don’t ask me why, I have no idea. It doesn’t strike me as fun at all anymore. Kinda like how I was saying I was on the flat earth/no gravity side even though I had put ZERO research into it :rofl:

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#58

Now wait a minute. The more research you put into it, the more you’ll be on that side.

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#59

I still haven’t put any research into it and I probably won’t. I’m too busy researching how to make money and play banjo like Noam Pikelny :man_shrugging::joy:

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#60

One thing at a time.

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#61

Anyway guys, aren’t flatpicks great? Boy, I could talk about flatpicks right now! Bluechips! Wegens! The possibilities are endless!

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#62

BlueChips already get lots of love (and rightfully so), but good call on Wegens! They were my goto not-too-expensive picks for a while. They do wear a bit more than some options. Bluechips never wear. RedBear picks have awesome tone, but the grip isn’t quite as tacky as some. Tortoise shell do sound great, but they wear very fast… and you have to kill a critter to get the pick out of it. All said, in my experience, the BlueChips are best overall experience. But there are great options at a tiny fraction of the price. What I have parked in various instruments right now are BlueChips and Ultex. I haven’t tried ToneSlabs yet… need to rectify that.

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#63

I’ve never tried Wegen but I do think they look pretty cool. It looks like they would have a much less “glossy” feel than BlueChip, correct me if I’m wrong. I may have to pick one up sometime.

#64

The grip on the cross drilled ones are great. They are a bit softer than bluechips or primetones, so the tone is a bit softer as well, but it is a pleasing tone and a good feeling pick.

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