Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Round picks

#1

Round picks vs Triangle picks. I have only used triangle picks so far, but I rounded one of my picks off and really liked it for strumming. I struggle with picking with it though. I ordered some cheap round picks off the site so we’ll see soon. I want to buy a Blue Chip when they come back in stock so I’m hoping I can decide between a CT 55 and an SR by the time they return.
What do yall prefer?

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#2

I like them both. I have more pointy ones than not when accounting for all flatpicked instruments. For mandolin, I use the rounded tips about 50% of the time with a TPR 40 living in one mando and a CT-55 in the other.

Bluechip does make a few picks with a mixture of round and pointy tips.

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#3

I have two blue chips, a CT-55 and a TP-1R-50 (one corner is rounded), I got a few years ago. Both picks do well and are good, and I tried both of them out for a while after I got them. For me, my go to is the CT-55. It feels a little more comfortably in my hand, and the two picks create slightly different tones. I have seen several comments that say generally, you can get more speed with a smaller pick. Part of it is if you prefer a larger pick or a smaller pick. I just looked at the Blue Chip site, and they do have TAD-1R, including a TAD-1R-50 and a TAD-3R-50 (and 40 versions). Their smaller pick versions are now called STP. I know some people prefer an exaggerated more rounded pick, that is the SR series.

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#4

Thanks. That helps a lot.
I just wish they were in stock.

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#5

Yeah, frustrating for Bluechip to be sold out for so long, but nothing we can do there. You can order directly from them and word is you’ll get them sooner.

But I also encourage you to try out other brands, which are spectacular. Start with the cheaper JT’s to see what shape you may be drawn to: https://store.banjobenclark.com/collections/picks/products/jts-pix-rounded-flat-picks?_pos=25&_fid=3ccd7bc05&_ss=c&variant=41310117920815

#6

I’d rather wait and order from you. We visited the store in person in February on a cross country trip from SC and we were really impressed. We probably talked Darrell’s ears off. lol He was awesome. I try to get all my supplies from y’all. I did order a few round JT’s and Golden gates this week. I’m considering a Token. Jake sold me on a Tone Slab when I was at the store. I love it but it’s triangle I want to try a round design.

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#7

Update: I tested out the rounded corner of my TP-1R-50 again against a non-rounded edge and against my CT-55. I am really liking the rounded corner of the TP-1R-50. It has a warmer tone and the stroke of the strings have a softer and gentler and more pleasant sound (less of a Jolting brighter harsher sound); especially for single notes on the A and E strings. I ordered some JT’s to test those out.

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#8

If placing an order, I’d try some dunlop primetones as well. I really like them and they are a great value in my opinion. If I have an instrument setting out some place where the picks may walk away, that is what I commonly use.

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#9

I have a few primetones. I like them but they are a little small for me. The ones I have are a lot smaller than my other picks.

#10

Thanks Mike for the info. I will order a few of the dunlop primetones also and try them out.

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#11

I got my JT’s and Golden Gates this week. The Golden Gate rounds aren’t my favorite they are too small. I do like the JTs though. I will be getting a blue Chip TAD 1R when they are available again. I may try the Tone Slab Rounds and the Token rounds.

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#12

I received my picks today, the JTs and the Dunlop primetones from Banjo Ben Store. The rounded Dunlop primetones were out of stock. I tested the picks against my Bluechip TP-1R-50 (which is 1.25 mm). I am ok with the smaller picks, they sit well in my hand and I can handle them as well as my CT-55 (which is like a TAD).

  • Bluechip TP-1R-50 (1.25 mm) rounded corner (they now label these as STP): A warm full sound.
  • JT 1.2 mm white celcon and JT 1.2 mm black noryl: I like the white celcon better, it has a warmer sound. The white JT has a warm sound like the Bluechip TP 50 rounded corner (maybe even a little warmer) but is not as full a sound as the Bluechip. That probably is because of the higher quality material of the Bluechip.
  • Dunlop primetone small triangle 1.3 mm without grip (black) and Dunlop primetone small triangle 1.3 mm with grip (clearish burgundy): I like the Dunlop black without grip better, it has a better sound to my ears. The black Dunlop primetone has a full sound like the Bluechip TP 50 but it is not as warm as the Bluechip rouned edge. But the black Dunlop primetone is about the same as a non-rounded edge of the Bluechip TP 50. The Dunlop primetone might wear out faster, but I don’t really know.

Since it was out of stock, I was not able to test the Dunlop primetone rounded, but I am assuming it would have a warm sound like the JT and a full sound like the Bluechip. When they are back in stock, I will order a couple.

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#13

In my experience the BC is just about wear free. I saw where one person wore one with repeated banjo head contact, but my flat picks don’t seem to wear at all. The primetones are resilient, but not quite as robust.

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#14

They really are very wear resistant. On the left is a BC I’ve heavily used for about 4 years, and on the right is a much newer one. There is certainly wear, but it hasn’t been enough to make a noticeable difference for me.

image

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