Poll regarding TS picks ONLY for those with experience

[Tico]

Originally Posted by Tico

But if the data shows TS picks are wonderful demand will go up.
The Internet is a powerful thing.

AGF feeding demand wouldn't be good for the tortoises swimming around minding their own business right now.
I'm usually very pro-free-speech and anti-censorship but in this case I'd like to see the thread removed.
I'd also like to see TS added to the list of banned topics like politics, religion, spam and porn.

AGF has power.
It could help end poaching.

FWIW, I just got a PM accusing me of "Hypocracy" [ sic ] because I like Madagascar RW but oppose TS picks.

My reply to him/her was, "I am a hypocrite."

[rmyAddison]

The poll should also include "I prefer TS picks"............

I have two TS', had them for a long time, made out of Indian jewelry, they are my favorites, but...........

They wear, need "manicuring", and to me Blue Chips are very very close, enough so that I don't always use the TS picks........

[kydave]

Originally Posted by Tico

FWIW, I just got a PM accusing me of "Hypocracy" [ sic ] because I like Madagascar RW but oppose TS picks.

My reply to him/her was, "I am a hypocrite."

Honesty is the best, albeit ironic, policy!

[kydave]

Originally Posted by rmyAddison

The poll should also include "I prefer TS picks"............

I have two TS', had them for a long time, made out of Indian jewelry, they are my favorites, but...........

They wear, need "manicuring", and to me Blue Chips are very very close, enough so that I don't always use the TS picks........

Rich,

I thought the first choice in the poll was "I prefer TS picks"... What do you mean?

[Buc-a-Roo]

It has been many years since I had a shell pick and I do miss them, but there are adequate substitutes about these days that work fine. Real shell is not so durable....it wears away surprisingly quickly with play and maintenance of the edge. As said earlier, the Manouche faux shell pick is very, very similar to the tone, feel and string attack of real shell and is my tool of choice today (don't know what this pick is made of). While the Blue Chip and Red Bear are very nice picks they do not sound nor feel like shell.

[mercy]

TS is great. All those years I suffered with celluloid when TS was available. Its got the sound plus it sticks to your fingers. Ive tried a bunch of other materials before finding TS and nothing clicked. I havent tried the new pick materials but why.

[Mycroft]

Originally Posted by mercy

TS is great. All those years I suffered with celluloid when TS was available. Its got the sound plus it sticks to your fingers. Ive tried a bunch of other materials before finding TS and nothing clicked. I havent tried the new pick materials but why.

Perhaps because the creature from which TS picks are made is endangered?

I like my TS picks too, but I've been impressed with the Blue Chip as a substitute.

TW

[Dotneck]

I have a couple TS picks that I like a lot. I may use a different pick with certain guitars if I want a brighter sound but the TS is pretty good for almost any situation.

[akwingnut]

I have a few TS picks but really haven't taken to them. I prefer celluloid or, sometimes, a BC.

[MarkBailey]

I used them when I was younger. Never understood the fanitic nature of some folks love for them in recent times. I don't have any anymore and honestly wouldn't use one these days. I was ignorant of where they came from 30 years ago, but I'm not now. Lots of pick material options out there these days, no reason to use a product like that.

[Captain Jim]

I had a tortoise shell pick that was given to me in the 70s. I guess it was a case of "don't know whatcha got," because I used it off and on for a bit, then went back to the old cheapo Wabash Blue picks. In the 90s, I came across that TS pick and discovered the difference. Of course, by that time, I was playing more acoustic and less electric. I used that pick until it finally got weak between the portion where I held it and the tip. Then, it broke.

After that, I spent a few years trying a bunch of different picks and have settled in on those that I like just as much as the TS. There are several different materials, and some that I find I like better than others on a specific guitar.

I understand the ramifications of using tortoise shell, and feel there are currently other decent alternatives. I have Gravity Gold and acrylic, Charmed Life, Graphtech Tusq, and a few others made from Ultem and other materials that get the most play.

I tried a couple Dunlap Primetone picks a while back after reading about them here... kinda meh on that. Thin and medium picks don't do it for me, with .88 to 1.25 being the thickness (material dependent) that works best for me.

I had a sentimental attachment to that tortoise shell pick, but would not try to replace it with another TS.

Can't just pick one from the poll options.

[Charmed Life Picks]

In response to Tico: There are actually two schools of thought regarding this issue, as with ivory -- that discussing the topic can increase desire OR educate consumers regarding these magnificent animals and reduce consumption

Let me go on record as stating that I'm glad CITES is in place and that the tortoise are now protected. A general discussion of this topic is unlikely to motivate someone to fly overseas to buy these products.

Your mileage may vary (YMMV), as they say, but in general Vespel (brown) picks (think Blue Chip) are going to be brighter on top and thus ideal for Bluegrass ensemble playing, as they have that extra bite to cut through. Casein picks, on the other hand, are sought by what I call the true "tone chasers." This material is noted for its warmth, balance and superb release across the strings.

my three cents,
scott

[LSemmens]

When I was young, TS was all I thought you could get, then "plastic" picks came along but were certainly an inferior product back then. I didn't particularly like TS, either, because I would break them with monotonous regularity. I even attempted to make my own out of plastic ice cream lids but they were way too soft. Along came Dunlop tortex picks and I've not looked back, my last one lasted me 10 years before I lost it! More's the pity because it was finally broken in.

[WordMan]

Originally Posted by Charmed Life Picks

Your mileage may vary (YMMV), as they say, but in general Vespel (brown) picks (think Blue Chip) are going to be brighter on top and thus ideal for Bluegrass ensemble playing, as they have that extra bite to cut through. Casein picks, on the other hand, are sought by what I call the true "tone chasers." This material is noted for its warmth, balance and superb release across the strings.

my three cents,
scott

[bolding mine]

I find this statement fascinating. I can't comment on it - I have a BC but haven't lived with a casein pick in the same way. Curious.

[HHP]

Originally Posted by Charmed Life Picks

In response to Tico: There are actually two schools of thought regarding this issue, as with ivory -- that discussing the topic can increase desire OR educate consumers regarding these magnificent animals and reduce consumption

Let me go on record as stating that I'm glad CITES is in place and that the tortoise are now protected. A general discussion of this topic is unlikely to motivate someone to fly overseas to buy these products.

Your mileage may vary (YMMV), as they say, but in general Vespel (brown) picks (think Blue Chip) are going to be brighter on top and thus ideal for Bluegrass ensemble playing, as they have that extra bite to cut through. Casein picks, on the other hand, are sought by what I call the true "tone chasers." This material is noted for its warmth, balance and superb release across the strings.

my three cents,
scott

I didn't have much luck with casein picks for a long time. Tried Red Bear and John Pearse and didn't like either. Then, I put a more extreme speed bevel on the 2.5 John Pearse and it vastly improved. Based on that, I got a 4.0 John Pearse, put the same kind of bevel on, and it may be the best pick I ever used. It is clear, articulate, quiet, controlled and most of all, LOUD. It delivers more volume per effort than any pick I ever tried. Small change in the pick has greater effect than big change in the guitar.