#76
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From my experience, most high end pick makers only offer 2 sizes (the teardrop and large triangle). And this probably works well for most players out there. I’ve found that the small triangle (Bluechip’s TP size) is the ideal size. I only know of 2 companies that make this size. Bluechip and EML. So I have multiple from both of them. As a customer of a high end product, I would expect that the pick would fit me rather than the other way around. In speaking with Scott, the challenge for these companies to offer more than 2 sizes is that it is very costly and time consuming. He’s very busy as it is with offering the 2 sizes at the moment. By the way, Scott is very easy to reach and communication has been 5 stars. |
#77
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The problem of the materials a vendor uses is the real problem. Once you get Vespel cut, it's fairly easy to finish and can be done mostly automated, mostly by machine. In the case of casein plastic, it is murderously difficult, posting a myriad of problems, which is likely why so few pick makers will even deal with it. It is considered the "queen" of plastics, and most still view it as the most beautiful plastic in human history. But getting it there is a process that includes about 15 steps. I wish that was an exaggeration. The final buffing and polishing step is very problematic because casein shows the tiniest microscratches you can imagine. I usually put them under a magnifying glass to see what's going on. It also shows all possible uneven spots or "waves" in the surface. Often one will get to the very end, the final polish stage, and see the imperfections and have to toss it into the re-sand bucket and start all over again. That's why almost every casein pick vendor will only give you an "approximate" thickness, give or take about .10 mm. Red Bear, who's the best of the best, labels them just like Fender -- thin, medium, heavy, extra heavy. Casein also shows all possible uneven spots or "waves" in the surface. Often one will get to the very end, the final polish stage, and see the imperfection, you often have to toss it into the re-sand bucket. Oh, what fun. On the other hand, the end result of a perfectly crafted casein pick? Oh my my, folks, it is simply a glorious plectrum and worth the price of admission. I persist because as a player I love it so much. That has always been my motivation. More on the history of casein later. But just a bit here. It was officially "discovered" and patented in 1895 in Germany. For more than a century, and even a bit today, it was used to make beautiful costume jewelry. Here is a search on Etsy with more than 600 photos of (mostly) vintage casein bracelets, ear rings, necklaces, etc. https://www.etsy.com/market/casein Oh, before I go, for accuracy's sake, a few minor corrections to previous posts. I'm a stickler for facts. A) In post #63 my good buddy David from Wolfram Slides stated the following: "Originally Posted by Big*Al View Post One thing that many overlook is how clean their picks are. Once a pick gets coated with skin oils or other gunk, it gets more slippery. I will almost always wash my hands right before playing and I will occasionally take my picks over to the kitchen sink and wash them with dish detergent. It's surprising how much this helps with pick control. (Hand washing helps with string life too.) Just... don't ever do this with a casein pick! It will absorb the water and likely warp and distort. Cheers, David" Forgive, Dave, but this is not true. Casein is totally impervious to exposure to water for at least five to ten minutes. And yes, as Big Al states, it can be submerged completely in water and also cleaned with dish soap to remove dirt and oils, etc. I do this literally every day. The most important thing? Be sure to IMMEDIATELY dry it completely and thoroughly so you see no moisture at all on it. Absolutely no deleterious effects. Here in So Cal, where I live, it is so dry, esp in summer, the moisture dries mostly on its own. But short exposure to water, once removed, will not cause any warping or spooning. B) In post #43 another good buddy of mine, HHP, stated the following: "Most Hense picks I've seen are casein, AKA Alladinite." This is true. However, if you're interested in doing research on casein, be aware that Alladinite is not a scientific name but a marketing name used primarily in the U.S. Different countries and regions call it by different names, sometimes two or three different names in the same country or region. So it's a bit confusing. So much more to say, but that's it for now. More to follow. Soooooo pleased to see the participation in this thread. scott memmer Last edited by Charmed Life Picks; 07-15-2018 at 12:54 PM. |
#78
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Great thread... !
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1981 Yari DY 74 (S EIR) (Rosie) 2006 Takamine EG 340 SC (SM) (Tak) 2013Recording King RP06 12 fret (SM) (Chapo) 2017 Washburn Revival 1939 Solo Deluxe reissue (S EIR sunburst) (Amber) Fishman Loudbox Mini 2008 S style (Blue) 2018 T style (Pearl) 2019 Fender Mustang II V2 |
#79
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It was used extensively as costume jewelry, most notably by Coco Chanel in the 20's. Often used to make buttons which reminded me of stories of Django Reinhart using a trouser button as a pick. Has a very musical quality when used in picks and it can be made very thick without huge costs. It shapes and polishes well without being so soft you have to worry about overworking it. Looked at a lot of picks over the years, but casein/alladinite/galalith made me stop looking. I have casein picks from Charmed Life, John Pearse, Fender, and EML and would be more that happy to play the rest of my life with any of those. Also, 100% of the players I provided with a beveled casein pick continue to use them to this day and most of these guys were "picks don't matter" or "I'm fine with a celluloid medium" up till then. |
#80
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scott memmer |
#81
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All this stuff is way over my head, but it’s fascinating to read about.
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Taylor- DN8, GS Mini, XXX- KE Gibson - Gospel Reissue Takamine- GB7C |
#82
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Roland White showed me one of Clarence’s tortoise picks that he still hangs on to so we know Clarence played with them. I’ve played exclusively with tortoise for the past 20 years. I’ve only used one of the new premium picks, blue chip. I didn’t like it much. It feels too slippery. I don’t claim that tortoise is the best but I sure like it. |
#83
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In answer to a couple of your questions from our point of view: Quote:
I've been working on something for a while in this space, but we're not quite there yet - and most AGF threads around this subject have not been encouraging to me. The market for premium picks is small; I suspect the market for premium custom picks is going to be much, much smaller. We shall see! Quote:
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I don't expect you will! You're dealing with a very low volume, handmade product. I personally make every Wolfram pick myself; and I believe Scott and Mick work similarly. The only way we can make this even vaguely economic is to sell direct - even if Amazon were interested in such small quantities, the additional margin they would charge (generally a 100% markup) would make them much more expensive. Hope that gives some useful insight from Wolfram's side. Cheers, David
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Wolfram Perfecting the interface between you and your guitar.
wolframslides.com Endorsed by Martin Simpson and Tony McManus. |
#84
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Just as an aside to show how personally subjective pick choice is, I've tried a bunch of picks made from casein and I just don't like that material at all. I do know a lot of people I respect a lot that does really like it, but in my hand I just don't care for the tone. Am I right? Only for me. Am I wrong? If you prefer casein picks then I'm wrong to you. It's like guitars, we all have our favorites and our personal preferences but we can all agree that they make beautiful music.
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'59 Gibson J-45 "Spot" '21 Gibson LG-2 - 50's Reissue '94 Taylor 710 '18 Martin 000-17E "Willie" ‘23 Taylor AD12e-SB '22 Taylor GTe Blacktop '15 Martin 000X1AE https://pandora.app.link/ysqc6ey22hb |
#85
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#86
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scott |
#87
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BTW, folks, my buddy Mick here has discovered a new black material that he loves playing more than anything out there. Check it out. Mick is an excellent guitarist and only plays what he loves. There are a LOT of great materials out there with huge potential that no one has made into picks yet. memmer |
#88
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__________________
'59 Gibson J-45 "Spot" '21 Gibson LG-2 - 50's Reissue '94 Taylor 710 '18 Martin 000-17E "Willie" ‘23 Taylor AD12e-SB '22 Taylor GTe Blacktop '15 Martin 000X1AE https://pandora.app.link/ysqc6ey22hb |
#89
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place to upload pictures
Is this what y’all are calling the large triangle? I’m thinking about trying this in either 1.4 or 1.5. I have a 1.3 in the grilled teardrop that actually sounds decent flatpicked. Do these large gauges need to be beveled before they sound good? I have a Clayton Ultem in .94 in this shape that I do not like at all, but I don’t know if it’s the shape or just the pick itself I don’t like.
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Taylor- DN8, GS Mini, XXX- KE Gibson - Gospel Reissue Takamine- GB7C |
#90
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__________________
'59 Gibson J-45 "Spot" '21 Gibson LG-2 - 50's Reissue '94 Taylor 710 '18 Martin 000-17E "Willie" ‘23 Taylor AD12e-SB '22 Taylor GTe Blacktop '15 Martin 000X1AE https://pandora.app.link/ysqc6ey22hb |