I think I may have found my new favorite pick!

[vindibona1]

Originally Posted by Tnfiddler

I was in a local music store today, killing time, when I spotted a pack of Primetone small triangle 1.4mm picks. I have .96mm TD primetones and have mixed feelings about them. I asked the store manager If I could try them out and I am highly impressed! I like them as much as my Wegen 1.2 Bluegrass picks and better than my BC TD50! I’m REALLY digging the small triangle shape too!! I do believe I may have found my new favorite pick!! The best part is 3 picks are only $8.77 with tax!!!

I think that's a great find Tnf. Recently I've started really liking the triangle shaped picks. I think I like the lateral leverage you can apply to the wider pick. I don't know. If I can name-drop, Brucebubs sent me a Zager pick all the way from Oz. It has taken some getting used to because it is so thin, but it can provide an airy quality that I don't get with my other picks. But similar your Primetone, a local store has been carrying the Dunlop Americana picks. I like the idea that the Primetones are burnished already whereas the Americana needs some beveling. I think the Primetone might be even better.

FWIW, I learned how to speed bevel via another member HH who has been MIA for the last few months. I probably don't have the dexterity of Silly Moustache, so I use a more manual approach to beveling. I may have to post it for those of us who fear losing a finger with the Dremel tool :0. Also, another thing I've taken to doing with many of my smoother picks is scoring them for grip. Light diagonal slits across the face of the pick with a box knife really helps hold on with less grip strength.

I'll be on the Sweetwater site to order some Primetones as soon as I finish this up. Thanks for sharing.

Here are pics of the Dunlop Americana and the Zager.

[RussL30]

Originally Posted by DanR

I tried Primetone picks earlier this year and they won me over. I had always liked a bit of flex in my picks, especially for acoustic guitar playing. The Primetone Standard .88 has a lot less flex than I was used to but the tone I get from them is much better than what I got from my nylon .88 picks. I now use the same Primetone Standard .88 for both acoustic and electric guitar. I previously used nylon because they wear well but I haven't worn out a Primetone yet.

I got some of the .88 prime tones last week and am really liking those. I like the 1.0 a lot too.

Interesting find, I’ll have to give this prime tone shape a try. I have some Ultex 1.14 in that shape that are not my favorite, but they could really use a bevel for the edges. I think the prime tones in this shape would be great with its beveled edges.

[Bridgepin]

Originally Posted by Tnfiddler

I was in a local music store today, killing time, when I spotted a pack of Primetone small triangle 1.4mm picks. I have .96mm TD primetones and have mixed feelings about them. I asked the store manager If I could try them out and I am highly impressed! I like them as much as my Wegen 1.2 Bluegrass picks and better than my BC TD50! I’m REALLY digging the small triangle shape too!! I do believe I may have found my new favorite pick!! The best part is 3 picks are only $8.77 with tax!!!

LOL. I was just on my way out the door to go check out those picks, just burning time till the wife get home. and I hear the garage door now....I'm off

[Livingston]

Originally Posted by Livingston

I've been using the Primetone jazz (small tear drop) picks off and on for some time now. I also have the Ultex large triangle that I like.

Thanks for posting your find! I've ordered a few to try them out.

So, thanks again to the original post.

As usual, I didn't pay too close attention to the details and ordered what I thought I saw in the original post. I "found" the pick on Amazon and then on eBay at a little better price. Turns out, I ordered 2 different picks and none the exact same as the original post.

So, both were Prime Tone picks and both were triangle shape. One was a large triangle in the smooth finish; one was the small triangle in the translucent "grip" finish. Both were great! Truthfully, I like the small triangle size. Equally truthfully, I like the smooth AND the grip finishes.

So, I've (re-)ordered both finishes in the small triangle size. The smooth gives a nice, warm jazz tone; the grip gives a little brighter tone.

Thanks again for the original post, and great to add more "must-have" picks to the collection.

[Ralph124C41]

Originally Posted by Livingston

So, I've (re-)ordered both finishes in the small triangle size. The smooth gives a nice, warm jazz tone; the grip gives a little brighter tone.

Thanks again for the original post, and great to more "must-have" picks to the collection.

I'm thinking about trying a set but I don't know the difference between the grip model and the standard embossed. Are there any other differences besides the tactile feel of the two types of picks? Also I understand there is available a sampler of Flow picks but not of the Primetones. Am I right? Also what is main difference between a Flow and a Primetone?

[Charmed Life Picks]

It's amazing the proliferation of all accessories, especially picks, over the last 10-20 years. Almost mind-boggling.

Strong consensus with which I concur that Dunlop is still king of the pick world. They've really got it dialed in. Don't be surprised if in the next few years they don't acquire a high-end pick company and grow through acquisition. I have no inside knowledge, and we're too tiny for them to be interested. But this is the way they've grown their categories in the past, so I wouldn't be shocked.

From a marketing perspective, they need a pick line that sells for about $9.95 per pick, then the jumps from there are $14.95 and $19.95. It will take a few years, but they'll get there.

Scott Memmer

[Livingston]

Originally Posted by Ralph124C41

I'm thinking about trying a set but I don't know the difference between the grip model and the standard embossed. Are there any other differences besides the tactile feel of the two types of picks? Also I understand there is available a sampler of Flow picks but not of the Primetones. Am I right? Also what is main difference between a Flow and a Primetone?

I hope someone can comment on your Flow vs. Primetone question. Not too familiar with the Flow, myself.

What I am finding with the Smooth vs. the Grip, is that while both picks presumably use the same plastic composition, the finish of the two picks produces different tones.

The Smooth has a softer attack and therefore creates a warmer, darker string tone. The grip, has a little harder attack and therefore creates a brighter tone.

Interestingly, I noticed if you drop either pick on a hard surface, they produce a very different sound. The Smooth has a much lower pitch/sound as it clinks on a hard surface, where as the grip has a much higher pitch/sound under the same condition. Not sure if it is the density of the pick or a different plastic compound or maybe a different finish (polished vs. matte) that affects the tone.

Anyway, I like both sounds that the warmer Smooth and brighter Grip produce hence I've ordered both.

By the way, when I find a pick that I really like, I tend to buy a large supply (100pcs or more) so I don't have to worry about finding them say 10 years from now. I keep the ones I like in a little hardware organizer...see photo below...and depending on the mood I am in, I have whatever pick that will make me happy at my fingertips.

[Ralph124C41]

I've just ordered 3 of the smooth 1.0 Primetones from Strings and Beyond, taking advantage of the free shipping.

[Murphy Slaw]

Hey Livingston, when you fill one of those drawers with Bluechip picks, be sure to post your full address....

[musicman1951]

I'm glad you found your pick - always a good day.

I use them on electric (but .88's I think). A great pick for the money. I still use the BC on acoustic, but to each his own.

[hairpuller]

Love the primetones! Great price, too!
scott

[Rosewood99]

Based on the OP's thread, I ordered a set of Primetone 1.0 picks. Even though they are made from different material they are almost identical to my gravity 1.1 picks (my current go to pick). The only thing I didn't like is that they are a bit slippery but I solved that by putting a small bit of duct tape at the top.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

Based on the OP's thread, I ordered a set of Primetone 1.0 picks. Even though they are made from different material they are almost identical to my gravity 1.1 picks (my current go to pick). The only thing I didn't like is that they are a bit slippery but I solved that by putting a small bit of duct tape at the top.

Paul, I've shared this before so you've probably seen it previously. Been doing this thirty years. Take a plain piece of white cotton medical tape (make sure it's genuine cotton) and fold it over the top, sticky side down:



It does two things:

1) The cotton whisks away the moisture and sweat and oils from your hands
2) The tape is slightly sticky.

Rinse & Repeated As Needed.

Try it! Really works -- and cheap cheap cheap!

Scott Memmer

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by Charmed Life Picks

Paul, I've shared this before so you've probably seen it previously. Been doing this thirty years. Take a plain piece of white cotton medical tape (make sure it's genuine cotton) and fold it over the top, sticky side down:



It does two things:

1) The cotton whisks away the moisture and sweat and oils from your hands
2) The tape is slightly sticky.

Rinse & Repeated As Needed.

Try it! Really works -- and cheap cheap cheap!

Scott Memmer

Thanks but the small piece of black duct tape seem to do the trick. It also looks better.

[Charmed Life Picks]

You don't find duct tape slippery?

sm