Black Mountain Thumb Picks (medium)

[rstaight]

There was an earlier thread about thumb pick sizing you may remember. Black Mountain was part of that discussion.

Around that time they released a new product, a .7mm thickness. Before you say to thin they start at their typical 1.5mm thickness and taper down to .7mm.

I have used .73mm thick nylon picks and did not care for them. With these Black Mountains being tapered you do not get the pick click as bad as other thin picks and they don't feel floppy.

I get a nice mellow sound and the bevel helps with flat picking. Even on my 12 string.

So far I like them.

[hdrider57]

I just got mine in a couple of days ago and my first thought was the fit felt loose and fear that it would fall off.

[rstaight]

When I first tried Black Mountain picks, back in May I believe, I thought the same. But after a couple of songs I realized that these picks weren't going anywhere.

I believe some folks think a thumb pick needs to cut off circulation. If that's what you like, OK. I never had an issue with gripping these picks to date.

I will be playing a 6 string again tonight and I will be using the Black Mountain medium. If things go like last evening on the 12 string. I have a new go to pick.

[llew]

I have some inbound to me. Hoping I can finally get along with a thumb pick?

[hdrider57]

Tried them again and kept going back to my slick picks....

[nickv6]

I only use my Black Mountain now. Best thumb pick I've ever had.
I did play with the spring tension a bit and lined the red bit with a little felt.
I can use it to upstroke as well, no rotation.
I think they are brilliant. (I use the original thick one)
Nick

[Quickstep192]

I like the idea of a pick that starts at 1.5mm tapering to .7mm, but I don't see anything like that on their website. Do they still make it?

[rstaight]

It's a new item. If you are on their website click on buy now and the first picture is the medium gage pick.

Granted, the website could give more information. I got the specs from Cole, the inventor of the pick. His contact is on the website.

My thoughts is the use the heavy gage with my mandolin and the mediums for guitar.

Oh yea, if you are not certain on the thickness you want they offer a combo package of 4 picks. Two of each.

[Joboxer]

Love the Jazz Tipped. Just the right thickness. i don't play jazz per se, but these, for me, work for most styles. I usually use Herco Heavy. Just a bit more flex in these and solid thumb attachment. Gonna work them for a while before I make a full change

[Mbroady]

Just ordered a few to try out. Thanks for posting

[srick]

I'm a sucker for trying out new picks. Looking in the pick box, I count nine different styles of thumbpicks that I have used at various times. Obviously, I haven't found 'the one'.

So the Black Mountain picks just arrived and my initial impression is. "I really like them!"

One thing that came very easily was mixing alternate picking with steady-thumb fingerstyle. They don't seem to cut off my circulation at all; this is where the spring-loaded mechanism has an advantage, because I find that on any given day, my fixed picks will fit differently.

So, i can report back after a few weeks. Time to play some more.

best.

Rick

[srick]

So, one day in, my playing has improved for several reasons:

• In the past, I think that it's been very hard for me to play without my thumb pick shifting. My bass has always been weak - these stay put and my bass line is strong.
• I'm able to slip them a little lower on the thumb - either right over the knuckle, or below. You get a lot of power from this position; I learned about it from watching videos of Rev. Gary Davis.
• You can play downstrokes and upstrokes. That's handy.
• They are beveled and narrow; the attack feels better than a normal thumbpick. Essentially, you get a more 'glide' over the strings.
• For whatever reason, my bass line picking seems more accurate - could be the more consistent volume, or as mentioned the shape and bevel of the tip.
• You can use it as a flatpick, but since I'm not a very good flatpicker, I'll leave that judgement to others.

Bottom line: keepers

Rick

[SalFromChatham]

I just ordered. Curious to try them out!

[SBakerman]

Last week I got a selection from Elderly. I got a Fred Kelly Slick and Fred Kelly Speed. Plus 2 Black Mountain Mediums. Out of the 3 I like the Black Mountains best. Very comfy, don't shift on a hard attack. Easily controls volume by amount of pressure applied. These might be the best I have ever had.
I have been using Herco Heavys since the 60's, I tried Dunlop and others, usually end up back with Herco. The Black Mountain Mediums are without a doubt better than what I had.

The Fred Kelly's were okay. The speed pick is fun , but accuracy is a must with them. The Slick was really good but the tension on the thumb was too great, otherwise a keeper. But for both playing and comfort the Black Mountain wins.
Thanks to you fine people I sought these out specifically. Your assessment was spot on.

[srick]

Two week follow up: These picks have changed my playing for the better. They don't shift around and so they allow my bass notes to have a lot of power behind them. Because of that firmness, my accuracy is better. And, the spring adjusts to any variations in the dimensions of my thumb - IOW, they always feel the same, unlike fixed thumbpicks that feel good some days and some days, not.

My only comment is that the material is a little weird as far as picks go. But they sound good, so it's not really an issue (and that's all that matters) . It would be interesting to have one of these made up with Vespel, but not a deal-breaker.

They are keepers and now, 'my' thumbpick.

Rick