Two Guitars, three Blue Chip Picks compared. 

Hi Silky, yes I agree, I think that most (not all) go to thicker picks as they develop their style. Thanks for watching. Andy

Hi Steve, thanks for the kind words. I have soft spot for Texas - due to my appreciation of Texan Singer-Songwriters: Guy, Townes, Steve, REK, Lyle, Joe, etc., I was invited to visit and stay with like minded folks in DFW, Austin, and Big Bend in 2004, and I was "drug back" again in 2005. I still can't believe that I drove from Austin to Luckenbach, to Alpine and drove right past Collings without realising it! However I did get to meet and chat with Bill whilst he was on a quick visit to the UK a while ago. Thanks for watching.

@@SillyMoustache love this story Andy! Well I'm sure you've had many and yet another from me again"...its an open invitation Buddy. We'll get drunk on Bar-b-q-beer. I've got enough guitars to supply Eric Clapton and his guitarist mecca shows. I'm more than sure you'd like a couple of them. So, come on down anytime Buddy!

@@steveb9325 Thanks Steve, you invitation is appreciated but I fear that my travelling days are over.

Hi Jeff, the TAD40 -s a 1 m/m, the TAD 50 is 1,25 m/m, and the TAD60 is 1.5 m/m and I think they make them up to 2.,5 m/m. Would that guitar be an SD60 ? I had a 2004 SD50 LSH-TSB - which meant hog B&S with large sound hole and total sunburst. and, of course 1 & 7/8" nut width. It was rather special. I only made one video with it : ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PRb-CZzVbt4.html Thanks for watching.

I had a TAD48. I gave it to my buddy who plays a Taylor I always thought sounded skinny. He was converted. Ordered a 40 and was much happier. Win win!

Hi Shaun, I use the TAD40s on guitars with lights - 000 and smaller and TAD 50s on dreads etc., with mediums, etc. Email me, let me know how you guys are getting on, Andy

Hi Mojo, thanks for your comments and observations. One of my experiences with my first BC was the large triangle and the benefits of it. I know that you can order BC triangles with one rounded corner - for just the way you mentioned. All the best, Andy

Hi Mark, interesting observation. I've hardly played my dreads in the last year or so , so when I started working up a playlist for a an upcoming open air concert, i was surprised how I found the extra tension hard to adjust to. Still on the EJ17s for the big guys so far though. Thanks for watching.

Still discussing this with myself!but I do see myself moving toward the thicker picks as they seem to hurt my arthritic thumb a little less.

Hi, It might be worth checking out - Blue Chip used to offer to exchange picks - if yours shows no sign of use. I use TAD40s (1 m/m) on smaller strings with light gauge strings and TAD 50 (1.25 m/m) for dreads, and that Roy Smeck Jumbo with mediums. I have a couple of TAD60s which definitely accentuate the bass side of the spectrum. Not familiar with the Fender pick, but remember that we "hold" picks, not "grip" them. This might help : ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-8yFXH2wGyfM.html

and thank you for turning me on to Eastman!

Hi Jonah, firstly, thanks for your kind words. Of course the choice of picks, strings and guitars is always a personal one, and no one option will suit everyone. I'd respectfully disagree that the heavier the pick the better the sound as it "depends" on the variables (Molly uses 2.07 m/m picks). Pick noise (click) also depends a lot on the pick material and the polish and bevelling. One doesn't need to grip a heavier pick harder, something that I often need to school my zoom students about. Overall, I'd say that whilst I think Blue Chip picks are the best available on the market, no single pick, shape, material is going to suit everyone, and its great to read your points of view, thanks, Andy

@@SillyMoustache Thanks for the videos and the sound advice. I have recently "discovered" Blue Chip picks and so far prefer the TAD 40. I think your advice that choices related to guitars are always a personal one. I am currently viewing your video of "Stuff That Works" to learn that song. I like your embellishments to the basic tune. I don't carry a tune well so the additions to the melody are attractive to me and attracts the listeners attention way from my vocals.

@@herschelrector8218 Hi Hector, thanks for the kind words, and if you feel you would like one to one zoom lesins/sessions, please let me know - my e-mail addy is on my "about" page.

Hi Bill, Funny but when I got my WL12 home, I didn't like it at all - it was just so much better than the new Gibsons in the store. So i hung it on the wall in my little office where i spend so much time -with talk radio on. then i started a whole load of hospital appointments for my upcoming cancer treatment, and left it there for some time. After a while, I got it down and it had opened up remarkably. I think that immediate response that you mention is the maple back and sides. Just like with archtops - I "perceive2 that maple is a sort of colourless tonewood - it doesn't change the tone of the top like hog r rose - it just bats it back and out. That's my daft theory anyway. Thanks for watching.

Yes, everything affects the sound of an acoustic, woods, age, et up, design, strings, picks and of course, the player. I I know a guy that can make almost any instrument sound superb, and some others that can make a guitar want to lay down and die!

Hi, yes, of course it is down to personal preference, and, I guess we all hear differently, especially old guys like me with age related hearing loss. Thanks for watching.

Thanks for watching Sam,

Hi Tex, no I've given up on the bevelling - BCs and Wegens are all I've needed, but I have been introduced to a couple of other makes that might make an interesting comparison video. Thanks, as always.

Hi, yeah, it probably is, what you said, but then I've never played either of those numbers! i think that we flat pickers just progress up the thickness levels until we fing the optimum and stop. Maybe that's just me tho'! Thanks for watching.

Check your temperature, and stop strumming!

@@SillyMoustache Gotcha!

Interesting! Hi, my initial answer was going to be that I've stopped looking for picks, as I've found Blue Chips. .... but you peaked my interest, so I googled to discover that both are British makes. I may order one fromn each to investigate.Which ones do you use?

@@SillyMoustache I think Gravity is based in California, but there's a UK importer now. I play mandolin and I'm not very good, so it probably won't help you to know what I use ... I'm still trying out a lot, but I'd say Hawk and Gravity Gold are of a similar quality to Blue Chip with slightly different tonal characteristics. You like the triangles, so a Gravity Gold Striker or Hawk SB may suit you. I can lend you mine if you like.

I believe that choice of picks is as personal as socks or underpants.

Hi, I was sure that they were a scam, but they aren't but they aren't mandatory, so if you are happy with what you currently use, then that's fine. All the best, Andy.

Really? I shall be on pick guard!

Hi Andrew, and thanks so much for your honest thoughts. Would you believe that I initially felt exactly the same as you when I first heard of the $35 pick. I'm on record on certain forums as shouting SCAM! on those of us that will pay anything for some miracle accesory. I can't remember how I got my first one, either via ebay or someone sent me a used TAD40 (large triangle). I immediately bought up every similar sized and thickness of pick that was on the market, and learnt to polish and bevel them like the BC. I achieved that, but ... nothing compared to the BC pick. I gave up and bought a couple more,then decided to buy one for every flat top. Many said that they lose picks. You don't mislay $35 ones! and because of the extremely hard wearing material -they'll last a lifetime. BTW - you can buy one and try, and return it for refund if not convinced. (BTW - I am not affiliated to BC or Wegen,or anyone else). All the best, Andy

@@SillyMoustache Hi Andy, thanks for your thoughts i know full well your not associated with any sales malarkey, you know what, i am going to give one of these picks a go, i will let you know my thoughts, good or bad. Keep em coming i thoroughly enjoy your music and advice, in these very strange times we now find ourselves in. Cheers. Andy. Scotland.

Tracey, I'm not familiar with this person, but it is always sad to hear of the loss of a fellow guitar lover. My thoughts to his family and friends.

Hi Joel, thanks for listening so closely to my little video demo. I agree about the dark vs bright analogy. I think it's something subtle that focusses more or less on the voice of each string -a subtle EQ if you will. I'll stay with my TAD 40s for my smaller guitars, and TAD50s for my dreads etc. Strangely, both these very different guitars were the longest I'd experienced to "open up" the SC being the longest, but when it did - makes me smile with every g chord! I have to say that I can't really feel the any difference in "effort" changing from one of these picks to another. Thanks as always.

@@SillyMoustache I have been using Jim Dunlop 208's. They are 1.5mm I think. Still can't flatpick very well, but the sound of these picks on both the D28 and D18 I have is wonderful! I also play both of these guitars fingerstyle. The Collings I have is really great for fingerstyle, and I don't use a pick with it. Of course, I pay close attention to all of your efforts. After all, you play well and I can learn a lot from you about the styles you play in.

Hi, it was probably my bluegrass years that set me in the same path. Thanks for watching.

Hi Jamie, that is a very reasonable question. Firstly, I'd say that it would be unlikely for anyone, however tonally sensitive to such things would perceive a difference in a BC and another perfectly good pick. But the difference is in the feel and therefore the playing of the player. I have to say that I was very reluctant to accept the notion of the $35 pick, back in whenever it is and probably went into print to declare it a scam - until someone sent me one. Then I had to eat my words. So to answer your initial question as best I can: 1. The "speed bevels" which I first encountered on Wegen Picks, BC make a big thing about this form of polishing and finishing and for good reason, as it "eases" the contact between pick and string, and does, indeed speed the process. 2. The material itself ("vespel") was designed for complex engineering applications where bearings needed to be self lubricating and of very minimal wear, possibly for underwater, aerospace and other such complex applications. This means that they are essentially wear free and although not sticky to the touch easier to hold than other composites. They have, however broken the dam on expensive picks with many emulating them costwise, although no-one can use the material that is the essential ingredient. However, they are not for everyone, and I actually prefer Wegen picks (less flexible but equally well designed and finished) for 12 string and archtops. I hope that lengthy response hasn't bored you, but as did I , the only way to explore them is to get hold of one, and they do offer a returns policy . Thanks for the question.

@@SillyMoustache Ah, so it's more like a car. It's not soo much about how it looks, it's more about how it drives and handles. That makes sense. Thanks very much.

If I only had one, I'd agree.

Hi James and thanks for the compliment. If your fingers and playing style permit, try putting some EJ17s or MA550s on that dreadnought, and try a tad 50, or maybe a Wegen tf120? - just a thought. Best, Ol'Andy.

Thankee, Andy. I’ll try the one step heavier strings and the one step thicker pick. I’ll let you know!

No, just $35 but there is postage to be allowed for, which of course is quire expensive to the UK ,. However, I understand your point, as I was convinced that it was a scam, until someone sent me one. If you are a strummer who uses thin picks, then they are probably of little value to you, but idf you play more complex styles, then they are invaluable. After many years of trying this and that, and even now that many others have got onto the "boutique" pick market, nothing compares to the material that they use (Vespal) and their speed bevelling and polishing, which truly improves the sound and ease of your picking. I think the minimum thickness is 1 m/m, so if you prefer thinner picks - they aren't for you. If you are concerned about losing one, as was, then I have resolved that - See: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-YLXtHaxXk38.html

No, mediums, so a tad50.