Picks

Chiefbigeasy

Just what I need: to reopen an old obsession!

Nonetheless, very insightful video and very informative discussion by two thoughtful players. As it turned out, I happened to have a couple of the purple Dunlops and I tried the side technique. As I heard Eddie Izzard say the other evening, "Eh voila!" Turns out, I was able to get used to picking on the side pretty readily, and the smooth glide over the strings and round edge worked very well. Also, the material of the pick brightened up the sound nicely as compared to my go to Wegen 2.5 or Big City 2.2. I'm going to go pick up both sizes of the Gator Grip picks next and see how they work out.

Thought I had this settled, but can't let it sit if it's going to make things better. Comments to follow.

Charles Meadows

Anyone know what guitar Brad plays?

Jazzaferri

Hehehe...it's so much fun to sit on the sidelines and watch....

Buco

It's a great video, I enjoyed watching it.
The only thing is, so many people are discovering the joy of a round tip but go round about ways to get it by using the pointy pick and then turning it sideways. Cause in the case of gators I don't think it's the material as much as the shape of the tip.
I've been the advocate of the round tip picks for a while.
Why not get the pick made with round tip in the first place?
Like Blue chip SR model.
Or if you don't wanna drop $40 then look for Dunlop primetone semi-round (which they mention as one of their favs but the pointy model again)
http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/primetone-semiround-print
or Dunlop americana round
http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/americana-pick
or Golden gate MP-12http://www.sagamusic.com/products/product-details.aspx?item=MP-12
...
Or what I'm going to test next for myself the Romino model by Jokko
http://www.djangobooks.com/Item/djangojazz-pick-model-e-5

So, no need to go sideways. Unless you really want to.

wim

Charles Meadows wrote: »

Anyone know what guitar Brad plays?

Yes, he plays an Olivier Marin. Previously owned by Olivier (Kikteff), and before that Benoit. I believe it's the guitar recorded on mumbo jumbo and perhaps 1910 album too

Charles Meadows

Thanks. It's interesting he said it didn't have a lot of attack. Hey Wim it was good to meet you in Louisville. You were getting really great tone out of that Barault.

Chiefbigeasy

OK, here are the results of my own testing.

1. As it turns out, I had a couple of purple 2 mm Dunlop pics in a old pick bag. I turned them sideways and found that indeed they played very well and were quite slippery across the strings.

2. I bought a bag of Gator Grip 1.5 mm and 2 mm (green and black) picks and also turned them sideways. Again, I was surprised at how easily I picked up the technique and how slippery and easily the pick worked across the strings.

3. I agree with the testers: the 2 mm Gator Grip is slightly duller sounding than the 1.5 millimeter. I would agree with their assertion that the 1.5 would tend to stand out and cut through rhythm more readily than the 2 mm. Also, the purple Dunlop 2 mm sounded the brightest of all. I too found it a little too harsh when playing on my own, but I could see how in a gig or jam, it would work to stand out in a group.

As to rough versus shiny pic, although I think the Dunlop Gator Grips do have a rougher flat surface, it seems at the edge of the pic is rather shiny and slippery. Also, I think that playing the pick breaks it in and smooths out any initial roughness pretty quickly. It was funny to hear Christiaan's story about Stochelo's dismay when he couldn't find his favorite worn Wegen Big City pick just before a gig. That brought him down to earth just a little bit.

The upshot is I may never need to spend the big bucks on those expensive picks ever again. I say this having thought that I had settled on using my Wegen 2.5 mm as my go to pick. These two experienced players plus many others who have contributed to this forum have said good things about these Gator Grip picks and using the sideways edge. Buco makes a good point, though, in suggesting going for a pick that already has a more rounded playing edge. But, you have to wonder why so many good players like the Gator Grip pick and like playing on the side. Anybody ever do a survey here as to pick choice? Show of hands for the what you use now?

Finally, it's hard to beat the idea that something so good can be so inexpensive that you can basically buy a drawer full of them and never be without one and never worry about losing one.

Which means, I've got a little box full of broken in Wegen picks for sale. Any takers?

Al Watsky

I continue to like the Wegan 3.5 , I also like Dunlop 208's. The only thing I don't like about the Wegan is that it dictates the pick angle . The thickness and the angle of the bevel make it necessary to keep the pick parallel to the string . Thinner picks allow me to vary the angle to a more perpendicular angle which cuts done on pick drag. Which is an advantage for some lines and phrasings. Still the sound of the Wegan is very good. I've used Gator Grips in the past and they are good I think I was using 1.5 and 2. and that was cool , I think they are a bit softer than the material of the Wegan or Dunlop 208 , so that makes them a bit more dulcet . The wear quickly but they are so cheap its NBD.

Charles Meadows

No matter how much I play them I just can't get into those dunlops for GJ! I've played the Wegen M350 so long the thinner dunlops almost make it feel like the distance between strings is greater!

bohemewarbler

For those of you who use the side of the pick, or want to try out the side of the pick for playing, you should give Wegen Big City 1.8 picks a try. I've been using them for the last few years. IMHO, they are the easiest to stay in the fingers (those little holes really help), have the most rounded edge suitable for side playing, and generate no noticeable pick noise. They are also inexpensive, although not as cheap as the Gators (I personally never found the Gator Grip equal to the Big City for side-pick playing). I'd like to see a bit larger circular shaped Wegen Big City myself.