Does what it says on the tin - this is an online record of my pick collection!!!
My passion is for vintage and unusual picks, but as you can see, I collect all picks!
Please be patient if some pages are a bit slow to load - it means there are LOTS of photos of lovely picks on there!
My passion is for vintage and unusual picks, but as you can see, I collect all picks!
Please be patient if some pages are a bit slow to load - it means there are LOTS of photos of lovely picks on there!
A little bit of Pickology!
Sound and playability
Apart from the aesthetic or historical side, all guitar players should read this about choosing a pick!
Like most people, I tend to find one pick I like, stick with it and don't really think about changing it. Often for years at a time.
Most of our local guitar shops stock a small selection of basic picks so there just isn't the opportunity to try different picks out. So you stick with one type, right?
I mean, you spend hundreds on choosing a nice guitar, an amp that's bigger than you'll ever need, enough special effects to keep your feet dancing all over the place.......then you fork out 50p or 50c on a basic pick!!!!
Most guitar players don't realise how much difference the pick can make to your sound and your playing. I'm not trying to endorse one particular pick as it is such an individual choice. What I'm saying is set aside a tenner ($15) and splash out on a variety of shapes & materials to experiment with. If your local shop doesn't do a range, then get them on the internet.
I used Jim Dunlop nylons for years, then cheap heart shape picks (because they were red, & a nice novelty shape!), and I stuck to them for years. Then discovered that I loved the sound of Fred Kelly polycarbonates and realised what a difference the material can make to the sound.
I had always used a medium or .73mm pick too, preferring a bit of flex, but then I tried the solid acrylic Raptors. They have given me more attack and variety to my playing. I have alo discovered TUSQ man made ivory picks - hard as nails but thin as a normal pick and a really lovely tonal quality. So now I switch between the Fred Kelly, Raptor & TUSQ, depending on what I'm playing and what mood I'm in!
It's all about experimenting and developing, and recognising that you may have handwound pickups, NASA endorsed strings, vintage valves and audiophile-grade angel hair leads, but if you don't chose your pick carefully, you won't get the best sound!
Pay attention to:
-different materials,
-different shapes,
-different gauges (the same gauge can feel different in different materials)
-different edges (how do you like yours - flat, smooth, bevelled?)
-different grips
Certainly don't chose it just because it has a colourful cartoon character on it!!!!!
Three notable picks from my collection........
1. Les Paul
**** Pick of the Month!!!/My Life!!!*****
Check out my new Les Paul handmade pick given to me by the Mahwah Museum Society, New Jersey!!!
(Les Paul lived in Mahwah from 1952-2009 when he died).
The pick is under the 'Vintage' section.
2. Mayflower
If you're interested in vintage picks, check out my Mayflower pick which can be found under the Vintage section. c.1907 it may be the oldest verifiable pick next to the Cristofaro! (Also check out the Knackstedts with rubber plugs c.1914 and Burdwise with wire loop grip! c.1918)
3. My personal pick!
For quite a while I have been wanting to commission my own pick and here it finally is!
Apart from the aesthetic or historical side, all guitar players should read this about choosing a pick!
Like most people, I tend to find one pick I like, stick with it and don't really think about changing it. Often for years at a time.
Most of our local guitar shops stock a small selection of basic picks so there just isn't the opportunity to try different picks out. So you stick with one type, right?
I mean, you spend hundreds on choosing a nice guitar, an amp that's bigger than you'll ever need, enough special effects to keep your feet dancing all over the place.......then you fork out 50p or 50c on a basic pick!!!!
Most guitar players don't realise how much difference the pick can make to your sound and your playing. I'm not trying to endorse one particular pick as it is such an individual choice. What I'm saying is set aside a tenner ($15) and splash out on a variety of shapes & materials to experiment with. If your local shop doesn't do a range, then get them on the internet.
I used Jim Dunlop nylons for years, then cheap heart shape picks (because they were red, & a nice novelty shape!), and I stuck to them for years. Then discovered that I loved the sound of Fred Kelly polycarbonates and realised what a difference the material can make to the sound.
I had always used a medium or .73mm pick too, preferring a bit of flex, but then I tried the solid acrylic Raptors. They have given me more attack and variety to my playing. I have alo discovered TUSQ man made ivory picks - hard as nails but thin as a normal pick and a really lovely tonal quality. So now I switch between the Fred Kelly, Raptor & TUSQ, depending on what I'm playing and what mood I'm in!
It's all about experimenting and developing, and recognising that you may have handwound pickups, NASA endorsed strings, vintage valves and audiophile-grade angel hair leads, but if you don't chose your pick carefully, you won't get the best sound!
Pay attention to:
-different materials,
-different shapes,
-different gauges (the same gauge can feel different in different materials)
-different edges (how do you like yours - flat, smooth, bevelled?)
-different grips
Certainly don't chose it just because it has a colourful cartoon character on it!!!!!
Three notable picks from my collection........
1. Les Paul
**** Pick of the Month!!!/My Life!!!*****
Check out my new Les Paul handmade pick given to me by the Mahwah Museum Society, New Jersey!!!
(Les Paul lived in Mahwah from 1952-2009 when he died).
The pick is under the 'Vintage' section.
2. Mayflower
If you're interested in vintage picks, check out my Mayflower pick which can be found under the Vintage section. c.1907 it may be the oldest verifiable pick next to the Cristofaro! (Also check out the Knackstedts with rubber plugs c.1914 and Burdwise with wire loop grip! c.1918)
3. My personal pick!
For quite a while I have been wanting to commission my own pick and here it finally is!
The prototype, in mustard!
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News
Something special coming soon. Watch this space!
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WANTED - PICKS FOR CHARITY
I've received this email from Mark Lacey of The Guardian newspaper. If anyone can help, please contact him directly. He still needs a couple of hundred picks: mark.lacey@guardian.co.uk
"I am attempting to create a one off piece of pop-art made entirely from artists' custom guitar picks, which will be auctioned for Childline in the new year. The finished artwork will be similar format to the image on this link, although it might not be Hendrix; http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/jimi-hendrix-guitar-pick
I am aiming for 1000 picks to create the piece - currently on about 650-700. So far I have been supported by a number of artists including Cheap Trick, Alterbridge, The Who, Anthrax, Eric Clapton, ANVIL, Uriah Heep, Knock Out Kaine, Steven Wilson, Greg Lake, Dave Kilminister (Roger Waters band), Asia, Whitesnake, Def Leppard amongst many others .This piece of artwork will be created once I reach 1000 picks, and promoted via Planet Rock radio, and Classic Rock / Metal hammer. All money raised will go direct to Childline and continue to support the work they do in providing free counselling for children in distress."
I've received this email from Mark Lacey of The Guardian newspaper. If anyone can help, please contact him directly. He still needs a couple of hundred picks: mark.lacey@guardian.co.uk
"I am attempting to create a one off piece of pop-art made entirely from artists' custom guitar picks, which will be auctioned for Childline in the new year. The finished artwork will be similar format to the image on this link, although it might not be Hendrix; http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/jimi-hendrix-guitar-pick
I am aiming for 1000 picks to create the piece - currently on about 650-700. So far I have been supported by a number of artists including Cheap Trick, Alterbridge, The Who, Anthrax, Eric Clapton, ANVIL, Uriah Heep, Knock Out Kaine, Steven Wilson, Greg Lake, Dave Kilminister (Roger Waters band), Asia, Whitesnake, Def Leppard amongst many others .This piece of artwork will be created once I reach 1000 picks, and promoted via Planet Rock radio, and Classic Rock / Metal hammer. All money raised will go direct to Childline and continue to support the work they do in providing free counselling for children in distress."
