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What are the best/most economical caseine picks out there now? I've got Vinny Smiths and Bluechips and Wegens. Should I buy another Red Bear or are there other good options out there now? What is everyone else using? I play a wide variety of music from classical to bluegrass. Red Bear was my favorite but I also go to the others and D'Andrea Pro Plecs, etc. on a regular basis.
Maybe 10 years on a Red Bear means get another one.
Or a jazz Manouche pick, https://www.manouchepicks.com.
Or a Wegen or
a Radex or
a Primetone.
so many picks, so little time........
I sent you a PM.
Charmed Life make casein picks: https://www.charmedlifepicks.com/online-store
Apollo Picks...
https://www.apollopicks.com/
Nik is a one man business so you might have to be patient. His picks are outstanding however.
If a Red Bear has been your favorite, then why not get another? Treat yourself -- get two!
Hawk Picks
https://hawkpicks.co.uk/
Lots of choices and customization.
x2Quote:
Originally Posted by charles e.
From the looks of his home page he seems to have created a monster.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles E.
I can't imagine having only one of my favourite pick [ Golden Gate BTW ] I keep one in the strings, at least one in the case and at least one in my pocket.
Dave H
Interesting thread. My Red Bear pick broke accidentally when a buddy tried to flex it a bit, not knowing that this is the death of such picks.
I really like Red Bear picks. The availability in Europe and the makers personal setbacks made replacement difficult.
A great alternative is the Hense "Happy Turtle" pick: https://www.martinsmusikkiste.eu/zub...cks/hense/?p=1
Itīs a casein pick. I play the regular teardrop kind. I like it very much.
This thread shows the wide price range for mainly the same product. I find that quite interesting.
The exact same thing happened to one of my Blue Chips. Flexing the pick was the first thing my friend did when I showed it to him.Quote:
Originally Posted by grassrootphilosopher
I'm not a big fan of the Golden Gate, but it's something you either love or hate. I don't get enough sound out of it. I do have a collection of picks including BlueChips and Vinny Smiths, Wegens, Proplecs, D'Addarios, etc., etc. This one Red Bear was the best. The great news, is that I used it at rehearsal last night and for now it's still playing well.
Attachment 197862
Nick's online store is on hiatus while he catches up with production.
I bought this pick a dozen or more years ago after reading about them on the Cafe. I once lost it in the couch and went without it for two full years. My wife was pissed that I bought a $30 pick. Eventually, when I threw out the couch, I cut it open and -- to my great surprise -- found the pick again and have used it as my main pick for the past decade. To me, it has the best sound and playability characteristics of all the picks I have tried, but I haven't tried everyone. I use other picks, typically out of concern for losing it again. I happily told my wife, that I've spent less than a quarter a month on this pick averaged over it's life, which may not be over yet!
Charmed Life also makes casein picks - https://www.charmedlifepicks.com/
Have a few Red Bear. One did break and another should have by now, but it still goes despite slowly deteriorating.
Besides Hense (which are tough to find here in the United States) another option could be the John Pearse Fast Turtle - https://jpstrings.com/brpicks.htm
Thing about the old Red Bear that always made it special to me was the bevel. Was always well done.
Good luck in finding a suitable replacement for your Red Bear.
I’ve never played one, and they didn’t seem to take off, but the Chris Thile signature pick from D’Addario is also made of casein:
https://www.daddario.com/products/ac...ignature-pick/
John Pearse, and Hense are two budget casin picks to have
I have one of those. It's a nicer pick. Loud, feels good in my hand. The bevels aren't as nice as my BC ct55 but is nearly identical in shape.Quote:
Originally Posted by pheffernan
If it's been your main player, I'd say get another Red Bear. I took a quick peek at their site and didn't see a 'M-SB', but it seems like it's their Classic shape. You can probably also email them and see what would be the equivalent today.
Yes, people do that. And I allways ask myself why? I do feel the thickness of a pick when I hold it. Thereīs no need to flex it. (In my case though the break caused great distress to the person and he gave me several extremely nice picks to compensate me; was not expected/needed/requested but it showed genuine care)Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Wolf
Elderly carried them for a while but no more it seems. But Martin Hense ships worldwide. You can order directly from him on his website though I do not know if it has an English version. Alternatively you can order from Thomann (large international seller of musical products; located in Germany they also ship worldwide: https://www.thomann.de/intl/helpdesk_shipping.html): https://www.thomann.de/intl/hense_pl...SABEgKRn_D_BwEQuote:
Eric Platt
Re: My favorite Red Bear pick just broke after a decade :(
Besides Hense (which are tough to find here in the United States) ...
I donīt have a finger in the pie. I just know Martin Hense to be a most reputable dealer who genuinely cares about his customers. And I order from Thomann once in a while (fiddle strings etc. if I canīt order from Martin)
I was up on the Red Bear Trading site. The new chips do look very good. I'll put that on my Christmas List (I'm willing to wait for one).Quote:
Originally Posted by rickbella
Artisan Guitars in Nashville carries various Hense models. Here's a direct link in their online store.
https://artisanguitars.com/products/...-picks-id-9834
Red Bear is still making beautiful picks, so you might send them an email to see if you can get a replacement. Ten years is a pretty good run. I've had relationships last less.
BTW, most people are unaware that Hense also makes the new D'Addario casein picks, along with John Pearse and a bunch of others. Same material, different label.
M&M
Seems to be back up. Some really nice looking picks up there. They beckon me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Elliot Luber