Blue Chip Pick

[Duane Graves]

I am considering buying a blue chip pick for my mandolin and I am wondering which style/thickness to buy. Can anyone give me some ideas on this.

--Duane.

[B. T. Walker]

You might read this very long thread here for way more than you'd ever want to know about Blue Chip picks. It will take a while to read the entire thread, but you'll get the gist of it in about five minutes.

[fatt-dad]

I'm perfectly happy with my CT-55. I asked Matt to round one corner, just to have something different. Only one I tried, but i like the large triangle size, which is what I was using in the Clayton.

Yes, there is a monster-long thread on these, but here is one short answer.

f-d

[chasgrav]

Buy cheap picks to decide what shape and thickness you favor. Then buy that in a Blue Chip. They're fantastic picks, and you won't go back.

[OldSausage]

I like the TAD 60 best, but it all depends on your technique.

[Scotti Adams]

Just recieved a Jazz LG 50...very nice pick.

[JonZ]

Have you considered investing the money in real estate?

[woodwizard]

TPR60 Yup! x 2 ... one in each case

[pinky57]

I picked up a Blue Chip 50 at a festival to try. I liked it so much I bought the demo I was trying and haven't used any other pick since.

[fishtownmike]

I won't take the plunge with these. I lose pick easy. I lost two of the three Wegens i bought already. Besides i started using the dunlop Jazztone 207 and I'm hooked.They replace the wegens. And i don't have to worry about losing them since they cost 50 cent each. It has the sound I like. Before you take the plunge i suggest you try many cheaper picks first. You never know what you'll like. And like jonZ said maybe you could invest the money better elsewhere...Mike

[BobMcC]

I have a CT 55 and a TAD 60. My friend Richie Brown said he might get a 100. I use them on mandolin and guitar. Great picks.

[John Garcia]

I used a TAD 50 for a long time, then tried a speed-bevelled CT 55, and I like it more...... just bought one

[AlanN]

I like the KS60. I special ordered the KS80, but found it a tad too thick. But, another picker found it to be pick-perfect for him, so...

[kurth83]

It helps if you already know what you like in a pick. I knew what I wanted (shape, thickness, and bevel), and was able to narrow it down to two BC models as a result, one of which was perfect.

What a BC will give you:
- a little more slippery for a given thickness/bevel than other materials.
- a little darker/richer sound (compared to a similar pick in other materials).
- lasts forever
- makes you cry if you lose it because it costs more.

Maybe that will help you narrow down your BC pick choice. :-)

[Mark Wilson]

What a BC will give you:
- a little more slippery for a given thickness/bevel than other materials.
- a little darker/richer sound (compared to a similar pick in other materials).
- lasts forever
- makes you cry if you lose it because it costs more.

Made me more careful with where I set it down - either in my hand or in the strings. Anywhere else is trouble

[Eric Platt]

Used BC almost exclusively since they came out, until I discovered my current favorite http://manouchepicks.com/ Am playing the Perry Stenback model most of the time, although I do have a couple of Adam Schlenker models, with another one on the way.

Having said that, if I hadn't found out about these, would happily spend the rest of my days playing BC picks.

[Phil Goodson]

@Eric:
Love BC 50 or 60s.
Does Manouche make anything thinner than 2mm?

[HonketyHank]

I keep waiting for the "Find my BC" app.

[pops1]

If you have a brighter sounding mandolin, in the low strings especially, then the heavier BC will be more to you taste. If you mandolin is darker in the G strings like mine a 35 is the one for me. The heavier picks are too dead sounding. It doesn't seem to make a lot of difference in the other strings.

[Eric Platt]

@Eric:
Love BC 50 or 60s.
Does Manouche make anything thinner than 2mm?

Yes -http://5thfretproductions.com/faux-s...-for-sale.html
I use the 1.25mm version from Adam. Perry Stenback has them in 1.35, but you'll need to order from him in Denmark.

Again, nothing against BC picks. I just like the sound and feel of these better. On both guitar & mandolin.

[bigskygirl]

I like the BC, had one for 3 years now and not lost it once, it lives in the strings when I'm not playing....but that's not what you asked...

I like the TAD shape and I really like the 80, it's a large pick, it's thick, and doesn't require a lot of effort to drive thru the strings, I have used a 60 and it's ok but I always go back to the 80. My friends and a few pros have tried it and they liked it so much they got one...BC should send me a commission...ha

I also have tried the TP-1R in 50 and 60...I found I don't use the rounded corner much but it's nice to have an option.

The 80s are spendy so I generally pick them up from the classifieds here and at other forums. Just order one and if you don't like it sell or trade it here in the forum classifieds - if you get the 80 and don't like it PM me......I have a few for trade.

[Cochiti Don]

I have the TAD 40 but just ordered the 50 today. I have no problem with the price, considering how much I paid for my mando. In my mind, it's part of the instrument. It's where the sound is actually produced. It's critical

[Stevo75]

Buy cheap picks to decide what shape and thickness you favor. Then buy that in a Blue Chip. They're fantastic picks, and you won't go back.

I second this approach. I like the Wegen TF 140 and the 1.4mm Dunlop large triangle. So I got the Blue Chip CT 55 which is the most similar. I love it. By far may favorite pick.

[Stevo75]

I had a TAD-70 custom made for me. I asked for the CT bevel instead of the standard TAD bevel, but I can't say that I notice a difference. It's the RH speed bevel. I don't use it. PM me if you're interested. They charged me the same price as the TAD 80.

I like the BC, had one for 3 years now and not lost it once, it lives in the strings when I'm not playing....but that's not what you asked...

I like the TAD shape and I really like the 80, it's a large pick, it's thick, and doesn't require a lot of effort to drive thru the strings, I have used a 60 and it's ok but I always go back to the 80. My friends and a few pros have tried it and they liked it so much they got one...BC should send me a commission...ha

I also have tried the TP-1R in 50 and 60...I found I don't use the rounded corner much but it's nice to have an option.

The 80s are spendy so I generally pick them up from the classifieds here and at other forums. Just order one and if you don't like it sell or trade it here in the forum classifieds - if you get the 80 and don't like it PM me......I have a few for trade.

[bigskygirl]

I forgot to mention that as long as they are not engraved you can return/exchange them with BC (you might have to pay shipping)...so you can go read all the other BC threads or just buy one and try it...