Postretro
Inspired
Resin. I just ran across another pick material that I like -- to my surprise -- resin. To my ears resin stands somewhere between the Bluechip material and the Gravity Gold material. The material moves smoothly over the strings -- even though Bluechip is still clear winner in smoothness. The type of bevel makes a big difference in how a pick moves over the strings. Blue chip still stands out as the one with the roundest tone and smoothest picking action. However, Bluechip is also the darkest sounding -- very suitable for Jazz and Bluegrass flat picking -- or anyone who wants a smoother, warmer sound. Gravity Gold also has a smooth picking action. But, GG is brighter sounding while the pick noise is is still lower than most picks. Resin falls somewhere between the BC and the GG. Resin has about the same picking smoothness as the GG -- but not as good as the BC. Resin is warmer with less chirp than the GG and brighter with more chirp than the Bluechip. It is also more affordable ($3-4.) You can even buy a silicone mold and try your own hand at making them. However, like anything, there are tricks to getting the best results.
All three pick types are fileable and sandable. Which means all three can be customized to the bevel or edge you prefer (symmetric, Left or Right hand; angled Bevel with varying degrees of sharpness, a rounded edge, or a squared-off edge; a rounder or pointier tip profile; file it to the size you like.) You can also re-bevel these picks as they wear. I haven't used a resin pick long enough to discuss wear -- which may vary with type of resin and hardener. But, it seems, and I expect, it will wear quite slowly. All these picks are hard non-flexible picks starting at 1-1.5 mm thickness.
Some harder metal players like extreme pick chirp. I don't think these picks will satisfy hard-chirp fans as much as acrylic and Dragonheart picks would. As I mentioned before, I found Dragonheart picks to be less smooth over the strings. For me, Bluechip, Resin, and Gravity Gold are all useful. I wouldn't think twice about moving from one to the other for a brighter or darker pick attack and pick tone. Having said all this, If I had to chose one, I would chose the GG because I use it the most often. I would really miss the Bluechip though, it is a very unique pick. If I had to do without one, it would be the resin pick. I get more range in tone between the BC and the GG. However, I will still be using the GG as my main pick for electric guitar.
All three pick types are fileable and sandable. Which means all three can be customized to the bevel or edge you prefer (symmetric, Left or Right hand; angled Bevel with varying degrees of sharpness, a rounded edge, or a squared-off edge; a rounder or pointier tip profile; file it to the size you like.) You can also re-bevel these picks as they wear. I haven't used a resin pick long enough to discuss wear -- which may vary with type of resin and hardener. But, it seems, and I expect, it will wear quite slowly. All these picks are hard non-flexible picks starting at 1-1.5 mm thickness.
Some harder metal players like extreme pick chirp. I don't think these picks will satisfy hard-chirp fans as much as acrylic and Dragonheart picks would. As I mentioned before, I found Dragonheart picks to be less smooth over the strings. For me, Bluechip, Resin, and Gravity Gold are all useful. I wouldn't think twice about moving from one to the other for a brighter or darker pick attack and pick tone. Having said all this, If I had to chose one, I would chose the GG because I use it the most often. I would really miss the Bluechip though, it is a very unique pick. If I had to do without one, it would be the resin pick. I get more range in tone between the BC and the GG. However, I will still be using the GG as my main pick for electric guitar.