On acoustic I finger pick (no nails) 100% of the time because I can't stand the sound of a pick on an acoustic. Just too damn scratchy.
I fingerpicked almost exclusively on acoustics for years. I now use the Bluechip picks on acoustic guitar when I need a pick. And, I use a pick on the acoustic more often. After tortoise shell picks went away in the 1970's, I fingerpicked acoustic guitars for decades. I now use the Bluechip picks on acoustic guitar when I need a pick. Because, I also dislike a scratchy pick attack -- or most pick noise. So, it took a while to find an acoustic guitar pick that worked for me. Other people, very famous and very skilled people, have liked a scratchy attack -- Billy Gibbons, Brian May, the Edge -- albeit on the electric.
On another front, I do like to be able to pick, or strike, a string extremely hard, as part of a dynamic range. Hendrix and SRV were my influences in that regard. Hence the stiffer heavier pick. They were also my influences in terms of smooth, legato lead work. Hence, a search for "string glide" in a pick.
Hendrix and SRV used the round corner of a Fender Medium pick for harder, faster picking. The round corner of a celluloid pick is both stiffer and smoother over the strings. I now like the Gravity Gold pick for the same reasons. The GG is both stiffer and smoother. And, the GG also has a fuller thicker tone -- without sacrificing the trebles. Also, the GG allows me to use the sharper point for more precision and tone while still maintaining a stiffer, smoother action. I could say the same thing for the Bluechip picks. But, I would have to add, the Blue chips have a little more string glide and less trebles than the Gravity Gold.
I also like to use economy picking -- which is essentially sweep picking on 2 strings. This is another reason why "string glide" was important me. The Blue Chip pick really made it much easier for me to learn sweep picking with a stiff pick. I really liked the feel a lot. The only thing I didn't like was the darker sound of the Bluechip -- on an electric guitar.
But, as a fingerpicker, I prefer the warm, solid tone of the Blue chip on an acoustic -- and, occasionally, for some mellower songs on electric
Obviously, influences, musical tastes and goals determine a lot about what pick will work best for a particular person.
Bluechip picks are pricey: $35 for 0.035" - 0.060" (0.889mm - 1.524mm.) There have been times in my life where I was careful to spend my food money on items with the most calories. So, I am aware of the "amount per dollar" principal. And, Bluechip picks are not for everyone. Or, even for every situation for someone who likes them. But, maybe, this will help someone to determine whether a Bluechip pick, or a Gravity Gold pick, might benefit them -- I hope this makes determining a first purchase less of a shot in the dark -- and more of an educated guess.
