Machine shop for special parts for semiconductors.
The biggest thing for me isn't the sound, but all the other things. The feel and longevity. Can we have "touchy, feely, squeezy" match block for the next firmware?Can someone make a Tonematch of one of these expensive pickups against a, let's say, an ordinary Dunlop Gator Grip (my favorites)? So we could all be able to enjoy these magic sonic properties without feeling guilty of spending so much money on such a small thing.
We will still have to replace them more often because they worn out (for me every 3 or 4 years) but... same as we can tonematch expensive amps, pickups, speakers or microphones, why not model these magic picks?
The Gravity Gold Picks hold up extremely well. I have had both Bluechip and the Gravity Gold for a while and I honestly can't tell any difference in edge wear or durability. I honestly think the Gravity Gold is much better suited for electric guitars and hard blues, rock and metal than the Bluechip -- tone-wise. But, I do like them both for different things. I just ordered the Taylor Thermex which are more reasonably priced -- 6 for $12. I don't expect them to be as durable as the Gravity Gold ($20 for 1.0-1.5mm, $29 for 2.5mm) or the Bluechip. But, I don't think many other picks are that tough. I completely understand worrying about losing an expensive pick. Both GG and BC picks are earth tones and not that easy to spot right away. I have freaked out several times after misplacing a Bluechip pick. Still, you might want to have one of each at the house for recording -- if it suits you. I bought several Bluechip picks used. Since, I knew I could re-bevel the edge if needed. I have even bought a large triangle BC pick, used, and filed it into a classic pick shape. GG and BC picks both file and shape, in a manner, similar to aluminum. Even though, the comparison to aluminum ends there.
Thanks...
I agree. Bluechip may not be the pick for everyone. But, they are very different from any other pick. And, Vespel is an unusually expensive material. The Gravity Gold is somewhat similar to the BC's, though. The GG's even slip over the strings nicely -- but, not quite as easily as the BC. And the GG's are noticeably, but not annoyingly brighter -- which is a plus, sometimes. Both the GG and BC seem to wear like iron. The BC's have a very warm and have a very, very strong full sound. The GG and BC both really project. It is no wonder that the BC's are extremely popular among bluegrass flat pickers. They have a very strong warm sound. They kill string attack noise. And they literally glide over the strings. And, they take a long time to wear down.
The thermex picks have a good grip and sound better than average. But similar to celluloid.
I have tried tons of pics over the years and still have them all to revisit as needed. Carbon fiber, horn, metal, Casen, gravity gold, gravity plexi glass, tortex, celluloid, etc.
Years ago I knew a local guitarist who rehearsed in the same place we did, and he worked for Dunlop (about 30 miles from where we live).
Had to chuckle at this...Funny how much more you pay attention to where your pick is when you spend that much on them! I bought some Chickenpicks @ $10 each over a year ago, not as much as the BC but more than the Dunlops I was using and losing. Haven't lost a Chickenpick yet!
Dunlop Stubby picks are made with Lexan -- which is polycarbonate. I have not used them, yet. But, I have noticed that different materials make noticeable differences in the way picks feel and sound. I can say that Bluechip would be warmer and darker than polycarbonate. In fact, Bluechip are warmer than most picks. Probably too warm, if you like the Stubby Picks. Gravity Gold would be different from polycarbonate, but closer to polycarbonate in tone than a Bluechip. I say that because I have used Acrylic picks (Plexiglass) which are very close to polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is a harder type of acrylic than Plexiglass. The Gravity Golds are either 1.0,1.5 for $19 or 2.5 for $29. Weirdly, I can't find, and haven't seen, 2.0 GG's. Also, the GG will be less "clicky" or "chirpy" than polycarbonate. Part of what I like about the GG is that they have a somewhat more noiseless attack. They still have plenty of attack but less "click/chirp" -- if that makes sense. The GG will definitely wear better and longer than polycarbonate. Another hard, long-wearing, pick for you to consider is Dragonheart. They are also very hard and don't wear. The Dragonheart did not suit me because they have a very overt chirp. Also they have no noticeable advantage in gliding over the string than other picks. Metal guys seem to like the Dragonhearts. But, for me, they had a very annoying chirp in the pick attack. When I turned down the treble enough to kill the chirp, it killed my sound. I hope this helps you.
I find it depends on the shape. That's one of the reasons I don't use the same pick for electric and acoustic.. For acoustic, it's the big triangular ones (CT55). For electric, I use the IBJ55 (jazz style). The later is definitely not as loud, has less pick noise.
This was the first thing I noticed about using thicker picks, 2mm+. Much more comfortable, natural feeling and more conducive to dynamic playing. I'm currently playing 3.5mm picks, never in a million years did I ever think I'd play anything thicker than 1mm.
My favourite regular pick material is Ultex, which the JPs are made of. But yeah, they have a lot of chirp, which I don't like. They sound like poker chips when you drop them on a table. Kinda like "klang", which actually carries over when they hit the strings. Very bright picks with a lot of chirp on the attack.
So, when are you going to try one?
