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Post by Infinite Ego on May 31, 2012 16:07:07 GMT -5
I poked around online a little bit and I came to the realization that those big picks are not guitar picks so much as they are cultural symbols for a subset of metal head shredders. That big ass drop pick makes no rational sense at all for somebody who wants to pick fast so there must be another 'rational' explanation and it goes like this, if I'm allowed the analogy: see how good I can run with a ball and chain around my ankle or look at how good I can swim wearing chain mail armor. Like blues dudes putting flatwounds 13s on their Strats (for the 'tone') or jazz cats who refuse effects (for the 'purity') etc. Most genres I guess involve some way of self-hobbling as a form of one-upmanship.
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Post by Infinite Ego on May 31, 2012 17:07:35 GMT -5
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Post by chromedinette on Jun 1, 2012 5:26:59 GMT -5
I ordered a few V Picks to try them out and I do like the Unbuffed Switchblade. It is similar enough to the purple Tortex Sharps that I usually use. I guess I wil see how long it lasts before I would think of ordering more than one. I got one of their larger thicker picks, too, and it's not for me. I can't imagine using any of the really big ones, or anything like that Hufschmid.
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Post by aliensporebomb on Jun 1, 2012 10:58:47 GMT -5
Fantastic writeup. That about says it. But wait, NOW they'll go "let's see how fast we can play WITH NO PICK AT ALL." As far as me? I'd win. I have a way to play stupid fast with no pick. I won, I won. Wait, where's my moon rock? |
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Post by chrissh on Jun 1, 2012 12:49:23 GMT -5
That's a good social theory lense to look at it all, machismo and masochism. Other craft traditions embrace self-imposed limitations too, and machismo abounds. Craft ain't art. And vice versa.
Afaikt, the huge pick thing originated with European jazzers, particularly manouche 'gypsy' jazz, where legend (or fact) had Django playing with a button. And thus Dugain, Wegen, Vpicks. It's possible the traditions of European design are generally more inclusive of leaps in form like those huge lozenge sized things (see Teuffel, Spalt, Pagelli, etc.) European music too, generally both more inclusive of stylistic elements and more aware of traditions. Rock and pop that combines classical, more inclined to traditional training. America seems to be much more about crazy hybrids and heuristic development, weird ingenuities, and sublimating its problemstic history in grand gestures of identity. Broadly speaking, of course.
I'd wonder how accurately a teen shred segment represents any trend, and so the manufacturer just has to roll with their vocal clientelle. Of course jazzers can be as rigid as any other musicianly mentality, so there's that too, and teenagers can be notoriously insufferable all around.
I found some massive picks can sound unique and really good, years ago, but are too unwieldy for comfort.
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ck1
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Post by ck1 on Jun 1, 2012 13:12:23 GMT -5
The whole thickness versus flex thing is definitely a lot of that issue. The gypsy jazz guys almost across the board use 3mm or thicker. I went the stone route, as previously mentioned, which I love for the mass and lack of flex. But it's still a compromise. ASB, pass me a moon rock!
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Post by chrissh on Jul 3, 2012 20:07:50 GMT -5
I've liked these for years, especially when they wear in a bit and the grip wears off: elderly.com/accessories/items/PKSRJ-H.htm Each note sounds like a little firecracker. Also, several years ago Wegen made for me a pair of his little Twins in 250 thickness. They might suit your interest, just a little bigger than J3 size. |
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Post by Infinite Ego on Jul 3, 2012 21:01:01 GMT -5
I'll try it. And I was trying to find, actually, a dealer that carried the Wegen Twins....no luck so far.
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Post by chrissh on Jul 4, 2012 13:32:46 GMT -5
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Post by chrissh on Jul 4, 2012 13:34:31 GMT -5
Btw, I dealt with Wegen firsthand and he was friendly, accommodating, affordable and fast. That was years ago, but maybe worth asking.
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Post by jahloon on Jul 5, 2012 17:41:34 GMT -5
The Wegen gypsy jazz pick is amazing, love it to bits, you can smash and thrash everything out, with a lot of control. Trouble is I keep loosing it. So much for the guy who said I would never mislay an expensive pick....
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Post by Infinite Ego on Jul 5, 2012 18:19:52 GMT -5
LOL. You must have a millionaire mentality to lose those things.
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Post by brucestevens on Jul 5, 2012 19:13:01 GMT -5
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Post by brucestevens on Jul 5, 2012 19:14:25 GMT -5
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bear
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Post by bear on Jul 5, 2012 20:58:51 GMT -5
I used to swear by those decades ago. I think I was going for something like a pick where the attack felt really laid back, like the note was triggered and not plucked. Smooth. I ended up working with Jazz III's off of a tip from a friend who actually used them to pluck perpendicular to the string (pick flat surface at right angle to string length). That took me in a different direction. I might have to spend time with some Nylon Standards, though, just to refamiliarize myself. Are they close to the Herco's like Pagey used (still uses?)? |
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