Plectrums: When To Replace?

Subject: RE: Plectrums: When To Replace?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 26 Dec 10 - 01:03 AM

Ebbie - you've discovered my other job at Seaworld. Yes, I was Shamu the Killer Gael.

Maybe we'll get to meet when I'm up performing in AK in January, or possibly in May next year.

Bonzo3legs, me too. I use plastic hotel room keys as well, and they work just fine.

Kendall - they're now valuable collectors' items. Hang onto them!

Subject: RE: Plectrums: When To Replace?
From: kendall
Date: 25 Dec 10 - 06:09 PM

I have two picks that Rick Fielding gave me. No one gets to borrow them. I didn't notice until long after he died that there are marijuana plants embossed on them.

Subject: RE: Plectrums: When To Replace?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 25 Dec 10 - 05:23 PM

I can get 5 plectrums from an old credit card!!

Subject: RE: Plectrums: When To Replace?
From: Ebbie
Date: 25 Dec 10 - 02:23 PM

Shamu, I used 'plectri' - in line with Juneau usage: when a tourist multiplies, they beomce 'touri'. :)

Subject: RE: Plectrums: When To Replace?
From: Bobert
Date: 25 Dec 10 - 12:11 PM

Let's see??? Oh, about every 50 years??? lol...

I've been playing with the same finger picks for well over 20 years now... Maybe 30 years... I have plastic Dunlop thumb and 1st finger picks and a generic metal one I use on my middle finger... These are my picks... If I lost one I would be very depressed...

BTW, if anyone wants to see them, go to Cigar Box Nation and find my page (Sidewalk Bob) and scroll down to the pic of me playin' my Lowebow cigarbox geetar... I think they all can be seen in that pic...

As for flat pickin'/strummin', I use my "California Nails"... I call it "the hammer" and will only allow "Henri" to build/install it (aboput every 3 weeks)...

B~

Subject: RE: Plectrums: When To Replace?
From: kendall
Date: 25 Dec 10 - 11:36 AM

I buy pink ones so the bluegrass and country pickers don't steal them.

Subject: RE: Plectrums: When To Replace?
From: Brian May
Date: 25 Dec 10 - 11:32 AM

I just buy packets of new ones, the ones I DON'T lose, I forget where I've put them . . .

Subject: RE: Plectrums: When To Replace?
From: Charmion
Date: 25 Dec 10 - 11:08 AM

Good point, Darowyn. Bob Clayton gave me a lovely buffalo-horn pick for my mandolin, and it's so excellent that I seem to have stopped using any other. I noticed a bit of frazzle at the tip the other day -- so I'll give it a wee manicure!

Subject: RE: Plectrums: When To Replace?
From: Darowyn
Date: 25 Dec 10 - 04:04 AM

You can sharpen them with a nail file, if you really need to.

Subject: RE: Plectrums: When To Replace?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 25 Dec 10 - 02:15 AM

Cobra - puh-leeze - "stadia".
And a healthy peaceful new year to yourself.

Subject: RE: Plectrums: When To Replace?
From: Van
Date: 25 Dec 10 - 01:25 AM

I replace mine, or add to my collection, when I find one that a busker has lost in the High Street.

Subject: RE: Plectrums: When To Replace?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 24 Dec 10 - 09:09 PM

Kendall: I replace mine just before they break.

I do that with my climbing ropes!

Subject: RE: Plectrums: When To Replace?
From: cobra
Date: 24 Dec 10 - 03:50 PM

Oh, btw, Happy New Ear!

Subject: RE: Plectrums: When To Replace?
From: cobra
Date: 24 Dec 10 - 03:49 PM

So, Mr Kennedy, how many stadiums have you played?

Subject: RE: Plectrums: When To Replace?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 24 Dec 10 - 12:06 PM

Ebbie - "plectra" please, if you're going to use Latin :0)

And I always replace mine when another musician leaves his or hers where I can find it.

Subject: RE: Plectrums: When To Replace?
From: kendall
Date: 24 Dec 10 - 11:32 AM

I replace mine just before they break.

Subject: RE: Plectrums: When To Replace?
From: Charmion
Date: 24 Dec 10 - 10:59 AM

Turning your plectrum a bit to the side is exactly the right technique for playing a nice smooth tremolo. It obviously works for you, so don't knock it.

Like Wesley said, when your pick doesn't sound good any more, replace it. There's plenty more of them Dunlop Turtle picks where that one came from.

Subject: RE: Plectrums: When To Replace?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 24 Dec 10 - 10:09 AM

I don't think I have ever replaced a plectrum as a result of wear. I have broken one, but not recently.

Subject: RE: Plectrums: When To Replace?
From: G-Force
Date: 24 Dec 10 - 09:45 AM

I use the same plectrum I've had since the 1960's. I've lost it a few times, but it's always turned up again. I can't play with anyone else's, and I can't imagine having to change now.

Subject: RE: Plectrums: When To Replace?
From: Wesley S
Date: 24 Dec 10 - 06:54 AM

I'd replace it once the tone has been played out of it. Until then - hang on to it and don't drop it. Have you ever tried a Golden Gate or Dawg pick?

Subject: RE: Plectrums: When To Replace?
From: GUEST,Silas
Date: 24 Dec 10 - 06:28 AM

I can't reccomend highly enough the 'Awe in One' range of plectrums, i use nothing else now.

Subject: RE: Plectrums: When To Replace?
From: Abdul The Bul Bul
Date: 24 Dec 10 - 03:11 AM

I replace a plectrum when I lose it and since I've been sticking em to my instruments wid blue tac it has not been so often.
Al

Subject: RE: Plectrums: When To Replace?
From: Ebbie
Date: 24 Dec 10 - 03:04 AM

I trail plectri where'er I go.

But the one I've been using the most this last year or so is mammoth ivory and it's worn down to a bit more than a finger hold. Hey, as long as it reaches the string before a finger does, it is still a plectrum

Subject: Plectrums: When To Replace?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 24 Dec 10 - 02:52 AM

I'm looking at one of my picks right now....it's virtually flat across the bottom and each side has distinct "chamfered" wear on it, probably due to using this one a fair bit for tremelo picking on the octave mando (I tend to turn the plectrum slightly to one side when I do that, rather than using it right on the point...probably bad technique but I seem to get a smoother tremelo that way).

I reckon this one's for the bin now!

I mostly use Jim Dunlop Turtle plectrums and generally find that once the dye had completely worn off the logo they're less useful for more precise work, so they get relegated to strumming for a while before being discarded.

OTOH, I have a friend who seems to be able to play very precisely even with picks worn more than this one that I'm about to discard.

So how often do you replace your plectrums (through wear rather than losing them....that's another story)?