Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?

Subject: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: Lowden Jameswright
Date: 12 Aug 05 - 10:43 AM

Anyone know how to fashion plectrums from old pieces of tortoise shell?

On holiday in France recently I took a gamble on an antique item for the sole purpose of using the shell to make picks for guitar and mndolin.

Now for the tricky bit...........

HELP!

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: SINSULL
Date: 12 Aug 05 - 10:53 AM

AllanC, if you are reading this, I am waiting for my tortoise shell pick.

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: mooman
Date: 12 Aug 05 - 11:06 AM

You have to be very careful as it's an extremely brittle material if thin. It sands down quite well using 180 then 240 grit wet n'dry abrasive paper. For cutting, I've found that its better to clamp it to a thin piece of substrate, e.g. thin ply and cut both carefully at once using a very fine fretsaw or Dremel cutter.

I was given a sizeable but thin piece by a local luthier I know well recently (having sold to enthusiasts the thirty or so genuine tortoiseshell picks I had left over from my music shop days aeons ago) and must take the plunge to fashion this into a mandola pickguard!

For anyone interested, use only old or antique tortoiseshell as it's now a protected species due to over-exploitating in former times and trade is banned.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: Tam the man
Date: 12 Aug 05 - 12:31 PM

use a tortoise

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: Tam the man
Date: 12 Aug 05 - 12:31 PM

only kidding

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: Grab
Date: 12 Aug 05 - 02:41 PM

I refer you to this well-known song...

Graham.

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: gnomad
Date: 12 Aug 05 - 02:48 PM

Grab! That was going to be my line.


I will now sulk, for at least 30 seconds, and it is all your fault.

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 12 Aug 05 - 06:43 PM

I would like to suggest that you abandon your plans to make tortoiseshell picks, and buy the excellent "Tortis" imitation tortoiseshell picks instead.

The fact that the tortoiseshell is antique is irrelevant, using a tortoiseshell pick makes a statement, and that statement is the same one you would make if you played a guitar with an ivory nut and saddle.

I don't have to spell it out, do I ?

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 12 Aug 05 - 07:35 PM

Step 1)
Wait about 150 years until your tortoise dies of old age........


Then post back here and ask again!
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: GUEST,A musicianMan
Date: 04 May 09 - 04:45 PM

Okay... Honestly, I agree with a lot of the people on the illegal issues... However... ANYONE who's a real guitar player knows that though it is highly illegal, a tortoise shell pick, pickguard, or even an ivory bridge and nut guitars are still in circulation. They are not manufactured anymore naturally, however if you buy a 1964 guitar, you're NOT going to go to jail for it... So he's not wrong to want to make something fashionable with something that's an antique. The person who's probably the most to blame is the one who sold it to him, because the selling of it shouldn't have been done anyways... I'll gladly tell him how to do it. VERY carefully, use cushions on any clamps as tortoise shell, as well as any type of bone material is thin and very fragile. You'll have to use a very fine bandsaw more than likely to make it, as course saws can cause it to splinter and crack like it would with thin wood. Then you'll have to more than likely apply a generous but very thin coat of clear laquer or polish to it. It sounds stupid, but I've known people who've used turtle wax on some semi-translucent guitar accessories and whatnot. And those of you who are judging this guy who I don't have a clue who he is... Quit judging him and telling him what to do. Like you haven't done anything wrong, or illegal in your lifetime. If you lived a perfect life then lucky you. I'm not pressing buttons, or judging anyone just saying to quit judging him and making him look bad on here because he did one thing that wasn't right. But I will admit yes, it's not legal to make something out of a tortoise shell. And though I myself wouldn't do it, hell... I'm not going to say someone's wrong for utilizing something that is 20 years old... as someone with a high amount of native american descent, I've made bone guitar picks, pick guards, and other tihngs from animals that aren't endangered. But if I find an eagle feather, I'm not going to flip out and call the sheriff...

With that being said, I hope this post helps anyone who finds it useful.

"You laugh because I'm different... I laugh because you're all the same".

SomeGuy

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: open mike
Date: 04 May 09 - 06:53 PM

well, first you catch a turtle...or tortoise...no, not really.

There is a song called My Turtle Fred by http://www.tomhunter.com/
and another called You Can't Make a Turtle Come Out by Malvina Reynolds
http://www.wku.edu/~smithch/MALVINA/mr193.htm

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: Nick E
Date: 04 May 09 - 07:59 PM

Well first do you not Mr Hare, need to Catch a tortise?...

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: GUEST,james
Date: 05 Jul 09 - 12:40 PM

hi, first trace the shape of the pick you would like with pencil.
then cut it out with a dremel using a fine point bit, don't cut right
to the pencil mark though. once you have the rough shape cut out
take a fine flat file and file the rest of the way to the line, take care on leaving a smooth edge with the file.
now use 150 grit sand paper on a flat surface and rub the pick on it
to take it to the thickness you want. sand both sides.
back to the file, use it to bevel the edges not sharp though, leave a little flat strap around the edge. now get a {MICRO MESH} starter kit,
cost around 25 bucks. with grits from 1500 to 12000 there should be 9 grits in total. awesome stuff.
use micro mesh starting with the roughest or maybe one or two grits up
on a flat surface {table?} and rub the pick on it in a circular motion,
both sides. then holding the pick do the edges. repeat with the rest of
the grits. also wet the micro mesh while using exept for the last two
grits.       VOILA ! a first class pick.

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 05 Jul 09 - 01:59 PM

Adding to mooman, thin brittle materials are often fastened to a substrate with water-soluble glue before grinding.

The Royal Canadian mint recently released a 50-cent coin shaped like a guitar pick. A nice collector's item, called a "Six String Nation Guitar" pick. It has a hologram central disc, of course with Queen Elizabeth, on the obverse. Price $34.95 Canadian.
Order by phone, item 243670, 1-800-565-4362, or visit the website, www.postescanada.ca/collection

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 02:41 AM

"You laugh because I'm different... I laugh because you're all the same".

SomeGuy

"SomeGuy" was Jonathan Davis of Korn.

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: GUEST,999
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 03:14 AM

Why kill the creatures? Available here for $10.

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 05:27 AM

Can the turtle be unbroken,
Bye and bye lord bye and bye.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: GUEST,Songbob
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 12:58 PM

Well, a lot of the old tortoise-shell items I've come across, like busted-all-to-hell mandolins with inlaid pickguards, have tortoise shell that's already too thin to use for a pick. I suppose a tortoise-shell brush or comb might be thick enough (though the comb wouldn't likely have enough un-slotted (un-toothed?) area to use, either), but then there's the cutting to thickness part. If you can find the material in the proper thickness (or near enough to it), then go for it (with the recommendations above -- fine blades or Dremel bits, glue to backing stock before cutting, etc.).

But I was disappointed by the too-thin chunk of tortoise shell on that wrecked, wretched mandolin that time.

I have had reasonable luck with horn picks (water-buffalo horn, for one) which seem to be sold on eBay and come from Viet Nam, though horn isn't quite up to snuff against tortoise as far as unbreakability (yes, both can be broken, but horn far more easily than tortoise shell).

Bob

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 03:15 PM

when you kill the turtle hit him in the head,, then cut it off and bleed him..this makes the pics harder removing the blood..
then cut the shape out and sand it down...also the meat is great to eat..dont waste anything...

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Oct 10 - 02:05 PM

You horrible person. You don't make picks from non-sea turtle shell, they are not the same. There are enough turtle shell antiques in the world to never need to kill another sea turtle! All of that crap should just be made into picks anyway.

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Feb 11 - 08:55 PM

My name is Tortia, which means "Swim faster you dumb kluck before you get eaten by a shark" in aquatic terms. I am the first hatchling of Mortia, the most famous of all sea turtles....you remember....the turtle that kicked Moby Dicks ass in " Moby Dick The Real Truth" (Now on sale at Amazon.com on DVD).
To get to the point of my post.... I am also a born again Turtle who just "came out" of my shell about two years ago. I can understand that a guitar picker would want the VERY BEST medium to make their guitar picks therefore I think it's just fine and dandy if someone wants to use my old dried up shell for this rather unique and decerning purpose.
Just remember, when your picking your brains out at your next bluegrass festival...take a moment to thank all the turtles who gave their asses toward the betterment of all the hillbillies and rednecks of solid earth. I now live in Hawaii. I am serving my second term as vice president of the " Gay Tortoise Ukulele Players of the Greater Wakiki Area". I would welcome comments and positive feedback from all readers. Excuse me now...I must go rub lotion of my lovers bareback. Maholo and Aloha!!!!

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: GUEST,Paul
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 01:23 PM

The highest honor you could give to a turtle that has long since passed away is to use it to make beautiful music. Thank the spirit of the turtle when you are playing.

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Apr 14 - 11:29 AM

bought a couple of these red bear picks....FOR FROM THE REAL STUFF...don't sound the same at all.

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: GUEST,Harry Halfwit
Date: 29 Apr 14 - 12:00 PM

Which end are you supposed to hold the turtle ?

Whichever way I try, it's head, tail, or legs keeps flailing against the strings and randomly dampening notes.

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Apr 14 - 12:14 PM

http://pickcollecting.presspublisher.us/issue/summer-2010/article/tortoise-shell-guitar-picks

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: Stringsinger
Date: 29 Apr 14 - 12:17 PM

I would like to put in a plug for V-picks which to my ears sound every bit as good as tortoise shell. Vinnie is very cooperative and dedicated to a useful and good product.

Subject: RE: Tortoise Shell Picks - How to make?
From: Will Fly
Date: 30 Apr 14 - 03:48 AM

Thanks for the heads-up on V-picks, Frank - I've just ordered some. Always willing to try out a new (to me) product.