BlueChip Pick Review
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- Опубликовано: 20 окт 2024
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Welcome to another gear review! I'm pleased and excited to announce I have recently received yet another pick to test out and review for you. Put it's not an ordinary pick, it's the ever-popular BlueChip Pick!
I know, I know, you're probably thinking "Why another pick, Eric? Don't you have enough already?" Well . . . yes. Plain and simple. I have too many in fact! But while on my trip to SPBGMA 2014 (which will hopefully be uploaded and released soon) I had the opportunity to talk to some vendors there.
This video is the perfect example of the phrase "It never hurts to ask." In my case, I struck up a conversation with the owner of BlueChip Picks, Matthew Goins, and decided to inform about my RUclips Channel and subscriber base and how I frequently do various gear video reviews for you guys. He graciously agreed to give me a sample of the BlueChip pick, which was a TP-50. I decided I wanted a triple-point pick so I could have 3 times the playability.
As I type these show notes in the description box I've been playing this pick exclusively (in other words, I've not been using my other three main picks: Dunlop Tortex 1.14, D'Andrea Pro Plec 1.5, or Ultex 1.14/V-Pick 1.5[?]) for a little over 3 weeks and I'm blown away by it! One of the many reasons is because, other than surface scratches such as those you normally see on pickguards, there is absolutely no wear on this pick! It's extremely durable and sounds just as great today as it did when I first started using it!
So watch the video above and see the many other reasons I recommend you check out this pick (website above). And be sure to stay tuned in future videos because I'm going to put this pick through its paces and keep you all informed along the way!
The BlueChip pick has developed a huge following of many professionals such as
Kenny Smith
Ricky Skaggs
Adam Steffey
Chris Thile
Clay Hess
Kristin Scott Benson
Mumford & Sons
Zac Brown Band
Rhonda Vincent
Doyle Lawson
And many more . . . now including me!
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• BlueChip Pick Review
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"10 Three Easy Bluegrass Licks"
• Three Easy Bluegrass L...
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Thanks for the video. I just received and promptly returned my BC pick gift. Long story short, I'm afraid I don't find it worth it. I have not posted the recordings I've made, but approx. 6 of us did not pick the BC in the top 3 tests done with 6-7 other picks. As far as feel, I'm very adaptable and it felt fine. I've been playing professionally for over 15 years and I get used to anything I need to really. It's a fine pick, but for more of a gravity price point and not this enormous amount. Sorry to all the BC fans. Interestingly enough I wrote a very diplomatic review on their site which was rejected. No objectionable language are bashing. I noticed a lot of great things said everywhere but rarely does a negative one get posted (which is why my friend wasted $35). I'm afraid I don't like these tactics as we are all hard working musicians and money is precious to you when you play for pay and keeping honest reviews from hard working people is unfair and not good practice. Sorry folks, not a fan. I'm going to make sure my review is read at least on youtube. I'm all about helping each other whether it's for or against as long as it fair and honest
Bobby Wolfe Thanks for your opinions. I still use my BC TP-50 on everything I do with my acoustic work and find it to still outshine all the other picks I've tried. This is based on personal experimentation and not on the hype which, IMHO, is well deserved.
That's great and I encourage honest opinions which is what helps me decide I many options to experiment with in making my decisions. I certainly appreciate guys like you that take your time to help out. I wish they hadn't rejected a less than favorable opinion of themselves. That got my goat a bit, but cheers again to you for sharing your time, my friend!!
well which pick beats it????
Fender Medium for free from the big bowl on the counter.
Just got my TD-40 a few days ago. OMG! Wow! I can not believe the wonderful sound and ease of playing with this pick. Would have never believed that a pick could make THAT much difference. Thanks for the review, Eric.
My BC is coming Saturday. I can’t wait!
35 bucks a lot for a pick BUT providing you don’t lose it, you’re not gonna wear it out.
And let’s be honest, we spend thousands of dollars on instruments and then complain about $35. 🙄
Thanks for the review Eric... Just picked my guitar back up after about a 20 year break. Although I am no where near an expert I do like the fact that the pick is easier to hold as that can be something to get used to again. I like the Tortex for that reason. I purchased a TP 60. I love it...I think I am going to order something a little thinner soon. Thanks again for the post.
God bless
I've been using a T45 for about 3 years on guitar and mandolin and love it. I started playing the other day with a different pick and thought, "what is wrong", it wasn't the Blue Chip.The leather key change holder is the reason I've managed to keep track of the pick for 3 years already. I always put it back. Thanks for the video.
might want to check the copyright on the name Bluegrass Guitar Essentials as flatpick guitar has a bunch of books and stuff out with the same name and would hate to see any trouble over copyright as I've seen in the past on youtube
I would love a blue chip pick but the price is a lil too steep for me at this time be well and God bless
Paul
I play acoustic guitar almost exclusively these days. I primarily look for note volume ("this goes up to 11") as the instrument's tone is fine. I stumbled forward blindly until I accidentally compared a Jim Dunlop Jazz lll, Eric Johnson to Dunlop Jazz lll, Ultex 2.0. I fully expected the stiffer pick to produce a much louder sound than the more flexible pick. What I found is that the Eric Johnson pick had just enough flex to slide off the string and "snap" (pick) which produced a louder sound. The stiffer pick produced a dynamic compression and I despise compression. The Eric Johnson pick (or, most any red Jazz lll) produced the sound I was looking for.
To be clear, I don't spend all my playing time banging violently against the strings; I just want a higher ceiling for those times musically I want it and the ceiling is much lower with a stiffer pick. I do realize some players want a compressed sound.
It is worth spending time trying out different picks to figure out what sound works best for you. I use nylon and Ultex Jazz lll picks in different gauges (1.14 nylon and 1.14 & 2.0 Ultex). I will likely try out a Blue Chip Jazz lll shape at some point.
Awesome insights @uvp5000. I never thought about the "compressed tone" phenomenon, but you're right. I myself prefer that compressed tone, but the material of the pick makes a big difference on the attack you get (snappy, tight, loose, etc.) as well. Experimenting is always the best option!
Good info Eric, thanks for sharing it! Still haven't received my Blue Chip tomorrow makes 3 weeks, I'm going to call them soon, really want to try one.
I had to wait on mine a while don't know if was 3 weeks though I have the TAD 50 and a 60 I really like'em if you have ever played with Tortis this is as close as it gets tortis like warms up as you play and gets a tacky feel the blue chip does the same thing I have had my blue chip pick around a year and they wear all most none this is tough material!
Thanks for the review, I'm heading to a local instrument store this week to "pick" one up. I was one of the skeptics who thought that it was ridiculous to purchase a $35 pick. But after a few testimonies such as yours and from my friend Zeb Snyder, I've decided to do it. I'm going to get a TD-50, I'll leave another comment to let you know how it works out.
Parker Moore So, how's the new BlueChip pick working out for you after nearly a month?
*****
It's great! It went through a slight break-in period, but after about two days of playing it, it settled down into a great feel and sound. I've primarily noticed the nearly zero resistance it experiences against the strings. It lets me play faster, especially in situations when say you down-pick on the G string then up-pick on the D. It shines in those situations when you have to pull it up and pick "backwards" for lack of better terms. Thanks for helping me decide to get one.
You asked us if we use them, and what we think of them, so here it is. I am also a "Picknut"! I play Red Bear, Blue Chip, and V-Picks. And I LOVE the Blue Chips for all the reasons you say. The tone, the grip, the slide through the strings, the fact that they DO NOT wear out!! Yes, admittedly i play a few types of picks, but BC's are right at the top, and always in my pocket!! - Rick
I play full time in a bluegrass gospel band and I never never never go on stage with out my bluechips I use the XR 50 and TPR45 and they just don't wear out! best picks in the World!
Bobby, what pick did you fellows like best? I like the Wegen 1mm. I prefer a sharper shimmer sound from pick which draw out the fundamental sound ( dry) tone. Don't care for the rounded sound( especially on the wound strings) that she'll like picks give.
I have owned the TP60 and CT55 for over five years. My main picks remain Wegen Bluegrass picks in the white material--I have versions in 1.4 mm (standard) and 1.7, 1.8, and 1.9 mm (custom made, from around 2008 when Wegen used to do custom thicknesses and even materials). The BC have a unique material that is itself very expensive, so it seems that at the cheapest they would still have to charge $20 to make any profit. Now, the unique hardness and slickness of the material lends it its promise. With the sharper ends of the triangle shape (as opposed to teardrop) and the speed bevels, both clarity and speed is unmatched by any other pick. But, I think the same physical properties account for a significant loss of volume and fatness of tone on the unwound high strings, both on guitar and mandolin, again to a level almost unmatched by other picks. Now, this latter part is almost a deal breaker on any tune where you spend significant time on those higher regions. The only reason I have not yet ruled out BC is because I keep fantasizing that either a different shape (rounder corner), lack of speed bevel, or greater thickness might mitigate that loss of tone and volume. I think I am about to give a different shape and thickness a shot (the TD80 at 2mm, perhaps). (I have Redbears, the real McCoy, and many other boutique picks too--each has issues. The Wegen BGs have the best shape, size, thickness, grip, and bevels but leave much to be desired in terms of the constituent materials.)
Great info and comments, Noodlin' Nirvana. V-Picks are the picks I've been using for years now-more specifically the Large Pointed Lite and the Gladiator. I review V-Picks a few years back: ruclips.net/video/Aeo2X87bHjE/видео.html
I have tried just about every pick from Fender Celluliod, to Dunlop Tortex, to Dunlop Gator Grip, to Dunlop Ultex, to D'Andrea Pro Plec, to Clayton Acetal in the 40 years that I have been playing the guitar, and nothing comes close to my TP48 Bluechip pick. NOTHING.
They're a great pick, but I've long since switched to Dragon's Heart Guitar Picks. Check out some of my video reviews of these picks on my channel: www.ericbeaty.com/youtube
Great review. I really like Blue Chip too. Difficult to explain - but it's just great
I have 2 Blue Chip picks-the main one I use is the TD80-Its really thick and can take a lot of abuse. Its also $45. I really like the tone-I have a RedBear pick that is very good too, but it sounds a little duller and its more fragile than the Blue Chip. the BC tone is louder and rounder (great bass and treble response) than any other pick i've come across. But the biggest drawback, and is a huge concern, is that its super slippery! Your hands have to be completely dry, or else its going to slide around a lot in your hands. I've dropped it a few times. I even put Monster Grips stickers on it, and it still slides around.
haven't trayd the pick jet , but the string is GOLD , simply GOLD
Peder Møller You MUST try the BlueChip *says while waving a Jedi hand across Peder's face* :)
Question, are these good for electric guitars! Heck they are expensive as heck, but I would have to try one, but I don't play acoustic guitar, just electric guitars, eager now to know if they would be good for electric guitars! Thx for the information, I am intrigued now...
I can't answer that question, unfortunately. I've never used a BlueChip with my electric guitars. However, I do recommend V-Picks www.v-picks.com. They have loads of models to try for way cheaper and sound good to boot! Plus, they're currently running specials for Christmas.
Dang. As a guitarist I personally hate the “clickety clack” of most picks. I just heard smooth tone in this vid. Great guitar player too! I have one, and I look forward to getting this TP50. This is also what Julian Lage uses.
It's definitely an amazing pick! Thanks for commenting.
Are BlueChip Picks good on electric guitars?
yes amazing I have 12 of thm now
I bought a Blue ChipTAD 60 and decided to do an experiment to see if the Blue Chip is superior to other mandolin picks. I asked a friend to listen to me playing my Eastman 305 mandolin with each of three picks; the Blue Chip TAD 60, a Golden Gate MP 12 Deluxe tortoise style rounded mandolin pick, and a Dunlop 1.5 mm Maxigrip nylon pick. She couldn't see which I was using and had her eyes closed. On the first go round, where I played a solo from a Stanley Brothers tune, she picked the Golden Gate pick as the most pleasing to her ear. On the second go round, where I played "Oh Susannah", by Stephen Foster, she picked the Blue Chip. We agreed, they all sound great but the Golden Gate, which only costs about $1, sounds most similar to the Blue Chip which costs $35. The Dunlop costs about $.50 per pick and can be bought in a pack of 12. I concluded "beauty is in the eye of the beholder"!
Love my bluie chip pick
The closest thing to a real Tortoise Shell that you will ever find. I like a rounded triangle, I use the XR50, but they have a shape and thickness for everyone. The pick can be reshaped and re polished, customized by yourself for your own needs, just sand, polish, put on a speed bevel etc. The Blue Chip can be treated just like the Tortoise Shell, maintain it just like you would a real for sure Tortoise Shell Pick, when it wears, just true it up, re polish and you are good to go. There are more variations between different 'Shell picks of identical shape and thickness than there is between the Blue Chip and the Tortoise Shell. I've a large reserve of Tortoise Shell triangles bought back in the '50's, actually several dozen, they were only a few cents each back then, some kind soul let me know that they were going to be restricted, even banned completely, so I stocked up in a big way. We finally have a true replacement for the old Tortoise Shell for those who have built their technique around the 'Shell pick, the Blue Chip even has almost the same stiffness to thickness ratio as the 'Shell picks! I met the Goins when they were out here at the Fathers Day Grass Valley Bluegrass Festival, great folks, they allowed me to go behind the tables sit in a chair and try as many of the picks as I wanted to find what I needed and liked, I gave away a nice tortoise to them in gratitude, and bought several Blue Chips, made myself a couple of friends there, and had a great time, they are great folks, I think father and son but I'm not sure. Check them out, find a trade show or festival where they are showing out their products and find what you need. By the way, if you can, find a really good player that uses a real 'shell, blind fold him, give him a Blue Chip of identical shape and thickness, he won't be able to tell the difference, I guarantee it! It takes only about one practice set for a player, Guitar or Mandolin to adjust to the switch from the 'shell pick, it's the best thing since sliced bread, worth every dime of the $35 they are asking for it.
Going next weekend
I mostly use tortoise and they cost me maybe $30 are blue chip better?
As far as tone and durability, I think they are. However, I’ve been using Dunlop Primetone triangle picks for around a year and they’re comparable to Blue Chip but much more affordable.
@@theericbeaty Just ordered three Primetone Triangles for $5 thanks
Great video and sound. Expensive picks I couldn't bring myself to pay that money since I don't play regularly nor professional. Have you tried Wegen Bluegrass picks? I just picked up a set of 4 1.2mm online. Nice pick. Pre-beveled too but of course the Bevel needs to be at an able like. The bevel on the Wegen seems to be at a nice neutral angle. I need to change strings since I've a set of nickel alloy strings at the moment and they're not sounding the best on my dread. Plus they're dead. But the sound is still good with the Wegen.
+methodinsane I've had a bluechip pick for over a year and try to play my guitar every day and it still looks new. if i still used the 1 dollar plastic picks i used in the past i would have spent well over 35 dollars in a year.
I agree on durability... but with picks there's also a big risk that tiy can lose it... especially if you play gigs and move around a lot. .. you should have at least few same picks
Would you say yer TP50 is equivalent to a heavy thickness? Medium?
It's on the Medium-Heavy side. I think it's the equivalent of a 1.25mm or 1.5mm. Definitely not as thick as my Dragon's Heart Guitar Picks: ruclips.net/video/PcIxjTJC0QM/видео.html
The number is the thickness in thou. 1mm is 40 thou so 50thou is 1.25mm and the prefix is the shape TP is triangle pick and TD is a tear drop.
N.Al. Thanks. What BC pick is approx. the equivalent of a triangular Ultex 0.88 ?
I did a bunch of reviews too!
ruclips.net/p/PLrw9dKJaWN1rbGq37xXvFkZZWAffI-jcr
Great! Thanks for sharing. I'll definitely have to check these pick reviews out, especially the Gravity picks I've been hearing a lot about.
Nice info, and review. Thanks much!
I found a skipping stone about the same thickness and shape to this “Blue Chip” pick...It was free and sounded the same.
You should make a video about that.
Great info.. Thank you so much. Esp. for the lefty comments. "Lefty"
I have the Blue Chip flat pick and the Blue Chip thumb pick for my dobro. Best ever! I noticed a lot of viewers think they are over priced. The picks took about 4 years to produce to a point of being affordable to buy because the material they are made from comes from NASA. The material was used to make seals for the Space Shuttle. You can hold a lit cigarette to the pick and it won't leave a mark. I've had my picks for about 2 years and they look like they did the day I received them. You'll never need to buy another pick. I have no connection to the company I might add. I'm just another satisfied customer! :-)
Start the video at 3:09 to get straight to the review.
:-o $35.00 pluss. The way I lose picks, I would be $1000s in the hole in no time.
where's the top of yer haid?
I gotz done cut off.
I'm sure your a great bluegrass player, but you ramble on and on, it takes you an hour to say something you could explain in 10 minutes. Please get on with it. Nobody want to be bored to death with you repeating everything over and over again. I hope you take this constructively.
+Paul Spears Read my answer to a similar comment by Fred here: ruclips.net/video/cMlpMbwes0Y/видео.html
+Paul Spears you say nobody wants to be board, nobody has to watch it. I think the man does a great job. Keep your constructive criticism to your.self.
Paul Spears I think of anything you should be taking advice from him lol he has 10,000 subscribers you have 2
Also this pic costs $35 I believe, when investing that much in a piece of plastic it's best to get as much information on it as possible