Laurence Diehl - Posted - 09/11/2009:  14:29:56

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Aptly named - cost about the same as a hundred GM shares!
But in my endless search for that perfect tone, I broke down and ordered the JD version. I have seen good reviews here on the HO, but Man! you paid how much! for what?

Cheers,
Laurence

It takes a lot to laugh, but it takes a train to cry

GerryH - Posted - 09/11/2009:  14:42:27

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There is a very positive review of the Blue Chip pick in this month's Banjo Newsletter. The reviewer states she will never be without one henceforth.
Now if you can just keep from losing it or leaving it somewhere..... Let us know what you think.
:)
GerryH

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 09/11/2009:  14:50:28

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Thanks Gerry, I need the reassurance. wonder if there is such a thing as pick insurance?

The Pope - Posted - 09/11/2009:  14:53:54

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I'm very happy with mine. It's the best thumbpick I've ever had...

The Pope
KI #9
2 parts Masterclones

"Learn a few chords on the banjo, it's the key to life."

Vince Gill

arnie fleischer - Posted - 09/11/2009:  15:22:22

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I've been using mine (JD model) almost daily since early March with no wear whatsoever on the blade. The pick glides across the strings and the tone is excellent.

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 09/11/2009:  15:41:41

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Thanks Arnie - that's what I was hoping to hear!

Mike Casey - Posted - 09/11/2009:  15:44:33

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Arnie,
I just ordered my first one this week... a JD. I knew you had one so I figured they were good.
casey

Mike Casey
and Pinata del Norte

myfavefive - Posted - 09/11/2009:  17:04:54

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I use the medium size regular model. The blade on the Crowe seemed just a little short, but it felt like something you could adjust to very easily. Either way is good; you'll enjoy it. (Crowe model on the left)



Tom

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Edited by - myfavefive on 09/11/2009 17:05:17

Prewar3 - Posted - 09/11/2009:  18:31:51

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After reading the recent review in the new BNL issue I decided to give it a try and ordered a JD-Large. I prefer a little shorter pick and everyone that I know that has one loves em. Good luck with yours. Jim

Jim Prewar3

HookedOnBluegrass - Posted - 09/11/2009:  19:46:26

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I wish I would have known you were in the market for a Bluechip, Jim. I have both models that you could have tried out. I play the JD model and like Arnie's mine looks like new after six months of play time. The Bluechip pick is all that I use and I'm very impressed with the smoothness and tone that I get from the Bluechip.

Practice makes "better".

arnie fleischer - Posted - 09/11/2009:  20:00:08

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I have one more comment. For several years in the late 90's I used one of the cheapest thumbpicks around, the blue nylon Herco pick, and that, too, never wore out. But I eventually stopped using it because I was never completely comfortable with it. The blade was too short for me, especially for single-string work, and it didn't have the right heft - it didn't feel substantial on my thumb. I really liked the Planet Waves mock-tortoise thumbpick because the blade was the right size, it felt good on my thumb, and the tone was good, but I would wear out two a month. The Blue Chip feels substantial, is easy to control, seems almost frictionless on the strings, and produces fine tone. I've tried and like both models but give a slight nod to the JD because of the wider (though shorter) blade and what to my ear is a slightly richer tone.

ks - Posted - 09/12/2009:  04:21:55

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I have a bad habit of breaking the tip off of thumbpicks,probably from hitting the head once in awhile with it.Would this happen with the bluechip?

eagleisland - Posted - 09/12/2009:  05:08:53

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quote:

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Originally posted by ks

I have a bad habit of breaking the tip off of thumbpicks,probably from hitting the head once in awhile with it.Would this happen with the bluechip?

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Never say never. But I've never heard of this happening. These things are pretty close to bombproof.

I do have some wear at the tip of mine - it's an earlier prototype that I re-shaped and it brought to a finer point than the ones you get from Matt. Suffice to say that as a machinist, Matt's quality control is far better than mine. This wear, however, is a small percentage of a millimeter and that ain't enough to make a difference.

As I've said in other threads: Anyone looking to these picks as a fast track to success will be disappointed (stick with inexpensive picks and put that $40 into lessons and practice time). Blue Chips will not make you a better picker. But if you're looking for a supremely comfortable pick and already have decent-or-better thumb technique, you'll be amazed by how this pick explodes off the string, the tone it produces and its durability. I'm a believer.

eagleisland

"I was halfway to Old Kentucky when the drugs began to kick in." - Hunter S. Monroe

axsis - Posted - 09/13/2009:  04:54:38

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I agree with Skip. Being in Canada and stuff with custom charges and all I tend to "over indulge". So I ordered 2 Bluechips @$40 each (and the Canadian dollar was worth about 85 cents at the time). This was a few months ago but Reid Toth had got one and thought it was an incredible pick so I bought on her suggestion. JD Medium. I love this thumbpick and as long as my eyesight holds on and I don't lose it I will never have to buy another thumbpick. Great product!

Cheers!
Don

skevincampbell - Posted - 09/13/2009:  06:07:38

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Anybody have a large regular that they're not happy with. I'd like to try one. I am so nuts about thumb pick scratch and drag.

Mike Casey - Posted - 09/13/2009:  16:38:21

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I got mine yesterday just in time to use on a picking job the band had. I got one of each - large. They both fit well without any adjustment. There is absolutely zero pick drag or scratchiness so if you are nuts about that issue the BlueChip will solve that problem. I really like the way the pick plays and I like the sound better than my usual plastic thumb pick. I may be imagining things, but the JD gives a little different tone than the regular blade to my ear. Both play great and I think they will be the best pick you've ever owned if you choose to try them.

Mike Casey
and Pinata del Norte

jhandsfield - Posted - 09/14/2009:  19:11:48

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The new issue of Fredboard Journal has a story about Pete Seeger. There was one mention of thumb picks - Pete likes white ones so he can find it quickly when he drops it or it flies off while playing.

Jim Handsfield
jhandsfield@mindspring.com
Always preach the Gospel - use words if you must (Francis of Assisi)

banjoken - Posted - 09/15/2009:  04:45:34

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quote:

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Originally posted by Mike Casey

the JD gives a little different tone than the regular blade to my ear.

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I have the JD bluechip pick and I really like it, but considering that the Bluechips blade have a different angle than most picks I find it hard to hit the pick flat on the string. THere is about a 20 degree difference in the angle of the blade. Stating that I must day that I find no difference in tone between hitting the string naturally and bending my thumb to make it flat. That being said, and the fact that you are really just using an edge, I wonder how both picks could produce a different sound.

Prewar3 - Posted - 09/15/2009:  05:30:24

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Recieved mine yesterday and played for awhile with it yesterday and last night and it really is a nice pik. As others have meniioned, no pic noise or drag, no scratchy noises. I find it very comfortable. I'm glad I bought one, even though they are a bit pricey. Now if I can only find a way to not lose them I'll be in good shape. The pick came in a little tube with ends that come off. I put the thumb pick in and then my two finger pics, locked into each other, in the tube also and put the end on. They fit and it beats any pick holder I've bought. Jim

Jim Prewar3

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 09/15/2009:  08:19:09

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Ordered Friday, got it Monday (how do they do that)? So far so good. I really like the frictionless attack - especially for single-string work, where my plastic pick would get scratchy. Jury still out on the tone, this is a harder material and might sound a bit brighter than i am used to, but time will tell.

kbohan - Posted - 09/15/2009:  08:59:06

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I've been using a large ProPik for a long time, but been thinking about trying a Bluechip. Since I like the size of the ProPik I was wondering if anyone knew which Bluechip would be about the same size, i.e. normal of Crowe. It's a little hard to tell from the pictures.

Thanks,
KB

banjoken - Posted - 09/15/2009:  10:05:17

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I have a L propik(if you are talking about the one with the metal band and plastic tip) and a Large JD. The length of the two are the same. I called Matt when I was trying to decide between the regular and the JD and he told me that the JD pick is about a 1/16 less in length than the regular. He actually measured from the point of the pick to the outside of the bend the farthest from the tip.

I just held the JD and the propik together and they are the same length exactly. If I hold either of them up to my L golden gate the golden gate is about a 1/16" longer. The crowe is wider in the blade than the propik.

There really is no comparision in the propik and the bluechip. I like the bluechip a lot better. It feels more solid and it sounds better.

I find the bluechip to be a bit brighter than the golden gates, no names and the Nationals that I have used, but not in a bad way. My first impression of the Bluechips were that it sounded better, than I realized it sounded a little brighter, but not in a bad way. Now when I use the old picks they now sound slightly dead and scratchy in comparison. I find the Propik to be too bright.

THey are a perfect match for my worn in old non usa national fingerpicks. With the Bluechip I can get the same tone from both the thumb and the pick. One has to be careful in this comparison though as I have used some metal finger picks that sound tinny and scratchy. One must think perfectly worn in and good pick sound.

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Edited by - banjoken on 09/15/2009 10:07:33

kbohan - Posted - 09/15/2009:  10:51:55

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Thanks banjoken, that was exactly the information I was looking for, and yes, I was referring to the metal band and plastic tip propik. Sounds like I need to go with the JD.

Thanks again,
KB

banjoken - Posted - 09/15/2009:  11:15:19

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I'll take photos of the propik and the JD side by side and post them here today or tomorrow. As I said above, there is a noticeable difference in width of the jd and the propik, but you would be happy with the length for sure. Just know that Matt will take back picks if you decide you don't like the size, or the pick.

skevincampbell - Posted - 09/15/2009:  11:34:40

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How much longer, if at all, is the JD, than the regular?

Hedge Hog - Posted - 09/15/2009:  11:38:16

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About the propik vs the blue chip. When I got my propik I don't know if it was squashed in shipping or if they just come this way. Mine didn't worth a darn and the pick wasn't nearly long enough. Out came the tools and after much work the pick is now my Go-To pick, but it's beginning to show wear ... frustrating ... I'm thinking about going to the blue chip pick. Does the blue chip arive at the door shaped generally like the ProPik?

MJM
___________________________________________________________________________
I love the snap of a finger pick comming off a string.

- open the window and let the angels in ............

- Side burns a little long,
- A Redman hat and a country song on AM radio,
- In a pickup truck behind the cows
- Drivin' them to pasture, how I miss it so
- Seated to the right hand of a hard workin' man
- Our backs against the border everyday.........
Farm of yesterday, the gibson Brothers

banjoken - Posted - 09/15/2009:  11:41:29

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quote:

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Originally posted by skevincampbell

How much longer, if at all, is the JD, than the regular?

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Actually, the JD is about 1/16" th "shorter" than the regular.

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Edited by - banjoken on 09/15/2009 11:42:22

skevincampbell - Posted - 09/15/2009:  11:46:44

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Ahh, that is what I meant. I use the large Kel Kroydon tortoise and multi color. I wonder which blue chi would correspond in length.

JIMBO53 - Posted - 09/15/2009:  12:22:36

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I was able to resist the allure of the Blue Chip thumb pick when it first came out and was raved up on the Hangout much like a drunk on the wagon as he successfully walks by his favorite old watering hole. Now this thread~~~~like the crumbling resistance as if someone passed a snifter of a fine single malt Scotch under the drunks nose, I, too caved into temptation beyond my ability to resist and ordered up that which would make me the life of the party, more attractive to all the girls, witty and able to take on all comers in all matter of mirth and frivolity....yes, I ordered the DEMON Blue Chip Thumb Pick. Succumbing to the soft glow of the custom laser cut stainless steel band that is polished and shaped by hand and the mysterious, but oh so seductive secret proprietary composite blade that is imbued with a special built in lubricant, to enhance the string plucking experience to near-nirvana levels, I wait for my postman to deliver my JD approved model to arrive in the plain brown wrapper, anticipating the flood of emotion as I slip Excalibur (doesn't everyone name their Blue Chips?) on my trembling thumb, and enter the Realm..........the anticipation is such sweet anguish......

"Life Has Been Easier On Me Than Any Lazy Person Like Myself Has The Right To Expect"-Pete Seeger

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 09/15/2009:  13:29:18

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quote:

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Originally posted by JIMBO53

I was able to resist the allure of the Blue Chip thumb pick when it first came out and was raved up on the Hangout much like a drunk on the wagon as he successfully walks by his favorite old watering hole. Now this thread~~~~like the crumbling resistance as if someone passed a snifter of a fine single malt Scotch under the drunks nose, I, too caved into temptation beyond my ability to resist and ordered up that which would make me the life of the party, more attractive to all the girls, witty and able to take on all comers in all matter of mirth and frivolity....yes, I ordered the DEMON Blue Chip Thumb Pick. Succumbing to the soft glow of the custom laser cut stainless steel band that is polished and shaped by hand and the mysterious, but oh so seductive secret proprietary composite blade that is imbued with a special built in lubricant, to enhance the string plucking experience to near-nirvana levels, I wait for my postman to deliver my JD approved model to arrive in the plain brown wrapper, anticipating the flood of emotion as I slip Excalibur (doesn't everyone name their Blue Chips?) on my trembling thumb, and enter the Realm..........the anticipation is such sweet anguish......

"Life Has Been Easier On Me Than Any Lazy Person Like Myself Has The Right To Expect"-Pete Seeger

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Yep, that about sums it up!

dpeacock1 - Posted - 09/15/2009:  13:46:26

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I too succumbed to the wail of the "Blue Chip" several months back.
It now rest in silence, enclosed in its plastic sleeve, in my banjo case.
Sounds good and doesn't slip after you've been playing awhile like most plastic picks do. But it feels weird... it's so light, I have to keep looking down at my thumb to make sure it's still there. Using an AMB brown faux tortoise pick for now. These don't break at the bend like Golden Gates. I prefer the tone of the Golden Gates, but they don't last for me more than a few weeks.

Doug

Enjoy the music!

impickin5 - Posted - 09/18/2009:  15:59:37

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I ordered and received a BCT-1L (standard-size large) the first of this week. After trying it out for an hour or so, I think it's a really good pick, but I thought the hardness or density of the tip maybe made the picked notes sound brighter than I like. So, I decided to stay with my favorite Dunlop ivoroid thumb picks. Also, it just wasn't as comfortable as the Dunlop pick. So, I sold it.

Ray

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Edited by - impickin5 on 09/18/2009 16:08:51

prewartb3 - Posted - 09/19/2009:  03:46:42

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I to succumb to the try one syndrome. I purchased the JD with the shorter blade. I will give it a 8 on a scale of 10. It's alright. I just as soon continue to use golden gates or Kel Kroydons pearl pick. Call me old fashion.

PrewarTB3

strang - Posted - 09/20/2009:  06:48:16

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quote:

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Originally posted by prewartb3 Call me old fashion.

PrewarTB3

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OK.

You're old fashion.


<------- will take the $40 saved and use it to buy more strings because more practice = need for more strings

- = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = -
Bluegrass -- THE Original Country Music!

mike_cabinet - Posted - 09/20/2009:  07:10:05

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I got the regular blue chip in the large size and the moment I put it on I was sold. I still use my pro-pik now and again but not on purpose, just when I forget and leave my blue chip on the desk when I head out.
I am going to grind down the tip a little because I hit the head more frequently with the blue chip than the pro-pik.

"you might as well give your son a ticket to hell as give him a five-string banjo!" (mountain minister) Earl Scruggs and the 5-string banjo.
Check out Mike's Mute at www.mikesbanjomute.com

Catching Second - Posted - 09/21/2009:  00:56:49

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I love mine. When I first put it on it felt soooooooo light. I thought that it needed to be tightened up or just that my thumb was too small for the size that I got. However, after an hour or so of playing with the pick it occured to me that the pick just fits with less pressure and is NOT going anywhere. It felt like the dag thing was going to fall off at first, but it doesn't. Now, when I go back to my Golden Gate for comparison sake, I feel like my thumb is being put into a vise. Tone wise, it's second to none in my opinion. It brought out some extra pop and attack. Now understand though, it's not going to make a cheap banjo sound like a pre-war... but it does make some of a difference.

Ricky
Gibson TB-00 conversion

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Edited by - Catching Second on 09/21/2009 00:57:21

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 09/21/2009:  10:00:41

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Well, it's funny what you can get used to... I am still using mine, and liking it. It IS lighter and that took some getting used to. It also sounds different, to my ears - more like a finger pick, except you are picking down instead of up, so anyway, a more balanced sound with the fingerpicks which can be good or bad, depending. What I really like about it is how smooth it slides off the strings, and how you can't wear the darn thing out! For single string playing, I would HIGHLY recommend it. For everything else - hmmm...I am still a little undecided.

Cheers,
Laurence

It takes a lot to laugh, but it takes a train to cry

clancyc1 - Posted - 09/21/2009:  11:58:28

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My wifes old, old frying pan handle (bakelite) looks a lot like the material used in the pick. She don't use it anyway... I believe my dads old radio had some in it too. Just wondering.....Think I'll give it a try anyway.

Clancy

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Edited by - clancyc1 on 09/21/2009 12:00:39

philip4229 - Posted - 09/26/2009:  03:42:45

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The propik for me worked great....but it didn't take long for the plastic on it to become nubbed out. I actually stopped by Blue Ridge Music in Asheville NC yesterday afternoon, and barely managed to get their last JD BlueChip. Prior to today, I had only read and heard about them. The crazy thing about Blue Chip reviews is that the reviews you see are 100% un-solicited and genuine. There was no doubt in my mind that I was going to buy one, but when the guy who worked there showed me his...which happened to be over six months old and used everyday, it had not a sign of any ware on the blade. I got it home...and what can I say, nothing...the thing sucked! Haha Not really...it was truly everything that everyone said it was going to be. I've heard that you can take a torch, and heat up the blade to 900 degrees, and it won't melt..it will just glow red. Thats durability if you ask me, plus, the thing plays great, no pick noise at all.

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