Cornflake - Posted - 11/18/2009:  21:16:58

---

I thought it might be time for a BlueChip thumbpick check in. I've been playing mine for 6 months now several hours each day and find no wear or any other problems. AND, in spite of some close calls, I haven't lost it or had it stepped on yet. How's yours doing?

eMike - Posted - 11/18/2009:  21:46:33

---

I'm totally sold on mine. I used the Zookies 20 before because I liked the angle and the sound it gave me. My JD BlueChip has about the same angle and sounds even better than the Zookie. It costs several times what most picks cost, but it will last me a long time. I can't see me using anything else.

Gomer - Posted - 11/18/2009:  22:11:16

---

yep! I slept around with a golden gate for a month, but I'm back to the Chip

ks - Posted - 11/19/2009:  01:23:09

---

I just got mine today and first impression is I think I'm going to like it.

john m - Posted - 11/19/2009:  02:15:01

---

Had mine for about 6 months as well....so far so good. I really like the sound, love how comfortable it is & do not notice any wear.

Banjo Stan - Posted - 11/19/2009:  03:10:38

---

I've had mine for one month now and there's no wear. Very comfortable pick.

TN_Picker - Posted - 11/19/2009:  03:18:46

---

I've had mine for many months now and I see no signs of wear, I pick about 2 hours a day, sometimes more.

jfb - Posted - 11/19/2009:  04:06:53

---

Since July, and it looks same as the day I got it...

FiveStringPop - Posted - 11/19/2009:  04:58:09

---

My BlueChip is holding up very well. No wear, looks new. Wish I could say the same for me!

BluegrassBanjo - Posted - 11/19/2009:  06:24:41

---

I am noticing some wear on my BlueChip thumbpick after 5 months of use. I play about an hour each day. I posted a picture that compares a new pick to my current pick.

http://www.banjohangout.org/myhango...46&albumid=0

steve davis - Posted - 11/19/2009:  06:35:40

---

I was going to get a blue chip once,but changed my mind and put $38 in the gas tank and bought a National pick.

OLDWINGERS - Posted - 11/19/2009:  06:38:42

---

Holding up very well. Slips a bit at times on my thumb, but with a bit of gorilla snot that stops.

eagleisland - Posted - 11/19/2009:  08:59:01

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by BluegrassBanjo

I am noticing some wear on my BlueChip thumbpick after 5 months of use. I play about an hour each day. I posted a picture that compares a new pick to my current pick.

http://www.banjohangout.org/myhango...46&albumid=0

---

I had similar wear on my first one, which was a prototype.

When I went down to visit Matt and have a couple custom-shaped for me, he quickly realized that said tip wear was the result of the fact that I have a tendency to hit the head with the tip of my thumb pick. Head frosting is surprisingly abrasive - and sturdy.

I'm now REALLY trying to avoid hitting the head (I tend to dig too deep with my fingers, too!).

Retropicker - Posted - 11/19/2009:  10:06:55

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gomer

yep! I slept around with a golden gate for a month, but I'm back to the Chip

---

Not arount the children!

Retropicker - Posted - 11/19/2009:  10:07:35

---

Mine is good as new after aroud 9 months and alot of picking

kjcole - Posted - 11/19/2009:  10:17:09

---

eMike - I agree completely

The Pope - Posted - 11/19/2009:  11:51:06

---

Mine is a prototype and is showing some wear, sort of like the picture that BluegrassBanjo posted, but I've had it a year. Matt also sent me a JD pick that I haven't used yet. I don't use Gorilla Snot or anything else and my thumbpick doesn't move at all. It is getting to the point where it needs some shaping but it still is the best thumbpick I've ever used!

R.T. - Posted - 11/19/2009:  13:05:21

---

Mine shows no wear yet. I think I have had mine 6 or 7 months. I just hope I don't lose it.


Banjos are fun.
R.T.

beegee - Posted - 11/19/2009:  13:21:55

---

I have a friend who is in process of obtaining a Bluechip reso-pick. I will try it on for comfort and decide if I want to toss $40.00 at a thumbpick...I can wear out a lot of Zookies for $40.00.

dpeacock1 - Posted - 11/19/2009:  13:35:17

---

6 months and no sign of wear on my Blue Chip.
It so light, I have to keep looking down to make sure it's still on.

Doug

arnie fleischer - Posted - 11/19/2009:  13:51:05

---

I've been using my JD model exclusively since late February with no sign of wear.

chickenpickin - Posted - 11/19/2009:  14:13:44

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by steve davis

I was going to get a blue chip once,but changed my mind and put $38 in the gas tank and bought a National pick.

---

But Steve....that gas is long gone and you could still have that blue chip around

steve davis - Posted - 11/19/2009:  14:36:42

---

True,but that gas got me to a great gig that's leading to more gigs.
Gas,Gigs and Golden Gates. (Why did I say Nationals)?

foggycoast - Posted - 11/19/2009:  14:39:38

---

My white plastic National is going strong after at least a year. Never have worry about losing it :)

sdfarris - Posted - 11/19/2009:  14:47:36

---

I tried a Blue Chip at IBMA and was impressed by the tone, and appalled by the price. I did some on-line research on materials, and decided to try Tortex, which has a reputation for sounding like genuine tortise shell. To my surprise, I discoverd Tortex is really just Delrin, a common synthetic plastic material. A little further research showed that Delrin thumbpicks were already being made by Dunlop and several other manufacturers. I ordered $6 worth of thumbpicks from Elderly (5 in total) to try out and paid $6 more for shipping - total investment $12.

My favorite from the test picks was this one - http://elderly.com/accessories/items/PK36.htm - for $0.75. It has a distinctly improved tone from Herco blue nylon picks I've used for 35 years - better bass response and slightly more volume. It was nearly the same improvement I noticed when playing with the Blue Chip, but for $0.75, not $40. The shape and feel of the Dunlop is identical to my old Herco so there was no adjustment period for my playing. The other Delrin picks I tried sounded fine too, but I didn't care for the style or comfort - I can't play with a National or similar style thumbpick, I've been using the Herco style for too long to readjust.

The Blue Chip is a fine thumbpick and I wish that company great success, but there are other options available. I'm going to buy a handful of the Dunlop Red Delrins and not lose any sleep if I misplace or break one.

Prewar3 - Posted - 11/19/2009:  15:59:40

---

Yes, I know they are over the top expensive. Similar responses as when the Sammy Shelor finger pics came out several years back at $32.95 a pair. I tried a Bluechip and love it. No squeeks, no wear, fits great, and just overall a great pick. I was also impressed with their 30 day money back guarantee. I love mine, now if only I don't lose it. Jim

Chris Quinn - Posted - 11/19/2009:  16:20:40

---

4 months and starting to wear out the blade.

lazyarcher - Posted - 11/19/2009:  18:37:03

---

I too had to try one, despite the $40. I dont think twice about spending that on a decent bottle of Merlot, so what the hey. Anyways, I bought the wrong one--a bit too long (should've got the Crowe). So, I called Matt Goins and had a great chat with him. What a super guy! He said to just send it back for another, but I just wanted to get some advice on trimming it myself..which he gave. It was worth the $40 just to chat with him AND get a pick.

banjoken - Posted - 11/19/2009:  18:55:57

---

Delrin... isn't that what they use in the metal propik's? If so there is no comparison. Be sure to borrow another Bluechip and make a side by side comparison.

jbalch - Posted - 11/19/2009:  19:11:12

---

I've been using mine since Feb 09. It is fantastic...no wear yet.

double E - Posted - 11/19/2009:  19:24:38

---

Ive had mine maybe around 8 months. Dont remember exactly. I play quite a bit and wear a regular thumb pick out in a few weeks. I am noticing some wear on the very tip like some of the others have shown. But, I will have to say, it still sounds and plays well. I think I should have got the Crowe, which is shorter. I do hit the head with the tip of my pick some. Maybe thats where the wear is coming from. I also got the TD40 guitar pick. It shows no sign of wear at all. I have some friends that bought guitar picks and they show no sign of wear at all. I think the tone of the guitar picks stands out even more than the banjo picks. It has, without a doubt, the best tone of any pick I ever played. If I lost it, I would have to have another. The closet thing Ive played to it in a guitar pick is Wedgen.

kcking1 - Posted - 11/19/2009:  19:25:24

---

I use the JD model and it's terrific - very comfortable, great sound.

eMike - Posted - 11/19/2009:  20:15:57

---

As I indicated in my previous post, I am totally sold on this pick. Any pick I used before would always tend to turn on my thumb. My BC fits my thumb like it was molded for it. It stays in place and it is very comfortable. I don't mind paying for good quality stuff, especially if it is something that I use a lot. Every time I put on this pick, I am glad I have it. There is no wear on my pick and it comes off the strings with no drag at all and gives me good tone. When I used picks with no "built-in angle", after a while wear on the edge of the pick would cause a scraping feeling on the strings. This was not so much a problem with the angled Zookies, but they would still wear and did not stay in place like the BC.