backinthegame - Posted - 06/04/2012:  21:53:59

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Anybody throwing away their oval 8 Nationals? I'm paying market scrap and shipping...

Can't wait to try Warren's picks; in my opinion he is to banjos what Loar was to mandolins!

John Wheat

Bribak - Posted - 06/07/2012:  05:17:17

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Hello all.  I don't know whether it makes sense to even ask a question like this...sound tastes being so subjective - but  can anyone compare the tone of these picks to Showcase 41s?  Out of all the picks I've tried, I am happiest with the Showcase 41s - but I'm always curious about new/different picks.  I've never tried original oval 8 Nationals so I don't have any experience with the tonal effect of these picks. What is it about these oval 8s that make them so desirable soundwise?  What I like about the Showcase 41s is that they give me more of a "pop" than any other pick I've tried.  I'd be curious to hear purchasers describe the tonal difference with these picks.

By the way, I love my Yates RS.  It is now about 20 months old and sounds better every day.  Warren is really working some magic down there in Hickory.

bc5000 - Posted - 06/07/2012:  06:09:15

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I also have the Showcase 41's and they are very comfortable. I just polished them with a little flitz and they look brand new.

I thought about ordering a pair of Yates to try but I just can't get myself to fork out $50 and I have a hard time imagining the Yates having a dramatic difference in tone compared to the $10 41's.

By the way, the 41's are advertised to be like the pre-war Nationals.

dobroman - Posted - 06/08/2012:  17:16:47

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quote: With a difference of $40, its dinner and a movie. Treat yourself with a new set of picks instead. They will be around a lot longer than the heartburn. You WILL notice a difference from the 1941's.

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Originally posted by bc5000

I also have the Showcase 41's and they are very comfortable. I just polished them with a little flitz and they look brand new.



I thought about ordering a pair of Yates to try but I just can't get myself to fork out $50 and I have a hard time imagining the Yates having a dramatic difference in tone compared to the $10 41's.



By the way, the 41's are advertised to be like the pre-war Nationals.

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JensKoch - Posted - 06/15/2012:  18:08:38

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$50 for a set of picks that you will use every day for about 3-5 years depending on how much you play.
That's nothing! Especially if they make you sound better each time you play. That's about 3 cents a day for sounding good. What can you get for 3 cents these days? :)

lethegoodtimesroll - Posted - 06/17/2012:  13:42:43

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quote:

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Originally posted by bc5000

I also have the Showcase 41's and they are very comfortable. I just polished them with a little flitz and they look brand new.



I thought about ordering a pair of Yates to try but I just can't get myself to fork out $50 and I have a hard time imagining the Yates having a dramatic difference in tone compared to the $10 41's.



By the way, the 41's are advertised to be like the pre-war Nationals.

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 to each his own.........but I agree with you %110. 

LouZee Picker - Posted - 06/17/2012:  14:00:58

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If you got alot of money to blow, go for it. I been using Showcase 41's for a long long time, I've tried Roy's own & I got a couple of sets of old National's that I used to use before I switched to the 41's. I been playing for 35 years & I don't believe there's a dimes worth of difference in tone between all of them.

Brian

Bow-tie75 - Posted - 06/19/2012:  08:05:38

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I agree it's definitely some coin to shell out, but for me, the bottom line is they sound great and feel great. Oh, and the case kicks but too. I would do it over again in a heart beat, actually already been thinking of getting another set for back-up in case this won't always be available.

dobroman - Posted - 06/19/2012:  15:47:39

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quote: Me too!! Its funny to me that folks will put thousands into banjo's but wont spend much on picks. Kind of like buying a new car with bald tires aint it?

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Originally posted by Bow-tie75

I agree it's definitely some coin to shell out, but for me, the bottom line is they sound great and feel great. Oh, and the case kicks but too. I would do it over again in a heart beat, actually already been thinking of getting another set for back-up in case this won't always be available.

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bc5000 - Posted - 06/19/2012:  17:45:07

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quote:

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Originally posted by dobroman

quote: Me too!! Its funny to me that folks will put thousands into banjo's but wont spend much on picks. Kind of like buying a new car with bald tires aint it?

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Originally posted by Bow-tie75

I agree it's definitely some coin to shell out, but for me, the bottom line is they sound great and feel great. Oh, and the case kicks but too. I would do it over again in a heart beat, actually already been thinking of getting another set for back-up in case this won't always be available.

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Like strings, picks never have been an expensive accessory.

dobroman - Posted - 06/19/2012:  19:01:33

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quote:I agree. Capo's were not that bad either until people started making good ones. I have every brand of pick named in this thread and then some. These picks are the best I have played or heard. Try them, if they are not what they should be, sell them.

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Originally posted by bc5000

quote:

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Originally posted by dobroman

quote: Me too!! Its funny to me that folks will put thousands into banjo's but wont spend much on picks. Kind of like buying a new car with bald tires aint it?

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Originally posted by Bow-tie75

I agree it's definitely some coin to shell out, but for me, the bottom line is they sound great and feel great. Oh, and the case kicks but too. I would do it over again in a heart beat, actually already been thinking of getting another set for back-up in case this won't always be available.

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Like strings, picks never have been an expensive accessory.

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jmarley - Posted - 06/20/2012:  13:23:57

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quote:

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Originally posted by Warren Yates

This will make it easy; if you buy them and they are not what they should be, send them back and I will refund your money.



I have always thought it was odd to see a person spend $30,000 for a car that they sit in for a few minutes a day but then buy a $15 pair of shoes that they ware all day.

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This says it all.... Joel

double E - Posted - 06/30/2012:  19:37:36

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Just wanted to say I got  a set of Yates 8 picks from Warren last week. I wanted to play em' for a while before I commented on them. Which I wouldn't be doing right now if I did not like them, I really don't like giving negative feed back.  I have never played a set of the old national, so I cant compare them. But I have tried a lot of picks and I can say I really love the tone I get with these,(hope they last a long time).  If you have been thinking about trying a pair, I think you will be very happy!  EE

PS Not to mention the exceptional service Warren gave. Great guy as always!

Fred Frank - Posted - 07/01/2012:  05:56:38

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I have played a set of the old National oval 8's (although it was briefly. Too expensive: 3 figures) -- and these are actually better. Tone-wise, and ease of adjusting to make them comfortable they are winners. I should probably get another set before they become hard to get.

lazyarcher - Posted - 07/01/2012:  07:14:58

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quote:

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Originally posted by Bow-tie75

I agree it's definitely some coin to shell out, but for me, the bottom line is they sound great and feel great. Oh, and the case kicks but too. I would do it over again in a heart beat, actually already been thinking of getting another set for back-up in case this won't always be available.

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I think you should get an extra set for my Christmas present...

 

JMalmsteen - Posted - 07/02/2012:  19:53:17

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I was lucky enough to see Warren today. His picks are much better than my new nationals. I immediately noticed a difference. I haven't played old nationals but have tried a variety of picks and these are more comfortable and feel much more substantial than my other picks. It didn't hurt to have Warren fit them. The way he has his personal picks shaped was much better than the way I have been bending my picks.

BluegrassWarehouse - Posted - 07/03/2012:  16:16:38

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How does he fit them compared to the way you were doing it?

Lance

terje_t - Posted - 07/04/2012:  05:47:19

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Waiting for mine to arrive in the mail as we speak, thanks to everyone for their glowing recommendations! Makes it an easy decision ;)

I'm using a Blue Chip JD thumb pick already and if it's anything like the change from the old uncomfortable clunky-sounding no-name I was using before they should be great!

EDIT: btw, I agree it adds up this stuff, rather a lot of money for little things but these are things you use every day and the same amount is easily spent in a couple restaurants.

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Edited by - terje_t on 07/04/2012 05:48:51

gospelman97 - Posted - 07/04/2012:  07:28:06

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quote:

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Originally posted by JMalmsteen

I was lucky enough to see Warren today. His picks are much better than my new nationals. I immediately noticed a difference. I haven't played old nationals but have tried a variety of picks and these are more comfortable and feel much more substantial than my other picks. It didn't hurt to have Warren fit them. The way he has his personal picks shaped was much better than the way I have been bending my picks.

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Hi Jen. I was wondering if Warren shortened the length of the bands for you so the picks wouldn't overlap on your cuticles? I have this issue with most standard size picks. Warren said in an earlier post that he was contemplating making some picks with shorter bands for us with small fingers. Enjoy!

Bow-tie75 - Posted - 07/04/2012:  08:02:54

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Dave....if you slip that 4 under my tree I'll buy you two sets of Warrens picks. I don't know if you have original oval 8's or not, but you should try these picks. They warmed up the tone a tiny bit (not mellow, just nicer) and added a little "zing" on the top end and maybe a little more "pow" all around. Technical terms, I know.

p.s, get back to me on the gift exchange.

DC

JMalmsteen - Posted - 07/04/2012:  15:21:58

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quote:

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Originally posted by JMalmsteen

quote:

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Originally posted by gospelman97

quote:

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Originally posted by JMalmsteen

I was lucky enough to see Warren today. His picks are much better than my new nationals. I immediately noticed a difference. I haven't played old nationals but have tried a variety of picks and these are more comfortable and feel much more substantial than my other picks. It didn't hurt to have Warren fit them. The way he has his personal picks shaped was much better than the way I have been bending my picks.

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Hi Jen. I was wondering if Warren shortened the length of the bands for you so the picks wouldn't overlap on your cuticles? I have this issue with most standard size picks. Warren said in an earlier post that he was contemplating making some picks with shorter bands for us with small fingers. Enjoy!

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I have standard picks. Warren let me try his personal picks and they were perfect. I asked him to get them as close as possible to his. I'll take a picture of them. They aren't exactly like the way he had his so I still need to mess with them. I Will post a picture of them since that will work a lot better than trying to describe the shape of the picks. I haven't had a chance to really use them yet since I have been playing without picks to minimize the banjo noise while we are camping.

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Yates Picks

BluegrassWarehouse - Posted - 07/04/2012:  17:28:48

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Jen, how did he bend them compared to the way you bent them?  Also, are you talking the blade or the bands?  Thanks!

Lance

JMalmsteen - Posted - 07/04/2012:  18:09:51

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Hey Lance,
The way Warren bent the blades just seemed to work. Mine are not quite bent like his. I usually have to spend a minute or two with my picks to make sure I can play with them. I put Warren's picks on and they were perfect. He had them bent almost completely over so the blades pointed upward but didn't go too far past your finger tips.

briln - Posted - 07/12/2012:  19:01:52

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I just got my new set of picks from Warren Yates. Just for fun I tried them side by side against the present ones I have; Bob Perry Cobalt, 1941, Propik, Dunlop new, Dunlop (about 30 years old). In the past I tried Shelor picks and decided the Bob Perry's were better.

Up until now I have been using Bob Perry and I thought I was pretty much done searching but curiosity got the best of me so I bought the Yates 8.

Here's my current analysis (non scientific)

The Y8 beat them all. They are very comfortable like the Bob Perry's. My picking sounds more solid and the notes ring better.

I would probably rank them;

1 Y8
2 Bob Perry
3 1941
4 Old Dunlop
5 Dunlop New
6 Propik

Are they worth the price. Well there are few improvements that can be bought. Usually it just takes alot of hard practice. To me the difference is noticable. They're probably about 20% better than the Bob Perry's and 1941.

I figure if I get 2 years out of them for the amount I play it breaks down to about 3 or 4 cents an hour. Seems cheap enough to me to sound better.

dobroman - Posted - 07/12/2012:  19:57:14

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HMMMM... so far not one bad report.

lazyarcher - Posted - 07/14/2012:  18:20:34

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quote:

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Originally posted by Bow-tie75

Dave....if you slip that 4 under my tree I'll buy you two sets of Warrens picks. I don't know if you have original oval 8's or not, but you should try these picks. They warmed up the tone a tiny bit (not mellow, just nicer) and added a little "zing" on the top end and maybe a little more "pow" all around. Technical terms, I know.



p.s, get back to me on the gift exchange.



DC

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 Darc....the way these Yates are sounding, that 4 just might end up under a tree somewhere. Man, for a new banjo, they just have PHAT everywhere...more midrange than any banjo I've heard...even though Mr.Stewarts right hand oozes PHAT. I'm saving my shekels, but is it a new or old banjo or a 18' Lund Rebel/150 Merc combo????

 Whats a boy to do.....

dobroman - Posted - 07/14/2012:  23:58:37

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Tonight was a big test for my picks and banjo. Hot as the hinges on the iron gates to hell, and humidity.....unreal. No breeze at all. Yates Maple, was rockin... Yates 8's pick are a huge factor!! I got a lot of very favorable comments from PW Gibson owners on this banjo's tone. I did not expect such a warm response from the Gibson crowd.

The Pope - Posted - 07/15/2012:  12:20:51

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C'mon, Lazyarcher, it's gotta be the banjo. Everyone knows boats are a money pit! 

Bow-tie75 - Posted - 07/17/2012:  07:19:58

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Dave, I understand your dilemma and like your taste in both boats and banjos! Dude, an 18 with a 150?!, you will fly my friend. Option for you...a 115 merc, then buy yourself a nice Skillethead?

Not a word of a lie, my Yates is one of the best banjo's I've ever heard (my ears of course). I feel very fortunate that didn't cost me 10's of thousands of dollars which I thought was needed to spend to acquire a banjo with this sound.

Dave if you opt for the 115, you can buy some Yates picks with the money you save on gas?

lazyarcher - Posted - 07/17/2012:  11:27:49

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Yeah, I could go the 115, but thats on the minimum side...well, for the Angler 18'..the Rebel is 125....but its ALL ABOUT HP...especially 10 miles out on Lake Erie with 6' rollers chasing you...ugh.....

 

A Yates Granada custom...don't you think that would be nice??? I need a replacement for my old Granada, and everyone should have a maple banjo...and it would be less than the OPF Granada an hour down the road...if he'd even sell it.

Maybe...

 

backinthegame - Posted - 07/17/2012:  20:32:04

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Hey Dave,



Just finished a Yates powered peudo-Granada (Steve Gill neck and resonator) and holy smoke... sometime words (and sound clips) would do no justice. Including two PW FHs, it's now my favorite banjo I've ever owned, and easily the prettiest! I'll post pics when I can get out of the OR long enough to take 'em!



BTW, can't say enough about Steve Gill as a craftsman and more importantly, a person...

Here's a pic of the resonator before the lacquer was  completely buffed out

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Edited by - backinthegame on 07/17/2012 20:39:37

lazyarcher - Posted - 07/18/2012:  08:05:11

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quote:

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Originally posted by backinthegame

Hey Dave,



Just finished a Yates powered peudo-Granada (Steve Gill neck and resonator) and holy smoke... sometime words (and sound clips) would do no justice. Including two PW FHs, it's now my favorite banjo I've ever owned, and easily the prettiest! I'll post pics when I can get out of the OR long enough to take 'em!



BTW, can't say enough about Steve Gill as a craftsman and more importantly, a person...

Here's a pic of the resonator before the lacquer was  completely buffed out

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That is a freakin' work of art..I'd love to see the entire banjo assembled...

The Pope - Posted - 07/18/2012:  12:02:41

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John, what kind of wood is that reso?

backinthegame - Posted - 07/18/2012:  14:06:29

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Hey guys,

Thanks for the kind words! The wood is maple burl.

I'll get pics of the whole banjo up pretty soon.

John Wheat

Prewar3 - Posted - 07/18/2012:  16:15:33

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I got a set last month and love them.  They have the same formula as the old national picks regarding silver content and nickel content.  They are very fast, no pick noise and very comfortable on my fingers.  Don't hurt my cuticles.  Jim

backinthegame - Posted - 07/19/2012:  19:50:25

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Dave and anyone else interested,

I've posted Pics of the above banjo in the banjo building, setup, and repair section.

Thanks!

John Wheat

moses - Posted - 07/20/2012:  04:44:50

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Got my picks yesterday. One word, "Great!"

Chris Cooper - Posted - 07/22/2012:  14:19:02

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Has anyone switched from Shelors to the new Yates picks? How do they stack up?

double E - Posted - 07/22/2012:  19:01:32

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Chris, I dont want to say "switched", I have always loved my Shelors. I even tracked down another pair of narrow bands to have an extra set because I dont like the wide one's. But I really like these new Yates 8 picks. The tone is different from any of the other picks I have tried, and they feel comfortable to me.  I might play em' for a couple of months, and go back to my old stand by's, the Shelors. But I don't know, right now I am really loving em. All Warren has to do now is figure out how to make em' for $10.   

Chris Cooper - Posted - 07/23/2012:  08:54:17

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Are they as comfortable as the Shelors?

double E - Posted - 07/23/2012:  09:26:13

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I honestly dont know how to answer that Chris. They dont bother me at all. I think they are pretty comfortable. They did leave a  little dark ring around my fingers the other night after I had jammed with em' several hours, which dont really bother me. Some people dont like that. The Shelors dont do that because they are Stainless Steel. The Shelors to me are still a little smoother playing, but I do like the tone I get from the Yates 8's , and I think they feel fine (to me). Some may disagree. I was a little skeptical of spending $50 for a set of finger picks. Guess I just cant help myself sometimes, I had to try em' for myself. I always wondered how the old Nationals, which I have never played could sound that much different from all the other picks I have tried. But after getting these, I guess I can see how they could. I read a year or so ago where Ron Stewart said he could definitely tell a difference between the old Nationals and newer ones. Maybe every one cant though.You name em' I have probably tried em'. Shelors, NP2, NP2 Stainless, Dunlop, Roys Own, Showcase 41's, probably some others I have in a box I cant remember. These and the Shelors are my two favorites. Little different tone though. EE 

impickin5 - Posted - 07/24/2012:  16:13:14

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As I'm the original author/poster of this topic/thread that has generated so much interest and sales of Warren's picks, maybe Warren could send me a pair just to try out..  Maybe???

asmcsgac - Posted - 07/24/2012:  16:18:32

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How about a senior citizen discount?

RayD - Posted - 07/24/2012:  16:33:36

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How about a BOGO deal? Buy one pick for $50, get the second one FREE!!!!!

Cheers,

RayD

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Edited by - RayD on 07/24/2012 16:37:10

impickin5 - Posted - 07/24/2012:  16:33:48

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I'm definitly a Senior Citizen. How about it Warren?

impickin5 - Posted - 07/25/2012:  15:58:57

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Just got an email from Warren. He's going to send me a pair to try out. Can't wait. More later after I try them out and post my comments about them. Thanks Warren.

Ray

Chris Cooper - Posted - 07/26/2012:  21:25:09

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Good news Ray, Warren seems like a really great guy. Can't wait to hear what you have to say about the picks.

OMB - Posted - 07/30/2012:  14:12:50

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Just got my Yates picks from Warren.  Great service!

I own a Yates Ron Stewart Maple and the following is very subjective and I am a big fan of Yates banjos and Ron Stewart's picking.   A lot will have to do with setup, strings, etc., etc., etc.  I do use D'Addario lights and I know many recommend the 10's instead of the 9's, but I have always wanted Earl's tone from a banjo, (if that is even possible these days).  

The first thing I noticed was my geiger counter immediately spiked, so was wondering what isotope of uranium Warren has in these things.....

Many have already done sound files and ranked the picks.  I too would rank them tops as well, but maybe for different reasons than others.  The alloy combination used seems, (to my ear and sound files), to produce a more pronounced mid-range ring without the overtone wash that overwhelm the mid-range as do NP2's, USA's, Shelor, Showcase, and Dunlops. This quality is really hard to find when using light gauge strings which tend to gravitate toward the high end anyway.   I don't get the high end pingy overtone and more of the balanced midrange ring and wood knock.  Again, a lot depends on how you pick and we are all on the long road of finding the ultimate ring, decay, and attack of  great banjo picking.  I do use the recommended 32º pick angle suggested in other threads and curve the fingers around so I am getting much more of a snap stroke rather than a slap.

 After all my caveats, these are great picks and if you like light gauge strings, they produce just the right amount of bite and midrange down near the bridge without the overtones.  In all candor, picks are a "nuance difference" in tone and it won't be a "night and day" comparison, although tone "quality" is a huge deal and a 10-20% difference in quality is striking to many ears.    For the money, if you have a good banjo, then it is well worth the improvement in tone.

asmcsgac - Posted - 07/30/2012:  14:55:18

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I'm inching closer to owning a pair.