I would think the older ones are just broke in , fit your fingers better and obviously are worn where they hit the strings. If the new dunlops are basically the same picks they too will just have to get broke in

The rules in bluegrass dictate that the old one is always better.

Compare the side profile, to see how the curve matches. Especially the angle of the very tip. Different curves and tip angle sound different. Even the band fit and how far you push them on your fingers can make them sound different. Pick twist also makes a difference, I always twist mine slightly with needle nose pliers, to hit the strings more squarely. And you can make new picks sound better faster, by sanding the manufacturing edge off the tip, rounding, and polishing the tip.

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Originally posted by Laurence Diehl

The rules in bluegrass dictate that the old one is always better.

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Especially if they don't make them like that anymore.

Are the news one same gauge as the old one? 0.025"?

Yes they are the same gauge. I also think the old ones were essentially unused, just tarnished.

One thing I notice with the old Nationals as compared to the newer ones, besides that they do sound better, is the sound they make when dropped onto a hard surface from about 10 inches. The old ones have a nicer ring. I have a bunch of Dunlops that I bought back in the '70's and '80's.

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Originally posted by banjoken

One thing I notice with the old Nationals as compared to the newer ones, besides that they do sound better, is the sound they make when dropped onto a hard surface from about 10 inches. The old ones have a nicer ring. I have a bunch of Dunlops that I bought back in the '70's and '80's.

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Higher lead content, most likley.

I’m no metallurgist , but i would think stainless steel rings more than lead ingredients.

I just got a set of stainless steel Propiks, and they do sound good. I’m still dialing them in, and it’s too soon to say they are better than my standard Propiks. But they are easily as bright. I like the Propiks better than the dunlops, to the point I gave my old dunlops away to a student.

Interesting. Maybe I need to futz with the propiks more. I have a ton from a music store going out of business. I really like the brass #3, but these dunlops are magic somehow.

When you’re dialing them in, how much angle of attack do you make on the spoon/ striking surface?

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Originally posted by krfoss

Interesting. Maybe I need to futz with the propiks more. I have a ton from a music store going out of business. I really like the brass #3, but these dunlops are magic somehow.

When you’re dialing them in, how much angle of attack do you make on the spoon/ striking surface?

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Here's a photo. 

Ive used National NP2’s for years. I tried Hoffmeyers, but their blades are too narrow for my liking,, Dunlops don’s go up my fingers far enough, they fell wobbly whhen i hit the strings. Propiks feel weird but maybe after a while I’d get used to them.