V-Picks

[scgmhawk]

I can't believe I'm GAS'ing for a Pick now!

 

[tot_Ou_tard]

I can't believe I'm GAS'ing for a Pick now!

GAS never Rusts.

 

[robert_the_rocker]

They seem nice, havent seen them in a store however. I probably will buy one when they are available here, but I doubt that they are as good as the ultimate pick : "Big Stubby 3.0"

Frickin' LOVE those picks!:rockon: :rockon: :rockon:

 

[robert_the_rocker]

Speaker Operation For Me. The Dummy.

ok. I once bought a peavy speaker. (I forget the name of it...:thwap: ) I couldn't get it on. No power input. Maybe I got the wrong type of speaker, but, is there no power supply for speakers on the market? Or should I get like, stage monitors? And how the **** do the major bands get the almost wahwah sound with their vocals? I want no criticism. It's my first time. I'm gonna be doing shows in town, and hopefully record.

 

[just strum]

Okay, received a V Pick in the mail today. The one someone sent me is a medium pointed. Feels nice and is a comfortable pick.

tone difference when compared to a Stubby 1.0, 2.0, or 3.0 - not an ounce of difference.

Price:

V Pick = $4.00 ea

Stubby = $2.99 for 6

Now this is just my opinion, but I heard all the raves and after finally getting to try one - the performance certainly doesn't justify a purchase.

I'll keep the pick and use the pick because it's comfortable, but I wouldn't go out and buy any until you can get 6 for $2.99.

I realize everyone was gushing over these, but
Opinion requested - opinion given.

 

[just strum]

Well, I used the pick on and off all day yesterday and this morning. It is comfortable as already noted, but I did use it most of the day, so obviously I like it.

I still believe it provides no difference in tone and if lost (easily done since it's clear) I would not buy another one due to the cost.

 

[Robert]

Robert the rocker - you should start a new thread with your questions, otherwise you probably won't get a good answer, since this thread is about V-picks.

I like my V-picks. I think they sound a little different than most other picks. They have a little "pingy" tone - very hard to describe with words. The material is similar to glass, I find, and when it hits the string there's a little "Ping!" sound. At least to my ears.

The stubby would be great for me if it was the same thickness all around. Unfortunately, it's quite thin at the area where you strike the string, and that's not to my liking. I like 'em fat all around.

 

[Algonquin]

Saw this review and figured I'd post. Not sure if it's already in another thread, but here goes.

http://www.betterguitar.com/equipment/other_gear/vpicks/vpicks_foundation_series.html

 

[tot_Ou_tard]

Saw this review and figured I'd post. Not sure if it's already in another thread, but here goes.

http://www.betterguitar.com/equipment/other_gear/vpicks/vpicks_foundation_series.html

That's a balanced review that pretty much sums things up.

 

[just strum]

I am suppose to have some heading my way and I was hoping they would arrive today, so I could try them over the weekend. I then remembered that I don't go back to work until 1/5 - plenty of time.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

I am putting mine in my pocket now so I remember to bring them home and try them out over the weekend.

 

[Algonquin]

That's a balanced review that pretty much sums things up.

I like many of the reviews Mark has posted on his site... he comes across as honest and straight forward.

 

[marnold]

Well, here's my $0.02, probably overpriced.

In interest of full disclosure Vinni contacted me and offered to send me some V-Picks so I took him up on it. I requested a Screamer. He sent me that and a pack with two Foundation mediums (one rounded and one pointed) and one medium Ultra-Lite. I was pleasantly surprised to see them arrive within a couple of days.

Like the above reviewer, I've used Fender mediums forever. Recently I considered trying Dunlop Jazz picks, but found the regular size to be too small for me to manipulate with what's left of my fingers.

I decided to try the Screamer first. It is slightly bigger and slightly thicker than a medium pointed. The big difference is that the edge has more of a bevel to it (for the lack of a better term). It took a bit of getting used to, especially since it's so much thicker than the Fender. I didn't notice much tone difference acoustically on my Floyd. However, the difference is very significant with my Showmaster. It almost sounded like I was playing with a quarter instead of a pick.

I've been using the Screamer now for almost two weeks and I really like it. Not so much for any "tone" improvement, but for feel. The shape and the feel of the acrylic make it easier for me to hold on to. The pointed shape also enables me to "choke up" on the pick which allows for better picking accuracy. It also makes pinch harmonics easier to pull off which is A Good Thing in my book. I used it a bit with my bass too and it seemed to work nicely for that too although the benefits to the pointyness are not as great.

If I were just strumming the medium rounded would be a nice choice. It really seems to glide over the strings. Much to my surprise the Ultra-Light didn't do much for me, even though I originally thought I might like that one the best. The medium pointed is pretty close to a Screamer although I think I like the Screamer better. My son has been using the medium rounded and seems to like it.

I'd be interested in getting some Dunlop Jazz XLs and comparing that to my Screamer, but I can't find anyone in the area who carries them. My only concern about the V-Pick is the longevity, something that only time will reveal. The million dollar question (or the $4 anyway) is: are they worth the price? Since picks seem to last forever for me, dropping $4 on one isn't a big issue. I've certainly blown more money than that on gear. I will zealously guard my Screamer so I don't lose it, that's for sure. Since they are clear they do tend to disappear when you drop them. My picks usually don't travel too far so it's not a huge danger.

The long and the short is that the Screamer allows me to get a better grip, a more proper grip, and I probably like playing even more now. Isn't that really what any gear is supposed to do?

 

[just strum]

I like the pointed Screamer too. I didn't take a real liking to the rounded one and was comfortable strumming with the pointed one. I am sending two to someone that had heard about them and wanted to give them a try, but now I wish I hadn't agreed to since I already lost two. Vinni sent me some samples and someone had sent me one a few months earlier. The first one I lost after only using it once.

My Stubby's are still my pick of choice, however if I get over the habit of loosing picks I would probably replenish the pointed Screamer and will probably buy a couple of the small pointed Screamers.

I also received a couple of thinner ones (0.85 mm), but found no advantage to those for my purpose.

 

[Spudman]

It's kind of revealing how people balk at spending $4 for a pick that will last a long time when they don't give any regard to $4 coffee at the premier chains.

I think the money spent on V Picks is money well spent. I do wish they were another color than clear. They are absolutely a pain to find sometimes.

 

[Robert]

It's kind of revealing how people balk at spending $4 for a pick that will last a long time when they don't give any regard to $4 coffee at the premier chains.

+1 on that one, bro. $4.00 isn't what I would call a big investment and attaching the term "overpriced" to them is, well, any word belonging to the family "silly" comes to mind.

 

[just strum]

It's kind of revealing how people balk at spending $4 for a pick that will last a long time when they don't give any regard to $4 coffee at the premier chains.

I think the money spent on V Picks is money well spent. I do wish they were another color than clear. They are absolutely a pain to find sometimes.

I wouldn't balk if it was my primary pick or "must have" pick, but it's not. I would buy one or two if I happened to see them in a store, but I don't even know if they sell them in stores. If I ordered them, I would have to have DVM be my middle man because it's payment through PayPal.

My playing ability isn't at a level that I need to concern myself with picks. For those that are at that level or can hear a clear distinction, I don't see a problem with buying them.

And I certainly agree about adding color (at no extra cost).

Correction: You can use a credit card.

 

[just strum]

+1 on that one, bro. $4.00 isn't what I would call a big investment and attaching the term "overpriced" to them is, well, any word belonging to the family "silly" comes to mind.

I think the word "over-priced" is an opinion that some feel about a number of things. I look at relics or certain amps and think - they are over-priced. However, to someone that has a thing for relics, they would think differently.

 

[marnold]

+1 on that one, bro. $4.00 isn't what I would call a big investment and attaching the term "overpriced" to them is, well, any word belonging to the family "silly" comes to mind.

Here I'd totally disagree with you, Robert. When you are talking about a product that is substantially more expensive than most products of the same type, the word "overpriced" is legitimate. It is an issue that needs to be addressed. The argument that someone might waste that amount on coffee is really not applicable to the situation. Because someone else might spend $4 foolishly doesn't give me the right/need/whatever to do likewise.

The question for me is it worth spending $4 on one V-Pick vs. getting a dozen of the Fender mediums I used to use or eight Dunlop Jazz III XLs. Until I can actually try a Jazz III XL that half of the equation will remain unanswered. For the first half I think I had to say yes, it was worth it for me. Others might think differently which is fine by me.

$4 might seem insignificant but my family budget is such that every last dollar has to be justified. If I can't justify it, I don't spend it. My Floyd only cost me $149 originally--a great deal--but no matter how great the deal was it wasn't happening unless I first sold my Charvel Model 7. Buying new pickups for my guitar literally took months of planning so I could be sure to get them without wrecking the family budget for a month. Even then I couldn't get all three at one time.

 

[peachhead]

Just to throw my two pesos in the mix:

I received a pack from Vinni (which I appreciate) and have used them a good bit in the last couple of weeks. Without getting into specifics (mainly because I am not familiar enough with them to know what is what) I have enjoyed them quite a bit. Looks like I have a really lite pointed, a medium pointed and a medium rounded. The lite is a great acoustic pick. They sound good, I don't have a problem holding on to them (which is something I always have problems with) and I like the general feel of them. I do agree that they need to have at least some kind of color (so I can find them on the floor).....

I would (and will) recommend them, even though they are a bit pricier. I may splurge on the acoustic pack, or I'm tempted to order a mandolin pick from them just to try it out.

 

[Tone2TheBone]

I like mine a lot and will be paying for my next set. Thanks Vinni!

 

[sunvalleylaw]

I like the thick rounded one for rhythm (but not for lead or picking), and the thick pointed one for all around. It probably is my favorite so far. The rounded one really makes a difference for me with string noise when strumming chords. The thinner pointed one does not seem that much better than a Dunlop Ultex to me, other than it is really easy to hold. I may change my mind. But very nice! I would recommend a set for sure.

 

[marnold]

Well, I picked up a Dunlop Jazz III XL stiffo and compared it to the Screamer. The XL's tone sounded pretty much like my old Fender. The stiffness and pointyness made it easier to pick accurately than the Fender. So if it was just Dunlop v. Fender, the Dunlop would win hands down.

However, I have to say I still like the v-pick better for two reasons:
1) The acrylic. It really allows me to have a better grip. Since I don't have my first three fingertips on my right hand, any extra grip I can get is appreciated.
2) The shape. The v-pick is more triangle shaped which also helps me hold it. It's hard to describe the way I hold a pick now without showing a picture. The wider "top" (opposite where you actually pick the strings) nestles nicely into my index finger to keep it from spinning/shifting while playing.

Granted those two arguments are unique to my particular hands, so you'd really have to try them yourself. So, I guess I like using a $4 pick. The Screamer's shape and texture make it easier for me to play with greater accuracy. It lives up to it's name because I find it very easy to do pinch harmonics with this thing. My only concerns are the durability (especially with pick scrapes, but only time will tell on that) and how easily they "disappear" when dropped on the floor because they are clear. The glow-in-the-dark ones would fix the latter problem, albeit for an extra dollar.

The v-pick medium rounded didn't do much for me, nor did the ultra-lite. The medium pointed are nice. But for me the Screamer is the way to go. Color me surprised.

 

[larryx]

I worked in a friends fathers factory when I was in High School. We made drink trays and chessboards out of plexi glass. The owners son was an apprentice Luthier at D'Aquisto Guitars in N.Y.C. (JAZZ ARCHTOPS) He started making nice clear shiney guitar picks out of plexi glass (or acrylics) and giving them to all of his guitar playing friends. His name is David Shneider(DavidShneiderguitars.com)That was 30 years ago. As far as the plexi picks go.They deffinately had an interesting attack to them. And a unique sound when they touched the string. Almost like a ping kind of sound. They seemed to bounce off of the string in a very active kind of way. I had a friend who had a very heavey handed picking style. He loved them thangs! But I don't think Pat Matheny's gonna be using one. It would be interesting to revisit the idea of an acrylic pick again? NAH! Black Dunlop 1mm nylon for life!

 

[Tone2TheBone]

Oh crap that reminds me that I need to order a few more....

 

[sumitomo]

I have a small sheet of lexan I have been makin picks from,and their bulletproof too! Sumi

 

[Spudman]

Vinnie. Hey man, I ordered 2 picks and you sent 3. What's up with that? If you are trying to win loyal customers...you did it. :AOK Thank you very much and I even got them on my birthday.

 

[Kodiak3D]

Well, I got one from dad over the weekend and I'm sold! I love my V-pick.

 

[msteeln]

Who needs a pick anyway?

Legendary Alvin Lee doesn't. Check him out at 7:30 into Help Me - www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PjiqdMY-Qc
I liked his resourcefullness with a harmonica at 6:05 as well. Quite the guy!

BEWARE - keep the vol. down at the start for a coupla secs., then crank it!

 

[Spudman]

I have really fallen in love with the Screamer. It's easy to hold and flies over the strings and had a superb attack. I've been playing it the past 3 days and really putting it to the test. It is undoubtedly my favorite.