Spring is heating up while the markets have been heating up and cooling down a lot. Blue Chip Stock investment might be uncertain, but the Blue Chip Picks TAD-3R pick is a certain choice for some people, read on…
This pick, the Blue Chip Picks TAD-3R, is a special pick for me. It was seminal in my quest for the “right Pick” The pick that would solve all my problems at once and be what I was dreaming of a few years back when I started this quest for picks.
The one Ring to rule them all is a flawed concept nevertheless. I now know, about 4 years later, that no such ring has survived the great fires of Mount Doom. And lucky for me, I’ve never fallen under a massive spell like Bilbo and Frodo. I admit that most picks I come across meet some of my expectations or at least I usually find them partially acceptable.
So what about this ring thing, is the Blue Chip Picks TAD-3R a grail pick, a magic elixir plectrum?
—Well, according to many a player and artist, it’s a very recommended plectrum.
End of review.
OK, OK, I’ll go on from there, since you asked (I know you didn’t did you, I kid!) The Blue Chip Picks TAD-3R is a great pick, for playing certain things, and while it can’t solve all our problems, what it CAN DO is solve several such issues.
To begin, the material it is made out of is only from the company that makes these picks. Only Blue Chip Picks has access to sell picks with this material. The material is Vespel, a plastic with a “lubricative” (non word) quality to it. My pick is a #40. Dropped on the wood table, it sounds out with a deep throaty ‘clockity-clock’ as though it were a high roller’s treasured poker chip. Vespel is extremely durable and has a ton of high-end qualities.
So tell us more about Vespel!
Let’s visit the Wiki:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespel
It’s is incredibly heat-resistant and survivable. It is used in very demanding environments and situations, such as in the Semi-Conductor Industry (where I used to work years ago). As I mentioned, there is a lubricity to it. That quality helps the Blue Chip Picks TAD-3R to glide along the strings when strumming. This makes it a better strummer than many other hard, lightly flexible plectrums. The tips are very rounded as well, making strumming even easier.
But it can pick (!) and mando players and others will find it quite useful. The pick is a tri-tipper with very refined and subtle speed edges. If I had a 12-string I’d use this in a heartbeat. Or on Mandolin or a regular flat top and not just for Bluegrass music.
5 Watt World and the Marvelous Keith Williams!
Mr. Keith’s recommendation of the Blue Chip Picks pricked up my ears and delighted my eyes, much as his shows always do. The man is as smart and well-spoken as they come and I jumped on it when I heard about these picks.
Check out 5 Watt World on YouTube here:
The man knows his stuff and researches like a Pulitzer writer.
Now the Blue Chip Picks Company makes a large number of Vespel Picks, check them out here.
In my materials section, I talk about plastics and some of the qualities of several of them.
Vespel, along with Torlon, are some of the most durable and sought-after materials for picks, check out the pyramid on plastics here.
However, Torlon and Vespel feel very different and the former is more widely available in picks for purchase. You will have to try them and compare them to see what you like better if either would ever be compared in that manner.
So what about the tone? Fine, you say it feels good and lasts a long time, but does it sound any good?
My TAD3R imparts a well-rounded, almost soft-attacked tone, Jazz-like, and yet, the sound is suited for other types of music. Try this on a Gibson and you will marvel at the sound. Try it on a Fender and that strat bite will heel for you, bad doggies!
DuPont’s Vespel isn’t just an engine parts material players enjoy the tone and feel as well!
Here are the specs on the Blue Chip Picks TAD-3R plectrum:
| Material | Attack Tone | Decay Tone |
| DuPont Pat. Vespel Plastic | Warm and soft | Easy and warm |
| Durability/Wear | Comments/Dimensions | Shape |
| Very Durable but will wear with much use | Shore D Hardness of 82H | Custom and blunt 346 Shape |
| Grip and Feel | Flexibility | Likely Use |
Decent Grip highly favored feel | Slight flex | Mandolin Flat top Bluegrass Jazz Classic Rock Folk Americana You name it |
| Thickness | Width and Height | Resonance |
1.01mm | 3-way 30.8mm | as if a plastic coin were dropped |
| Tip Style | Bevel? | Approx. Cost |
| Well- rounded/ blunt | 3-way right hand Bevels | US$ 35.00 And Shipping |
Now, of course, one can talk and talk endlessly in ‘cork sniffer’ terms about expensive picks, but this ain’t a sniffer’s tool alone. Any serious player might want to test them out. Yes, they are costly, but there are picks that are way more expensive that aren’t any better in my opinion.
But is it for me, dude, why should I try the Blue Chip Picks TAD-3R or other models?
—First off, Blue Chip uses a code system for its’ picks, TAD is a large Triangle, 3R is three Rounded tips and 40 is the thickness…
Anyways, who’s to say, honestly? If you are the type of fellow who is skeptical and unwilling to change, or who has a philosophical problem with spending 40 bucks on one pick, I’ll tell you: “I hear ya brosky!, skip it, stay with your Celluloid Pick and you will be just fine…”
“—But then you will never know for sure, will you, bud?”
I’m not advocating running out (online) and ordering this very moment but what I suggest is reading more about them and seeing if the artists using them, such as Julian Lage, strike your fancy.
Essentially, this is a very good pick that I don’t dare lose. Buying in a store at some far-away gig might be an issue, but at least for the studio, you might have this as a go-to.
So here I ask ya, have you tried these, would you be willing to try them considering the price?
Next UP:
A hard pick to crack, ground up, but can it do Bach? We shall see, we shall indeed see, stay tuned!