A review of the Clayton Pick’s Metallics Copper Plectrum, a pick with attitude!
“OK COHpah, whatcha gonna doo, COHpah, you dirty rat!”
What we really need now is James Cagney doing a cameo with this elemental Cu Pick, the Clayton Picks’ Metallics Copper Plectrum. It reminds me of the pugnacious character of James Cagney (a great typecast actor of yesteryear, if you don’t know him, he was a real treat!)
And now that I think of it, and James, I think of the hard-rocking James Gang, this pick would be perfect for those soaring leads done by Joe Walsh, were he to Ride Again! Yes, it is a Metallic Plectrum and is not for the faint of heart.
There are copper picks, brass picks (we’ll get to those at some point too), Cupro-Nickel, and Bronze. I talk about metal picks among the other types of materials here. I half expected the Clayton Pick’s Metallics Copper Pick to be a touch softened when it comes to metal picks, I thought this way because copper is a software and more ductile metal, but it definitely has a rocker’s bite, loud and distinct.
The gritty tone when the string slides along the playing edge of this pick is akin to any Acrylic pick with sandy edges, except with just a hint of squeal, and that is just a hint. The tone is kinda cool, or should I actually say it is hot. Well, whatev…
Clayton makes a number of picks. And while they are a major maker, their picks aren’t so run of the mill, as you can see on their site. They garner a little more of a premium but bridge the gap between very affordable craft makers’ picks and the pick company picks.
Now, when I play my Hag with this pick, I find great dynamics and different pickup settings and volume settings stand out in a more pronounced manner.
It’s kinda great with no compression in a way. Someone who seeks some expressiveness to their solos will find that plectrum quite pronounced and yet a small touch softer than some other metal picks, much like steel velvet.
-Crushed Steel velvet, that’s the Clayton Pick’s Metallics Copper, soft and hard, hard and soft, OK you guys, stop giggling over there in the back of the room. Pick up your guitars and start practicing again boys!
The grip:
The handle-feel of this music tool is quite matte-like, not like sandpaper, but much like construction paper but harder, it grips surprisingly well. It holds well enough that even beginners will want this thing! You don’t need any sticky goo with this pick.
The Clayton Copper IS a very flat-feeling device, you really notice this when holding it.
I find myself using the pick in a more flat-attack position than a slicing strike on the strings. And while you could play rhythm, why would you when this is an outstanding lead player’s weapon?
It’s cool to the touch, yet warms quickly to your fingers, yet never feels hot or sweaty. I’m guessing this isn’t “Pure” copper? But it definitely has a sharp bell tone to it when dropped on my desk. Very chimey. I’ve never been confident with the idea that the drop sound of a pick can help with any conclusion of its playing tone, but I don’t have a frequency analyzer (an engineer’s tool that I used in college a lot) to know, and that is sad.
Suffice it to say that I enjoy this pick, it has some of the benefits one would see in a stone pick without the mouse squeal (yeah, there’s a hint of it though).
So why don’t we just look at the specs now and leave it at that, with the suggestion that lots of different players who seek to bring out dynamics to their playing, will seek?
| Material | Attack Tone | Decay Tone |
Copper of unknown Purity | A dynamic bite | Strong yet velvety |
| Durability/ Wear | Comments/ Dimensions | Shape |
As any metal very tough but copper will wear down | No specific hardness here, just copper | Classic #351 style |
| Grip and Feel | Flexibility | Likely Use |
| Surprisingly nice | very stiff | Music with dynamics like metal Country… |
| Thickness | Width and Height | Resonance |
| .68mm | 26.77 x 29.75mm | A Bright bell-ring |
| Tip Style | Bevel? | Approx. Cost |
Mellow-V | Rounded | ~$7.00 or less |
- Holds/Grips *****
- Plays (action) *****
- Sounds/Tones *****
- Looks/Appearance ***
- Collect ability ***
- Difficulty ***
- Durability ****
- Cost ****
- Availability ****
- Likability *****
- Over-All Rating 82%
- Novices: Yes, it will be fun!
- Performers: You will get a real gas with this
- Intermediates: Maybe not a daily grinder but a grinder it is!
So what can we follow this metal pick with, a soft country singer’s angelic voice? Neaaa, we’re gonna stay on the tough road, at least according to the next pick’s maker! Will it be the ultimate or even a daily driver? Tune in to see!
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