The Dunlop John Petrucci Signature Pick Review:

I woke up this morning and the first thing I looked at was my new-ish guitar I named Juanita.

It is named for my son, John, who we all call Johnnie.

Think about all the words and things in life using the term “John” like boats, commodes, and of course, artists, great great artists. Lenon, Scofield, Hammer; so many Johns, think about all of them!

I have been thinking and reflecting on them, and all their styles. And one of the greats is John Petrucci. This JazzIII style is a Dunlop John Petrucci Signature pick.

It must be a curse and a blessing (both) to be a ‘John’.

According to Social Security’s site here…

….John is the 3^rd most used male first name in the last 100 years, no less.

But the Dunlop John Petrucci Signature plectrum is NOT common at all.

Materials and Design:

The pick is made of Dunlop’s Ultex, a material I discuss <here>, a very durable and snappy sounding material. It may be formed with a matte finish or a gloss-like finish.

The Dunlop John Petrucci Signature pick has BOTH surfaces, matte for the grip and gloss for the playing surface.

How tough is it, though?

A tough, hard pick with a distinctly sharp, snappy tone possessing an instantly reflexive response with electric guitars, this is a well designed pick for the purpose-filled intent of a master rocker.

The Signed player of the Dunlop John Petrucci Signature:

Petrucci is a bit of an expressive shredder who explores a lot of different modalities and vocalizations, so he needs a pick that can verbalize the wealth of ideas translated down into his strings.

This pick, the Dunlop John Petrucci Signature plectrum, is a very literal and functional instrument.

I’m listening to John’s performances as I write this and I am reminded that I have a number of Ultex picks I still need to review. And review I shall, in time.

Ease of use to me, an intermediate player?

Now I have some difficulties still with many Jazz III picks because they are small and more precise and while I am improving grip-wise, glossy picks still pose a hurdle for me. But Mr. Petrucci’s signature has a nice matte surface which helps it hold well, better in fact, than other Ultex picks.

And it has a glossy tip for smooth play-action and tone!

If you want these things, the Dunlop John Petrucci Pick is the plectrum for you:

Control: The Dunlop pick is very controllable. It is excact and precision made.

Durable: The Petrucci Signature is a tough cookie, great for serious rocking.

Bite: It possesses a serious bite, one that planks the string with determination but without any annoying squeal like other picks used for the same purpose.

Grip is good, and not only is the grip part matte, but it offers the raised signature initials of Mr. Petrucci, putting a physical (and tonal) imprimatur to a very musical weapon of tone.

Perhaps it might help me learn some of his licks? I hope so, and yeah, I admit, I actually think so too. It’s a lovely jet black instrument. It is affordable and easily found at online stores and some guitar shops.

Just for the asking, here are the specs:

Material	Attack Tone	Decay Tone
Dunlop Ultex	Biting Crisp	Quick Exciting
Durability/ Wear	Comments/ Dimensions	Shape
Quite Durable for a low cost plastic	81.5 H Durometer Hardness	Standard Jazz III
Grip and Feel	Flexibility	Likely Use
Good for the material	Zero Flex	Shredding
Thickness	Width and Height	Resonance
1.5mm @ Tip 1.8mm @ Grip	23.35mm x 27.0mm	Poker Chip like
Tip Style	Bevel?	Approx. Cost
Adroit Fine Tip	V-Rounded	10 bucks

The Maker:

Here is the Dunlop site where they list it (it can be bought from many online and brick and mortar stores).

Now, whenever I talk to my son, or pick up my Schecter named for him, I will always remember this Dunlop John Petrucci Jazz III pick and reach into my case for it. In fact, my Schecter is a Nick Johnston Signature guitar, and the two players both have a similar take on music, so both signature items were meant for each other. Perhaps, Nick, if you are reading this, you might come up with a similar but unique signature pick now?

So in conclusion, here is my personal take on the values of this plectrum:

• Over-All Rating 83% -A Recommend
• Novices: not so much
• Performers: yes so much
• Intermediates: yes for many

While on the topic of signature instruments, our next device has it’s own signature also, but it is a horse of a different color, hah, stay tuned!