Guitar Pick Review: V-Picks’ illustrious “Jalapeno” Pick… A while ago I asked the question: “Animal, Vegetable, or Mineral?” What is this V-Picks’ Illustrious “Jalapeno” pick anyways? It’s called a Jalapeno (Veggy), but it’s plastic (from minerals I suppose), but it takes an Animal to play it, as it is a beastly pick!
Sunday, January 15, 2023:
Is it a Speecy-Spicy tack on guitar or mandolin playing, or is it just another cute pick?
Guitar Pick Review: V-Picks’ illustrious “Jalapeno” Pick is a pick that is currently available as of this writing and I find it kinda cool rather than hot.
First of all, I’ll say that I definitely enjoy Realeaux-shaped picks, even with my unconventional pick-holding style, they tend to stay put better with alternate strumming because of their girth. I see this in how it holds, where the lobes of the pick rest on my knuckles a certain way. This has to do with the size and shape of my personal hand, so YMMV.
Holy smokes, it’s not just hot, but Hole-y…
I tend to appreciate the holes in some acrylic picks. While they aren’t a complete solution to Acrylic only being sticky with moisture (sweat, saliva) and warmth, they help matters. Of my Acrylic picks, this one is one of the easiest to maintain a grip on.
Make sure to read up about pick materials in my materials section, and then go to the subsection on Acrylics…
A Tip on Tips?
The obtuse angle and medium curve of the tip on this pick will mean one gives up a little control for the sake of better strumming, But I AM finding that, though I’m still a little slow, speedy picking isn’t too bad with this pick. With that said, the V-Picks’ Illustrious “Jalapeno” pick is more of a middle-of-the-road player than a shredder’s device.
My tip on tips is that you make a concerted effort to test different profile tips when strumming, alternate picking, and other tasks so you can determine how well they work for you. I find that when I adapt to the different types of tips I play differently, and that is a GOOD thing. Remember, a plectrum is an instrument in its own right, and this V-Picks “illustrious “Jalapeno pick is a good general example of something to start with.
This Pick can be had from V-Picks here.
So what are our specs on this beastly V-Picks’ Illustrious “Jalapeno” guitar Pick?
So the thickness, with the embossing notwithstanding, of this spicy pick is 1.9mm, so moderately thick and stiff. Shoulder to shoulder (in any of 3 positions) is 29.3mm, so it is a reasonably wide pick. It only has 3 holes corresponding to each tip/lobe, but that seems pretty adequate for this V-Picks’ Illustrious “Jalapeno” guitar pick.
When I drop it on my desk, the resonance is kind of wooden sounding, deep, and not clacky. There is no chirp from it when playing, and it yields a smooth but complete tonality. I like it on higher notes more though.
As far as hardness, it’s at 79 Shore D on my Durometer.
Here is the Specs Table on the V-Picks’ Illustrious “Jalapeno” Pick:
| Material | Attack Tone | Decay Tone |
| Green Acrylic | Medium range Strong mellow tone | Soft release not quite jazz- like |
| Durability/Wear | Comments/Dimensions | Shape |
| As with all Acrylics, they will wear down before they break | Hardness of 79 Shore D Durometer | Realeaux |
| Grip and Feel | Flexibility | Likely Use |
| Good for Acrylic | None | Jazz-rock, rockabilly |
| Thickness | Width and Height | Resonance |
| About 1.9mm | 29.30mm All around | Muted and wooden |
| Tip Style | Bevel? | Approx. Cost |
| Obtuse wedge medium rounded | Rounded Chamfer | $5.50 plus shipping USA |
So do I have a verdict on this mouth burner Jalapeno?
Yes, while it doesn’t sound spicy so much, it is nicer to use than some other acrylic picks and is just right in the middle range on the list of ticks (size, shape, design, tone) which makes it a worthy tool for me in some of my playings. Still, there are times a flexible pick or a more grippy pick will be what I prefer. This V-Picks’ Illustrious Jalapeno Guitar Pick isn’t so spicy as the name implies, it’s more of a middle-of-the-road instrument and very useful device.
Verdict?
A moderate Recommend for mandolin and guitar players who alternate strum/pick, for rockers and jazzers who like acrylics (see this other acrylic review), and a workable solution for novices.
You novices will want to start with a medium or medium light Celluloid, especially if you are learning on a flattop, try a Holy Grail as I’ve reviewed first. Intermediate players who collect picks will want this. Pros will either love this or hate it.
So what’s next up?
If a shark’s teeth are brutal, what about a pick like that? We will see next time!