Dulce de Leche? OOH YUMMY, the D’Addario Casein Realeaux Chris Thile:
Who would have thunk it (sorry bad grammar)? A caramel-looking Milk Pick? Yes, in essence, the D’Addario Casein Realeaux Chris Thile is made from milk, or more accurately, from a protein called Casein.
-It’s a Chris Thile…
…pick and quite lovely. I know that, so far, my reviews haven’t seemed critical, but I do like many of these picks I review. I feel that most picks that are built for actual use have varied redeeming values for most players. There aren’t so many “bad” picks as there are the “right for you” picks and the “No, not for me” picks.
However, there are some stinkers to come, don’t worry! But this protein signature pick of a great musician is very well made to great specs and is very effective in the task laid before it.
Yes-The D’Addario Realeaux is made out of Casein, a milk protein. -it’s meant to be like a tortoise shell. And the shape of the D’Addario Casein Realeaux Chris Thile is based on the D’Andrea #346. I talk about this and other triangle shapes here.
I think it is quite nice, I don’t know if it was by intent or just the nature of the material, but it is slightly curved, or rather, it is cupped. There ARE materials that tend to warp, and this might be one of them, but it’s a happy accident if it is because that 3d shape makes it even better.
It IS said that Casein picks may warp to use, but it seems like a good thing. Also, I can’t speak with authority on this, but I wouldn’t get them too wet because I suspect being that it is casein, it could melt from moisture. However, you might use that to your advantage, fill me in if you do. This is the sole Casein pick I have right now so I’m not going to test this out on it.
The material reminds one of celluloid, yet just a touch softer. A Realaeux Shape, it’s great for a wide variety of players.
But what is all this silliness about milk you ask?
The Answer: This pick is made out of a protein that is in cow’s milk called “Casein”. A person can make their own “Plastic Pick” out of the material, more on that here.
The idea for this material was to find a substance similar to a tortoise shell that isn’t as flammable as Celluloid. At 1.4mm thick and looking like caramel candy, the feel is wonderful, smooth yet reassuring. The tone is not unlike Celluloid but softer and warmer, at least in my mind. It is also clearly more durable than the reptile shell, which comes from an endangered animal. Please don’t engage in buying tortoise shell picks unless they are old vintage ones. These reptiles are lovely creatures and they need to be preserved as they serve important functions on our planet.
When you drop it on the table to check for resonance, it makes a deep click sound with a woody tone. It reminds me of coconut ever so slightly.
It’s not very flexible, but few picks are at 1.4mm. There is still just a touch of bend to it, and that makes it an effective picker that allows for some strumming.
Intended to be a Mandolin pick, it’s great for guitar also and I’d even use it on a flat top just as electric.
On my Gretsch it is delightful. A thicker or deeper tone than Celluloid, much less clicky than nylon, and almost as warm as wood.
I’m not entirely sure of how it is longevity-wise but my instinct would leave me to believe it would wear down from use, but not shear apart, and I haven’t read comments about it breaking. However, it is not brittle like a shell and is pliable. It might sheer with abuse, but so does celluloid. Also, it IS a Mandolin pick, and Mando strings are very sharp and high tension. It is endorsed by Chris Thile, it’s his pick. In a word, I’d use it on stage with confidence.
The tone from the D’Addario Casein Realeaux Chris Thile seems to lend itself well to resonant instruments. That means, for me, hollowed instruments like it. I don’t suppose you’d do shreds on it, but general alternate picking is great with it.
Also, and this is very cool: You CAN, with enough effort, make YOUR OWN Casein Picks apparently, see here. The process is to use cow’s milk, vinegar, and form it into a plastic with formaldehyde and, perhaps, pressure.
I plan on getting the 351-shaped version to try also, but I do like this one, it is fun to use!
One way to gauge a pick, guitar, string, or amp, is how much you end up using it in situations and how much fun you have it: And this is a ringer.
Ok, I know you want to get right into the specifications I offer and let’s see what they are for this D’Addario Casein Realeaux Chris Thile plectrum…
Tech Specs here:
| Material | Attack Tone | Decay Tone |
| Casein, a milk protein | Soft yet firm | warm |
| Durability/Wear | Comments/Dimensions | Shape |
| Fairly durable, may wear with much use | Durometer Hardness of 74H | Standard Realeaux Shape |
| Grip and Feel | Flexibility | Likely Use |
| Grips with moisture | Ever so slight | 31.4mm on all three ends |
| Thickness | Width and Height | Resonance |
| 1.4mm | 31.4mm on all three ends | Interesting tone when dropped, almost woody |
| Tip Style | Bevel? | Approx. Cost |
| Wide angle fine rounded | Slight speed bevel each tip end, curved body too | About $24 USA |
And there is the edge-on shot revealing the speed-beveled edge of all three sides of the pick and the warp I discovered, I don’t know if it comes that way or I induced the curve from playing:
I truly like this pick and would use it for sessions with hybrid picking and strumming. Yes, it’s a Mandolin Pick, but it’s great for guitar also.
Now, as far as what is next, how a clear choice can be a rough thing to have, we will see in a few days!
Do you play Mandolin or any other non-guitar stringed instrument? What pick do you use?