View Full Version : Adventures in Psycho-Land V-Picks
So, I have been really happy with Medium Pointed V-Picks, but I keep hearing how nice some of the larger ones are.
So, one night I am reading up on these and decide I need to try the Psycho. The description sounded like me, for some reason.
So, I ordered one, (yep, 20 bucks)
http://www.v-picks.com/images/psycho.jpg
And I have to say I love it. A bit bolder sounding than the medium and cleaner too. It is faster too, if you only use a pick. If you hybrid-pick (fingers and pick) like I do, the smaller picks may be a bit quicker because your other fingers are closer to the strings with the smaller picks.
Sound-wise the Psycho is clearly better. More solid, less rattle, louder and really clear. You seem stronger too because of the size of the thing. I don't know how else to put it, but you seem to play with more authority.
So, of course, I had to buy another one. dammit
If I lose one of these things, I am going to be VERY unhappy!
Thanks Vinni.
dc
Tibbonds
03-23-2009, 07:53 PM
$20 for a pick? Jesus. People actually pay that for a pick?
You bet they do.
I have spent more on pickup upgrades that did a lot less for my sound and playing.
The regular V-Picks are 4 bucks BTW. The bigger "premium" ones are handmade as I understand it and are very labor intensive. Perhaps he will get a mold for them at some point. In the meantime, I am hanging on to these...
dc
Sikor
03-24-2009, 03:29 AM
Thanks for a review. Psycho Pointed cought my eye recently.
Snake pointed is my favourite pick now (Diamond being the second).
Do You have any experience with Snake or Diamond?
I'd like to know how they compare.
Regarding the V-Picks: they rule my world of picks :AOK
Amazing how much such a small thing can change in the playability and tone.
Tonealicious
03-24-2009, 04:29 AM
I considered getting one... but there's too many choices and I got confused and stuck to my Dunlop Nylons. :huh
Tibbonds
03-24-2009, 04:51 AM
This might be an ignorant question, but it's a genuine one - how do these differ to Dunlop Stubbies?
This might be an ignorant question, but it's a genuine one - how do these differ to Dunlop Stubbies?
I used to use the Clayton small teardrop Ultem.
http://www.steveclayton.com/ultem.html
Is that like the Dunlop?
V-Picks sound so much better it will take your breath away, piss you off, and make you change pick brands.
Or not. But that is what happened to me.
They are way different, bigger sounding, and play smoother and faster.
dc
dorfmeister
03-24-2009, 10:22 AM
$20 for a pick? Jesus. People actually pay that for a pick?
I think if you played one you'd see how this could make a huge positive change in your playing....beyond what a pedal or amp is going to do.
It seems to me that the places where we interface with the instruments (picks, strings) are hugely important but people often see them as an afterthought worthy of only the most inexpensive expenditure.
dorfmeister
03-24-2009, 10:24 AM
This might be an ignorant question, but it's a genuine one - how do these differ to Dunlop Stubbies?
Made from a different material. In my opinion there is no comparison between the two except they are both somewhat thick. The V-Pick is clearly superior in feel.....unless of course, somehow, you like the feel of the Stubby more.
Tibbonds
03-24-2009, 10:38 AM
I'm just somewhat sceptical that a pretty photo can make it worth $20. Not knocking you guys, I just struggle to understand how it can make so much difference it's worth 50 times what you'd pay for a normal pick!
dimperdoo
03-24-2009, 10:55 AM
I like the bigger ones. When I ordered a snake and a colossal, it was partly for the novelty... ..I mean, what's cooler than a big-assed clear pick. It's kinda like the huge-assed barbell earring in the jewelry display at a mall's piercing store. Only, there is practicality too. I've found that I can easily play with the bigger picks.
Vinni recommends practicing w/ the colossal for a week - then trying my normaller sized pick.
sounds like a "train hard - fight easy" concept to me.
dimperdoo
03-24-2009, 11:02 AM
I'm just somewhat sceptical that a pretty photo can make it worth $20. Not knocking you guys, I just struggle to understand how it can make so much difference it's worth 50 times what you'd pay for a normal pick!
it's kind of an afterthought...
I guess the picks aren't specifically "worth" $20 - $25 unless they're worth that to "you." Whatever the justification, cost of production, etc., that's apparently what they cost (no offense.)
It just comes down to what some of the unseen values might be -and- whether "you" might find you value that/those enough to fork over the loot.
Man, I wish he'd come to the Dallas Guitar Show in April. I'd really like to try some of those before I buy.
I like the bigger ones. When I ordered a snake and a colossal, it was partly for the novelty... ..I mean, what's cooler than a big-assed clear pick. It's kinda like the huge-assed barbell earring in the jewelry display at a mall's piercing store. Only, there is practicality too. I've found that I can easily play with the bigger picks.
Vinni recommends practicing w/ the colossal for a week - then trying my normaller sized pick.
sounds like a "train hard - fight easy" concept to me.
Yeah, it's funny because the big ones really do play nicely to. It's not like they are difficult to play, but I have been using the Psycho for a week now and really like it, but when I go back to the medium pointed and my usual hybrid-picking I find myself playing really well.
So why use the big one? Because it has a simply amazing tone to it. If you are looking for stately lead tones this is your pick.
dc
As far as what things are worth. If the bigger picks cost Vinnie .50 to make, I might feel bad about buying them (probably not though) but they are all hand made and a bunch of work. I suspect he will lower the price if they are ever made in a mold.
Most folks would rather sell a zillion at 3 bucks than 150 hand-made ones for 20 each.
What really matters is the benefit received. Seriously, I get more musical result from these picks (and that includes the 4 buck medium pointed, not just the big ones) than I have ever gotten from a pickup upgrade.
Worth it? You bet.
dc
charmboy
03-24-2009, 11:40 AM
$20 for a pick? Jesus. People actually pay that for a pick?
One $4 V-pick has lasted me longer than a $5 pack of regular picks. My $10 Snake has already lasted twice that long even (and that's with just one of the 3 points barely worn)... these things last a LONG time. You're not just paying a bunch of money for a gimmick here.
They sound great and last much much longer than regular picks... If you do the math, it's not preposterous by any means.
I play hard and often and burn through picks at a very high rate and I've actually spent less money on pics in the short time since switching to the V's than I was spending on regular picks before them. So, yes, working class people like myself who know a good product when they see/hear it "actually PAY for that pick... "
Those who aren't sure where to start and want to get an idea of v-picks, should order the Fab Four pack. It's a good price and will give you enough of an idea of whether you'll love or hate these... I started there before trying any of the premiums and it was enough of a tonal/technique improvement to know I was interested in trying others without investing too much cash.
TreyD0g
03-24-2009, 06:22 PM
i've got a few different v-picks but the SNAKE has a spell over me. the more i use it, the more i like it.
Sikor
03-25-2009, 03:32 AM
i've got a few different v-picks but the SNAKE has a spell over me. the more i use it, the more i like it.
:agree
And Diamond pointed is my second favourite V-Pick at the time being :AOK
I really want to figure out which V-picks to try, but there are so damned many of them. I wish he would make a "tour" pack. One of each. You give a deposit, you get a pack, try them all out, find the ones your like. Order those and send the rest back... something like that... I just can't figure out which ones are for me and i don't want to buy that variety pack he has since i know i'll like one or two and i won't use the rest of them. I have come so close to picking up a bunch of these only to back off at the last moment b/c i can't figure out which ones I would like.
I ordinarily use:
Dunlop Stubbies (3.0)
http://control-sound.com/shop/images/1153434762_STUBBY_474_GRP_463X342.jpg
or the somewhat rare Fender 551 JZ (extra heavy)
http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/juststrings_2042_101380797
or (my current fave) Fender 451 JR (extra heavy)
http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/juststrings_2042_101333796
or Dunlop Tortex Jazz (heaviest one: Purple, even though i hate the color)
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/318xcPduHeL._SL500_AA280_.jpg
Start with medium pointed.
dc
Sikor
03-26-2009, 03:10 AM
I really want to figure out which V-picks to try, but there are so damned many of them. I wish he would make a "tour" pack. One of each. You give a deposit, you get a pack, try them all out, find the ones your like. Order those and send the rest back... something like that... I just can't figure out which ones are for me and i don't want to buy that variety pack he has since i know i'll like one or two and i won't use the rest of them. I have come so close to picking up a bunch of these only to back off at the last moment b/c i can't figure out which ones I would like.
I ordinarily use:
Dunlop Stubbies (3.0)
http://control-sound.com/shop/images/1153434762_STUBBY_474_GRP_463X342.jpg
or the somewhat rare Fender 551 JZ (extra heavy)
http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/juststrings_2042_101380797
or (my current fave) Fender 451 JR (extra heavy)
http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/juststrings_2042_101333796
or Dunlop Tortex Jazz (heaviest one: Purple, even though i hate the color)
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/318xcPduHeL._SL500_AA280_.jpg
I'd say get the Snake pointed and Diamond pointed :AOK
You can also try Screamer, Small pointed and a Medium pointed, although I think that 1 from the first 2 picks will work for You very well :)
Thanks to those who chimed in. I am a little hesitant to get anything too pointy. I actually prefer the less pointy Fender 451 JR shape to the Fender 551 JZ which is just a bit too narrow and pointy up top for me. The 451 and 551 are smallish picks much smaller than a regular 351 shape but not quite as small as a teardrop (i use those too sometimes since that is what i grew up playin).
dimperdoo
03-26-2009, 08:47 PM
I really want to figure out which V-picks to try, but there are so damned many of them. I wish he would make a "tour" pack. One of each. You give a deposit, you get a pack, try them all out, find the ones your like. Order those and send the rest back... something like that...
I would be surprised if you couldn't flip your extras on this forum or ...
I just spent like an hour on that site... Looks like the following would all be candidates for me:
Small Pointed
Medium Rounded, Medium Pointed
Screamer
Diamond, Diamond Pointed
Big Fattie
Psycho
Snake Pointed
Super hard to know based just on the pictures (some of the pictures of the picks only show the one dimension) and descriptions. I would maybe go for a set that had all these picks in it, though i don't see one and i can't quite figure out the sets. I know for me, if i am looking only at thick and extra thick picks and only med and small that i won't have any interest in the large size picks and certainly no interest in anything thin. So i am not quite sure why the package sets are contain such a wide mix. I wouldn't want any of the super painful pointy looking suckas either.
I put them all in my paypal cart and then chickened out again... I just don't want to buy $100 worth of picks to find the one or two that are right for me and i doubt i would be able to flip them here without taking a loss. If he'd let me leave a $100 deposit I would buy them all and send back the ones i know i wont use and purchase extras of the ones i know i would use (and lose likely).... Man... i just don't know, but i love me a fat pick and folks seem to love these puppies.
what to do... what to do...
-kp--
blastastick
03-27-2009, 12:02 AM
I play Holdsworth, Dimeola, Muhammed Sucimez styles, with lots of sweep picking and fast sinlge string runs. I have used Jazz III's for a long time, which would be a good recommendation on these picks? I am always open to new things that will help with tone, and technique.
I play Holdsworth, Dimeola, Muhammed Sucimez styles, with lots of sweep picking and fast sinlge string runs. I have used Jazz III's for a long time, which would be a good recommendation on these picks? I am always open to new things that will help with tone, and technique.
That's an easy call: It says right on here:
http://www.v-picks.com/picks/1
That the Small Pointed are the best replacement for small jazz picks.
There is even a comment there from a former Jazz III user. I only know this cause i just spent like an hour reading his site ... haha
-kp
I just spent like an hour on that site... Looks like the following would all be candidates for me:
Small Pointed
Medium Rounded, Medium Pointed
Screamer
Diamond, Diamond Pointed
Big Fattie
Psycho
Snake Pointed
Super hard to know based just on the pictures (some of the pictures of the picks only show the one dimension) and descriptions. I would maybe go for a set that had all these picks in it, though i don't see one and i can't quite figure out the sets. I know for me, if i am looking only at thick and extra thick picks and only med and small that i won't have any interest in the large size picks and certainly no interest in anything thin. So i am not quite sure why the package sets are contain such a wide mix. I wouldn't want any of the super painful pointy looking suckas either.
I put them all in my paypal cart and then chickened out again... I just don't want to buy $100 worth of picks to find the one or two that are right for me and i doubt i would be able to flip them here without taking a loss. If he'd let me leave a $100 deposit I would buy them all and send back the ones i know i wont use and purchase extras of the ones i know i would use (and lose likely).... Man... i just don't know, but i love me a fat pick and folks seem to love these puppies.
what to do... what to do...
-kp--
Just spend 4 bucks on a medium pointed. If V-Picks are for you, you will love it and then try some others. It's not "I hate this one and love that one" it's "I love this one a bit better". Start with medium pointed and that will help you select another to try.
dc
charmboy
03-27-2009, 05:37 AM
Just spend 4 bucks on a medium pointed. If V-Picks are for you, you will love it and then try some others. It's not "I hate this one and love that one" it's "I love this one a bit better". Start with medium pointed and that will help you select another to try.
dc
This is good advice. Maybe pick a few you think you might like. I spent a little over $20 on my first order, figured out what I liked about them and then ordered a few more after that. Now I know what I like and will just be ordering medium pointed and snakes.
No reason to dive in deep at first because you never know, you may hate them... Probably not though:)
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