Stupid V-Picks...

[aarondavis]

Originally Posted by TimmyZ

Dudes: I just don't get the hype. I bought a selection from V-Picks website (which is very amateurish, by the way) - paid my 4 bucks a pick, plus damn near a buck a pick freight. They're too noisy for me...very 'clinky' sounding, especially when used with an acoustic; They're easy to lose when dropped because of the clear color; and they spin in circles between my fingers when my fingers get clammy.

For about 40 cents (or 1/10 the price!) I think you can do as good and better with Dunlop's Big Stubby; Fender 351 Extra Heavy; Cool Pick X-Heavy; and for awesome feel and tone, Dunlop JazzTone 207 (you don't need to be a Jazz player to love this pick).

Probably the most insulting thing about V-Picks whole approach to having me order from them is their lousy website (hey, it's 2009!) with the PayPal purchasing interface, and the fact that they totally hose you on shipping.

Save your money!

What pick company do you work for? LOL, #1 post is to slag a product.

You don't have to like them, but just know most people are going to ignore your critique cause it's so transparent. Why go out of the way to join a forum to post this? Agenda? And regarding his website... the guy does this out of his house, helped him cover his daughters enormous medical bills.

They're not for every body, but I'm also no slouch of a player, tone deaf or group thinker. *HUGE* difference in ease of accurate/quick picking (I felt this immediately) and also *HUGE* enhancement in tone. They do sound a little chirpy, but this is something I've learned to prefer. I'll say it again, best new gear discovery since my TopHat amps.

[big mike]

To each their own.

I've used most that you've mentioned and I prefer the V picks.

It's one thing to not care for something, another entirely to be rude about it.

IMO of course.

[Uma Floresta]

I haven't tried them .... are they any good for tremolo picking? I do a lot of that.

[r9player]

Love the V picks I'm a rhythm player mainly acoustics also electric at times.
the thick rounded one does it for me on both acoustic and electric. I know some people have complained about a 'squeek' that can happen and I've had that at times, but that little inconvenience is way outweighed by how awesome they sound and how well they fit and how well they play.
I imagine lead players probably will like pointy better.

[GA19RVT]

V-Picks completely renewed my love for playing.

I took my game up about five notches with the medium-fat. I got faster, cleaning, more dynamic and I was finally able to really connect my brain to my fingers. I have better tone, and I don't need to use a stomp-box for a solo boost.

Seriously--I went from "OK" to "hey, man, you're a smokin' guitar player!" and while I did practice quite a bit, I give these picks a lot of credit.

Couple of caveats: I'm a hybrid picker, if that makes a difference to anybody, and I do use my fingers as well as picks. Also, I agree that V-Picks are not for everybody, but I do think that they are the biggest thing to happen in picks in a long, long, long time.

[tonewave]

an attacking first post is pretty transparent
maybe you were reacting to the high level of acceptance these picks are getting?

anyway, back to v-picks

I got the whole 'try it out' set, just to really check these picks out.
There is a lot of good aspects about these picks, each pick having its 'best use'.

In general, the good things are
-more volume
-'bigger' tone, prob just more mids and fundamental
-easy to hold and won't slip
-can have a very positive effect on your playing, ie more accurate and faster picking
-so many models, ones highly likely to fit your playing style

However there is the chirp that I can't make go away, and unfortunately, even though I'm aware of all the good points of vpicks, I just can't handle the chirp sound. Which is frustrating, cos I really feel and hear how, in all other aspects, my playing sounds (and is) much better when I play with the v-picks.

V-picks are not the only pick that chirps, but they are the first that I have really tried to work with. I now am slowly moving to a harder pick permanently, and am using an ultex and some other mysterious black pick that has nothing printed on it.

On customer service I think Vinnie is about good as it gets.
I emailed him saying what I said above, and asked if he did returns.
He emailed back saying he would take a return no probs, but would I mind if I tried every pick just to make sure, as they are all very different.
I said yes I'll try them all.
Well I have (even doing pick shootouts with some other players) and I don't think they're for me, even though it got really close with the medium rounded :-)
So I will email him in the next few days.

I can understand how for some people the benefits far out weigh the chirp factor, its a great product (with great service) thats unfortunately not for me.

[aarondavis]

I do have to say that I too find V-Picks hard to hold when I'm really digging in on rhythm, especially when I get sweaty or clammy. Therefore I made one modification. I also have a Redbear pick (faux tortoise shell) which is very cool. I took a cue from their design and drilled some holes in my V-Picks. Insta-grip! I think I used a 3/16 bit and made 3 holes in a triangular shape. It even looks cool.

I also have to add; any complaint about their price is completly negated because with a nice fingernail buffer, mine last me a good couple of months each. In all honesty I probably put them away too soon.

I can completly understand why someone wouldn't dig these picks. But if it was just hype, I wouldn't care so much about keeping track of these things. Actually I think I've only lost one of them...

[Wilbur]

I've been using these for a couple years now. I tried to go back to "normal" picks a couple times and it didn't work out. I like the Screamer but I take some emery paper to one of the points and take it down a little.

[WCR]

On the subject of angle of attack. I have found that with these, it is way more important and usable than anything else out there. Minute changes make a big difference to me. The extra amount of control is phenomenal. How much is sticking out, what angle, how tight the grip is, etc. It's really cool how it even changes tone depending on how you are holding it. I have never seen a pick in my life that can have so many varied nuances available in them. I have been using these for a good while now, right from when Vinni 1st came out with them, and have finally settled on my favorite: the rounded medium, super glo-in-the-dark. Whenever I get to jam with Marshall Tucker, Clay and Chris are interested in anything new from Vin that I bring along. They really laughed when they saw the big 3/8" thick one I have (I forget the name), but were surprised at how it makes you sound like you are playing with your thumb. Especially on an acoustic. I don't know that they have any favorites, but I think Chris leans towards the medium and maybe small(er) pointeds.
There are a LOT of very accomplished players out there using them now. They tend to become a very personal part of a rig. I know that if I don't have one handy, I tend to not even pick up a guitar.
I think I should just Super-Glue, or even screw one to my thumb. I'd play a lot more.........

Hi Jerry !!!
Hey guys, hope to see a TON of you at NAMM !!!! I will be there fron Sunday-Sunday (all week).

By the way, I fully agree with this post:

"V-Picks completely renewed my love for playing.

I took my game up about five notches with the medium-fat. I got faster, cleaning, more dynamic and I was finally able to really connect my brain to my fingers. I have better tone, and I don't need to use a stomp-box for a solo boost.

Seriously--I went from "OK" to "hey, man, you're a smokin' guitar player!" and while I did practice quite a bit, I give these picks a lot of credit.

Couple of caveats: I'm a hybrid picker, if that makes a difference to anybody, and I do use my fingers as well as picks. Also, I agree that V-Picks are not for everybody, but I do think that they are the biggest thing to happen in picks in a long, long, long time."

[Sikor]

I am a fully V-Pick convert and addict since 2 months or so :AOK
V-Pick (Snake is my choice) is single biggest improvement to my tone and playing in last months. Great product.

[MikeyG]

I went in highly sceptical.... HIGHLY.

But I love 'em.

When my 19 mo old come over to smash on my strings, though, he gets a D'addario

[Texas_Blues]

I use these http://www.firstqualitymusic.com/ite...?item=PK17-1.0
I was wondering which V-pick would fit my needs, Im a rhythm/lead player. When they say $20 for one, is it for one pick or a pack?

[r9player]

I used to use Tortex picks my favorite till I got the V-Picks.
I mostly play Rhythm as well, the fat rounded ones do it for me.

[hendrix2430]

I bought a assortment which I recieved last week, and I like them. I'm a jazz III user so the screamer and small pointed are the ones I like best.

I like smaller picks, which is a problem because they tend to slip when strumming. I haven't found a pick yet that eliminates that, but the V pick is a step in the right direction...

[CzarIvan]

man, I tried to read through this whole thread and a couple pages in, i though, "what the hell, i might as well order some and see what the fuss is about"

well, these beautiful picks arrived midweek and well, now they're the only thing I'll use. all i can say is... Thanks Vinni, these things are wonderful.