From Thick to Thicker: In-depth reviews of an assortment of V-picks (updated 8/11)

[xntrick]

i luv the screamer and would be curious to try out the Snake Pointed, has anyone else been able to compare the 2?

[teleclem]

I put up a similar review on another forum round up of a variety of vpicks I ordered. Will post it tomorrow.

[Dr. Jimmy]

Originally Posted by Waxhead

I don't like that pre note scratchy sound they all give

^^^^ This ^^^^^

The pearly gates material is really good though, just wish they'd make it into different shapes/styles.....

[wundergussy]

Onyx – 1.5, 2.75, 4, 5.85 mm – 3.99, 3.99, 9.99, 9.99 (respectively)

General Impressions: I thought about giving each thickness its own category, but the uniqueness of this pick is the shape design and the material. Obviously there is a tonal difference between the 5.85mm one and the 1.5 mm one, but the nuance would be a matter of personal opinion.
Compared to the normal V-Pick material, the Onyx seems a bit denser. No idea if this is physically true, but there is a stoutness to these picks that is immediately pleasing. Otherwise, the pointed edge is very similar to a Shredder and the blunt edges are basically a Nexus. Having the option of moving between the two is very cool. Once you’ve settled on a thickness, this could be a great pick for switching between rhythm and solo work. The blunt, Nexus, sides have enough glide for sweeps and strums, but can also pull off single-note runs. The point is, of course, great for speed and articulate playing.

Tone: Could be a direct replacement for a Shredder and Nexus tone-wise. The material change does not change the tone, at least to my ears.

Ease of Use: The thinner ones are quite easy to spin between the two edge styles. The thicker you get, the more cumbersome the swivel move is (at least my stubby fingers). I am not the kind of player that would swivel between the two, so I do find it a little awkward to have the point facing my palm. Meaning, to use the Nexus edge, I need to be conscious that the point is facing out.

Feel: To be quite honest, though this pick is very cool, it kind of depends on your like and need for both the Nexus and the Shredder. I mentioned above that the pointed edge can be annoying to face your palm, so the feel is a bit dependent on how your holding it. The material feels great though. I would strongly approve of a decision to offer some of the regular Vpick shapes in this material.

Extra note: I preferred the 2.5mm out of these four. To me, it had the best mixture of ease of use and tone (considering it was easier to swivel between the edges but still thick enough for bass notes).



Tradition (Lite, Regular, and prototype green!) – 1.5 and 2.75mm respectively. $3.99

General Impressions: I spent the majority of my playing life using Fender Mediums. I didn’t know anything else. So, I was very interested to see Vinni’s take on this shape. Although I’ve gotten very used to smaller, jazz-style picks, this (especially the 2.75mm version) is a great pick. Very natural and comfortable. Plus, the green one looks snazzy!

Tone: The Lite version has a snap to it that I didn’t notice in either of the 2.75 ones. Not to say the normal “chirp” associated with these picks, and nothing as pronounced as the Chicken Picker or the Switchblade. The regular (both clear and green versions) are much deeper and smoother. These two would actually make a nice jazz pick for flatwound users. I tried very hard to note a difference between the clear and green versions, and the green one (at least this prototype version) might be a tad duller chirp than the clear. Not to say the chirp is totally gone, nor is it as dulled as the Pearly Gates material.

Ease of Use: Like riding a bike. This shape is a guitarist’s bread and butter!

Feel: The lite version is actually a bit odd for me; the thinness and shape makes it seem so much like a Fender Heavy that I expect it to have the familiar flex. This is totally a perception thing on my part obviously. The regular and green version I have are extremely comfortable. They sit in your fingers well and are easy to tuck under your middle finger quickly if that’s your bag. The green does feel different than the normal Vpick material; smoother in a way. I found the stick-to-your-skinness the same though.



Chicken Picker – 1.5mm $3.99

General Impressions – I cannot chicken pick. I can’t play a country lick to save my life. I hate compressors and I do not own a Tele. And yet, I really dig this pick. It’s comfortable, unobtrusive, and articulate. It was a surprise, and a pleasant one.

Tone: Bright, which shouldn’t be surprising. I can get pinch harmonics easily, but also some nice strums where the notes really stand out. This isn’t the fastest Vpick out there, but is meant for very articulate quick runs where you want the notes to pop. It achieves this with pretty minimal pick noise. With dirt, this pick helps things from getting muddy.

Ease of Use: A great teardrop pick should be easily tucked into the palm, pinched, and also achieve nice strumming when extended. The Chicken Picker does. It’s obviously advertised as a specific tool, but really, it is a Vpick teardrop with a bit more of a point than, say, the D’Andrea pro plec teardrop. Obviously there is little in the way of flex, but it still sounds nice on acoustic.

Feel: It’s thin and small. I am used to a triangle shape, so it wasn’t the easiest to pick up and be off the races for me, but I got used to it quickly. So many of Vinni’s picks really establish themselves in your hand; it’s hard to forget they’re there. But the Chicken Picker is very unobtrusive, as I’ve said. A nice little pick!




Bb (buffed and unbuffed)- 4.10 mm $9.99

General Impressions – I have been wanting to try this pick for a long time. Something about it just really appealed to me; I like picks with three identical corners, I like 4.1mm, and I like a size I can easily tuck into my middle finger to use my fingertips when needed. This fulfills all that, plus there is something really special about the rounded corner plus the angle of the edge. Also, this model has the biggest difference between a buffed and unbuffed finish. So much so that I should probably talk about each version separately.

Tone:
Buffed Version - Very deep and smooth. The pick practically begs to be glided over the strings instead of plucked or hit. The emphasis is entirely on lower mids, and this is a great pick for jazz or clean blues. More so than any other pick, I find the style of my playing is really affected by the pick choice. I just can’t help but play slow, soulful stuff with it.
Unbuffed Version – I will be honest: the unbuffed Bb is my favorite pick right now. It has become my go-to over all other Vpicks. Surprisingly, it is just world’s apart from the buffed version of the same model. Because there is very little point to the edge, all of the texture of the pick attack comes from the unbuffed material. Meaning if you play soft, there is a slight rasp, but otherwise a smooth glide and feel. If you dig in, your tonal range is shifted to upper mids with just a glorious sparkle/rasp that works great for dirty playing. Blues, Rock, anything with texture.

Ease of Use: Both have their own applications, but each one is very comfortable and easy. Though the shape is pretty unique (especially given the thickness) it’s a natural pick. Really, the biggest adjustment is figuring how you’re going to angle it. The buffed version is just so smooth and the unbuffed is, well, not, so you’re playing will be affected.

Feel: The weight and dimensions are really comfortable. I’ve said before how some picks are a natural extension of your hand, and this model is no exception. The smoothness of the buffed can be felt in playing, and the raspiness of the unbuffed also ends up being an intuitive thing.

[wundergussy]

BUMP - pics added!

[Jesus freak]

Well, the onyx is next on the list for me!

[wundergussy]

Originally Posted by Jesus freak

Well, the onyx is next on the list for me!

It's a great pick; I'd recommend the 4mm one, but they all have something nice to offer.

[Crikey]

Awesome thread! Thanks for sharing your pick-geekiness with us.

[popinvasion]

You know I really need to try something new. I have been playing tortex picks from my endorsement forever. I just have no idea which pick to choose, what specs, which company, etc. Its a total crapshoot and no dealers locally have anything "new".

[wundergussy]

Originally Posted by Sunsetamps

You know I really need to try something new. I have been playing tortex picks from my endorsement forever. I just have no idea which pick to choose, what specs, which company, etc. Its a total crapshoot and no dealers locally have anything "new".

Vinni has a starter pack; worth a look. I'd recommend a Tradition Lite, Small Pointed, and/or Medium Pointed to start out with.

[Agreed]

Bumping my favorite V-Pick thread (I never got a cool pick box to display them in and I don't think people want pictures of my boring pick box ) because I am finally giving in to the urge, I've got an Insanity on order... Bring it on. I love the Colossal, it's one of my go-to picks for speed and consistency, and now I'm getting the granddaddy of 'em all. wundergussy, did you ever go beyond the Colossal?

Also decided to pick up two Dimension Junior picks (one buffed, one unbuffed) since I love the Dimension and have always wanted to try it in a Diamond-sized form factor. Smokey Mountain wasn't available when I picked up, uh, pretty much all of them except these, haha. Really looking forward to getting this package, though it may be awhile before I can REALLY give them a shot, provided they get here by Tuesday or Wednesday I'll definitely be picking up the guitar and seeing what the biggest pick I know of can bring. I love the craftsmanship apparent in the Colossal, you can tell it's a total labor of love and takes a ton of work to get right from just how finely made it is (I can't imagine grinding out such even contours on such a huge plectrum myself, I can barely put an edge on a Tortex with some sandpaper without making it inconsistent side to side), and given how that effort is of necessity multiplied in the Insanity... Well, I don't want to judge it before I get it, but I am expecting something amazing.

[wundergussy]

^ I've never played an insanity; one of these days after I sell something, buy something, have cash in paypal I will go for it.

I need to update this thread as I have since discovered my absolute favorite V-Pick: Unbuffed Diamond. SO inspiring to play!

[Agreed]

See if you can get Vinni to make you one in the Psycho thickness - I have a Diamond and Diamond Unbuffed in that (5.85mm, I think) and they're also top-notch picks, the unbuffed one is a metal machine.

I decided to spring for the Insanity because I've got... well, pretty much everything else, and I just have to know how it sounds and plays. The -only- V-Pick I haven't liked is the Psycho Shredder, and that's a literal statement, not an exaggeration. The FAT sound of the Colossal is hard to match; it does ask more of you as a player than normal/thinner picks because if you goof and let it hit a string, it's basically thick and resonant enough to act like an acrylic slide. But if you're precise with playing it, just a really warm tone.

I don't think it's "necessary" to play huge picks like that, but I'll be damned if I don't enjoy it. I can go back and forth down to about 1.5mm or so, but any thinner than that and no thanks, it's just barely there. Luckily there are some really high quality makers in the thicker-pick business, and V-Picks is absolutely a favorite (and the most represented in my pick collection by far, haha). Plus, bonus, he's a super nice guy to speak to if you get the chance.

I wonder if I ought to get a box like that. Snazzy look, but how big is it? My current pick box isn't anything to look at, strictly utilitarian, but I can grab what I'm looking for out of it immediately which is really handy... But I guess "open a lid' isn't much of an extra step, and it'd be cool to have my name on my pick box. Look, ma, I'm a rock star

[wundergussy]

Diamond unbuffed and Diamond Pointe unbuffed

Diamond unbuffed
General Impressions: Just fabulous. Everything i want in a pick and, in my view, is the quintessential V-pick. Thick, fast, and unbuffed. All-around awesome!
Tone: Good rock tones; accent is in the lower mids but the unbuffed edge brings out some cool upper textures. I've played V-picks long enough that I don't notice chirp; either I've adapted to not create it or I use it in my sound. With a slightly overdriven amp, this pick in particular work with you to dig in and bring out the drive.
Ease of Use: This category might be moot for me - I'm so used to Vinni's picks that anything thinner than 6mm is easy as pie. That said, I spend the most of my time with the Diamonds, so this pick especially is natural for me. As an ex-JazzIII user, this is kind of the ultimate in comfort/usability.
Feel: I really prefer the unbuffed edges of any V-pick, and have grown to prefer the triangle shape. The dimensions of the Diamond work really well for me too: I have short fingers, so it's very easy to hold and grip this shape/size.

General Impressions: Pointier than I was expecting! Seriously, this feels like the point of a Dimension jr. times three.
Tone: Sharp and biting. Can be great for harmonics and metal; works better for me on the higher strings. I'd imagine if I used lighter strings (I prefer 11's) this pick would work better. On the lower strings you definitely hear the pick hitting; not quite chirp but an extra metallic crunch. Think Godflesh; just a raw crunch to this pick.
Ease of Use: I prefer the blunter points, and the super sharp point on each corner kinda bites into my hand. I know it's my technique though. Either way, I really prefer either a regular Diamond or a Dimension jr.
Feel: See above - the size is right, but this pick feels weird to me (probably because I spend SO much time with a regular Diamond or Bb).

[TDJMB]

I'm a fan of the large pointed ultralite and ordered some reds for myself. I also ordered some clears for my bandmates (hey, they're a bit cheaper). I was surprised to discover they sound a bit different - a bit more snap, a bit brighter. So I ordered some clears for myself. The reds are .8mm and the clears are .75mm - I assume that's where the difference in sound comes from.