Red Bear picks-a great tortoiseshell alternative

Discussion in 'Effects, Pedals, Strings & Things' started by alguit, Feb 23, 2009.

  1. Feb 23, 2009 #1
    alguit

    alguit Member

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    I've tried so many types of pick material-stone, ebony, bone, horn, copper, celluloid, graphite, tortex-the list goes on, but none truly came close to the combination warmth and snap that comes from a real tortoiseshell pick. Now, I love the little critters and don't want them made into picks nor soup nor anything else, but I've owned some ts picks courtesy of a few generous old-time players, and they're amazing!

    Fortunately, I read about Red Bear picks in an issue of Vintage Guitar and, after visiting their website, www.redbeartrading.com, I took the plunge and bought two picks. I write "took the plunge" because these are NOT cheap, $20.00 each!

    Still, many of us will spend hundreds on speakers, thousands on amps, yet a crucial part of the tone chain often gets overlooked. Well, no longer for me! I guard these two picks very carefully because the tone is tortoiseshell heaven without harming the little creatures! I'm not quite sure what these are made of, but I no longer use the real ts picks I have (heck, I'd return them to nature, but it's, ya know, too late for them!).

    There's a wonderful attack off of these picks with a nice fullness to each note-I've even discovered that flipping the pick around and picking from the back end produces even MORE warmth!

    I am in no way affiliated with Red Bear, just a very happy customer, and I am saving to buy more-I don't use anything else now (though I still like graphite picks and V-Picks).

    Just don't put one in between you fingers and try to flex it-like real ts, it will break, and you will be sad...
     
    alguit, Feb 23, 2009
    alguit, Feb 23, 2009
    #1
  2. Feb 23, 2009 #2
    HBob

    HBob Member

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    I would like to try one of those. I recently got a sampler of picks from John Pearse Strings that was pretty cool. Out of that batch the cocoa nut shell pick is my favorite. After collecting pedals for a few years, collecting picks is a little easier on the wallet!
     
    HBob, Feb 23, 2009
    HBob, Feb 23, 2009
    #2
  3. Feb 23, 2009 #3
    jazzandmetal?

    jazzandmetal? Supporting Member

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    I LOVE them. But holy sh*t. You lose one and you are out $25 - 30 dollars. I have a tortoise type one and a black one. The black one is my favorite pick ever. I am just scared to bring it anywhere.
     
    jazzandmetal?, Feb 23, 2009
    jazzandmetal?, Feb 23, 2009
    #3
  4. Feb 23, 2009 #4
    Bryan T

    Bryan T guitar owner Silver Supporting Member

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    I've thought about buying some of these a number of times. I have other 'pricey' picks (Wegen, Dugain), but for some reason the Red Bears just seem too expensive. I've found that I really like D'Andrea Pro Plecs. Give them a try if you can find them.

    Bryan
     
    Bryan T, Feb 23, 2009
    Bryan T, Feb 23, 2009
    #4
  5. Feb 23, 2009 #5
    HBob

    HBob Member

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    Those are nice! I got some in assorted shapes a while ago and really enjoy them. Some of the long oval-like shapes have a very different feel when playing with them.

    My main pick is still the extra heavy pearloid Pryamid Strings picks I get from Elderly. (Great pick selection at Elderly.)
     
    HBob, Feb 23, 2009
    HBob, Feb 23, 2009
    #5
  6. Feb 23, 2009 #6
    alguit

    alguit Member

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    I know! I started this thread only because, while sitting in my office, I went into my pants pocket for some change and there was the pick! I thought, "what is this doing here? It belongs at home in its little plastic bag!"

    Still, for a former "pick misplacer," I've done remarkably well with these. I'm willing to take the chance and take them out.
     
    alguit, Feb 23, 2009
    alguit, Feb 23, 2009
    #6
  7. Feb 23, 2009 #7
    sidehatch

    sidehatch Member

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    A friend brought a piece of tortise back from honduras and gave it to me. I was lucky enough to make 2 picks out of it( I do not endorse killing sea turtles but since what was done was done I accepted) there really isnt anything close in sound to me. The amazing thing is the way it sounds on bass. My buddy was playing bass and I let him use it and everyone in the 10 piece band could tell with a blind test. It is truly astonishing on bass.

    that said, I may have to try a red bear. I was disappointed with agate picks.
     
    sidehatch, Feb 23, 2009
    sidehatch, Feb 23, 2009
    #7
  8. Feb 23, 2009 #8
    HHB

    HHB Member

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    nice to know, I have a toroise pick for bluegrass and Django (wannabe) stuff, unmatched in my experience, maybe I'll spring for a Redbear
     
    HHB, Feb 23, 2009
    HHB, Feb 23, 2009
    #8
  9. Feb 23, 2009 #9
    jazzandmetal?

    jazzandmetal? Supporting Member

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    Has anyone tried Blue Chip guitar picks? They are also quite expensive and supposed to have the authentic tortoise shell sound.

    i haven't checked one out since they don't seem to have a "jazz size" listed. I tend to like the smaller Jazz III, or for RedBear "gypsy jazz" size picks. Fender 551s are my current favorite readily available pick.
     
    jazzandmetal?, Feb 23, 2009
    jazzandmetal?, Feb 23, 2009
    #9
  10. Feb 23, 2009 #10
    jayn

    jayn Member

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    I love these for acoustic guitars (and probably anything else with big strings)...a bevelled one can't be beat for bluegrass, IMO.

    But, for electric, I find a run-of-the-mill 1mm + Dunlop is just fine with a Strat or Tele. I like the feel of the Red Bear picks, but not enough to risk $20 on having one fall out of my hand on a dark stage.

    They do change your behavior though. I have dropped one on stage and almost stopped mid song to find it...LOL. Another time, I lent one to a friend at an acoustic jam who was going to throw it in her guitar case...uh, no!! :p
     
    jayn, Feb 23, 2009
    jayn, Feb 23, 2009
    #10
  11. Feb 23, 2009 #11
    Pellecaster

    Pellecaster Member

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    I've been using a custom made Blue Chip pick for 6 months now. It is great, it has no wear on the edges at all! They do have the tortoise shell sound and if you give them a call they can copy any shape you need. Here is a pic of my pick next to my old pick:

    [​IMG]
     
    Pellecaster, Feb 23, 2009
    Pellecaster, Feb 23, 2009
    #11
  12. Feb 23, 2009 #12
    jazzandmetal?

    jazzandmetal? Supporting Member

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    The 205 is a good one! I am going to shoot them an email right now. Thanks!
     
    jazzandmetal?, Feb 23, 2009
    jazzandmetal?, Feb 23, 2009
    #12

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