$35 blue chip pick vs $45 tone slab pick: how do they compare?

[@thefiddlemon]

Thanks for the objective pick shootout. And shoutout! 😊

[@rwcarrmandolin]

Thanks for making a great pick… and great music 😊

[@riceflatpicking4954]

I’m going to get one of the toneslab picks, if nothing else to have variety with my bluechips and assorted other. Looking forward to it!

[@Bluesmata]

I just learned about these picks after watching John Mayer show the BlueChip TD35 he uses. Since I love his clean tones, I just ordered one with my name on it. Super excited to play with it!

[@jefftroxel8466]

Good job with the comparison. This is how all shootouts should be done. The Tone Slab sounds brighter and maybe a touch louder. I probably still prefer the Blue Chip overall, but could understand if someone had a different point of view. I also prefer the slightly smaller size of the Blue Chip. I hope you’ll weigh in on this as well since you’re hearing the sound right at the source.

[@lorenneufeld4306]

Great 'comparison' video! I own and use BOTH a Blue Chip AND a Tone Slab pick. I completely agree with your assessment of each as to Tone and note separation. I probably use the BC pick a little more because of which Guitar and Mandolin that I use for that Tonal Depth that I'm wanting. Thanks for your video!

[@Perri31]

I agree with Jeff and say "thank you for establishing equal conditions in the analysis comparison of these two instruments". The most glaring difference I'm perceiving could be summed up in one word: VOLUME! Yes, there are tone differences as well, but it didn't sound as obvious on the guitar as much as on the mandolin. The Tone slab sounds significantly louder on the mandolin with a "rounder-fuller" sound and the Blue Chip producing a "crisper sharper" sound. Depends on what sound you prefer. I find it more challenging to note a larger contrast on guitar, but I do detect still a little more volume with the Tone Slab. It sounds a bit "thicker/heavier" than the Blue Chip. Personally, I'd be willing to try the Tone Slab for my mandolin, but think I'll stick with my Blue Chip for guitar. Opinion subject to change depending on varying instruments I might add. Thank you for making this video. Excellent work!

[@SillyMoustache]

I saw an "Acoustic Shoppe" video for Toneslab picks. They also offered a $1 nail buffer (for $10) to clean up the bevel wear, so, Toneslabs wear - Bluechips don't.

[@luckyrocks1]

I'm listening through a UA apollo twin/x and M-Audio, BX5 monitors. I didn't really hear any difference worth saying; I like this one over the other one. However, at these prices, I have decided to get into the pick manufacturing business for my new side hustle! Thanks for the video Ralph!

[@televation6]

Great comparison. I own a Blue chip TP 48 and play an Epiphone IBG J200. I love the Blue chip but haven't tried the toneslab. After this video I think I'll stick with the Blue chip since the Toneslab is much brighter I think it would be too bright for my maple back and sides. Thanks for the info!

[@luvbgrass]

Very good comparisons. Thank you! I own several different BlueChip pick and love them. I like the sound of the Tone Slab also. I do think it is a little brighter, but powerful sounding. My biggest concern other than being $10 more than the BC, is how long will it last. The BlueChips are almost impossible to wear out. 😉

[@wheninroamful]

Damn nice demo, the way it should be done. And yes, TSlab seems brighter, sharper, and lil louder. Both amazing products.

[@ahill209]

Good demo. I agree with your assessment. I had the same experience when I purchased a Tone Slab out of curiosity. The Tone Slab seemed to suppress some of the overtones so that you get more fundamental tones out of the Tone Slab compared to the Blue Chip. It did seem to me to be more volume, but I don't think a pick by itself is responsible for that. Could just be how the mics were set up or how the video was edited.

[@ReturnTheSanity]

Of course the pick alone is responsible for the tone change. I don’t think you would make the same argument if this was a bluechip vs cheap plastic pick because the tones are worlds apart! I have personally demo’d the two side by side with no amp or mic and the tonal differences are undeniable. It’s even more noticeable when you have someone demo for you while your sitting in front of the guitar. The difference is not as extreme as comparing a Bluechip to a cheap plastic pick, but the differences are there just the same.

[@752brickie]

They both sound great to me !! Great playing and video !!! Thank you !

[@Xenrelic]

Blue Chip sounds warmer, probably because the Vespel Polyimide material is not as bright as the polyimide forumula used in the tone slab, which I'm guessing is some other mixture like Ultem or Upilex-S which have a brighter tone when dropped on a surface plate vs Vespel of the same thickness.

[@adamjosey1543]

Polyphenylsulfone would be my guess.

[@tacratt6091]

Blue Chip! The best there is in my opinion!! I have some great shell picks, and they sound great but I use a Blue Chip more than anything! TAD 50-60, I bought the Thile model for mandolin.

[@christopherherbert3844]

To me, from the sound on the videos, the tone slab sounds like clayton ultem picks. Of which a bunch of players were using before the red bear picks, and blue chips came out. I'd like to see a comparison between clayton ultems and tone slabs. Or also maybe prime tones. If the tone slabs wear like those, they simply aren't worth the price in my opinion. I'd like to try one though. One thing is for sure, nothing beats the wear of blue chips. And their tone is great.

[@f5mando]

Thanks for doing this so that we don't have to! I'll be sticking with my BC picks - for now, at least. I like that the BC stay in the grip, and are less prone to being dropped. How is the TS in this respect, Ralph?

[@rwcarrmandolin]

The ts seemed the tiniest more stable. I’m not sure if this is because it’s the material or because it’s a little bigger

[@752brickie]

I am over 70 and dropping things is becoming more and more of a problem as I go on !

[@billdedrick1914]

Were you playing the pointed tip on the BC with the D18 or were you using the rounded corner?

[@billdedrick1914]

Great job of playing and demo....Very interested to learn what strings and gauge were on the D18 (they look like maybe Martin strings)? Does your TP1R-60 have standard right hand speed bevels ? Did you ask for the more aggressive Thilie Bevels? What year is that D18? It sounds incredible...I like the fatter/thicker BC tone better, the Tone Slab is thinner sounding, slightly brighter, less fullness and bottom end. I own several BC picks and one TS 1.3mm tri corner..It's ok but to my ear, it sounds too thin and lacks the fullness, richness, and balance of the BC. The BC has thicker/fatter sounding warmer notes.

[@adamjosey1543]

The bottom end gets EQed out in recording anyway to make room for bass guitar and drums.

[@billdedrick1914]

Were you using Martin medium P.B. (MA550 or MA550T) on the D18?

[@billdedrick1914]

The BC wins...I use a similar one TAD60....huge volume/bass..That D18 sounds great.. what year is it? Strings on it?

[@uvp5000]

The difference is very noticeable to me. I preferred the Blue Chip as the separation from the string allowed the strings to ring out more fully. The muted effect I heard from the Tone Slab is not the tone I am looking for. Thanks to this video, I am convinced I should try a Blue Chip pick to compare to my current favorites. Setting the test parameters before the comparison proved helpful. Nicely done, thank you.

[@allenwillett1013]

I love my blue chip. That tone slab sounds pretty good but, I hear a lot of pick noise with it.

[@dabratlaboratoriesreviews4659]

Do they make a 1mm ?

[@billdedrick1914]

That Martin sounds great..What year is the D18? What strings and gauge used?

[@752brickie]

Yes it does I have been thinking about buying a D 18. I like them better than the D 28 .

[@50fitnessdoc]

So the Tone Slab definitely does not sound like the pick for folks who already find the vaunted BC quite bright and tinny (compared to either real shell or Wegen BS 1.8 white). Might have to try Apollo picks' Mike Marshall and Wyatt Rice signature PEI picks instead.

[@kevintaylor5079]

Once again ,this comparison isn’t aimed at the average player . He should shoot it using some less expensive instruments .A D18 and especially the Collings are very top end .I have a Blue Chip 40 and it greatly improves the tone of my Gold Tone 550$ mandolin.

[@CreamyBone]

Is one more slippery than the other?

[@rwcarrmandolin]

The blue chip is a little more slippery to me

[@smarter_in_5_mins]

Have you tried something like Ibanez Pick Grip Sticker PGS12? No pick is slippery then. Or some people use regular fine sand paper to emulate Ibanez Sand Grip picks that are absolutely firm even in wet hands but not the best sound quality.

[@sam-ww1wk]

Went to their site, and their number one musician they endorse is their owner, and does he talk himself up,, ...check it out if you want a chuckle. And comments of them wearing out quick..

[@ryangunwitch-black]

Too bad all you’ve got is that old protocol droid back there. An R2 unit probably could have saved you a lot of time changing those strings and setting up mics. I’ve got an early Empire security droid, a K2 unit but he’s quite the klutz and always questions my ideas for mic placement.

[@Speedie15]

Thanks for the review.

[@BIGV1N]

Great Compairisos F ciano The Tone LAB ounds sounds Better im ////

[@autistichead8137]

Blue chip CT 55 forever for me.

[@v2807]

I like blue chip better. Ct55. Tone slab is brighter.

[@wujeson3921]

For me blue chip sounds more robust and thicker!

[@richardrothenberg170]

Sounds almost identical

[@mandolin8297]

I don't hear much difference at all. In fact the tone slab sounds a bit mellower or less bright than the Blue chip but that difference might be based on thinness of picks being used. Not sure $45 is worth the experiment when Blue Chip keeps on performing at the level it does so consistently.

[@brianeversole3849]

Im still amazed that anyone would buy a pick that cost more than a couple bucks. Ive got some snake oil for sale if yall want to send me $100 per bottle.

[@geordiehalma7323]

Plectra's have the biggest impact on how your instrument sounds. But yeah, it feels like they're robbing a bank everytime they make a sale.

[@tacratt6091]

If you enjoy playing guitar or mandolin the Blue Chip is the best money I’ve ever spent. I’ve got a TAD 60 ive been using 6 years, that’s $5 dollars a year. And it still looks new!

[@ryangunwitch-black]

Also, your hands sound like you prefer the Blue Chip.

[@tgnylu]

It’s hard to tell which is better, he’s picking so close to the bridge that both sound shrill and brittle

[@pmscalisi]

Bluegrass

[@legalize.brokkoli]

Not everybody is shredding his pick violently above the fretboard like you do. Good lord. :p

[@SharpEdgeStandardOfficial]

50 dollars for a pick. Wake up all you sleepy people!! In the words of Richard Simmons “Stop the insanity!!” Lol. You not Trey Hensley or Jake Workman whereas companies send u a bag of 100 50 dollar picks that they made for 14 cents each, for FREE!! STI !!!!!!!

[@78ramcharger53]

You get what you pay for. I love my blue chip sound alot better then those cheap picks.

[@BryanClark-gk6ie]

I've tried both' they're no better than a Dunlop prime tone or several cheaper picks. If you think they sound or make you play better' it's all in your head.

[@col145]

🤣🤪🤣🤪🤣🤪🤣🤣😔🤣🤪🤪🤣🤪🤪🤪🤣🤪

[@amandasteven1400]

thats hilarious:) if ur paying $45 for a "pick" u mite want to reevaluate ur priorities :) i mean, play the same tune for a friend with ur brand-new, shiny, awe-inspiring $45 pick... then play the same tune with a cheap pick. Ask him/her/it which sounded better :)

[@legalize.brokkoli]

ur ur ur

[@micahrobertson2622]

For me I don’t care what my friend thinks. I bought my blue chip because I wanted a better sound and overall consistency out of my instrument.