The ULTIMATE Mandolin Triangle Pick COMPARISON

[@MiceNine9]

13:30 Casein (pronounced "Kay-seen" in the plastics industry, and "Kay-see-un" in biology) is an older natural plastic material derived from the same cow's milk protein that's in casein protein supplement powders. It's long been considered a great substitute for tortoise-shell plectra. Still not vegan friendly (for those interested), but probably saved more than a few endangered tortoises. Also, not terribly difficult to make at home.

[@LessonsWithMarcel]

Nice try, but David Grisman started using the rounded pick so when he polymorphed into an eagle to play mandolin in the sky he would have less wind resistance. Also, try holding a triangular pick with an eagle talon, it's impossible, but the slippery rounded edges of a perfect circle fit comfortably in the grasp of any eagle. Anyway, great video! Any plans for a lesson on Grey Eagle? Like how to get to the Grey Eagle in Asheville? I always get lost.

[@PheelTheJoy]

Very good info, never thought about that. Unfortunately I still squawk like a baby seagull and my webbed feet struggle to hold the rounded picks. So for now I'll go with a triangular style. Perhaps I will make the switch back once I'm a true bird of prey.

[@davidnilles3117]

I just started learning the mandolin. I have begun with the Clown Barf pick. Looking forward to trying the others. 👍

[@MartinKrijgsmanMusic]

I am a guitar player going mandolin. For feel, I just stick to the thick dunlop Jazz III gator grip picks I have been using for guitar for years, but after this video I started experimenting with 2.0mm bass stubbys i have lying around for my bass. Cool vid.

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Nice! Glad this video was helpful!

[@fruitbaby3181]

I wish I had your channel when I first started learning my mando some 30 years ago.... But I'm still learning from you everyday!! I recommend your videos to any of my friends who are even REMOTELY interested in learning this little instrument. Thank you SO MUCH DB for all of the helpful tips. I hope you continue to put out all these videos for all them youngins just getting into the mando... LOL - AMG

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Ah, thanks so much! Really means a lot know that folks are enjoying these videos!

[@manguydude905]

I've always used the Golden Gate x-stiff in tortoise up until about a month ago when I tried the Dunlop primetone 1.4! Great picks

[@TRONOFTHEDEAD]

I could not have "picked" a better pick comparison video more suited to my personal taste. Thank you for this video!

[@bradbishop8229]

This is best pick demonstration I've ever seen!! Great work David as always!!!

[@TannerTeele]

agreed!

[@gwawd]

Red Bear sounds great. Dunlop is the best value. Thanks for the vid!

[@davidmaclean9097]

Nice job with that...Helpful. I am a pretty loyal ProPlec player and I was surprised that there were no other ProPlec advocates in the comments. For me, it gets the mellowest sound of the group and, as mandolins are bright by nature, I think a soft, mellow pick is the best option. The side by side comparison bore that out, at least to my ears.

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Glad it helped! So many good pick options out there!

[@TRONOFTHEDEAD]

Pro Plec's had a very nice tone for me too, definitely mellow and smooth, but the feel of it in the hand and off the strings for me was a deal breaker. They are my least favorite of all the picks I have tried. Not bad picks, just not for me.

[@jorisArt]

When I bought the Wigan TF140 it was such an upgrade over the other cheap similar-thickness picks. Almost no pick noise, good grip, great string glide. I’m inexperienced in the pick dept. but the Wigan opened a new door for me. I’ll never go back to a thick guitar pick! This is a great video…

[@peterritchie2990]

Thank goodness DB didn’t get into the tricky part- emotional attachment to picks. Those of us who have crawled under porches, turned couches inside out, and felt it necessary to call in the Emergency Response Team to locate a well beloved tiny piece of plastic just couldn’t bear to listen to any part of it.

[@bobfromcanmore]

Pete: You need to call my special pick intervention hot line.

[@peterritchie2990]

I tried. The computer said the wait time was longer than my shrink’s.

[@paullanier8280]

Hi Peter, it is a shame for me but I've lost one of my Blue Chip picks at a scouts meeting. Lots of parents laughed at me going over the grounds many times. Finally one of the dads got seriously into mandolin. He was gifted a pick and he came to me and apologized for his past comments. Now he realizes why and I just laughed , too !

[@peterritchie2990]

@@paullanier8280 Hi Paul. Next time, horror of horrors, you lose an emotionally laden pick, try the Remington Special Pick Intervention Hot Line. Bob Remington’s handpicked team of pick loss counsellors are always on standby. The counsellors are also specially trained in advanced pick retrieval techniques. For example, they may ask you helpful questions like ‘when did you last see it’?

[@kevintaylor5079]

I like Dunlop 1.3 with the textured center and rounded edges.I sand e bevel using 400 grit sandpaper.

[@SaraLichfield]

Tragic that I heard your comment that the Dunlop Prime Tone triangle is just far better in "non-grip"! I just bought a pack of the triangles and a pack of the rounded edge triangles in grip, not aware that there would be a sound quality difference! Aaaargh! Maybe I'll drill some holes in them, and try to transition them toward a Wegen T.F 140 sound. That was my fave of your demo, with the Red Bear as close 2nd.

[@mik75s]

New here. Thanks for the heads up about Banjo Ben's. I bought several of the Golden Gate picks on their website for 1.99 plus shipping. They were over $15 each on amazon.

[@mideandomsq1529]

I used for many years in the past Saga Golden Gate picks...after I tried all these picks, at the end today (and froma lot of years) I use D'Andrea Pro Plecs one and I love it !

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Awesome! The hero's journey complete!

[@petedonaghyguitar]

I never even knew there were mandolin picks. I've been using my old fashioned guitar picks. I'm going to order one each of these and give them a try. Some of these picks cost more than my mandolin! 😂

[@tonyc8295]

I also found that the Red Bear had a distinct sound difference when playing tremolo or melody. Each note seemed to be more distinct with that pick. It may get on a Xmas list for someone looking to get me something I wouldn't buy for myself :)

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Awesome Xmas present!

[@Razorbackchemist]

I’ve played with a red bear for years. Also have the blue chip… I bounce back and forth, but probably prefer the red bear

[@littlephoenix1115]

I agree, the red bears have a distinct amount of midrange to the tone that really speaks when playing lines. The Dunlop has a very similar EQ only with less volume/ density to the sound.

[@datsunlambchops4624]

I use a dunlop jazztone 207 round tip. It is about a 2.3mm. I lose a little in volume, but for tremolo and smooth tone.And its fast. I find it unbeatable.

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Nice! Gotta try one of those

[@robertshorthill4153]

David, I honestly could tell a nucleus worth of difference in any of them. I listened with skull candy buds. For the price, I'll go with the Dunlop Prime tone in 1.4 mm. I use a 1.3 of some brand. I'm not a pro, so they are satisfactory to me for decent enough sound.

[@Lloyd-mo]

me too. dawg picks are tone killers and too big

[@ivyallenfiddle]

Such high quality video production and knowledge!!! Deserves so much more recognition!!

[@theonlyrobot]

Ditto on Primetones. I use them to try new shapes. If I like the shape, I'll get a Blue Chip in that shape, and keep the Primetones as backup. I'm not sure if it's mentioned, but I have 3 Blue Chips that I've played for over 2 years and they just have light surface scratches. No real wear at all. If you can keep up with them, they're a winning investment. I liked that Casein pick! I need to source one of those to try.

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Nice! Yeah, all these picks I think are great options!

[@Steven-u5w]

Well thanks very much for the demo of mandolin pics or should I say platforms? Thanks again for the demo. Look forward to checking out more videos. Wow! Nice work wonderful!

[@TomMoose]

Really well put together video, thanks. For me The casein has replaced my BC which had replaced my wegen. Have prime tones and proplecs for backups. I’m Unfamiliar with clownbarf. Never thought I’d type that last sentence in my life. lol

[@1mmoustache]

Nice to see you do the droptest. Gives a lot of info about the material. Also I think this whole issue is on the triangle which means in theory there's one best pick for an instrument. But then what sound do you want. For bluegrass you like bright, for classical more mellow (I heard CT on his Loar with a Bluechip playing Chaconne, way to bright sound in IMHO) I used the blue Martin Henze for a while (with 3 holes drilled in it of course) but I'm back to my own 1,5 red Delrin for most instruments. But not all...

[@ncameronmusic]

I think it's worth mentioning that one of the selling points for Blue Chips is that they basically last forever - whereas other picks on this list will need to be replaced. I'm sure some other picks also last for a long time - I can only speak from my experience with Blue Chip!

[@MiceNine9]

Agreed. I've worn out more than a couple of Golden Gates. Also lost a few over the years, which hurts a lot less when they only cost about 2 bucks a pick, instead of $40.

[@Mandolin1944]

@@MiceNine9 True but you could buy many Golden Gates for the price of a single Blue Chip. Not really an advantage?

[@ncameronmusic]

@Gryff Longdong I've actually worn my way through a couple of Primetones, believe it or not! They are definitely excellent picks, though.

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

I guess it all depends on the player and how much/hard you're playing each day, but I used to go through Bluechip picks in about every 3 months. I've found similar lifespans on other picks like Wegens and the Golden Gates too. I think picks are much like strings where you have to replace them at regular intervals no matter what material they're made of.

[@ncameronmusic]

@@DavidBenedictMandolin fair enough - I guess this thread just goes to show that pick mileage will vary from player to player and pick to pick. Thanks for the great video!

[@MandolinSecrets]

Fantastic video David! I love this geeky stuff. 😀

[@saoirsepaddy]

I'm a Irish 10 String Cittern player My 3.fav picks are First TAD100 Blue Chip Pick , 2.Dawg picks 3. Golden Gate. Elderly Instruments still sell Dawg picks & Golden Gate.

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Nice! Yeah, Elderly is a great spot for picks!

[@fabrizioincao]

i use the Dunlop 1.3 triangle pick on Guitar, Bass and Mandolin, it's my ultimate weapon. Greatings from Italy!

[@erichaley7847]

Blue Chip makes a very nice pick. Worth the money.

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

A classic for sure!

[@TariasNiniel]

Just in case youre interested if you translate "Kunststoff" kinda literally ... with its origin in "künstlich" = artificial and "Stoff" = material "Kunststoff" basically means "artificial material" and yeah usually means some kind of plastic (although germans also use the word "Plastik" ) :D And Casein material is actually made from Milk proteine thats kinda "bioplastic" like... you can use it as paint medium or as glue (often used to glue labels on bottles) and apperently also to make picks out of it... its a fascinating but actually quiet old material.

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Awesome! Thanks for watching, and thanks for the info here! Happy picking!

[@robertshorthill6836]

I use a Dunlap 1.3mm Vintage T- shell. They cost about a buck each. I have drilled a .375" hole in the center for a better grip. I don't know if the sound is changed from a straight pick, but it seems to sound fine to my ears.

[@wandering128]

It's Wegen & Primetone for me, with a lil bit of clown barf now & then. FWIW, I've had the most good tone compliments with the Wegen. Great comparison video, thank you! And had to laugh cuz I wore that same shirt today 😁🤣👍

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Good shirt, right? Thanks for watching!

[@TRONOFTHEDEAD]

My same two faves.

[@ubiquitousjp]

This really was the ultimate mandolin pick picking session!

[@bobfromcanmore]

I agree on the Clown Barf. I have one of the originals and recently started using it again.

[@MiceNine9]

Interesting to see so much consensus on the clown-barf. Think it sounds any different that the other colors offered? (only half joking, since I've played with the mock tortoise version of that pick for years).

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

The color definitely makes all the difference 😆

[@patrickmchugh3330]

Great video, especially appreciate all the comparisons together at the end. I recently switched from round picks to triangle. Initially got the Prime Tone, and then splashed out on the Thile casein pick which I love, though I’m glad to have spare cheaper picks (my upcoming gigs are on a canal boat so I’m a little scared of dropping it overboard!)

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

I dropped the $$$ and didn't like it at first but once I got used to the different feeling compared to my favorite Dunlop, I don't want anything else. Go Red Bear!!!!

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

AWESOME!

[@erinpatricia4]

My favorite pick is the Clayton gold 80 triangle. I am going to try the blue chip.

[@mattdeblassmusic]

This was fun! I've gone through a couple over the years and mostly settled on the Blue Chip on my f-hole mandolin and the Primetone on my flat top (Big Muddy) mandolin. I'm really curious about the Golden Gates, though, and I LOVE the look of them, they're just sold out every time I look for them.

[@AlastairSiosal]

I don't know if you can find them in the US but my current favorite is the HAWK Tonebird 5 ... worthy of comparison with any of these.

[@longtalljay]

Now BC price (except the 2 and 2.5 mm ones) is below almost all newer boutique ones: Toneslab, Apollo, Charmed Life.

[@Gelsenbury]

So many triangle picks to choose from! At the moment, I'm mostly playing a Gravity Gold Series 1.5 mm Striker and a Hawk 1.4 mm Tonebird 10. Following your recommendation, I'll try to find the Clown Barf pick.

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Join the the club!!!

[@crisrose521]

Are you familiar with Zeb Snyder by any chance ? He’s amazing also 😊

[@spencercapier2258]

That was cool! The new d’addario stole me away from a decade or so of wegen use, but as you say the journey never ends.

[@Mandolin1944]

@@RustyMadd And casein is one of the oldest plastics in the world made of phospho-proteins from milk. There is a reason why it seems more like natural shell.

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

So true!

[@SeaDrive300]

Great review, David; thanks! Any thoughts about the D'Addario Acrylux Nitra Mandolin Picks?

[@lfish21.]

Been using some grip dunlops. Ordered some clown barfs to try. Not found a pick that I love how feels yet.

[@Murgledoo]

I’ve been a using only Prime Tones for the last 3 years but now I want to try a Wegen pick

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Yeah! One of my faves!

[@TRONOFTHEDEAD]

Wegens have such a smooth, round, scooped tone and for my money the pick with the least amount of "Pick Noise" when playing. They are my number 1 unless I need to get some more bark from a chop; then that more abrasive sound from other picks comes in handy.

[@wandering128]

@@TRONOFTHEDEAD exactly.....!

[@stevenmead5141]

I currently use the Wegen M150. Was using blue chip tp150 but found is slipped around too much while playing. Have used the Wegen with the holes also but like the M150 better, in my hands the tremolo is smoother and it does not move around, rotate, in my hand while playing. Great video

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Nice! Thanks for the recommendation here! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@gw3705]

I used a pick I invented at a gig and the other (better) guitarist wanted to know what effect I used on that set. I hid it in my pocket. Later I found that patents are rare for picks and my new design can't be patented either. I like your comparison and hope to find a way to market my pick. I think D'addiario has market potential. Excellent video presentation. Thanks.

[@A5DAVE]

I have used many of these picks over the years...I'm lucky, i work in a music store, so I can try all those that are available on the market rather easily. That being said,, the Wegen and BC are my go to picks, but I use a BC TAD60...1.5 MM, with a rounded edge, which gives a little darker tone, which is something I go for. One that I tried for a while was the Taylor Thermex rounded Triangle. Good feel, but REALLY dark sounding.

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Awesome! Will have to try those Taylor picks!

[@JodyDWard]

Here’s a tip for anyone thinking of getting the Redbear pick. They give you a little tube of oil to apply to the pick occasionally. Make sure you do this. I left mine in a guitar case for a year without oiling it. When I pulled it out to use it after that it was dried out and warped. It’s pretty much useless now

[@johntait491]

Well done David on a thoroughly interesting subject. It's all subjective of course, but it's Wegen for me. 😉

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Good choice!

[@mikebro2557]

Great video, very informative. I have bought so many different picks of different thicknesses over the years, I have a 2mm thick bone pick that sounds very bright and is great for tremolo, but no matter which one I use, I have a problem stopping the pick from spinning round until I almost drop it, it’s difficult repositioning it whilst playing, any tips or advice extremely welcome, thanks in advance - Happy New Year 2024

[@skevincampbell]

I use Prime Tones. Switch between the triangle and the rounded.

[@abrahamrodriguez3240]

I love my Dawg. Plus I've always been a David Grisman fan. I have a Golden Gate that's a bit smaller that I like, too.

[@tannerevans3056]

I played a CT55 for a long time, moved over to the Wegen for a long time. But as of the past good while, I’ve been enthralled and intrigued by the more Monroe / Dawg / Compton esque angle of attack. Flattened my neck out and thus flattened the angle of attack. Playing a lot more double stops. SO, I’ve moved to more rounded picks. Went with the Wegen mandolin picks for a while, but have really settled into the John Reischman Red Bear pick. I believe it’s the Red Bear “E” style.

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Nice! Yeah, Red Bear has a lot of great rounded pick options.

[@tannerevans3056]

@@DavidBenedictMandolin yes! Love em!

[@JJ_TheGreat]

Can you make a more in depth video about these picks - and for example, in which situations - e.g., cross-picking, chopping, etc. when a mandolinist would prefer one over another? Thanks.

[@nytrayfl2]

Can you do a video comparing teardrop picks? Roland White talks about playing them on the side. What are your thoughts? LOVE your channel & became a Patreon member yesterday.

[@Firstinversion899]

Two years later still super useful! Regarding the red bear big picker H, they sell a bunch of different configurations of this pick. Maybe clarify which one you used in the test?

[@ryangunwitch-black]

I just ordered a thirty dollar Chris Thile signature D’Addario pick. We shall see. I have the Prime Tone semi-round 1.3 grip Mando picks and so far I love em. Blue Chip? They’re not even blue! lol I probably will try some of those out next.

[@janisvaro4949]

Thank you SO much for this video! I have a vintage bowlback which is my first stringed instrument. I have borrowed a few picks from guitar players I know. But none felt right. I appreciate the help in selection and I believe you have a video on how to hold it correctly. Very helpful for those of us new to mandolin--esp those new to strings in general!

[@doctormock1]

After watching the video I got the clown barfs which I do like for most playing. However, if I'm trying to play harmonics on the fifth fret (sounds two octaves above the open string) I feel like I get the best result with Dunlop Purple Tortex Sharps (1.14 mm).

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Nice! Thanks for watching!

[@keithanderson6358]

Black Delrin and white Delrin are technically the same material but black has a colorant in it which is carbon and indeed should make it a bit more slippery because carbon is basically a lubricant (graphite) and probably changes the sound slightly

[@pilotdrew85]

you need to check out a Mike Marshall signature Apollo pick now to compare to these, love it!

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Yeah! Apollo has a few picks that I'd like to try out!

[@petedonaghyguitar]

I've settled on the Dunlop Prime Tone 1.3s. Great video, Thanks.

[@laucoloma2264]

Dunlop primetone. They're just as good as I need & not extortionately over priced

[@thumbpickfingers]

The good old celluloid is hard to beat when it comes to tone and feel. What's your opinion on metal picks?

[@henriklundqvist1328]

Thanks, best test I've ever seen so far 😀

[@lynneftw]

I loved the tremolo sound of the wegen. Wonder if that comes in a soft touch texture?

[@zozozed391]

Hi David, could you please state what is the largest external dimension of one of the specifications you showed in the video? Or can you recommend a specification with an outer dimension significantly larger than 1.25 inches?

[@travis8947]

That tremolo montage was intense

[@jf30bke]

expertly put together pick comparison! Very well made and informative. Thanks

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Much appreciated!

[@ryangunwitch-black]

I have a feeling my little bag of mandolin pics are gonna be worth more than my second mandolin. Lol definitely more than my first.

[@superblindeye1]

I have a quick question for you. Because of this video, I purchased the Golden gate pics. I've never used a pic while playing instruments, and I am completely blind, so unfortunately I can't see people's demonstrations. Do I want to pick with the sharpest point of the pic, or do I want the sharpest point between my thumb and index finger?

[@timodelange]

I liked the wegen pick the best in this demo. I love triangular picks. I wish the TUSQ picks came in a triangle shape, for me those win for tone, grip and speed, wish they were triangular but those are the ones I tend to use. If I use a traingular I have the primetones also a very good pick

[@bdelaney20]

I didn't know any better and was using a regular guitar pick, but it sounded so muffled on the mandolin. I got a Casein pick to replace it and am really surprised by how improved the tone is with it!

[@f5mando]

Very cool idea. Thank you for doing this, David. Hat doffed on perfect match comparisons back to back. You make it look easy! I like the BC and the clown barf. I use a TPR60, with a Pro Plek back-up, but I'd give that GG clown barf a go, too. I'm not surprised to hear that you've adopted it!

[@dnews9519]

No matter the pick used that is one sweet sounding mandolin.

I'm just using Dunlop big stub 2.0mm (also on guitar) and a sometime special Bone or Wood one.

[@torinsall]

Of the group, I liked the Wegen more than the others...liked the tone slightly more, but definitely because it was the least "clicky" of the bunch.

[@kevininman2013]

I really like the Blue chip and the clown barf pick!

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Definitely stand outs!

[@sullyb23511]

I use rounded triangle picks for bass.

[@trevorwallace7360]

I've tried a lot of picks. A word of Caution if you ever pony up for that first BlueChip you will not go back and forever know there is no comparison. I just lost mine at my house and wince at the price of having to buy another. Hopefully I buy one and find one and have 2 again. They literally last me years until one fluke day I lose them.

[@johnchastain7890]

I thought the Wegen made less "pick click" on the tremolo test, but the Dunlop was almost the same. They all sounded good on the chop and melody tests. The "drop test" sounded like a high-speed poker game. And who can live without something named "clown barf," whether you like the sound or not?

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Awesome! Thanks for watching, John!

[@TedToob]

< I'm a long time devotee of Wegen. Nothing feels quite the same in my hand. Wondering if you've tried Frank Sollivan Jr's Tone Slab pick? It's crazy costly.... I hate losing expensive plectrums.....

[@attilatapolczai9541]

Red Bear sounds the best for me in this comparison. I love Bluechip and Wegen, they are my favorite picks but now I have to figure out how to get a Red Bear in Europe. :-)

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Good choice! You should contact Red Bear on their website to see if they'll ship to Europe!

[@attilatapolczai9541]

@@DavidBenedictMandolin Thanks, I did exactly this, and yes they do ship to Europe. :-) Thanks again for the great comparison video.

[@shutupnplayyerguitar3812]

I favor the Primetone. I own and really want to love the CT55 because I paid so much for it, but my CT55 is larger than the Primetone and doesn’t work for me. Blue Chip does make a smaller triangle that I might try it some day?

[@jeremyschuhmann9671]

I think a more accurate title might be “Cost/Sound Comparison of 9 Rounded-Triangle 1.4-1.6 mm Thickness Mandolin Picks” (but then you wouldn’t get nearly as many clicks…:-). You really only covered a very narrow range of pick types, all of which sounded very similar, and were all pretty much geared for getting a Grisman/Thile-like sound on an F-Style mandolin with medium-gauge strings. Might have been more useful to include a discussion of how the physical qualities of the pick (overall stiffness, tip shape, physical qualities of the material, e.g. hardness, slickness), and how it relates to the mandolin’s string tension, affect the sound and playability, so that players have a more objective basis for choosing between picks.

[@quigley4440]

One inescapable fact. The Apitius Vanguard will make any pick sound great.

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Yeah, the mando is a big factor!

[@Chadnc222]

Just starting out is there any reason you shouldn't just use a thick guitar pick?

[@petergiffin9238]

For me Primetone 1.4 with grip surface can’t be beat. I trade off to Wegen 1.4 for a change but have so many picks sometimes I just grab what’s closest on the table. I also have a Golden Gate which is ok, a Fender Extra Heavy like Sam uses (too smooth, hard to grip) and a Dawg (which I don’t like at all, way too dark). As a guitarist as well, I sometimes use a Dunlop.73mm teardrop but on the round side, speedy with bright tone and works well when playing plugged in. Last comment re pick preference? How’s it sound? Feel? Look? Lastly the cost? $20-$35 US a pop for the minor differences isn’t worth it to me.

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Totally! I'd recommend the smooth version of the Primetone if you're looking for another affordable option that delivers!

[@petergiffin9238]

@@DavidBenedictMandolin Thx David. I will check it out. 🎼😎👍🏼

[@TRONOFTHEDEAD]

@@DavidBenedictMandolin I agree with David. In my experience: the smooth sounds better, feels better in hand, and feels better off the strings.

[@bigmon1952]

Is there any difference between the Golden Gate clown barf and the Golden Gate tortoise X-stiff?

[@alanfloyd3205]

How about using worn out guitar picks with a dull point?

[@austinknowlton1783]

Lol guess I'm just lucky the Golden Gate X stiff was the first mandolin pick I bought. My local music store has them for $1.50 apiece, think I'm going to go buy a handful tomorrow.

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Starting off with a good one!

[@heartforchrist7004]

Has any tried the picked called the mandolin pick?

[@jimmymahone5420]

How to pronounce "Wegen?" Two websites pronounce it (as best I can hear the recordings) VAY zhun. Don't suppose many Americans would bother with remembering that, or finding an actual Dutch speaker who would help, yet it may be a nod to The Netherlands to pronounce the "W" as a "V." ' Really appreciate this video. Still, finding the perfect pick is about as easy as finding your perfect soulmate, eh? ;-)

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

Thanks Jimmy! Yeah, no slight to folks in the Netherlands, I’ve just heard musicians here in the States and abroad say it both ways, and wanted to cover the bases. Really great picks! Thanks so much for watching!

[@xycechipmusic]

Wegen is pronounced way but almost emitting the y, like the se in per se. And the gen part is almost like gun only the g is in the back of the throat instead of a guh sound. Hard to explain haha. But I guess it doesn't matter that much!

[@emilyanderson6620]

Relatively new to mandolin here, how do you pick a good pick stiffness/ thickness? .75mm vs 1.0mm vs 1.3mm! Ahh!! So overwhelming!! Help!!

[@Boomistirr]

A thicker pick produces a more mellow or “dark” sound while a thinner one might sound brighter. I tend to go with the 1.3 mm clownbarf pick or the 1.4 prime tone.

[@tombolt6789]

Since I am not and never will be a professional, or social player I would probably never choose most demonstrated. I have a bunch of very cheap picks from soft to hard and personally modified ones This was mostly fun for me to watch. Great job but any more than fifty-cents per I will not touch it.

[@craigrask2075]

Ive been attached to the CT55. Takes a lot to get me to change anything.

[@DavidBenedictMandolin]

That's a good'un!

[@ChrisHenryVideos]

excellent resource, well done

[@bradbishop8229]

What strings did you use?