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The flatpicked guitar reviews database is here to help educate people before they purchase an instrument. Of course, this is not meant to be a substitute for playing the instrument yourself!
161 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: BlueChip online store (http://shop.bluechippick.net/tp48/)
Without a doubt the best commercially available pick I've ever owned for flatpicking/bluegrass guitar. The TP48 (tri-corner 1.22mm) comes closer to the highly desirable responsiveness and tonal qualities of a pick made from the carapace of a Hawksbill sea turtle (commonly referred to as a "tortoise shell" pick) than anything else I've tried. Like a "tortoise shell" pick, the BlueChip pick material is extremely durable with no signs whatsoever of wear after 40+ hours of hard use. The "speed bevels" on the edges of the pick are identical to how I've modified my own picks for decades now, and so it's nice to have that done beforehand.
Furthermore, I have to give Matthew extra credit for his prompt and excellent customer service: I initially ordered two different BlueChip picks to see which shape/style felt and sounded the best to me. The TP48 was the winner in this regard (obviously), and so I called and asked if I might exchange the other pick for a second TP48 instead. No problem! I mailed it back the next day, and he shipped me a second TP48 pick two days later at no additional shipping cost.
I've acquired and experimented with other expensive, boutique picks over the years, but this is the first one where I truly feel it was worth the money. All this being said, pick preference is a highly subjective topic and, understandably, opinions vary quite a bit. But if you're seeking the sound and feel of tortoise shell from a synthetic pick, you'd be hard pressed to do better than spending $35 for a BlueChip TP48.
My two cents, your mileage may vary, yada yada yada...
Overall Rating: 10
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