V-Picks

[just strum]

It's kind of revealing how people balk at spending $4 for a pick that will last a long time when they don't give any regard to $4 coffee at the premier chains.

I think the money spent on V Picks is money well spent. I do wish they were another color than clear. They are absolutely a pain to find sometimes.

I wouldn't balk if it was my primary pick or "must have" pick, but it's not. I would buy one or two if I happened to see them in a store, but I don't even know if they sell them in stores. If I ordered them, I would have to have DVM be my middle man because it's payment through PayPal.

My playing ability isn't at a level that I need to concern myself with picks. For those that are at that level or can hear a clear distinction, I don't see a problem with buying them.

And I certainly agree about adding color (at no extra cost).

Correction: You can use a credit card.

[just strum]

+1 on that one, bro. $4.00 isn't what I would call a big investment and attaching the term "overpriced" to them is, well, any word belonging to the family "silly" comes to mind.

I think the word "over-priced" is an opinion that some feel about a number of things. I look at relics or certain amps and think - they are over-priced. However, to someone that has a thing for relics, they would think differently.

[marnold***]

+1 on that one, bro. $4.00 isn't what I would call a big investment and attaching the term "overpriced" to them is, well, any word belonging to the family "silly" comes to mind.

Here I'd totally disagree with you, Robert. When you are talking about a product that is substantially more expensive than most products of the same type, the word "overpriced" is legitimate. It is an issue that needs to be addressed. The argument that someone might waste that amount on coffee is really not applicable to the situation. Because someone else might spend $4 foolishly doesn't give me the right/need/whatever to do likewise.

The question for me is it worth spending $4 on one V-Pick vs. getting a dozen of the Fender mediums I used to use or eight Dunlop Jazz III XLs. Until I can actually try a Jazz III XL that half of the equation will remain unanswered. For the first half I think I had to say yes, it was worth it for me. Others might think differently which is fine by me.

$4 might seem insignificant but my family budget is such that every last dollar has to be justified. If I can't justify it, I don't spend it. My Floyd only cost me $149 originally--a great deal--but no matter how great the deal was it wasn't happening unless I first sold my Charvel Model 7. Buying new pickups for my guitar literally took months of planning so I could be sure to get them without wrecking the family budget for a month. Even then I couldn't get all three at one time.

[peachhead***]

Just to throw my two pesos in the mix:

I received a pack from Vinni (which I appreciate) and have used them a good bit in the last couple of weeks. Without getting into specifics (mainly because I am not familiar enough with them to know what is what) I have enjoyed them quite a bit. Looks like I have a really lite pointed, a medium pointed and a medium rounded. The lite is a great acoustic pick. They sound good, I don't have a problem holding on to them (which is something I always have problems with) and I like the general feel of them. I do agree that they need to have at least some kind of color (so I can find them on the floor).....

I would (and will) recommend them, even though they are a bit pricier. I may splurge on the acoustic pack, or I'm tempted to order a mandolin pick from them just to try it out.

[Tone2TheBone]

I like mine a lot and will be paying for my next set. Thanks Vinni!

[sunvalleylaw]

I like the thick rounded one for rhythm (but not for lead or picking), and the thick pointed one for all around. It probably is my favorite so far. The rounded one really makes a difference for me with string noise when strumming chords. The thinner pointed one does not seem that much better than a Dunlop Ultex to me, other than it is really easy to hold. I may change my mind. But very nice! I would recommend a set for sure.

[marnold***]

Well, I picked up a Dunlop Jazz III XL stiffo and compared it to the Screamer. The XL's tone sounded pretty much like my old Fender. The stiffness and pointyness made it easier to pick accurately than the Fender. So if it was just Dunlop v. Fender, the Dunlop would win hands down.

However, I have to say I still like the v-pick better for two reasons:
1) The acrylic. It really allows me to have a better grip. Since I don't have my first three fingertips on my right hand, any extra grip I can get is appreciated.
2) The shape. The v-pick is more triangle shaped which also helps me hold it. It's hard to describe the way I hold a pick now without showing a picture. The wider "top" (opposite where you actually pick the strings) nestles nicely into my index finger to keep it from spinning/shifting while playing.

Granted those two arguments are unique to my particular hands, so you'd really have to try them yourself. So, I guess I like using a $4 pick. The Screamer's shape and texture make it easier for me to play with greater accuracy. It lives up to it's name because I find it very easy to do pinch harmonics with this thing. My only concerns are the durability (especially with pick scrapes, but only time will tell on that) and how easily they "disappear" when dropped on the floor because they are clear. The glow-in-the-dark ones would fix the latter problem, albeit for an extra dollar.

The v-pick medium rounded didn't do much for me, nor did the ultra-lite. The medium pointed are nice. But for me the Screamer is the way to go. Color me surprised.

[larryx]

I worked in a friends fathers factory when I was in High School. We made drink trays and chessboards out of plexi glass. The owners son was an apprentice Luthier at D'Aquisto Guitars in N.Y.C. (JAZZ ARCHTOPS) He started making nice clear shiney guitar picks out of plexi glass (or acrylics) and giving them to all of his guitar playing friends. His name is David Shneider(DavidShneiderguitars.com)That was 30 years ago. As far as the plexi picks go.They deffinately had an interesting attack to them. And a unique sound when they touched the string. Almost like a ping kind of sound. They seemed to bounce off of the string in a very active kind of way. I had a friend who had a very heavey handed picking style. He loved them thangs! But I don't think Pat Matheny's gonna be using one. It would be interesting to revisit the idea of an acrylic pick again? NAH! Black Dunlop 1mm nylon for life!

[Tone2TheBone]

Oh crap that reminds me that I need to order a few more....

[sumitomo]

I have a small sheet of lexan I have been makin picks from,and their bulletproof too! Sumi

[Spudman***]

Vinnie. Hey man, I ordered 2 picks and you sent 3. What's up with that? If you are trying to win loyal customers...you did it. Thank you very much and I even got them on my birthday.

[Kodiak3D]

Well, I got one from dad over the weekend and I'm sold! I love my V-pick.

[msteeln]

Legendary Alvin Lee doesn't. Check him out at 7:30 into Help Me - www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PjiqdMY-Qc
I liked his resourcefullness with a harmonica at 6:05 as well. Quite the guy!

BEWARE - keep the vol. down at the start for a coupla secs., then crank it!

[Spudman***]

I have really fallen in love with the Screamer. It's easy to hold and flies over the strings and had a superb attack. I've been playing it the past 3 days and really putting it to the test. It is undoubtedly my favorite.

[pes_laul]

I have really fallen in love with the Screamer. It's easy to hold and flies over the strings and had a superb attack. I've been playing it the past 3 days and really putting it to the test. It is undoubtedly my favorite.

Aghhh!! I want one now!

Hmm I guess its time to BE NICE TO DAD so maybe he'll order me one.

POST EDITED TO KEEP CREEPY PICTURES OUT OF TOTS MIND

[Spudman***]

Do you feature different picks monthly then for sales?

Yes, we put a different pick on sale at the first part of every month.....

It is easily found on the website, just click the rotating pick logo.

Vinni

[marnold***]

Agreed. As I mentioned before, Screamers are teh bomb.

[tot_Ou_tard]

Time to suck up to dad....

The juxtaposition of the phrase and the "smiley" is frightening.

Excuse me while I get drunk to blot the image from my mind.

[street music]

The screamer and the acoustic are the same if I remember correctly.