The Great Pick/Gear Debate and the Value of the Additional Cost

[tot_Ou_tard]

OK

Howz'about these pricey picks?

http://www.dugainpicks.com/


Just plain silly?

Too bad you didn't order last month. You missed out on the following deal
for a "Mystery Wood Pick" if you spend over $118 in picks.

NOV OFER
Free
MYSTERY WOOD PICK
with all orders over £60/$118/€76
(incl. post)

Southpaws rejoice, there are Dugains especially made for lefty's!



Best of all?!? Woolly Mammoth pick!

[just strum]

Good post Tot. Looking back, I should have made my post read something like:

The range in prices for picks and other gear/accesories range widely. I would assume, like guitars, the price doesn't necessarily mean quality, better performance, or any other attribute one would want when spending more money. However, if the product sells, they obviously bring something to the table. My question is - do you actually get increased value with the increased cost and if so, what has been your experience (good or bad) in buying the higher priced item? We've had this discussion as it relates to guitars Epi vs Gibson, Squier vs Fender and so on. It's not a "which one is better" it's more of what does higher end bring to the table and is the difference in price worth it? Another point that can be made is the purchase of higher end product because one records and for that reason buys the higher end cable. I am practicing in a 10x11 room with a AD30VT and a Epi Jr, would high end cable really provide the value for my purpose?

So that is what I should have stated, but it's too late now.

[tot_Ou_tard]

So that is what I should have stated, but it's too late now.

Nope, it's never too late.

[syo***]

Started with V-Picks, which led me to try Dugains and now finally this:

http://www.wallstreetfighter.com/200...icks-4674.html

Makes my Squire play twice as good as before.

[bigoldron]

So that is what I should have stated, but it's too late now.

Yep, that's what Carly Simon said, "It's too late, baby, now it's too late." Let's see if you young whippersnappers know what I'm talking about.

[just strum]

Started with V-Picks, which led me to try Dugains and now finally this:

http://www.wallstreetfighter.com/200...icks-4674.html

Makes my Squire play twice as good as before.

And then this begs the question, has anyone bought one?

[Andy]

my first 5 years of playing guitar were dire

When I had my first guitar I was using playing cards and matchbook covers for picks. I inherited a cheap acoustic guitar from my older brother.

I didn't get my own amp and electric for about 3 years, it was a bandmaster head that cost me $100 with a home make cab made from a bunch of home stereo speakers my younger brother built for me built in school.

the guitar was very cheap, but I was so proud of it and that cab and I practiced every day
even tho the action was a mile high

so for me to spend more than $5 on a pick doesn't compute.I learned how to play and kept my interest on matchbook covers and an out of tune cheap guitar. lol

now many years later, I can afford these things.plus we didn't have many picks and strings to choose from back than anyway.

when I see beginners with les pauls and boutique amps complaining about the pickups and action issues or the tonality of the speaker.... , I have to bite my lip. I've gotten very good at biting my lip about alot of things.

I figure if people can afford what they want than go ahead get the best.
I didn't have that option in my younger days, but I try to not think about it that way. I try not to let a sense of jealousy show. I can finally afford that stuff, the difference is I feel like I payed my dues to get there.

I can see where these subjects can cause strife, it's just a metter of understanding where people are coming from.I came from a point where new strings were a luxury. and played on 5 or 4 till I could get some new ones.

thank goodness it's not like that anymore..lol
In my mind,it's not about the gear it's about drive and desire to play no matter what you have. be happy, it's all good

[marnold***]

Another point that can be made is the purchase of higher end product because one records and for that reason buys the higher end cable. I am practicing in a 10x11 room with a AD30VT and a Epi Jr, would high end cable really provide the value for my purpose?

Good question. I remember when I hooked up our DVD player when we first got it, I used some cheapy RCA cables to connect it to the T.V. It worked. I ended up getting more expensive, but well less than $30, cables later. I popped in one of the Star Wars prequel DVDs since they have some of the best audio quality of the ones we own. Without telling my wife which were which, we A/B'd the two. The more expensive ones were noticeably better. It was night and day. In that one instance I can say it was money well spent.

I'm like you in a small room with my AD30VT. I've already got a couple el cheapo cables. I've also got some semi-nice ones that aren't terribly expensive (a bit less than $20). I'd like to get a known-low-capacitance cable and actually see if I hear any difference and if I do, does the better cable sound better to me?

Reminds me of that story (was it posted here?) where someone talked about how SRV preferred cheap Radio Shack cables because he liked how the extra capacitance affected his tone. Who am I to argue with Stevie? Having said that, I don't know how many people would agree with him.

[tjcurtin1]

when I see beginners with les pauls and boutique amps complaining about the pickups and action issues or the tonality of the speaker.... , I have to bite my lip.

This is a good reminder (along with the rest of Andy's post). We have the luxury of the best for less, and the distinctions we are talking about now (in this thread) are pretty fine ones, when you compare to how it used to be, when an inexpensive guitar meant poor sounding and hard to play.

[just strum]

I'm like you in a small room with my AD30VT. I've already got a couple el cheapo cables. I've also got some semi-nice ones that aren't terribly expensive (a bit less than $20). I'd like to get a known-low-capacitance cable and actually see if I hear any difference and if I do, does the better cable sound better to me?

I started with the cables that came with the guitars or as a cheap package that included picks and a strap. Most split near the jack within a month.

I use http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/1/4in20
now and they serve the purpose very well and at a good price. I've had these for almost two years two 10', one 20' and one 1' and have had no issues. And unlike picks, I don't lose them.

[markb]

So, anyone willing to buy one of these?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...E:B:EF:US:1123

[tjcurtin1]

I've had these for almost two years two 10', one 20' and one 1' and have had no issues.

Except for hearing damage - talk about playing close to your amp!

[just strum]

Except for hearing damage - talk about playing close to your amp!

It's to connect the two amps when I tape the AD30VT to one side of my head and the Valve Jr to the other. A 1' cable is much cheaper than headphones.

[just strum]

I changed the title of this thread to "The Great Pick/Gear Debate and the Value of the Additional Cost" and it shows up on my edit screen, but not the main screen.

So, for the record, the title is

The Great Pick/Gear Debate and the Value of the Additional Cost

This morning it's changed - if someone went in and made the change - thanks.

[tjcurtin1]

It's to connect the two amps when I tape the AD30VT to one side of my head and the Valve Jr to the other. A 1' cable is much cheaper than headphones.

[Gil Janus]

It's to connect the two amps when I tape the AD30VT to one side of my head and the Valve Jr to the other. A 1' cable is much cheaper than headphones.

And it really helps in developing those badly needed neck muscles :

Gil

[just strum]

So, anyone willing to buy one of these?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...E:B:EF:US:1123

Good example. Now if there is value that = cost, could someone explain. I know it would have no value to me, but who would find it necessary outside of someone that is recording professionally, to need this?

[tot_Ou_tard]

I changed the title of this thread to "The Great Pick/Gear Debate and the Value of the Additional Cost" and it shows up on my edit screen, but not the main screen.

So, for the record, the title is

The Great Pick/Gear Debate and the Value of the Additional Cost

This morning it's changed - if someone went in and made the change - thanks.

I thought that the title was:

Wherein Strummy Discovers Tonal Bliss Using a Woolly Mammoth Pick on a Squier & Spends the Rest of His Days as an Itinerant Dugain Disciple.

[just strum]

I thought that the title was:

Wherein Strummy Discovers Tonal Bliss Using a Woolly Mammoth Pick on a Squier & Spends the Rest of His Days as an Itinerant Dugain Disciple.

That was the original title - you gotta keep up with the changes.