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Post by gmitch067 on Feb 28, 2019 0:13:31 GMT -5
Rob - Jugglerguy just put out a real fine video detailing the making of stone guitar picks… I liked it+++… and saw the prospect of making a few as gifts for the guitar playing members of my own family (NOT me… no musical talent here  ) forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/86638/scraps-guitar-picks-new-videoQuestion… Is stone a viable material to use as a pick when playing a steel string or electric guitar? It seems that there would probably not be any issues when playing an instrument with Nylon strings (or cat gut), but I wonder how the interaction of stone vs. steel would influence your choices in the type of rock used… or to stick with a plastic pick (which Rob points out in his video… has flexibility) |
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pizzano
Cave Dweller 
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Feb 28, 2019 2:12:45 GMT -5
Rob - Jugglerguy just put out a real fine video detailing the making of stone guitar picks… I liked it+++… and saw the prospect of making a few as gifts for the guitar playing members of my own family (NOT me… no musical talent here  ) forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/86638/scraps-guitar-picks-new-videoQuestion… Is stone a viable material to use as a pick when playing a steel string or electric guitar? It seems that there would probably not be any issues when playing an instrument with Nylon strings (or cat gut), but I wonder how the interaction of stone vs. steel would influence your choices in the type of rock used… or to stick with a plastic pick (which Rob points out in his video… has flexibility) There was a discussion on this topic awhile back and a few musicians like myself rolled it around a bit...........it boiled down to style of play and personal preference. As far as stones interaction with string choice goes, as you mention, flex is an issue. For single string picking a stiff pick held closely to it's point will provide speed and less finger travel through the motion. Some prefer that method on tight leads and melodies....However, if one (like myself) relies on heavier rhythm chording transitions with an occasional harmonic melody mixed in, pick flexibility is required.
Another issue is tone.....most of us blues/jazz guy's are very tone sensitive. Stone picks, regardless of stone type, resonate a very bright, sharp, almost metallic tone to both steel and nylon strings, which could be the desired intent for some. Not me, I prefer a warmer crisp intonation. I've also found stone picks to "buzz" against metal strings if not precisely applied during the course of the picking action.....not much with nylon.
String wear can become an issue on steel if heavy strumming is applied......stone will accelerate that wear on both the pick and strings.........and stone chips, nylon/plastic picks don't have that problem........another little side note, many of us occasionally, have a habit of placing our picks in our mouths (lips) during down time or while adjusting our rigs (tuning and such).......stones are cold and hard, nylon/plastic is so more enjoyable......lol
I've tried stone picks, even have a good friend who plays a uke who prefers stone.........although very pretty art work, not in my bag of tricks..!
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Post by gmitch067 on Feb 28, 2019 2:43:00 GMT -5
Just the info I need pizzano! Thank you! I think that if I do end up making a few stone picks, they will be more a functional necklace... something to wear in honor of the music... instead of causing an unwanted change. Good reply! Thank you again. Glenn |
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Post by fernwood on Feb 28, 2019 6:24:10 GMT -5
I gave/sold some to local musicians. They love them for certain styles of music.
Consensus in this area is a stone guitar pick might result in excessive wear on nylon stringed instruments.
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unclesoska
freely admits to licking rocks
All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 934
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Post by unclesoska on Feb 28, 2019 11:48:26 GMT -5
Inspired by this forum, I too have made a few guitar picks. I also play bass and some guitar. The above analysis ring true in my book, lack of flex, excess thickness, and even breakability have put the kibosh(sp) on their use from a number of musician friends. As a novelty and for jewelry, EVERYBODY loves them. I've drilled a small hole in many and make earrings and pendants for friends. www.rockshow.rocktumblinghobby.com/_data/i/upload/2019/02/28/20190228083131-a3fa509e-me.jpg Still talking music, I was intrigued by the sharp sound that jade makes, so I fashioned a saddle of jade for my campfire acoustic guitar, www.rockshow.rocktumblinghobby.com/_data/i/upload/2019/02/28/20190228083132-c9e214f7-me.jpg and more recently, as a lefty, any stringed instrument I bring home requires modification- so the $40 Jazz bass copy has a jade nut that I cut. www.rockshow.rocktumblinghobby.com/_data/i/upload/2019/02/28/20190228083132-e2c7f1ca-me.jpg IMO, it brightens up the tone a bit and I really like it on both instruments. If the campfire acoustic weren't literally falling apart, I'd make a jade nut for it too. Both these pieces were totally hand ground, and I used diamond files the cut the grooves. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 28, 2019 11:55:52 GMT -5
Inspired by this forum, I too have made a few guitar picks. I also play bass and some guitar. The above analysis ring true in my book, lack of flex, excess thickness, and even breakability have put the kibosh(sp) on their use from a number of musician friends. As a novelty and for jewelry, EVERYBODY loves them. I've drilled a small hole in many and make earrings and pendants for friends.  Still talking music, I was intrigued by the sharp sound that jade makes, so I fashioned a saddle of jade for my campfire acoustic guitar, www.rockshow.rocktumblinghobby.com/picture.php?/10765/category/519and more recently, as a lefty, any stringed instrument I bring home requires modification- so the $40 Jazz bass copy has a jade nut that I cut.http://www.rockshow.rocktumblinghobby.com/picture.php?/10766/category/519 IMO, it brightens up the tone a bit and I really like it on both instruments. If the campfire acoustic weren't literally falling apart, I'd make a jade nut for it too. Both these pieces were totally hand ground, and I used diamond files the cut the grooves. Ooops- the links don't work. You have to link to the address of the picture, if I remember right. |
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unclesoska
freely admits to licking rocks
All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 934
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Post by unclesoska on Feb 28, 2019 12:12:31 GMT -5
Inspired by this forum, I too have made a few guitar picks. I also play bass and some guitar. The above analysis ring true in my book, lack of flex, excess thickness, and even breakability have put the kibosh(sp) on their use from a number of musician friends. As a novelty and for jewelry, EVERYBODY loves them. I've drilled a small hole in many and make earrings and pendants for friends. Still talking music, I was intrigued by the sharp sound that jade makes, so I fashioned a saddle of jade for my campfire acoustic guitar, www.rockshow.rocktumblinghobby.com/picture.php?/10765/category/519and more recently, as a lefty, any stringed instrument I bring home requires modification- so the $40 Jazz bass copy has a jade nut that I cut.http://www.rockshow.rocktumblinghobby.com/picture.php?/10766/category/519 IMO, it brightens up the tone a bit and I really like it on both instruments. If the campfire acoustic weren't literally falling apart, I'd make a jade nut for it too. Both these pieces were totally hand ground, and I used diamond files the cut the grooves. Ooops- the links don't work. You have to link to the address of the picture, if I remember right. I'm using the rock show to post pics, and either I forgot how to work it or something has changed. I've had no trouble having pics show on the forum in the past, but today, even after multiple attempts, the best I could do was make links. They should work now... |
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 28, 2019 12:59:38 GMT -5
I'm gonna tag Tommy for you. He'll know. The links still take me to the rockshow log in page. |
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Feb 28, 2019 13:38:53 GMT -5
Inspired by this forum, I too have made a few guitar picks. I also play bass and some guitar. The above analysis ring true in my book, lack of flex, excess thickness, and even breakability have put the kibosh(sp) on their use from a number of musician friends. As a novelty and for jewelry, EVERYBODY loves them. I've drilled a small hole in many and make earrings and pendants for friends. www.rockshow.rocktumblinghobby.com/_data/i/upload/2019/02/28/20190228083131-a3fa509e-me.jpg Still talking music, I was intrigued by the sharp sound that jade makes, so I fashioned a saddle of jade for my campfire acoustic guitar, www.rockshow.rocktumblinghobby.com/_data/i/upload/2019/02/28/20190228083132-c9e214f7-me.jpg and more recently, as a lefty, any stringed instrument I bring home requires modification- so the $40 Jazz bass copy has a jade nut that I cut. www.rockshow.rocktumblinghobby.com/_data/i/upload/2019/02/28/20190228083132-e2c7f1ca-me.jpg IMO, it brightens up the tone a bit and I really like it on both instruments. If the campfire acoustic weren't literally falling apart, I'd make a jade nut for it too. Both these pieces were totally hand ground, and I used diamond files the cut the grooves. Since I only use steel string acoustic and electric guitars for the styles of music I play (nothing against nylon/gut acoustics) just not bright enough through amplified applications and I'm not a "classical or flamingo" guitarist....... I've modified several of my acoustics with bone, fossil ivory and or ebony nuts and bridges.......depending on the guitar, it will brighten up the tone in many cases........especially if one is using a piezo set-up as part of the amp/mic system......acoustically, the strings "ring" for a longer period of time, which is essential.........even fossil ivory, bone and brass bridge pins can make a difference.
If the guitar's "broadcast" is (unmodified) bright to begin with like an inexpensive Fender or Takamine (Ovations are the worst), I'll use a combination of plastic and bone.....no ivory or ebony........Guitars like Martin's, Gibson's and Taylor's tend to be more on the warmer tone side, especially the higher end models ,and they come stock with any of the three harder bridge and nut elements and various internal amp/mic set-ups..........Just a bit personal experience.
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Post by gmitch067 on Feb 28, 2019 21:18:58 GMT -5
Thank you all for your inputs! I liked the earrings unclesoska and feel I will go with producing a few of those... giving them as gifts to honor the music (leather cords for the manly type necklaces and earrings for the women... but with pinch type silver fasteners). |
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Post by stephan on Feb 28, 2019 21:43:23 GMT -5
Inspired by this forum, I too have made a few guitar picks. I also play bass and some guitar. The above analysis ring true in my book, lack of flex, excess thickness, and even breakability have put the kibosh(sp) on their use from a number of musician friends. As a novelty and for jewelry, EVERYBODY loves them. I've drilled a small hole in many and make earrings and pendants for friends. www.rockshow.rocktumblinghobby.com/_data/i/upload/2019/02/28/20190228083131-a3fa509e-me.jpg Still talking music, I was intrigued by the sharp sound that jade makes, so I fashioned a saddle of jade for my campfire acoustic guitar, www.rockshow.rocktumblinghobby.com/_data/i/upload/2019/02/28/20190228083132-c9e214f7-me.jpg and more recently, as a lefty, any stringed instrument I bring home requires modification- so the $40 Jazz bass copy has a jade nut that I cut. www.rockshow.rocktumblinghobby.com/_data/i/upload/2019/02/28/20190228083132-e2c7f1ca-me.jpg IMO, it brightens up the tone a bit and I really like it on both instruments. If the campfire acoustic weren't literally falling apart, I'd make a jade nut for it too. Both these pieces were totally hand ground, and I used diamond files the cut the grooves. Thanks for the info. I’m not a musician, but it always figured that if stone picks worked at all, jade would be a good choice, since it’s toughness would make it less prone to chipping, and also allow for a thinner pick. |
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Feb 28, 2019 22:05:32 GMT -5
Stephan.........the Jade mentioned was for the use of a bridge or nut, not specifically a pick....I'd caution the use of Jade for a pick, it may be tough but very brittle if cut as thin as needed for a pick......dropped once on a hard surface.......bye bye pick........that probably could be said for almost any stone cut thin enough to function properly as a guitar pick.....chips and all.
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Post by stephan on Mar 2, 2019 22:36:55 GMT -5
Stephan.........the Jade mentioned was for the use of a bridge or nut, not specifically a pick....I'd caution the use of Jade for a pick, it may be tough but very brittle if cut as thin as needed for a pick......dropped once on a hard surface.......bye bye pick........that probably could be said for almost any stone cut thin enough to function properly as a guitar pick.....chips and all. Interesting. With my drop first, then cab method, I haven’t had that problem with jade. I’ve lost plenty of jasper, agate and obsidian cabs to wet butterfingers. Jade has always bounced and recovered. Even the thin ones. That’s one of the things I love about jade. I guess it depends on the quality of the jade, though. |
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Post by parfive on Mar 3, 2019 2:03:27 GMT -5
With my drop first, then cab method . . . Then you have to bend over and pick up all the pieces. Much easier just to hold the slab on your open hand and smack it on the workbench. No unnecessary chips and dings from the concrete either. And that’s why there’s rug on the floor at the cabbing bench. |
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Post by stephan on Mar 3, 2019 20:25:48 GMT -5
With my drop first, then cab method . . . Then you have to bend over and pick up all the pieces. Much easier just to hold the slab on your open hand and smack it on the workbench. No unnecessary chips and dings from the concrete either. And that’s why there’s rug on the floor at the cabbing bench. Oh, to have a real workshop. I have no garage, and use a portable table in the backyard. |
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