einholt
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since May 2019
Posts: 95
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Post by einholt on Mar 7, 2020 10:44:29 GMT -5
I was asked if I could turn out a couple guitar picks from silver half dollars. Has anyone done this?
I imagine cutting with some snips, taper to a rounded tip, and then putting a smooth bevel on the edges and throwing it in the vibe for a quick polish would do the trick.
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Post by toiv0 on Mar 7, 2020 11:17:54 GMT -5
Don't play guitar so I have a few questions. How thick can a pick be? Will you leave the reed and relief on it? I would saw the shape then remove thickness by sanding or grinding. Then finish with what ever polishing method you prefer. Sound like a cool idea. Nice to see results when you are done.
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einholt
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since May 2019
Posts: 95
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Post by einholt on Mar 7, 2020 11:27:45 GMT -5
So the metal ones I've handled have been tapered only on the end of the pick, leaving the rest of the coin untouched. Maybe the bottom quarter of the pick is ground thinner.
I've played with a silver quarter a few times and liked the sound, but never with a pick made from a coin.
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pizzano
Cave Dweller 
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Mar 7, 2020 17:19:57 GMT -5
Used for acoustic or electric strings...........?..............metal pic's have been tried over and over again through the ages. They will literally destroy a brand new set of acoustic nylon guitar strings if used for rhythm sessions. Will provide a sharp/bright tone for picking, but over time the nickel/brass strings commonly used with standard acoustics, will suffer as well.......... Not ever recommended with electric strings due possible high gain feed-backs and buzzing.......and wear & tear, residual metal to metal residue left over from the pic contact will effect the harmonic balance of the strings, thus, changing the string tone, and possibly causing "static" frequency modulations to provide a very unwanted "static spark".........Keep them "metal" pic's away from any electrical magnetic applications.........!
Drill a hole in them and wear them around your neck as a bling-bling.........They're not worth the trouble, as any serious artist will tell you.......!
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einholt
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since May 2019
Posts: 95
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Post by einholt on Mar 7, 2020 17:53:31 GMT -5
I'm not the one playing with them, I was asked to make some with coins that will be provided. I mostly play upright bass and slide guitar, neither of which use this style of pick. Knowing the guy that wants them, I'd guess he just wants to display them and occasionally use them to play.
Although, now that I think about it, I could probably turn out a couple finger picks for my slide guitar...
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EricD
Cave Dweller
High in the Mountains
Member since November 2019
Posts: 1,142
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Post by EricD on Mar 7, 2020 23:50:52 GMT -5
I've used metal picks on a bass guitar with flat-wound stings before. It's a unique sound. I wouldn't use it on a normal string, it would be very "gritty" and wear the stings out wherever used. Would also wear the pick a lot
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Post by fernwood on Mar 8, 2020 0:54:32 GMT -5
Do the coins have a high silver content, aka pre 1965? The higher the silver content, the more prone to wear they will be.
I have used metal picks with both acoustic and amplified acoustic 6/12 string guitars and my dulcimer. They provide a unique sound and are perfect for certain songs. Agree about the concern with buzz when amplified.
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einholt
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since May 2019
Posts: 95
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Post by einholt on Mar 8, 2020 11:50:00 GMT -5
That's a good question. I'm assuming they'll be pre-1965, since he said silver half dollars. When I get them on Monday, we'll find out.
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einholt
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since May 2019
Posts: 95
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Post by einholt on Mar 13, 2020 9:07:16 GMT -5
So it took a bit longer to meet up and get the coins. The only silver ones were a 1964 and a 1969 (which is only 40% silver). On the plus side, I was given some barber dimes! I think I'll try cutting a bicentennial half dollar (no silver) just to get a feel for the shape.
Edit: it's for playing an actual dobro. I'm jealous.
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