Bowen Mando - Posted - 01/16/2011:  13:17:16

I know there's already been discussion about what pick to use on other threads, but wonder if anyone else has tried the V-pick? I ordered a Tremolo one after seeing the ad online and am trying it and comparing it to my current Wegen triangular pick. So far I've found this: it feels like it was custom made for my fingers and improves my speed of picking notes, but has not helped my tremolo improve.
Anyone have similar experience with this particular pick?

un5trung - Posted - 01/16/2011:  13:36:46

The knock on V-pick is that they tend to make a clicking sound against the strings. I have several and while I don't play them regularly I might drag one out now and again, just to mix up the routine. They do tend to stick nicely to the fingers. If they could get rid of the click there'd likely be a greater demand for them. Service is good -- I get the impression it's a husband/wife operation run out of the kitchen, so service is personal. When I bought mine they were throwing in an extra pick for free, generally a very different pick from the one you'd ordered.

As far as tremolo goes I've said elsewhere that I prefer the Wegen TF 140 (FWIW). But I'd caution against the expectation that the pick you use will dramatically effect your ability to play tremolo. When I was a chef I saw these new guys come in with incredibly expensive knife sets, perhaps thinking that knife skills are wholly dependent on the tools. But I could do more with my Chicago Cutlery because I had the experience. Try some different picks to see which you prefer, but know that your picking skills will come from your experience, not your tools.

Edited by - un5trung on 01/16/2011 13:47:09

TSSN - Posted - 01/16/2011:  15:41:50

Maybe it's a placebo for me, but I find that their Tremolo pick does help me some. It's no magic bullet, and I still maintain that tremolo technique is more important than pick choice. Still, I think it has something to do with the shape of the Tremolo pick that helps me with my speed off the strings.

That said, I agree with un5trung that there is somewhat of a click or "chirp" with some V-Picks, but it seems to get worse with the thickness of the pick. I have not noticed it so much for the Tremolo pick, but then I try to hold that pick in reserve for tunes that are heavy with tremolo. That may be why I have not noticed much of a click...

+1 on un5strung's last paragraph. Oh, and the service at V-Pick is first rate. I'll be going back.

Bowen Mando - Posted - 01/16/2011:  18:56:18

I was a bit disappointed, it being called the "Tremolo" and all. It DOES improve the speed with which I can pick fiddle tunes, but hasn't been the case with the tremolo. Sigh. I do notice there is more pick noise than with the Wegen TF 140, but I was willing to forgive that if tremolo became easier.

bluehiway66 - Posted - 01/17/2011:  19:04:30

When I got the Tremolo pick, I noticed that it was easier, (sticky), to hold, and after I got relaxed with it, the tremolo speed increased.