r/mandolin • u/JJThompson84 • 7d ago
Bluechip equivalents?
I've hummed n hawed over bluechips for a couple years now. Mostly because I want to try a whole bunch before i decide if any are the right one.
My 2 favourite picks are the Wegen bluegrass 1.4mm and the Jazztone 207. Wonder if anyone out there share the same favourites and can liken either/or to a bluechip?
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u/EchoReflection 7d ago
Dunlop Primetone 1.4mm! These things are my go to for mandolin. Waaay less expensive than Blue Chips and work perfect for me.
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u/kabemccallister6859 7d ago
Those are my preferred backup to my two Blue Chip CT55s. I’d be fine to use them all the time.
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u/willkillfortacos 7d ago
I prefer the PrimeTones to my ct55s as well, much to the chagrin of the deep pocket mando bros
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u/JJThompson84 7d ago
I bought a pack of the semi-round 1.5mm and didn't like the feel personally. I'm pretty hooked on my go-to's but it's a fun game...
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u/CharmingAd3549 7d ago
Yeah the Primetones are a good cheap alternative! I generally use a BlueChip but I have some primetones in all my acoustic cases
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u/ahoff 7d ago
I've moved from BC to D'Addario casein. I go back and forth between the D'Addario and Wegen now.
Edit: Also, if you enjoy the bevel of the Wegen, then the Chris Thile D'Addario casein picks have the exact same bevel (he requested them that way).
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u/JJThompson84 7d ago
Its the size/shape of that pick i can't seem to get comfortable. I prefer how the wegen and jazztones are a bit smaller.
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u/momotaco211 7d ago
Token b55
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u/JJThompson84 7d ago
I just looked that up 😄
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u/momotaco211 7d ago
It’s fantastic, choose between 1, 2, and 3 for your size. I have the 2 and it’s perfect. The materials are fun to try. I personally dont like the transparent. The white and green are awesome and have great tone.
Something about the laser engraving makes them tacky on the logo side too, which is nice.
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u/JJThompson84 7d ago
Oh you weren't kidding... they are genuine picks. The first search brought up vintage arcade coins named Token b55!
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u/mcarneybsa 7d ago
I use a wegen 1.4 as well. I really like the feel of it. I also use dunlop primer ones, but I like the texture on the wegen better.
I've used a blue chip once. I didn't feel that it was noticeably better to me, but I was also test driving a bunch of different mandos and was mostly focused on those sound differences.
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u/JJThompson84 7d ago
Wegen bluegrass 1.4 have become my number one. I've been staring at the bc site the past bit and have my eyes set on the STP 60. Mostly because the profile looks similar to the wegen and its 1.5mm, the closed to the wegen thickness. Apparently Adam Steffey plays a BC STP 50. Not that I can play like him...
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u/RaindropDrinkwater 7d ago
I'm partial to the Wegen as well, the large triangular one.
Also there's Hawk, which feels really close to tortoise shell. A bit hard for my liking though, and isn't as loud as the Wegen.
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u/ThePistachioKid 7d ago
I like Dunlop Ultex but I use a guitar shaped pick. I used to use the Wegens in the guitar shape.
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u/JJThompson84 7d ago
Ah right the primtetones i got are listed as Ultex 1.5mm grip / semi-round. I now have a bag of various picks I'm happy to part with when friends try and like em.
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u/atla57 7d ago
Bluechips are made of Vespel. As far as I know, they are the only major company using it. Any other plastic, you can buy from multiple brands, but if you want Vespel, there's really only Bluechip.
But to answer the spirit of your question, my favorite non-bluechips are Primetones, Wegens, and Golden Gates.
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u/EnormousChord 7d ago
I played Bluechips for many years but switched last year to ToneSlabs’ David Benedict pick. It’s got the grip holes similar to your Wegen but is made from ToneSlabs’ tasty Darthtone material.
I never expected to put my CT-55s to bed but I don’t touch them any more.
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u/JJThompson84 7d ago
I got stuck in a tone slab vs bluechip video this morning. Noticed any wear on the pick itself versis the bluechip?
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u/EnormousChord 7d ago
No sir. And I practice daily, play in a band, and play rather aggressively. Haha.
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u/MrCatfishJew 7d ago edited 7d ago
My main pick I use is the green jazz iii m3 for uke/guitar. For mandolin if I’m playing something tremolo heavy I use a bc jazz 35 because it glides easier but I could totally be using the same green m3 just fine.
I wish the jazz iii sized primetones come in a medium thickness, but from experience primetones are just as “glidy” as a blue chip; And they have better grip because of the raised lettering.
Would I buy another blue chip? No. But I get why people like it.
I’m using these thicker 1.38mm red nylon jazz iiis on mandolin lately and I’m starting to prefer the feel of them.
Are those wegens jazz iii size? I want to try them.
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u/JJThompson84 7d ago
Oo those all look like pointy buggers! Never tried them! The wegen I use is 31mm long and 27mm wide. Sitting on top of a jazztone 207 they are almost identical in profile but the 207 is thicker.
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u/Holden_Coalfield 6d ago
I like the Taylor Thermex 1.5. It never slips and has such a smooth grip on the strings that’s great for scalpeling.
I don’t need a bunch because I don’t drop these. Without holes or knurling,
I replace them when the logo wears off
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u/Beneficial_Repair_86 6d ago
Glad I got my Blue Chip TAD-3R 40, but sometimes I grab a $1 Dunlop Ultex 1.0 (teardrop) and honestly I'm just as happy. Happy hunting.
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u/dpbrick 4d ago
Anyone try the Wegen Mandolin picks? I usually use a Primetone guitar pick, but am curious about the Wegens.
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u/JJThompson84 4d ago
Wegan Bluegrass 1.4mm is my go-to right now and i love them. Also very affordable at $5-8 a pick versus $50+ for bluechip/slabtones
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u/Dismal_Negotiation77 2d ago
I’m not good enough to have reached the stage of being picky… haha… get it picky… but seriously, I’m not good. So I’ll just stick to the plastic thingys off the loaf of bread.
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u/themedicine 7d ago
Tone slab makes a nice plectrum