Tusq picks.

[MT Tele]

Gray from Graph Tech recently sent out some samples to forum members. I got mine today, and wow I like it very much.

Not shilling, but compared to my Dunlop Tortex, the Tusq A3 has a MUCH richer tone. The raised lettering on the pick also makes it great for my very slippery and arthritic fingers.

Just MHO.

Randy

[nadzab]

I saw those and was intrigued...I'm a diehard devotee of the plain ol' Fender Heavies, but I thought those Tusq picks looked nice.

[chipbutty24]

A much richer tone? Really? Do tell.

[Rolling Estonian]

I'm waiting on my sample set as well. I'll be sure to let you know when they come in. For the record I'm a Fender thin cell guy, but you never know......

M

[Ed P]

Originally Posted by CVTele

Gray from Graph Tech recently sent out some samples to forum members. I got mine today, and wow I like it very much.

Not shilling, but compared to my Dunlop Tortex, the Tusq A3 has a MUCH richer tone. The raised lettering on the pick also makes it great for my very slippery and arthritic fingers.

Just MHO.

Randy

Where was I? How do I get in on this?

[Rolling Estonian]

gray@graphtech.com

He piped in here and said the first few emails he got showing interest. Don't know if the offer still stands.

M

[Ed P]

Originally Posted by Rolling Estonian

gray@graphtech.com

He piped in here and said the first few emails he got showing interest. Don't know if the offer still stands.

M

Thanks. I've got around 300 picks (lots of duplicates) and am always experimenting.

[Happenstance]

Originally Posted by CVTele

Gray from Graph Tech recently sent out some samples to forum members. I got mine today, and wow I like it very much.

Not shilling, but compared to my Dunlop Tortex, the Tusq A3 has a MUCH richer tone. The raised lettering on the pick also makes it great for my very slippery and arthritic fingers.

Just MHO.

Randy

I got in on that too. I haven't had much time with it, but just strumming unplugged it seems cool.

[PapaBeef]

I'll have to try & find some of them to check them out.
I do like tusq nuts & use them quite often on my projects. But I missed out on the picks so far.

[MT Tele]

I ordered a set of A3s today, and would be happy to pass along my free sample if anyone wants to try it out.

Just PM me name and address and I'll pass along my good fortune.

Randy

[JayFreddy]

I'd like to see a Tusq pick in the rounded triangle, aka Fender 346 size.



I've got a lifetime supply of celluloid ones I got in a deal with Planet Waves a few years ago, but I always like trying new materials.

If Dunlop was willing to swap out my lifetime supply of PW celluloid for their comparable 346 size Ultex, I'd probably do it... lol

I recently had a Tusq nut put on a Les Paul and I'm happy with the results, so now would be a good time to win me over!

[MT Tele]

The pick has been claimed.

Thanks for playing!

[P Thought]

My sample pick was in Saturday's mail. Thanks to Gray at Graph Tech. I've been shifting between my Takamine SBG dreadnought and my tele with it, and taking turns with other picks in my collection in between. Here's my review.

My sample is teardrop shaped, with a lightly rounded (pointier than most teardrops, but not coming to a point) tip, an "A3" model, .88mm thick, in "vintage" cream color. It has raised letters on both sides--it says "graph tech" on one side and "TUSQ" on the other--for extra grip, a nice feature. It's quite stiff for its thickness, but it has a little flex to it. The brochure also lists an "A1" that's .68mm thick, and an "A5" that is 1mm thick, all available in black, white, or vintage color.

I like to give my picks the "tabletop" test. The best ones, when dropped on a wooden tabletop, will make a ringing sound like a poker chip, where nylon and plastic ones give a dullish flap noise. The A3 rings as I'd hoped it would, but with more of a glassy, ceramic sound than I hear with my other favorites. Interesting, very different.

Playing: nice. This pick is thinner than I usually use, but it's loud and responsive for a pick so thin, getting that light-pick sound when I want it, but it digs in well, too. Going hard hasn't seemed to hurt it, at least not so far. The little bit of flex I mentioned isn't enough to bother me, though I do feel it. There's very little of the "chirp" you get with some hard picks, more than my Blue Chips, perhaps about the same as the Red Bears, but less than wood, ivory, or acrylic.

Every pick has its own tone characteristics on any given guitar. I'm not ready to say that this is the best pick in my collection, but I will say I'm glad to have it, I like it, I'll play it often, and I'll probably buy a few in the other available thicknesses. Its best features are its thinness and stiffness, its classic shape, and its good grip characteristics. Also, according to the brochure, these picks come in a six-pack for $5.95 MSRP--I've often paid more for lesser picks--so clearly these are very good picks for the money. If I were a gigger I'd use these for sure playing out, before I'd risk losing a Red Bear or Blue Chip, or any of the other spendier picks.

[Ed P]

I'm very impressed with the A3. My only concern is that it seems to be wearing quickly. Still, I dig it.

[JayFreddy]

Originally Posted by P Thought

My sample pick was in Saturday's mail. Thanks to Gray at Graph Tech. I've been shifting between my Takamine SBG dreadnought and my tele with it, and taking turns with other picks in my collection in between. Here's my review.

My sample is teardrop shaped, with a lightly rounded (pointier than most teardrops, but not coming to a point) tip, an "A3" model, .88mm thick, in "vintage" cream color. It has raised letters on both sides--it says "graph tech" on one side and "TUSQ" on the other--for extra grip, a nice feature. It's quite stiff for its thickness, but it has a little flex to it. The brochure also lists an "A1" that's .68mm thick, and an "A5" that is 1mm thick, all available in black, white, or vintage color.

I like to give my picks the "tabletop" test. The best ones, when dropped on a wooden tabletop, will make a ringing sound like a poker chip, where nylon and plastic ones give a dullish flap noise. The A3 rings as I'd hoped it would, but with more of a glassy, ceramic sound than I hear with my other favorites. Interesting, very different.

Playing: nice. This pick is thinner than I usually use, but it's loud and responsive for a pick so thin, getting that light-pick sound when I want it, but it digs in well, too. Going hard hasn't seemed to hurt it, at least not so far. The little bit of flex I mentioned isn't enough to bother me, though I do feel it. There's very little of the "chirp" you get with some hard picks, more than my Blue Chips, perhaps about the same as the Red Bears, but less than wood, ivory, or acrylic.

Every good pick--every bad one, too, for that matter--has its own tone characteristics on any given guitar. I'm not ready to say that this is the best pick in my collection, but I will say I'm glad to have it, I like it, I'll play it often, and I'll probably buy a few in the other available thicknesses. Its best features are its thinness and stiffness, its classic shape, and its good grip characteristics. Also, according to the brochure, these picks come in a six-pack for $5.95 MSRP--I've often paid more for lesser picks--so clearly these are very good picks for the money. If I were a gigger I'd use these for sure playing out, before I'd risk losing a Red Bear or Blue Chip, or any of the other spendier picks.

Nicely detailed review. I would definitely like to try one of these in the rounded triangle shape, preferably .88 or 1.0 mm.

I thought CVTele was saying the trial period was over... I guess he doesn't work for Tusq or Graphtech afterall. Maybe he works for Dunlop?! lol

[benderb9]

I picked up some A3's and A5's last weekend from Sam Ash, sadly they didn't have any A1's. These are some of the stiffest picks I've ever played. I generally use different wood, bone, horn or shell picks and they are all extremely stiff and best of all thick to hold. The Graph Techs have a very similar tone due to the stiffness and material used. The sound as they strike the string is VERY similar, especially to the bone picks and the abalone and stone picks. Really defined articulation of the pick's impact and a clean break from the string give a solid tone and allow the string to vibrate exceptionally well. I've had to clean the edges on a few from parting flashing with 300 sandpaper but no biggie. I don't think the tone will be for everybody, but they are a really good way to get a different sound for little $$$. At about $1/each vs 4.00 and up/each for my others they're a bargin, they'll no doubt also wear like iron whereas even the ebony and abalone picks I have wear pretty much under hard use. I like 'em and would say that there is not all that great a difference between the 3's and 5's regarding flexability (there isn't any), thickness of feel or tone, wish I'd gotten my mitts on some A1's as a further comparison...when I find some I'll pick (oops) some up. Well worth adding some IMHO, YMMV

[P Thought]

Originally Posted by benderb9

I picked up some A3's and A5's last weekend from Sam Ash, sadly they didn't have any A1's.

It looks like you can order picks here. I might shoot 'em an order myself, and maybe lay in some bridge pins, too.

[winny pooh]

Originally Posted by Ed P

Thanks. I've got around 300 picks (lots of duplicates) and am always experimenting.

You don't sound like their kind of customer, LOL.

[Solrac Kai]

I saw this thread and went to San Ash and picked up .88 set. I usually use a tortex .88 and the tusq pick felt thinner. Maybe because they felt lighter to. The edges needed a bit of sanding to smooth the roughness.

I have an ivory pick that I only use when playing my electric. It is too clacky sounding for my acoustic. The tusq had similar tonal properties as the ivory pick but not as clacky. I was able to play my acoustic and not be bothered by the sound of the pick on the strings.

The tusq picks are stiff and I didn't have a problem with the pick slipping even after a couple of hours playing. I really like these picks, and for the price I think I may switch to these in the future, depending on how they wear.

[Ed P]

Originally Posted by winny pooh

You don't sound like their kind of customer, LOL.

I don't know why I just can't settle into one pick. Must be the same reason that I like to change the pictures on the walls every now and then - it drives my wife nuts.

But these Tusqs are really cool.