Blue Chip Picks again....

Can't remember if I said this last time but I have three, a 1mm and two 1.5's. I used them for a bit and have no problem picking them up.
There is no 'plasticky' sound from them, I interchange between them and the Wegen Mandolin 1.25 which I've been using for a fair while and, at the moment, don't see myself moving away from. Wegen's are warmer to my ears. A while ago I went through my old picks that I've bought and tried them, and they all sound inferior to a Blue Chip and a Wegen - adding together what I've paid for the cheap ones would easily pay for a Blue Chip - that's just aggravating as to my ears the cheap ones are simply no good.

You could borrow the Blue Chip's but they have a left handed bevel.

I still think of buying a 1.25 Jazz Blue Chip (think that's right) as they seem to be general purpose, but knowing that I'd be pleased after spending that amount of money is still an unknown and stops me taking the leap.

For what it's worth I think it's the absence of that plasticky sound that is the reason people like them. I think the marketing works against itself. The fact that all those professionals endorse them gives you the sense that all you have to is to buy one and all your problems will be solved. I think they would be better off selling them by being honest i.e. that they are a good starting point (and the cheap ones stop you from even starting) that and you still have to learn to use a pick i.e. Bluegrass, Strumming, or rest stroke technique. I've heard professionals say that their pick technique is ongoing. I'm wondering if it simply takes years of trial and error. The Blue Chips and Wegen get you on the first rung.

Taking a punt on a Wegen is not as expensive and is worth it in my view.

I was surprised by this from Sven Jungbeck: 
Sven Jungbeck

Looking at it again it's a bit Wegen centric but he does talk about a Dunlop 1.5mm. It's the first 5 minutes - he's good though - no bull or smarminess. He does talk about those Dunlops in another video and does talk about playing them in as they will create a bevel as a result of your own technique.

Hope it helps, I've found it a minefield.
Enough(and ongoing), other opinions are available

I've been using a Blue Chip TAD50 (large triangle, 1.25mm, with a rounded bevel) as my go-to for about a year and a half of gigging, and have been really liking the sound/feel. I switched over when Planet Waves/D'Addario discontinued their wide triangle 1.25mm - I liked the sound of those when new, but they wore down quite quickly and quickly got scratchy and thin sounding. Not had that problem with the Blue Chip.

One of the big things people online say about Blue Chips is that they last for years and years without wearing, which might be the case if you don't play hard, but as someone who often plays heavily I have noticed some wear in mine over the past 18 months. They're definitely much more resistant to wear than regular plectrums though!

I went for the round bevel (which is just like a regular new pick) as it suited my playing much better than the right hand/speed bevel which they offer - and it's wearing down to a natural bevel from my playing now anyway.

For single line flatpicking when I don't have to strum much, I prefer my Synth Shell 1.4mm ish. Those are definitely worth a look, handmade in the UK and a little more affordable than Blue Chip, sound and feel great. Really nice plectrums! Synth Shell Picks
Bright red is a bit harder to lose sight of too!

forestdweller - they're really great! It's a small business, a one-person operation run by a guitar builder called Gary Leddington. Also builds cases.

I've not tried the Simon Brady signature as the beveled corner put me off a little - how do you find it? I did try a Tonebird 5 but it was too pointed for me. Just noticed that they do have a custom shop - so may be worth a look there Phil Taylor , as well as Synth Shell, if you have something you'd like to try before forking out for a Blue Chip!

Thanks for all the interesting and informative replies. I currently use Dunlop 500 1.2mm and 1.5mm most of the time which are very cheap but sound reasonable I think. I've also tried a Hawk pick and a Primetone but neither suit me well.

I think I will start with a Blue Chip at some point in the next month or so and if that's not the bees knees then at least I know I've tried one and work my way down the list you all have provided.

£40 + £2.25 postage here from JP Guitars.

link

I can't help thinking that if I don't try one I'll be forever wondering if I'm missing out on something.

Just been researching Blue Chip plectrums- how is one supposed to know which one to try? The Blue Chip website has scant information about them. Its only from the JP website that I found out what the numbers mean. So much to consider- size, shape, speed bevel (what is that?). Would love to try one but have no idea where to start!

Robbie