Scratchmo - Posted - 04/27/2020:  17:28:04

I'm proud to announce I've finally got all my tooling in place to produce what I believe is the best possible pick for banjo and dobro. The pick blades are twice as thick as the standard, .025" picks that before now was the heaviest pick available. Die struck from Sterling silver or Nickel silver, the inside of the bands feature tiny, raised teeth that makes slipping and falling off a thing of the past. Personally, I like the silver for banjo and the Nickel for dobro. Handmade in the USA. The unique hemispherical blade compensates for any angle of attack.

These are the first two sets produced from the new production dies.

Zanius - Posted - 04/27/2020:  17:54:29

Super cool! I'd love to try them.

rickahull - Posted - 04/27/2020:  18:09:52

Any plans for a thumb pick, also?

Colin Irvine - Posted - 04/27/2020:  18:10:44

I would too! They look awesome!  Do you have any pictures of them on your fingers?  

Edited by - Colin Irvine on 04/27/2020 18:14:09

SlimPickins - Posted - 04/27/2020:  18:29:27

Sign me up! I have been interested since you first announced this project and it’s great that you were able to make it happen.

Tom Jr. - Posted - 04/28/2020:  07:24:00

I'm all in. It looks like there is a skull on one of the set so that it is easy to tell which one is which. As thick as they are, getting them bent to your own individual tastes isn't something to be done often. There is a lot to be said for mass and thickness generally. I use a thicker nut than normal, like a big headstock, and heavy capos seem to have a better sound. It is great to see innovation in an area that really hasn't changed much in 80 years.

Scratchmo - Posted - 04/28/2020:  10:02:51

quote:

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Originally posted by Tom Jr.

I'm all in. It looks like there is a skull on one of the set so that it is easy to tell which one is which. As thick as they are, getting them bent to your own individual tastes isn't something to be done often. There is a lot to be said for mass and thickness generally. I use a thicker nut than normal, like a big headstock, and heavy capos seem to have a better sound. It is great to see innovation in an area that really hasn't changed much in 80 years.

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Thank you, Tom. You don't know how good this makes me feel. You are correct when you say that picks haven't really changed much in 80 years. Every other pick on the market (save a few) are produced on big presses and fed through transfer dies. They use a material off the rack in gauges that are easy to work with, so basically everyone is using .025" picks because those are the heaviest available. In nickel, stainless or brass.  There is something to adding mass to picks. It's like wearing little hammers and gives you a solid feel. When you dig in, the power goes all the way to the string. It's the same reason why flatpickers prefer heavy picks. The tone of silver is different too. I just now tried my new set of silver picks on reso and really loved the tone. I go back and forth but the point being is that there is a difference in tonal qualities. I love the silver for steel and banjo too. 

Allen S - Posted - 04/28/2020:  12:33:18

That looks amazing Ron! I'd love to give them a try!

FrederickPatterson - Posted - 04/29/2020:  18:02:41

How do you order?

Scratchmo - Posted - 04/30/2020:  05:24:21

quote:

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Originally posted by FrederickPatterson

How do you order?

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Next week we'll be in full production. They'll be listed on my website at landisstudios.net by the end of next week.

While at the site, check out my pewter Dobro pendants too.. 

Scratchmo - Posted - 04/30/2020:  05:27:27

Also want to mention that these are THE Rolls Royce of fingerpicks. They're pretty expensive, but I'm offering a full refund or exchange for different size or style if you're not satisfied.

Scratchmo - Posted - 04/30/2020:  05:44:06

quote:

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Originally posted by rickahull

Any plans for a thumb pick, also?

At first, I was not going to go there, thinking that Blue Chip had that pretty well sewn up but not everyone likes them.  I've made several before and have a plan to make a SUPER heavy silver thumb pick.  My personal thumb picks are heavy, hand engraved silver bands with a Blue Chip blade riveted on. I get two thumb pick blades from one flat pick... But if I offered those for sale I'd have to get about $200+ each for them. LOTS of work and difficult to size properly. 

Lounge Primate - Posted - 04/30/2020:  17:57:27

Very cool. I’d like to figure a way to hook them to a lanyard to wear around the neck when not playing.
They’d always be at the ready, and as cool a pendant as the other old hippy stuff I still secretly like.

rickahull - Posted - 04/30/2020:  18:13:04

quote:

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Originally posted by Scratchmo

quote:

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Originally posted by rickahull

Any plans for a thumb pick, also?

At first, I was not going to go there, thinking that Blue Chip had that pretty well sewn up but not everyone likes them.  I've made several before and have a plan to make a SUPER heavy silver thumb pick.  My personal thumb picks are heavy, hand engraved silver bands with a Blue Chip blade riveted on. I get two thumb pick blades from one flat pick... But if I offered those for sale I'd have to get about $200+ each for them. LOTS of work and difficult to size properly. 

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That is a little expensive, but if they're way better than anything else on the market, well, you only live once.

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 05/01/2020:  04:41:44

Rick, you're a master of understatement. 

If Ron were to offer a thumbpick but needed to get 200 bucks each, we're talking more than "a little expensive" since a lot of players would never even pay $40 for a BlueChip. 

  

Picks being what they are, an item one has to to mentally stay on top of so as not to misplace them - if I paid $200 for a thumbpick I'd have to figure out a way to mount a tiny chip on it to be able to track it with my iPhone when I lose it. 

Edited by - MarkinSonoma on 05/01/2020 04:42:08

Lounge Primate - Posted - 05/01/2020:  07:35:16

quote:

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Originally posted by MarkinSonoma

Rick, you're a master of understatement. 

If Ron were to offer a thumbpick but needed to get 200 bucks each, we're talking more than "a little expensive" since a lot of players would never even pay $40 for a BlueChip. 

  

Picks being what they are, an item one has to to mentally stay on top of so as not to misplace them - if I paid $200 for a thumbpick I'd have to figure out a way to mount a tiny chip on it to be able to track it with my iPhone when I lose it. 

 

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Mark, they are always easy to find. They are either in the sound hole, or in the dryer, with some loose change. 

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 05/01/2020:  09:38:28

Or you can check the contents of what the vacuum cleaner picks up.

Speaking of BlueChip, I also have a couple of their flat picks ($35 each). 

A few years back I had a beanbag chair sitting in the corner of my office/music room. I was vacuuming in there and in moving the beanbag, as I was about to push the vacuum forward there it was - an escaped BlueChip flat pick. That was close!

The two BlueChips are usually present and accounted for, and they live in one of those little wooden pick boxes with the BlueChip logo that one can order from Matt Goins. It's a high rent neighborhood - no other flatpicks allowed. The $1.00 picks with the Fender or Taylor logo, and all the freebies from guitar stores are not allowed  in the box. 

rickahull - Posted - 05/01/2020:  11:16:52

quote:

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Originally posted by MarkinSonoma

Rick, you're a master of understatement. 

If Ron were to offer a thumbpick but needed to get 200 bucks each, we're talking more than "a little expensive" since a lot of players would never even pay $40 for a BlueChip. 

  

Picks being what they are, an item one has to to mentally stay on top of so as not to misplace them - if I paid $200 for a thumbpick I'd have to figure out a way to mount a tiny chip on it to be able to track it with my iPhone when I lose it. 

 

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If a person had one of Ron's thumb picks they would surely need something like the Slyde Compartment to keep it in! 

Scratchmo - Posted - 05/01/2020:  15:40:44

Here's my Thumbpicks. I use one for Banjo and one for Reso. I don't know why really.

 

Scratchmo - Posted - 05/01/2020:  15:45:44

And here's a few other prototypes. That engraved silver one is pretty good and although I like the longer blade, I'll probably trim it down some. I made the plain one on whim the other day. I call it the "Nine Pound Hammer" and it contains 3/4 of a troy ounce of 12 gauge sterling silver. I think some people might really like the weight but it definitely needs a thinner band.

 

Scratchmo - Posted - 05/01/2020:  17:36:51

We did a few adjustments in the dies and are now producing consistently full stampings with full teeth and thicker blades. This is the first pair that will be shipped out tomorrow. And I'm so honored to know they'll be going to a truly top tier player as a gift from a mutual friend. I hope he likes them..

 

rickahull - Posted - 05/01/2020:  19:14:53

quote:

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Originally posted by Scratchmo

We did a few adjustments in the dies and are now producing consistently full stampings with full teeth and thicker blades. This is the first pair that will be shipped out tomorrow. And I'm so honored to know they'll be going to a truly top tier player as a gift from a mutual friend. I hope he likes them..

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     Very nice!

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 05/01/2020:  20:30:26

Alright...now we gotta keep our eyes peeled for the top tier player using these picks!

Scratchmo - Posted - 05/02/2020:  02:32:58

quote:

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Originally posted by MarkinSonoma

Alright...now we gotta keep our eyes peeled for the top tier player using these picks!

A Top tier Banjo player will be receiving the first production pair being sent today. Here is another top tier player. Perhaps lesser known but very accomplished two-time National Banjo Champion who plays my picks. This taken from Steven Moore's Facebook Artist page.... "I love my picks from Landis Studios! Lots of miles on this prototype set - they're all I use. Thanks, Ron!"

 

Allen S - Posted - 05/05/2020:  13:31:55

All I can say is WOW! Unfortunately a little more than some of us can afford though.

Oboe Cadobro - Posted - 05/05/2020:  14:46:32

How soft is the metal? Can they be twisted and bent to one side? I don't think that I could get those picks square on the strings without twisting them.

Colin Irvine - Posted - 05/05/2020:  16:57:27

You mentioned a price for the thumb pick... have you settled on an asking price for the finger picks yet?

Scratchmo - Posted - 05/06/2020:  18:25:34

We got the picks up on the website but we also have a glitch in the system which will be straightened out when my webmaster gets to it on Friday. The mobile version works fine but if you're viewing through a desktop, the top line of items can not be opened up. You can get around it by ordering a pair of singles. Anyway, here's the link...

landisstudios.net/finger-picks

Scratchmo - Posted - 05/06/2020:  18:31:09

quote:

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Originally posted by Oboe Cadobro

How soft is the metal? Can they be twisted and bent to one side? I don't think that I could get those picks square on the strings without twisting them.

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That's the whole idea behind the blade shape. No matter what angle of attack, it's always the same radius hitting the string. No need to twist them. They're pretty heavy too, great for getting some response from heavy dobro strings. 

badger - Posted - 05/08/2020:  11:11:40

How do they hold up? Is the nickel silver more durable than the sterling silver?

SlimPickins - Posted - 05/08/2020:  13:15:17

I was curious about the durability as well. I know I could get several years out of my old nickel ProPiks, but would hope to get more than a few years out of $100+ picks.

Scratchmo - Posted - 05/08/2020:  19:37:41

quote:

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Originally posted by badger

How do they hold up? Is the nickel silver more durable than the sterling silver?

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I suppose nickel would hold up better but I wouldn't base my choice off that. Either one would last decades. BTW... we got our glitches fixed on the website. You can actually order pairs now... :-)   I'm adding a lot more info on there later on. For now at least, we have an avenue for sales.  

landisstudios.net/finger-picks

Scratchmo - Posted - 05/08/2020:  19:56:56

quote:

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Originally posted by Colin Irvine

You mentioned a price for the thumb pick... have you settled on an asking price for the finger picks yet?

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Finger picks are $80 for a pair of nickel-silver picks. $100 for a pair of Sterling silver picks. Add $20 if you'd like them engraved. I won't be offering thumb picks at any price until I can tool up to cut them and strike them with our coining press. I'd like to offer them in sterling silver in three sizes. Maybe by September so we can unveil them at Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, if I can procure a booth, that is. 

Scratchmo - Posted - 05/08/2020:  20:04:26

I shipped off several sets already and am very happy with the reviews and feedback I’m getting. This is a set of personalized nickel picks I did today. 

Edited by - Scratchmo on 05/08/2020 20:10:15

Silver Bee set

 

Scratchmo - Posted - 05/08/2020:  20:07:53

This is a set of silver picks done on special request from a Beekeeper. 

Edited by - Scratchmo on 05/08/2020 20:10:50

 

maxmax - Posted - 05/10/2020:  01:50:57

quote:

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Originally posted by Scratchmo

I just now tried my new set of silver picks on reso and really loved the tone. I go back and forth but the point being is that there is a difference in tonal qualities. I love the silver for steel and banjo too. 

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These look very interesting, impressive work!

Would you be willing to try to explain the tonal difference between the silver and nickel picks? I'm aware of the old saying "talking about tone is like dancing about architecture", but still if you could try that would be very helpful! 

Cornfield - Posted - 05/12/2020:  05:23:09

I just ordered a pair. I’m going to try them with autoharp.

gzerninplatz - Posted - 05/21/2020:  17:05:33

Oboe- Ron pointed out that the picks ends are curved, not flat, so you con't have to bend them to get a surface to his the string squarely...they automatically will do it no matter how you pick.

Cornfield - Posted - 05/23/2020:  04:01:15

Mine arrived yesterday. I’ll get a chance to try them out later today, when it’s raining.

Oboe Cadobro - Posted - 07/20/2020:  17:20:08

I tried these picks for a week and they just don't work for me. I love the sticky feel on my fingers, but the rounded tips and the angle of attack make me unable to feel comfortable with volume control. Ron, I sent you a message via your website, and I hope you will let me return them.

Thanks,

Dane

DeanT - Posted - 07/20/2020:  18:02:15

Please keep us posted on the thumb picks... very interested in a set. Also keep us posted about Winfield, I live near there, and need an excuse to go. It's been 10 years or so since I've been.

Scratchmo - Posted - 08/20/2020:  14:43:53

quote:

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Originally posted by Oboe Cadobro

I tried these picks for a week and they just don't work for me. I love the sticky feel on my fingers, but the rounded tips and the angle of attack make me unable to feel comfortable with volume control. Ron, I sent you a message via your website, and I hope you will let me return them.

Thanks,

Dane

Yes, I hope those alterations worked well for you. I haven't heard back so I assume all is well. But yes, I offer a full refund if you're not happy. So far out of 120+ pairs sold, I've only had two refunds. I think one of them was a forum administrator checking to see if I really do refunds. It was was one of our first sales. I've done about a dozen resizes, blade alterations or trade ups in alloy, but none of them wanted a refund because they liked the bands so well. 

Scratchmo - Posted - 08/20/2020:  14:49:51

quote:

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Originally posted by DeanT

Please keep us posted on the thumb picks... very interested in a set. Also keep us posted about Winfield, I live near there, and need an excuse to go. It's been 10 years or so since I've been.

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I've been taking orders on thumb picks but I have to charge $150 each because I'm making them totally from scratch. After cutting and stamping dies are developed I hope to offer them at half that price. As far as Winfield goes, apparently the 49th annual Walnut Valley Festival will be postponed until 2021.  I was really looking forward to having a booth there this year.  I understand there will be a lot of camping going on in the Pecan Grove despite no festival, 

DeanT - Posted - 08/20/2020:  18:27:08

Thank you very much for the update! Too bad about Winfield... but that's the same with just about every event in this area, even the state fair. Hopefully we can meet at the 2021 festival, and I'll get a set of picks then!