As an incurable tinkerer, I picked up the new ToneSlab thumb pick (pre-order a couple months ago—I don’t think they’re widely available yet).
I’ve been a BlueChip player for years, so that’s my baseline.
Both picks here are the JD Crowe model in Medium. I’ve attached a few photos for anyone curious about the physical differences.
Price:
ToneSlab ~$35
BlueChip ~$40
Close enough to call it a wash.
Fit:
The ToneSlab fits slightly tighter, though that may just be because my BlueChip is well broken-in. Both work fine for me size-wise.
Form:
The ToneSlab has a noticeably larger blade (longer and wider), along with a bigger metal band overall.
Tone:
No discernible difference to my ear.
Playability:
This is where I noticed the biggest difference. The longer blade on the ToneSlab takes some getting used to—not just in feel, but in technique. I found myself occasionally contacting the metal backplate, which I don't do with the BlueChip. That says more about my attack (I probably dig in a bit deeper than most players).
That said, I could probably adapt pretty quickly if I wanted to. And for some players, that longer blade might be a plus.
Conclusion:
The ToneSlab seems like a legitimate alternative. But for me, I’ll stick with the BlueChip—I don’t hear a tonal advantage, and it’s not enough of a change to justify adjusting technique.
One unknown is long-term durability. I typically get about a year out of a BlueChip. Obviously the ToneSlab is an unknown to me.
Hope this helps someone. Happy picking!
Thanks for the review Jamie.
Many of us know a lot of fellow dobro players either in person or online. And there are some who we can count on - and I'm not necessarily saying you're this guy - but when something new hits the market, be it a tone bar, capo, strings, amplification, etc. - they've got money burning a hole in their pocket so they are among the first to spring for the hot new item.
I'll stick with the BlueChip. I bought my first one 14 years ago and it hasn't ever steered me wrong.
One thing right off in the photo comparison I'm pretty sure I wouldn't like is the length of the blade on the ToneSlab. My first BlueChip was the regular reso version with the longer blade than the JD Crowe reso pick. When I later placed an order for a JD, the original reso version was relegated to backup status. I like the thumb being closer to the strings.
Yeah Mark, the longer blade on the ToneSlab was immediately noticeable to me too. Like you, I tend to stay very close to the strings with both thumb and fingers. (I used to use the hollowed-out FingerTones, and even now I curl my ProPiks pretty tightly around my fingertips, so it makes sense that the shorter Crowe-style BlueChip thumb pick feels more natural in my case...)
That said, I can absolutely see some players having a “eureka” moment with the ToneSlab because the added length may help them avoid feeling crowded near the strings. Different anatomy and technique favor different gear choices.
And yeah...I do experiment with gear a fair amount. Sometimes it’s just curiosity, but I’ve also had legitimate breakthroughs that way — sharper-edged modern bars, better fingerpicks, improved amplification, different setups, etc.
The way I see it: In a lot of hobbies, people get custom-fit for equipment. In dobro world, we mostly figure it out ourselves through trial and error. Half the fun (to me) is chasing what works best for your own hands, ears, and playing style! Within budget of course :)
If the size of the blade is a deal breaker, but every other facet is ahead, why not just custom shape the blade?
quote:
Originally posted by skydogIf the size of the blade is a deal breaker, but every other facet is ahead, why not just custom shape the blade?
Well, the metal mounting back plate extends further down than I like, causing me to periodically strike the metal. Shaping the poly blade won't change that.
I'm giving it to my banjo jam partner who loves these picks.
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