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Are Wegen picks sounding different?
HCPhilly
Phila. PA✭✭✭✭
Hi all,
It's been a while since I've posted here, but I wanted to put this out for discussion. I've been using Wegens for a long time, since around 2002, and I have noticed that they have been sounding different for a few years now. [I'm using the GP250's] They are often slightly raspy sounding especially on wound strings.
I can hear the difference when I compare new ones to an old one. I did email Michel Wegen about it, and he was kind enough to answer. "Well, I have been thinking about your question. I don't think it's the material, because I buy the same material from the same company for over 25 years, and they have a solid reputation about their products. Then, there is me. I make the picks in small batches, so, one batch can be slightly different then the one before.
And what you say about the wear. That also has a contribution to the sound. It is what it is.'
I did say to him that maybe the new picks sound that way because they aren't worn, [basically polished by use]. I realize that there are more pressing issues in the world today of course, but since I play a lot, and make my living playing this music, it's been driving me a bit crazy[!] ;-) I'm thinking that the new ones probably need to be sanded a bit to get rid of the rasp.
Cheers, -B
Comments
HCPhilly - I recently 6 months ago started using my old 20 year ago Wegen white 2.5 mm pick. I didn't seem to have as much rotational control over my great sounding 2.0 mm big bear pick,(thanks Ted Gottsegen) I'd been using for 12 years or so. Coupled with notable ear ringing, my age and volume loss in 3-5k hearing range, I like that I'm not hearing a 'click' sound with this old pick any more and I say "Go with the sound you hear and like"! Rocky
The new ones that he's been 3D printing have a very smooth string release, super well polished and they seem to have low wear as well. Besides those I haven't used Wegens in a long time.
(Semi)handmade picks can sound different from pick to pick. An example: I bought that Timber Tones buffalo horn pick and it was my favourite pick for a little while. The main problem with that pick is that the material is quite fragile, I could see that the pick was going to wear out real quick. So I bought another one, "exactly" like the first pick. The new pick has a different tone and feel, I believe I could differentiate them blindfolded. I compared the picks closely, I noticed that the older one had just a slightly flatter tip while the newer pick had more of a perfect "Dunlop style" shape. In conclusion, a very little physical difference can change a lot about the feel. And obviously, as in my case, the picks are made out of natural material, it is logical to think that not every piece of horn has the same density.
But I switched to a different pick altogether and I keep the special buffalo horn pick for special occasions. I don't want to wear it but I know it's a good pick.
I bought a wegen Trimus fattone (5mm) in 2002 or 2003. Only pick I used for the last 23 years (for this style) until a few weeks ago when my bandmate borrowed my guitar and lost the pick.
Not to happy about that 👺 but I ordered a new one from Wegen, and to my surprise it sounded the same and almost felt the same.
Of course a few hundred gigs and thousands of hours of practise must have worn my pick down. But i adapted to the new one in under one hour. Soundwise - it’s the same, and I’m quite a little diva and ”picky” about it. ( in total I bought seven new picks from various builders, but the black fattone is the one for me)
I think this says something about the quality of Wegens picks, awsome!
And a tip for not loosing picks is always keep it under the strings of your guitar when not playing, and always remove it if you lend your guitar to anyone, and never ever lend anything to my bandmate if you are in sweden!
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