Is the thrill gone after 6 months of picking with a Blue Chip?
In our article on Blue Chip vs. Gravity picks, we compared two high-end guitar picks. Our verdict was that both Blue Chip and Gravity Picks make great guitar picks. Sometimes, however, the glow of new gear fades over time. In this article, I’ll provide a 6-Month update on my impressions of playing my BC Jazz60 LG pick over the past 6 months.
Why Blue Chip?
Before we dive into my long term impressions, let’s review why I bought a Blue Chip pick in the first place. Primarily, my goal was to determine if expensive picks are worth the money. Here at GK, we love guitar picks, And, there are many picks that sound great that don’t cost a whole lot. So, what exactly differentiates Blue Chip picks from picks costing far less?
Features
Blue Chip calls their picks the “perfect connection to your instrument.” BC picks are known for the following premium features:
- Material: Blue Chip picks are made of “a specially formulated composite material.”
- Attention to Detail: Blue Chip picks are hand-beveled and laser etched.
- Durability: Blue Chip picks are known to be more durable than traditional pick materials.
Blue Chip picks are available in multiple shapes, sizes, and gauges. In addition to many types of Flatpicks, Blue Chip makes a wide variety of picks, including Thumb picks, Finger picks, and Reso/Dobro picks. I chose the Jazz60 LG pick, which mimics the size and shape of a Dunlop Jazz III XL.
Blue Chip Guitar Pick Tones
In my original review, I noted that the The Jazz60 LG “impressed me with its warm, articulate tone. Notes have body and evenness.” The past 6 months of use have done nothing to change my mind on this. I feel that if anything, I’m appreciating the tone of the Blue Chip even more than I did initially.
Strength in Versatility
The key is versatility: The Jazz60 sounds great on any guitar, including my acoustics.
The pick gives an overall balanced tone, and does not accentuate any particular frequency. It’s not the darkest pick, but it provides low-end warmth. The treble is present, but not overly bright. You could say it is slightly rolled off, but you don’t feel like you’re missing any top end. I don’t like spiky treble in my guitar tones, and the Jazz60 gives me the sweet top end that I look for.
Blue Chip’s proprietary pick material contains lubricants, which are supposed to dampen any transient pick noise. I have found this to be true, regardless of the type of guitar or string used.
The best evidence of how much I am enjoying this pick is simply this:
“When I reach for a pick, more often than not I grab the Jazz60. It has become my default pick.”
-Brian S., Guitarkind.com
Durability
So far, I haven’t seen any signs of wear on the tip bevel of the pick, so it’s holding up nicely. As you can see from the photo, there are some surface scratches, but they are not deep enough to feel, and therefore, do not bother me.
Blue Chip Pick Feel
The Jazz60 material has proven to be a winner in both cold and dry climates, as well as hot and humid. Although the pick is not textured, it is never slippery. I believe I’ve settled on the 1.5mm gauge as the ideal thickness for me. I will say however that I am tempted to order another in a slightly thicker 2.0mm gauge.
The Best Guitar Pick I Own?
Though I didn’t expect it, the Jazz60 LG really has become my go-to pick. I asked myself if this is simply because it’s also my most expensive plectrum. Put another way: Do I have a subconscious need to justify the price of this pick?
To answer this question, all I had to do was launch an ad-hoc comparison between 4 or 5 other picks. I’ve done this on a few occasions, and every time, the Blue Chip has come out on top. Of course, I still do and will continue to use other picks for tonal variation. In terms of overall performance however, the Jazz60 gets the nod.
Conclusion
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time thus far with the Blue Chip Jazz60 LG. It’s the classic “desert-island” accessory in that if I could only use one brand of guitar pick, this would be the one.
In my original review, I admitted that I had been skeptical of how much a high end, expensive guitar pick matters. Although Blue Chip Guitar picks are a premium pick, the cost isn’t a lot for what you get: An excellent sounding, versatile, and durable pick that works well for all types of playing.
Blue Chip picks can be purchased directly from their website.