Playing Samples

The Signature Lessons With Marcel Pick is a right-hand beveled tri-point 1.3mm flatpick etched with a design made by Marcel Ardans and manufactured by Picksmith.

Why the shape?
The standard in bluegrass for decades, the tri-point shape offers more surface area than a traditional teardrop pick, making it easier to grip and ideal for pulling tone from an acoustic guitar. Experienced flatpickers will no doubt be familar with the shape and feel. With three identical tips, tri-point picks also encourage even wear and last longer.

Why the thickness?
Fans of the channel may remember Jake Eddy borrowing my 1.5mm pick and saying, “You really think you need all that?” Or the blindfolded pick challenge where I preferred a thinner pick than my daily driver. After years of alternating between 1.2mm picks and 1.5mm picks, I’ve finally found the most comfortable compromise in 1.3mm. This thickness in combination with Picksmith’s signature material delivers a slightly reduced treble response while boosting bass and midrange presence. A sound that I find is ideal for the varied roles of the guitar in bluegrass music.

What’s with the bevel?
I’ve been approached by several pick companies asking to make signature picks to my liking and the bevel was always the sticking point. A bevel that transitions too harshly to the top of the pick will lead to increased pick noise, this can only be mitigated by an increased break-in period. A pick that’s over beveled will lose the benefit of the thickness of the pick by removing too much material and at that point the damage has been done. I could say more about how the bevel interacts with the tip of the pick but I think my point has been made. The bevel can make or break a pick. Each Signature Lessons With Marcel Pick is hand-beveled by Picksmith, the result of extensive testing and refinement. Picksmith has managed to make a bevel that already feels smooth and broken in while maintaining the thick attack required for bluegrass.

What’s the material?
The Signature Lessons With Marcel Pick is made from Picksmith’s signature material, a high-performance composite chosen after years of testing countless alternatives. Picksmith has decided to keep the exact recipe a secret for now, much like Bluechip did with Vespel for years until their patent request was accepted and the knowledge became semi-public. I don’t even know the exact material used. For now, we’ll all have to accept the mystery and let the pick speak for itself.

Shape: Tri-point
Bevel: Right Hand
Size: 33 mm x 31.5 mm
Thickness: 1.3 mm

If you’d like a pick in different dimensions you can place an order with Picksmith directly.