Hank's pick in the early days

[shadows_guitarist]

Asking straight forward what plectrum was Hank using in the early 60s? Brand, thickness, shape, etc.
Thanks in advance

[franz]

Hi, Nikola,
Only 6 months late with this reply.
I have this week astonished myself by trying a different pick to get as close a I can to the early sound. I have for years been using a 2 mm pick to hit the strings hard but this week tried a 1mm gibson H pick. the difference in sound is huge. The Gibson gives a more hollow sound on the lower strings more like the original recordings but the 2mm gives a much rounder sound on the treble strings, again much more like the original records. The 1mm is great for Gonzales.So it depends I think on which tune you are playing. My guess, and it is only a guess, is that Hank used a pick somewhere in the middle of these two, maybe 1.3 or 1.5mm.
Regards,
Franz

[dave robinson]

Hank had his own picks on sale back in the early sixties, they were similar to the old tortoiseshell Bert Weedon picks, but longer, I have a a picture of one but I don't know how to get it on here. If you Google Hank Marvin plectrum images you'll see it as well as the modern red ones and the Bert Weedon ones.

[abstamaria]

In the very early days, particularly for Apache, Hank would have used an off-the-shelf plectrum. What was available then in London? And what gauge was in favor then?

Andy

[ecca]

There were only tortoiseshell plecks around and we took them for granted.
I wish now I'd have bought a bucketful, I have one solitary Bert Weedon one left that is so precious I won't use it.
There was something about the 'bite' of tortoiseshell...........

[dave robinson]

Those Bert Weedon plectrums were the main ones when I first started, in tortoiseshell or the cheaper plastic, along with the black Gibson ones we still can buy today. Like I said before, Google 'plectrums' Bert Weedon or Hank Marvin images and there are pictures. If you type in guitar pick images , there are different pictures.

[roger bayliss]

http://www.guitarselectric.co.uk/product/pentagonbertweedon

[ecca]

Here's some buffalo horn plecs. I've ordered 3.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-HANDMADE-BU ... 5668a554ca

[dave robinson]

Here's some buffalo horn plecs. I've ordered 3.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-HANDMADE-BU ... 5668a554ca

They look the biz Ecca, let us know what you think - are they as good as the old school ?

[ecca]

I'll let you know Dave.
A huge amount of the tone comes from the pleck.
Brian May plays with a tanner. I'm far too miserable to do that.