This plectrum will self-destruct ...

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This plectrum will self-destruct ...

Postby abstamaria » Sat Mar 17, 2012 1:53 pm

I just discovered to my surprise that several of my unused plectrums have begun to wax over, become soft or brittle. I noticed this first in the Fernando 1.3 mm picks, which had gotten soft, and to my horror found my precious George Dennis picks getting brittle and snapping easily. I kept these stored in a drawer and they are about 2 years old.

Has this ever happened to anyone else? I know the formulation in some new plastics is poor or intended to biodegrade quickly. But plectrums?

Andy
Last edited by abstamaria on Sat Mar 17, 2012 2:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: This plectrum will self-destruct ...

Postby JimN » Sat Mar 17, 2012 2:11 pm

Celluloid?

Being organic in origin, it's fairly volatile as plastics go.

Admittedly, it usually takes years to break down chemically (which is why film archives all over the world have their main difficulties with deteriorating film from the 1930s and earlier), but a particular batch may occasionally be badly formulated and start to deteriorate quickly. And if you keep all your celluloid plectra together, one bad apple may start to produce enough of the damaging gases and other substances to bring about the start of decomposition for the rest of them.

Chuck all the damaged ones away, bin the container, and get a new batch!

JN
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Re: This plectrum will self-destruct ...

Postby abstamaria » Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:50 am

Thank you, Jim. I will do that.

Now to find those elusive George Dennis picks.

Andy
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Re: This plectrum will self-destruct ...

Postby alanbakewell » Sun Mar 18, 2012 9:45 am

Here's your man Andy, I've just bought mine from here with no problems. :D

Cheers, Alan.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/250979014773? ... 1497.l2648
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Re: This plectrum will self-destruct ...

Postby bazmusicman » Sun Mar 18, 2012 1:01 pm

Hi Andy,
I have also used that supplier from Canada - no problem at all, and quite fast delivery to me in the UK.

Best regards,
Baz.
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Souce for GD picks

Postby abstamaria » Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:11 am

Thank you, Alan, Baz. I will check this our ASAP.

Best,

Andy
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Re: This plectrum will self-destruct ...

Postby abstamaria » Fri Feb 21, 2020 10:36 am

It seems George Dennis 1.3 Sharp plectrums are available again?

https://www.muziker.co.uk/george-dennis ... eavy-picks

I think I will also try Dunlop Jazz IIIs, which I gather Hank switched to sometime ago?
Andy
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Re: This plectrum will self-destruct ...

Postby Didier » Fri Feb 21, 2020 10:47 am

abstamaria wrote:I know the formulation in some new plastics is poor or intended to biodegrade quickly.

There are many different kinds of plastic, some which become brittle after a few years, some which last almost forever. I have ski poles of which plastic parts are
still perfectly strong and flexible although they are over 40 years old !

Didier
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Re: This plectrum will self-destruct ...

Postby MikeAB » Fri Feb 21, 2020 12:43 pm

The George Denis picks - tried them, thought they were awful and at least partly responsible for the later live Hank sound everyone hated? I can recall Hank closely inspecting the GD tip all the time in one concert and even grabbing a new pick mid-song. I always seem to return to simple Fender mediums myself.
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Re: This plectrum will self-destruct ...

Postby Hank2k » Fri Feb 21, 2020 1:35 pm

Ive always rated the george dennis picks though i tend to use the orange 1.05.

I brought 2 batches of them direct from George Dennis a few years back and never had any problems with them but i am now down to my last 10 as i have tended to give some away at gigs etc
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