since 1968 by David Reasoner
Do you have a fast ear? Can you hear what I'm talking
about? Listen to all your favorite rock n roll leads from
major groups. On some you will hear a special sound.
Not the extremely fast thrash leads, but just good
forceful intense leads that have made history. Note the
slight metallic sound of the metal on metal in many of
these leads. At some point almost all of us have picked
up a coin such as a penny or a nickel and played on a
bright tone setting. What happens here is the coin, upon
approaching the already vibrating string, is in close
enough proximity to allow pre-contact. This creates the
metal-to-string metallic sound. Remember coins have a
very round configuration. Try this with a coin, using a
forceful picking technique, and a very bright tone setting.
You may be able to develop the technique of a slight
pause as the pick approaches an already vibrating string,
which enhances the effect. The only problem is most
people don't run around playing with a coin...this crashes
accuracy and speed! Now why would I go to all the
trouble of telling you this story? Truth is in the history of
my picks, and the top name groups who have used them.
With a DR pick you have the best of both worlds at your
finger tips. The pick is designed with a sharp point for
accuracy, speed, and other purposes to be discussed
later. To get the effect I have described above, all you
have to do is roll the pick up to one of the upper round
corners, hold it a little less parallel to the string, and use
it as long as needed. In fact you have two upper corners
to choose from. Roll back to the point for normal playing.
With a little practice this can be done instantly. The tip of
the pick can deliver some of the above mentioned sound
if angled properly, but its design has other purposes.
DR
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These picks are designed for the professional
guitarist. You may be in a top name group, you
may be a studio musician, you may play locally
as a regular job, you may be a guitar teacher, or
you may just be a professional guitarist who is
dedicated and plays as much as you feel like. It
is interesting to note that in modern times many
high-end guitars are being produced without a
pick guard. What has happened in the last 30
years is professional guitarists are more
accurate with the pick. In early times you would
see guitars with torn up pick guards from just
using heavy plastic picks. Now you continue to
see guitars that are played really hard, yet don't
have a scratch in the picking area. These metal
picks are designed with that kind of control in
mind. If you don't have this ability, or can't evolve
to it, these picks are not for you.
Metal picks have their greatest string wear on
the fourth string (D string). On a typical rock n
roll set, the third string is not wound, and shows
no wear. There is usually very little string wear
on any of the other strings.
Most professional guitarists change strings
somewhere between two and four months. The
wear on the fourth string therefore is usually not
a concern until after this interval. Bronze strings,
which are softer, would be less durable. If you
are a guitarist who uses plastic picks, and
expect a set of strings to last a year or
two...metal picks are not for you.
DR
A percussive harmonic is a very high harmonic
note produced in the high-end treble tone range.
This is heard on a select few records by top name
groups. Here is how to do it with a sharp pointed
DR pick....
First set your guitar, amp, and effects to produce a
bright high-end presence tone with moderate
distortion. Now place the tip of the pick by force
buried into the end of your finger. You now need to
pick with an up-stroke on one of the top three
un-wound strings. Move the whole picking
operation up or down the string slightly to get
different harmonics. What happens is the string
first gets picked with the point, then the tip of your
finger immediately deadens the note, setting up a
shock wave(percussion) in the string to produce
the high harmonic. This isn't a fast picking
technique, however the sound is quite historic.
DR
If you feel the need to have your pick back in
that mirror finish shiny condition, here is how
you can do this at home....
For Bronze, Brass, and Copper picks get
some paste or liquid brass polish. Place
some on a clean rag and start rubbing. A
good finish shouldn't take but a few minutes.
For Stainless Steel it is the same process,
except you need to go to an automotive parts
store, or a motorcycle shop and get some
chrome polish. This will take a little more
effort, and time, but it can be done.
DR
LATER!
DR
professional guitarist. They are used by over 58 top
name groups for distinctive and unmatched tone. They
are engineered and manufactured to a very precise
specification, creating a precision tool for your playing.
Professionals have told me for years how they would
never go back to a plastic flex pick. If you are new to
these picks, give yourself about a month to adapt. It is a
well known fact that most professionals evolve to a rigid
pick. Remember, if it isn't a DR pick, it isn't the original.
2600 Canyon Drive
Amarillo, Texas 79110
phone 806-372-5404
