Zaphod, take your pick!!

[muttley600]

Remember I said a while back I'd mail you details next time I made some up? Well I had to do some today as I lost my last one at a gig on Sunday.

Before anyone gets at me for using tortoise shell this stock dates from the 1920's and I ain't about to throw it away. I use it for repairs when required and when what I have has gone it's gone. In the meantime I like real picks.

[muttley600]

A little phot essay on the half hour spent making em.

Cut the basic shape on a scroll saw. Then file the outline to desired shape.

[muttley600]

Flatten both sides going through grits from 180 to 600. And then round edge to desired profile. Polish with 1000 grit soft pads.

[Zaphod B]

Ooh, those are pretty, Muttley!

Thanks for remembering. I'll PM you shortly with my postal address.

I'm fond of the one on the left. I has lots of two-tone-ness.

Thanks so much - you're a good man.

[muttley600]

When all seems to shape and cut flat and true polish up with Tcut. Voila...

[muttley600]

Repeat as required.

[Zaphod B]

That poor, poor turtle.

Check your PMs.

[muttley600]

Originally Posted by Zaphod B

That poor, poor turtle.

Check your PMs.

When I was a teenager we used to bike out to a little country pub that had a big pond in the garden complete with turtles. I heard from my brother that recently he returned some 25 years later to find the pond had gone but all the ash trays on the garden tables were made from turtle shells.

I'm still not sure if he's yanking my chain so when I'm next back home I'm going to have to check it out.

[guitar junkie]

dang those are cool!

I have a few that came with an old banjo of mine, just don't really have the heart to play em since they came with my 20s Vega but I have thought about using them just the same in studio on my D28

[Zaphod B]

Originally Posted by muttley600

When I was a teenager we used to bike out to a little country pub that had a big pond in the garden complete with turtles. I heard from my brother that recently he returned some 25 years later to find the pond had gone but all the ash trays on the garden tables were made from turtle shells.

I'm still not sure if he's yanking my chain so when I'm next back home I'm going to have to check it out.

It's a good story regardless.

There is a big antique store next to my office. Among the knicknacks and smaller junk that they keep locked up in glass diplay cases is a small collection of pre-ban ivory figurines. Quite expensive. Most of it is big enough to carve nuts and picks out of. I can't bring myself to shell out the money for it, just to experiment.

[Zaphod B]

Originally Posted by guitar junkie

dang those are cool!

I have a few that came with an old banjo of mine, just don't really have the heart to play em since they came with my 20s Vega but I have thought about using them just the same in studio on my D28

I'm looking forward to hearing how it sounds with my D-28 as well.

[muttley600]

Originally Posted by Zaphod B

It's a good story regardless.

There is a big antique store next to my office. Among the knicknacks and smaller junk that they keep locked up in glass diplay cases is a small collection of pre-ban ivory figurines. Quite expensive. Most of it is big enough to carve nuts and picks out of. I can't bring myself to shell out the money for it, just to experiment.

Old piano keys is the popular source. The don't come up too thick though.

[guitar junkie]

Never thought about swiping off of keys.... I know where I could nab a whole bunch of it now that I think about it...

[Zaphod B]

Originally Posted by muttley600

I'll stick an ivory pick in as well. Old piano keys is my main source. The don't come up too thick though.

Well, I'll be damned. Thanks!

[muttley600]

Originally Posted by guitar junkie

Never thought about swiping off of keys.... I know where I could nab a whole bunch of it now that I think about it...

Not all keys are ivory. Most pre war were but even then some are not. The test is with a flame. If it burns slowly with the same smell as flesh and bone your good. If it melts it's a modern plastic. If it explodes well it's celluloid.

Seriously look for grain in the patina and if you can flame test it, it will have a distinctive smell.

[Zaphod B]

Originally Posted by muttley600

If it explodes well it's celluloid.

Ever set ping-pong balls on fire? Fun!

[muttley600]

Here you go, in Ivory. Slightly smaller because the piano keys aren't that wide.

[guitar junkie]

Hey Muttley how much do you get for one of the piano key models?

[WhiteStrat]

Nice job & cool info Muttley! Thanks for sharing!

[true-eurt]

Cool picks Muttley! The tortoise shell ones are gorgeous! What about all the dead turtles?...you know..the ones people catch and make turtle soup from..It'd be okay to use those wouldn't it?

You lucky Texan Zap!

I know where a really old upright is...just maybe...

[Zaphod B]

Originally Posted by muttley600

Here you go, in Ivory. Slightly smaller because the piano keys aren't that wide.

Mmmmm. Very nice.

[muttley600]

Originally Posted by guitar junkie

Hey Muttley how much do you get for one of the piano key models?

The ivory

I don't sell em It's questionably illegal here..

The tortoise shell,

The small piece I have is pre 1947 and unworked and as I understand it it's OK for me to use. I wouldn't sell them under any circumstance. The stuff is covered under CITES. see here

[Milnoque]

I applaud your gesture Muttley.

Zaphod, I would appreciate it if you would post your impressions when you try it out. I used to use tortoise picks early on. You could still find them then.

[guitar junkie]

I made a few picks out of PVC sheeting and they sound and play pretty good.

I guess my favorite pick is the Wegen Tripoint but it's like $7.50 a pop and hard to get in the states...

[eyema_believer]

Man, those are some pretty picks. I've never ever lusted after a pick before, and I can't believe I'm doin' it now....
I did a little reading on legal stuff on that link you provided Muttley, and it seems like the land dwelling creatures are not covered under these laws.... am I reading that correct?? If so, would a turtle like the one pictured here (Eastern Box Turtle)provide a pick similar for myself, and would it be legal to harvest such a creature here in the United States for such a purpose, provided it was only for personal use? If so, how on earth would you get that curved shell flattened enough to use for a pick???

Peace!!

~Shawn