For every guitarist the plectrum variable is one of those that mathematicians would define as complex: based on the emphasis, shape, position of attack on the string and only ultimately the material changes the response of the instrument, the attack, the amount of frequencies to emphasize and the smoothness of the pick itself. It seems a separate science, difficult to describe and even more difficult to record if not with high-level means.
So, proceeding in order, let us try to describe the handcrafted picks di Devil Picks, built entirely by hand by Ilaria Anastasi.
A complete set like the one under consideration, that is the model one jazz 3, is composed by five picks, in our case made in the following materials:
- Coconut (2 mm)
- Bone (2 mm)
- Plexyglass (2-3 mm)
- Vinyl (1 mm)
- Wood (Bois de rose, 2 mm)
Aesthetic Considerations
Well, the shape is what it is, we all know the cut of the Jazz 3, it is the classic shape, but the pick is well polished and without impurities of any kind, the material is excellent and there are no stains (for the wooden ones) or signs of any kind (for the rest).
So on the aesthetic side it is promoted, well built and also beautiful to look at.
Technical Considerations
From this point of view it is quite difficult for me to be able to say something: not being an object with controls or "options" talking about the technical equipment would be crazy, so it is better to go directly to the sound performance.
Sound Considerations
Making a general speech would be useless, each of these picks sounds differently based on the type of hand, string, angle, guitar, woodwinds and neck, so we will try to list at least the salient points of each of these, specifying in which cases them we used.
All have been tested on one Fender Lonestar Stratocaster attached by cable LinfAudio to the H&K 25th Anniversary.
- Vinyl - Good attack and slightly compressed sound, the best field of application was that of clean arpeggios; the attack of the pick does not distort the instrument and you can hear the whole string that acquires presence and sustain, with a particular roundness.
- Plexiglas - Very strong attack and very powerful and well defined sound, the calling card of this pick is particular, since it also makes versatility its strong point. It was tested on accompaniments and melodic and solo parts, and it performed well in all cases without overpowering anyone. The pick runs very well and is effortless, despite the slightly larger thickness than vinyl and bois de rose.
- Osso - This is the pick that I found most difficult to manage due to the thickness you start from 2 millimeters: this drawback is balanced by the sonic brilliance and the cleanliness it is capable of giving, especially on the clean you can appreciate all its qualities, both in accompaniment and in the melodic parts.
- Coconut - Very particular sound, although the thickness emphasizes the harmonic range of the medium low, not being particularly difficult to manage on the melodic parts or in the arpeggios. It's a great choice for a more distinctive and warmer sound than the other options; many love it for acoustic guitars but also on an instrument electric it is absolutely not to be disdained.
- Rosewood - The material I knew the least, but also the one that surprised me the most: the best field of application is that of accompaniments, both in clean and with a rather dirty sound, the range of frequencies that the instrument gains is remarkable, it seems to have the triple sound, per spectrum, made the combo's distorted channel sing without distorting the Stratocaster, truly magnificent.
Economic Considerations
A complete set like the one examined costs about thirty euros, it is not a high price at all and it must be taken into account the difficulty of working the various types of material without the use of a machine, so knowing this is at least honest to repay the hours. of work for the construction of the pick.
As for the costs of the individual picks:
- Coconut - 7 Euros
- Vinyl - 6 Euro
- Bone - 10 Euros
- Plexyglass - 4 Euro
- Wood - 5 Euros
Personally I find the price of the wooden one excellent, the yield is really beautiful and the price is not very high compared to the average prices of other brands and it performs very well on the electric guitar, it is what amazed me most.
The rest of the prices are honest, there are no increases, especially considering that we are talking about pure craftsmanship without the use of any type of machinery, so congratulations to Ilaria who maintains this level at an affordable price.
Final considerations
An additional weapon in the arsenal, but an arsenal that gives its best in the studio rather than in live, since the lack of adequate volume management (as could happen in a medium-small venue, especially without sound or microphone) and at least decent acoustics would not allow at all to be able to perceive the differences between one pick and another.
The second point is a little more personal: the duration of the pick depends a lot on the type of playing of the musician, so it could have very different values. The vinyl one is the one that is consumed more quickly, immediately after the plexyglass one: I think it also depends on the genre you play, the fact is that it would be convenient to have a spare one, at least of those that are used more often.
PRO
- Ergonomic spaces and furniture
- Good attack
AGAINST
- Durability
Useful Information
Manufacturer's site: devilpicks.jimdo.com
Price - 30 euros (full set)
