national thumbpicks

Brian Davis · Post by **Brian Davis** » 23 May 2003 8:13 am

Ok, I had been using the same National thumpick for too long and it was time to get a new one. The one I bought, though, was quite different from it's predecessor. They were both size L, but the new one was quite smaller. Also, the new one seemed to be cast from a different mold and was less "formed" in its shape. I tried boiling the pick to fit, but there just isn't enough plastic to wrap around my digit so it's snug. What's the deal? Did National switch molds? Do they have different models of thumbpick? To be honest, this new pick is a piece of...I went back to using the old pick, but now it broke in half. Help?

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www.floorbirds.com

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 23 May 2003 9:17 am

Try the "Herco Bugablue" They are a better fit on a thumb(comfortable) and they are not so "thuddy" If you have a problem gettng clarity on low strings these babies will brighten it up. I love em and have used them for twenty years...Scotty has em $1.00 a peice..

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Steelin' away in life,
Scott
www.scottyhenderson.com

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 23 May 2003 9:24 am

Hello Brian...I have an old National thumbpick you can have if you like, no charge. It is a rather hefty pick..I have one in size L and one in M. These are white and have gold lettering...If this sounds like what you're looking for, just reply here and I'll get to you in an e-mail

Paul Warnik · Post by **Paul Warnik** » 23 May 2003 11:50 am

Brian D-they did change them a few years ago-and I feel the same way as you do about them-That is why I bought all the old ones that Scotty had left-I do not like the "Bugablue" picks (sorry Scott H.-I know many steelers use them)If you are used to the old National-I doubt you will like the blue nylon type-Look for the "Golden Gate" thumbpicks-They are nearly identical in size and feel to the old Nationals

Brian Davis · Post by **Brian Davis** » 23 May 2003 1:13 pm

Thanks for the info, Paul. I had heard about those Golden Gates...little pricey, though, eh? Know anyplace in Chicago that carries the Golden Gates? I'm pretty accustomed to the fit of the old Nationals...so Jerry if you're offering, I'd be happy to take you up on that free thumbpick. Thanks for all the help, guys!

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www.floorbirds.com

Michael Holland · Post by **Michael Holland** » 23 May 2003 2:24 pm

The Golden Gate's are the ticket if you want the fit of the OLD Nationals. Thanks again (and again) to Patrick D. for responding to my nearly identical post last year.

Original Nationals in the back and new Golden Gates in the front.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 23 May 2003 2:26 pm

No prob, Brian....Gotta jet right now, but I'll get an e-mail to you tonite!

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 23 May 2003 8:47 pm

Brian, you play pedal steel, and you're worried about the price of a THUMBPICK???
But seriously, Golden Gate is the stuff, and I like the platic-looking ones better than the pearl ones. But that's just me.

Martin Weenick · Post by **Martin Weenick** » 23 May 2003 11:40 pm

Brian, I just received a half dozen "large" National thumbpicks from a dealer. I couldn't even get them on my thumb. Completely worthless for my use. I gave them away. Obviously they have changed something, but I suspect they were stamped "large" on medium sized picks by mistake at the factory.

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Martin W. Emmons LG III 3/5 Peavy 1000

Henning Kock · Post by **Henning Kock** » 24 May 2003 10:13 am

The manufacturers address is...
National Picks
CAVANAUGH CO., LLC
1805 APEX ROAD
SARASOTA, FLORIDA 34240, USA
phone (941) 379-9911
fax (941) 379-9921
cavanaughco@aol.com www.blackdiamondstrings.com www.nationalpicks.com
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
Kind regards,
Henning www.geocities.com/Nashville/1520 www.steelguitardanmark.subnet.dk www.henningkmusic.subnet.dk www.sitecenter.dk/henning-kock

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Brian Davis · Post by **Brian Davis** » 26 May 2003 10:19 am

Thanks for that address...I'll have to start practicing my penmanship.

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www.floorbirds.com

Jeff A. Smith · Post by **Jeff A. Smith** » 26 May 2003 9:28 pm

<SMALL>I just received a half dozen "large" National thumbpicks from a dealer. I couldn't even get them on my thumb. Completely worthless for my use.</SMALL>

Wow. They must really be screwed up. About a year ago I bought a couple of "smalls," (which I have in front of me),and one is a nice fit, while the other is a bit large. In contrast, I've dug around and found an old-style medium (different shape, larger lettering) that came with my used steel; it only fits on the end of my thumb!

I bought the new Nationals back when I was trying out as many thumbpicks as I could find. I ended up sticking with the blue ones that a lot of people seem to like.

If somebody wants this old medium National, it's too small for me. Drop me a line.

Martin Weenick · Post by **Martin Weenick** » 27 May 2003 1:34 am

Jeff and Brian, I E-Mailed the factory about the screwed up pick sizes asking for an explaination. I should hear from them today. I'll let you know what they have to say. Should be interesting. Martin.

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Martin W. Emmons LG III 3/5 Peavy 1000

Henning Kock · Post by **Henning Kock** » 27 May 2003 7:21 am

27. may 2003,
You can change the size of plastic or celluloid thumbpicks by holding them in the steam from boiling water, or laying them in warm water.
Kind regards,
Henning

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Martin Weenick · Post by **Martin Weenick** » 28 May 2003 2:16 am

The National pick factory chooses to ignore my questions about the difference in pick sizes. But I expected that.

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Martin W. Emmons LG III 3/5 Peavy 1000

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 28 May 2003 8:59 am

These are typical of things happening today. The are probably making the picks smaller to save on material? I wore out the point almost to nothing on one of my old picks and even though the point is almost gone, I still hate to part with it.

I have National picks that are so thin from use, after 60 years, that I finally had to use some of my other newer National backup picks....al

Gino Iorfida · Post by **Gino Iorfida** » 28 May 2003 9:04 am

I have a couple National L and National M here, appears the part wrapping around the thumb is identical on all of them (some old, some new), what appears different is the LENGTH of the pick from the wrap to the tip, where the L is quite a bit longer. I always have to hold mine in boiling water to sften them up, since I liek to shove the pick farily far up my thumb.

Jeff A. Smith · Post by **Jeff A. Smith** » 28 May 2003 9:49 pm

<SMALL>The National pick factory chooses to ignore my questions about the difference in pick sizes. But I expected that.</SMALL>

Well I guess we won't be ordering a box sight unseen.

I happened to come across an old National large today, that someone got with an old banjo. It was slightly larger than the old medium I have, about like you'd expect. They both are too small for me as they are, but way smaller than the new "smalls" I have. It seems like the new "smalls" don't have very much sticking out from the wrap. Maybe that tells us something.

Martin Weenick · Post by **Martin Weenick** » 29 May 2003 12:39 am

Since the National factory does not want to take the time to answer my simple question about pick size, I have ordered Golden Gates. I realize that they probably figure one guitar picker is not going to make a large difference in thier bottom line. What they may not realize is, that there are almost 4000 guitar pickers on this Forum.

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Martin W. Emmons LG III 3/5 Peavy 1000

Sam Minnitti · Post by **Sam Minnitti** » 29 May 2003 8:28 am

I emailed National as well after seeing this post. I just ran into the same problem with their picks. I will let you know if I hear anything..not expecting to.

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www.samminnitti.com