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• The Clear Pick
  The Clear Pick

V-Picks Inc. is a small, family owned guitar and mandolin plectrum business. V-Picks produces over thirty original plectrum models.

Incorporated since 2006, V-picks manufactures a brand of plectra and ships them worldwide. The company has innovated with regard to design, producing a variety of plectra that have specific functionality. The variations in the plectra they manufacture were designed to fit different playing needs not particularly met by other manufacturers.

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Contents

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• 1 Materials

• 2 Sizes and Shapes

• 3 Models

• 4 Custom Guitar Picks

• 5 Development

• 6 Innovations

• 7 References

• 8 External Links

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Materials

The V-Picks plectrums are the result of a long process of study and experimentation with many different kinds of plastics that began in 1980. A discovery made by Vinni Smith concerning one particular type of acrylic paved the way for the manufacture of the plectrums.

Further research with different shapes and sizes, including thickness, revealed a combination of flexibility and wear that was not feasible with existing materials used commonly in the manufacture of plectra. Smith also discovered a range of tonal and volume possibilities achievable with picks made of the new material. The speed and levels of articulation and accuracy that he achieved while testing the picks was found to be higher than those of industry standard picks. (See the table below for a description.)

The trademark of the V-Pick is its no-slip grip. The V-Pick material has the unique quality of clinging to the fingers so it does not move around in the hand. The easy grip does away with the need to tense the fingers and hand muscles, which gives players much greater freedom of movement. This provides for even faster and more accurate playing. Moreover, the heat from the hands serves to increase the gripping ability of the material so that common slip problems with perspiration are not a concern with V-Picks.

• the V-Picks logo
  the V-Picks logo

[edit] Sizes and Shapes

The size and shape of a plectrum can greatly affect the way an instrument sounds. It also affects manageability and playing speed. Different sizes and shapes are manufactured to be used with different stringed instruments; for instance, a certain size and shape of pick would be ideal for a jazz guitar but not for a mandolin. Yet, a plectrum is not limited to any particular instrument as the difference in sound quality may be a player’s desired effect.

V-Picks come in four sizes: small, medium, large, and freakishly large. The basic shapes are pointed and rounded.

Small

Laser cut the same size as a very popular Jazz pick, the small picks are suitable also for rhythm and lead playing, whether acoustic or electric.

The Small Ultra Lite Pointed, endorsed by Ludovico Reale, is 0.8mm thick. This thickness has slight flexibility, making it easier to pick and allowing for faster motion with less wrist movement. The major advantage with this slightly thinner pick is the added control. There is no stone sound against the string with this type of pick, although the sound is similar to a stone pick.

The Small Pointed and Ruby Red Small Pointed V-Picks are designed especially for jazz strings, small sized guitars and mandolins. It produces a crisp, bright, yet full tone with a clear mid-range. This pick is symmetrical, giving the player up to three times the wear and playability. It’s accuracy and tone consistency are two factors that earned endorsements from Bernd Kiltz, David Walliman, Randall Padilla, and Torben Enevoldsen.

The Small Pointed Lite is essentially the same pick as the Small Pointed, laser cut to 1.5mm thick. It is a bit thicker than a normal pick, but not as thick as some of the boutique speed picks. This pick has a fatter, beefier tone, more volume and faster action over the strings. This pick is also articulate and precise, reducing the wrist motion needed, with a warmer note behind it.

The Night-Glow Small Pointed pick is 2.75mm thick and suitable for sweep picking and arpeggios. It has all the qualities of the other small pointed picks, but made of very high quality illuminant that allows it to glow for up to 6 hours at a time when fully charged in sunlight or under a halogen bulb. This particular pick is endorsed by David Walliman.

Medium

The Medium Ultra Lite Rounded is somewhat flexible with rounded corners that glide over strings. It has very fast action and is easy to grip. This 0.8mm pick produces a nice full, yet soft tone on both acoustic guitars and mandolins.

The Medium Ultra Lite Pointed, endorsed by Ludovico Reale, is also slightly flexible and is designed for easy strumming. It has a bright, snappy tone with articulation. The surface of this V-Pick, also 0.8mm, clings to the skin, allowing a more relaxed grip. A balance between flimsy and stiff, this pick reduces the tension in the wrists and fingers. This type of pick is also known to eliminate secondary string noise and frequency response problems commonly experienced with horn picks.

The Medium Lite Rounded is a comfortable, 1.5mm very fast action guitar pick with a warm sound. It produces better volume and big tone differences. Endorsed by Greg Martin.

The Medium Lite Pointed V-Pick has a very fast, articulate and bright sound with a full tone and a quality mid-range. This 1.5mm pick is endorsed by Gabriel Manzo. It is suitable for playing acoustic, electric, and bass guitars, and mandolins.

The Medium Rounded is the original and most versatile V-Pick. This comfortable 2.75mm pick, endorsed by Gabriel Manzo, Denny Jiosa, Jorge Santana, Chuck D'Aloia, and Greg Martin, is suitable for all types of music with its natural, singing mid-range bump. It is a fast action plectrum with a warm tone, yet flexible enough to produce the tonal bite when desired. It has three symmetrical corners, giving this long-life pick three times longer life. The grip of this pick allows players to relax their picking hands, making for better relaxation in the fretting hand and the strumming shoulder as well. This also makes for easy play of fast riffs and better control of runs.

As manageable as other 1.5 mm picks, the Medium Rounded produces thicker, louder and richer tonal qualities unobtainable with the thinner picks. The ability to move from subtle to intense is another of the pick’s more notable qualities. The pick can also glide effortlessly across the strings yet still manage to coax a full tone with just the right amount and balance of highs. The Ruby Red Medium Round Guitar and Mandolin Pick are similar in sound and versatility.

The Night-Glow Medium Rounded V-Pick is a 2.75mm fast action pick with a warm, fat tone. As with other luminous picks, this one needs to charge under the sun or a light bulb, preferably halogen.

The Medium Pointed Guitar Pick, Ruby Red Medium Pointed Guitar Pick and Night-Glow Medium Pointed Guitar Pick are also fast and articulate with a strong, bright mid-range. This versatile pick is suitable for all kinds of music, and for acoustic and electric guitars or mandolins. Its design allows for easier sweep picking. With the same comfort as the other V-Picks, it glides across the strings and produces quality sound. The grip eliminates the tension associated with gripping picks, allowing for easier and better quality precision picking.

Large

The Large Ultra Lite Rounded is specially designed for acoustic and electric guitars, but has applications for mandolin playing as well. The larger size, slightly flexible at 0.8mm thickness, allows greater volume output without sacrificing the brightness of tone. It is a powerful and comfortable pick. The gripping characteristic of this pick make for easy hold and the rounded corners and design make for very fast action.

The Large Ultra Lite Pointed is a predominantly an acoustic guitar pick. The slight flexibility is designed for strumming chords and the size for obtaining more volume. It is similar to the Large Ultra Lite Rounded in other aspects.

The Large Lite Rounded has a bright, lively tone and an easy grip. The round corners and bevel design allow for very fast action. Made for acoustic and electric guitars at 1.5mm thickness, it is warmer sounding than the Large Lite Pointed and designed for strumming as well as leads. For the mandolin, it is suitable for tremolo playing. The grip allows players with grip control problems to handle it very well.

The Large Lite Pointed, endorsed by Ronny North, has a bright, snappy, big tone and an easy grip. This pick was designed particularly for acoustic and electric guitar players, but is also suitable for mandolin players. This pick is not flexible but has a thin feel at 1.5mm.

The Nite Glow Large Rounded pick has a very full, big tone. It produces creamy highs and a fat bottom end. With very fast action, it is appropriate for electric guitar and bass. At a 2.75mm thickness, it is also a suitable mandolin pick.

The Large Pointed V-Pick is designed as a guitar and bass pick, but is suitable for the mandolin as well. The sound it produces is comparable to a Pink Floyd, Doobie Brothers, or Deep Purple bass sound. This very strong sounding pick, endorsed by Galo Rivera, is designed for lead and rhythm playing. The larger size of this pick allows for a bigger bevel and a larger surface gripping area. In combination, this permits very fast action and very light-handed yet big-sounding play. The most notable feature of this pick is the big tone it is able to produce. This pick is 2.75mm thick and 1 1/4" from point to point.

Other features of this pick are the smooth and easy slide of the pick and a gritty quality to the attack on each note. The easy grip is suitable for players with grip problems from conditions such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, reducing the pain, numbness and general discomfort commonly experienced from gripping and making repetitive movements. The control of this 2.75mm allows a balance of rhythm ability, speed and accurate picking for an equally faster and brighter sound. The different angles of this pick allow for a versatility in harmonics without the need to change instrument or equipment settings. This pick is also available in Night Glow and Ruby Red. The Ruby Red Large Pointed V-Pick is endorsed by Stu Hamm. The Night-Glow Large Pointed is particularly designed as a bass pick with its ability for speed and articulation.

The 2.75mm Large Rounded V-Pick produces a big tone, creamy highs, and a fat bottom end. It also has a strong mid range boost. This is a very fast action pick that is also an appropriate design for mandolin playing. The easy hold design of this pick eliminates the tension common between the thumb and first finger while playing. The smooth design element allows the pick to glide from string to string, resulting in an increase in speed and a decrease in friction without the loss of the biting ability. This pick also allows for versatile expression and tonal possibilities. The design is for a deep soulful tone as in the Blues genre, giving it its own trademark tone without a squeak or pick noise. This very comfortable pick, available in Ruby Red Large Round, is also suitable for playing other genres on acoustic or electric guitars.

Freakishly Large

The Freakishly Large Rounded V-Pick was specifically designed for Carlos Santana. He plays with this pick both live and in the studio. Among all the V-Picks, this one brings out the biggest tone. Its features allow for playing up high and create a singing, voice-like effect while maintaining a warm, big and firm sounding bottom. This pick is also well suited to bass and mandolin playing. Though very large and 3.0mm thick, this pick remains very precise and accurate. Also available is the Night-Glow Freakishly Large and the It is also available in Ruby Red Freakishly Large Round. The Freakishly Large Lite Round variation has all of the above characteristics in a 1.5mm pick.

The Freakishly Large Pointed V-Pick, endorsed by Galo Rivera, was designed for a Latin sound with strong staccato phrasing. At a 2.75mm thickness, this pick is also fit for bass players. The Freakishly Large Lite Pointed is the 1.5mm version of this V-Pick.

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Models

Screamer – Acoustic

V-Picks Screamer picks have enhanced tone enrichment. Designed as a starter pick, this is a highly durable fast action V-Pick that works for all styles. It has a longer bevel that creates a sharp attack, brighter tone and more volume. The Screamer has very bright highs and a big low end as well. The mid ranges are not as strong as the other V-Picks due to the bevel design, giving a mid-range scoop.

This 2.75mm comfortable pick brings an instant improvement in tone and feel. The tonal possibilities have the effect of a new string sound. Depth and clarity of sound are two of this V-Pick’s signature characteristics. Both fat and edge sounds are possible with this pick’s combination of thickness and bevel elongation. The sharp bevel makes this pick particularly suited for fast lead work, since the angle of the tip is devised to make the pick glide over the strings and can create a wide range highs and lows. An acoustic pick by definition, the Screamer also works with electric guitars.

The Screamer, also known as the Acoustic V-Pick, is endorsed by Joshua Craig and Nick Sterling. This pick is also available in Ruby Red and Night Glow, the latter endorsed by Rodney James.

Tradition, Tradition Ultra Lite, Tradition Lite, and Tradition 4.0

The Tradition series has the distinction of being born out of requests by artists seeking a V-Pick with the shape they had been used to for the last 40 years. Resembling old picks in shape alone, it has the characteristic V-Pick volume, tone, and grip.

The Tradition Ultra Lite is the same size and shape as any traditional guitar pick, with two rounded corners and one pointed. This pick, however, is designed to add a lot of volume and extra tone. This comfortable 0.8mm pick is suitable for both electric and acoustic playing. The Tradition Lite is 1.5mm with no flex at all. Well matched for electric or acoustic lead or rhythm playing, it may be used to play the mandolin as well. The Tradition is the thickest of the Tradition series. This pick brings out the most volume with a big, singing tone. The 2.75mm thickness of this V-Pick is designed to keep the hand and fingers relaxed during play. This is one of the therapeutic picks in the line, designed for those with injured hands, wrists or fingers. The Tradition 4.0 is the newest of the Tradition models. 10% larger and 4.10mm thick, this V-Pick is specially intended for comfort and speed. It has a big, warm tone while the traditional point creates a brightness and articulation not present in other big-tone designs.

Shredder, Shredder Lite, Shredder Ultra Lite

These picks have a very sharp design meant for sweep picking and arpeggios, but are fit for bass playing as well. The Shredder is 2.75mm thick, while the Shredder Lite is 1.5mm thick. This pick has a thin feel but no flex. The Shredder Ultra Lite has slight flexibility at 0.8mm.

Diamond and Diamond Pointed

The Diamond V-Pick is laser cut to Medium size, but is 4.10mm thick for better tone quality. This pick is fashioned for lead and rhythm playing. Speed is another of this pick’s trademarks, along with the absence of pick noise when attacking strings. The Diamond Pointed, endorsed by Bill Decker, sports pointed corners.

Snake

The Snake is designed to produce a clean, clear sound and to move very smoothly and quickly between strings. The pick enhances the mid-range of the instrument. This 4.10mm-thick pick allows a player to use a light touch and still produce a big, strong tone.

Dimension Un-Buffed

The Dimension Un-Buffed is the first Hybrid style V-Pick to be put into production. Designed in honor and celebration of Michael "Muddy" Lawrence, this pick is left un-buffed, at his request.

The pick is the same size and thickness as the Snake, but has one pointed corner and two rounded corners. The pointed, sharp corner plays like the Screamer while the rounded corners produce a buttery sound. However, the pick is designed for a louder attack with more upper mid-range and more bass, accentuating notes and enhancing the sound on clean tones.

The un-buffed edge has a mat finish all the way around. The very unique tone and effect produced has been compared by V-Picks owner/designer Vinnie Smith to that of Brian May and Billy Gibbons, who both play with coins to create an effect that is much like a human voice. With the Dimension Un-Buffed, the movement of the pick is heard along with the note and the tone, which is akin to the difference heard in the production of consonants and vowels when a person talks. Extra sounds like a scraping sound are produced when using this pick, which is not present with other picks.

This pick was also developed to be used for many applications: blues, rock, metal, country and jazz. With supreme harmonics, the pick works very well for rhythm and lead playing. The rough edges of this V-Pick also compliment a fuzz tone in leads. The thickness of the pick is meant also to add comfort and ease of use when playing.

Dimension - Buffed

The Dimension Buffed V-Pick is flame polished and then hand buffed. Although it does not have the same sound character as the Dimension Un-buffed, this pick is still of the same versatile design for blues, jazz, rock, metal and country music playing. The pointed and rounded edges of this pick also allow players to switch between lead and rhythm playing without having to change picks, whatever genre is being played.

Also inspired by and dedicated to Michael "Muddy" Lawrence, this pick was designed at his request for a pick that will produce a sound comparable to that of Jeff Beck. Still at a 4.10mm thickness and the same size as the un-buffed version and the Snake, the comfort and ease of grip is the same. The added effect of buffing is the enhanced chord tone and creamier edge to leads.

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Custom Guitar Picks

• Signature Picks
  Signature Picks

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Development

Though Vinni Smith’s guitar pick was born in 1980, V-Picks Inc., founded by Vinni and his wife Nancy Smith, came into existence only in 2006. Their product has therefore been available on the market for four short years. The development of the V-Pick begins not only with Vinni Smith’s love for music but with an unforeseen event that spurred his desire to manufacture the unique plectra.

Vinni Smith was inspired as a young adult by the playing of Peter Frampton. Working a day job at the time, he had time only on weeknights and weekends to pursue his dream of becoming a rock star. He tried to emulate on his Les Paul guitars the styling of this great player as well as Brian May and Ed King. Unsatisfied with his guitar pick, even after sampling hundreds of different materials, shapes and colors, he decided to create his own plectrum. Vinni Smith experimented with different materials such as wood, metal and rubber until he came across a type of cast acrylic. The clear material attracted him and so he began trying different pick shapes and sizes cut by hand from the plastic sheet he had purchased. After shaping about thirty of these first V-Picks, Vinni Smith stopped making them. He used some for a few years and gave the others to guitar and bass player friends of his.

About five years of the gap between 1980 and 2006 is covered by a period during which Vinni Smith stopped playing the guitar. When he picked up the instrument again, he found himself enduring the same pick dilemma that had plagued him in his early days. An interesting fact is that he had forgotten about the picks that he had made years before and started the process of experimentation with different materials all over again. He rediscovered one of the clear picks he had fashioned by accident while looking through an old guitar bag. To his dismay, he realized that many of the other picks he was using over a decade past must have gone with the guitars he had sold when he stopped playing.

With a friend by the name of John, Vinni Smith started making the picks again, this time with an even better material, and sent them to friends all over the world, whom he had met through guitar forums. As it was with the first picks, these were greatly admired by all who received and used them. Holding up one of the picks between his finger and thumb, John dubbed it the V-Pick and Vinni heartily agreed. The shape of the pick made it an apt moniker in Vinni’s eyes, but his friend had meant to name it for Vinni himself. Thus, V-Picks were born.

At the same time that Vinni Smith was rediscovering his picks, his and Nancy’s daughter Audrey had become ill and her condition was getting worse. A battery of tests over a long period of time with many different doctors finally revealed that the young girl was suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis, an auto-immune disease. Low on money and struggling with the bad news, the Smith family was unsure about what to make of the many comments they were receiving regarding putting the picks up for sale. A timely message from a friend gave Vinnie Smith the avenue he needed to decide the matter; a market for and a forum from which to sell his V-Picks. After deciding with family and friends as to an appropriate price, Vinni was still doubtful as to whether the picks would sell. Taking a leap of faith, Vinni discovered that not only were his picks salable. But that orders immediately started pouring in on PayPal and did not stop. Most surprisingly, he says, people trusted him, a stranger, and were paying in advance for a product they had never used or even ever seen. Money problems ceased and Audrey’s health began to improve.

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Innovations

Vinni Smith has worked to develop the guitar pick that will not drop from even the most excitable and vigorous players’ fingers. This goal is based on his belief that the last thing a player should be thinking about when playing is the equipment. Made of a clear, cast acrylic, the material clings to the skin as it warms up without becoming sticky. This innovation is among the best aspects of V-Picks, according to creator Vinni. It allows artists to focus their energies on creating art rather than trying to keep the pick in the right place or looking for it when it drops. This facet has evolved into a type of V-Pick motto, “Never drop your pick again.”

V-Picks are the only picks available on the market that can be comfortably used by some who have particular difficulty with their grips. The “pick that will never drop,” as the V-Pick has been described, helps players who are double-jointed and so drop picks easily. Players who experience frequent cramps in their hands or tension in the fingers and wrists while playing will not have this problem with V-Picks. Even those who suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, nerve problems and loss of muscle control resulting from various injuries can take advantage of the advanced grip technology of V-Picks.

Working from the premise that good guitar playing is all about control, Vinnie Smith continually redesigned the V-Pick during its first years. His efforts have resulted in a bevel that works with the special material to produce additional benefits. The gliding action of the bevel and the material together allow faster action. Richer and fuller tones along with greater volume without common distortion problems are also possible due to the bevel balance. The clear thick acrylic picks have become well known for tone, speed, feel and grip. Vinnie Smith works also from the concept that the longer one plays using V-Picks, the more light handed one becomes, which helps a player to become faster and more accurate.

The company’s founders and owners, Vinni and Nancy Smith, manage the business and cater to their customers themselves. Vinni and his son Adam handle the manufacturing process from start to finish.

Today, Vinni and Nancy are selling thousands of V-Picks all over the world. The couple spends their days communicating with international customers. Some of their more well-known customers include Carlos Santana and Alex Masi. Their 30-some pick models comprise an assortment of personalized guitar picks, electric guitar picks, acoustic guitar picks, mandolin picks, bass picks, gypsy jazz picks, dulcimer picks and therapeutic picks for players with injured hands and fingers.

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References

• Pick Thickness. Ian Green.
  

• V-Picks. Jason Sidwell, The ultimate pick.
  

• Guitar Picks: The Most Fundamental Conduit of Tone. Mike Duddles.
  

• • V-picks.com
  

• Picking the perfect guitar pick.

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External links