Recently I purchased one of each variety from the Chicken Picks range. That’s three from the Original Series and four from the Tritone III Series. I have to say they take some getting used to, but once you do, they may become your plectrum of choice—if you are interested in incredibly long lasting and easy to grip plectrums that is. I honestly think that there has to be one plectrum from the seven I tried that will suit everyone. It all comes down to playing style I believe.
By the way, I was going to call this a scary review. You know, because I’m using the name Scarebear. But I realised the review isn’t scary. It’s rather normal actually. Unlike the Chicken Picks plectrums. They’re not normal. They’re better than that. But not scary. Not scary at all.
The seven plectrums in the pack I purchased were:
- Original Series Regular (2.6mm)
- Original Series Light (2.2mm)
- Original Series Shredder (3.5mm)
- Tritone III Series Badazz III (2.0mm)
- Tritone III Series Badazz III (2.5mm)
- Tritone III Series Bermuda III (2.1mm)
- Tritone III Series Bermuda III (2.7mm)
If you’re used to playing what I’ll call a standard plectrum, then all of these plectrums are going to feel thick. Because they are. What I discovered though, was that for reasons unknown to me and my feeble mind, the grip strength required to hold these plectrums is less than that of a standard plectrum. This makes picking easier (in relation to the hand strength required). There is still some adjusting you have to do in regards to the picking edge and its distance from your finger tips, but for me at least, the different feel is one that was one that was easy to adjust to quickly.
I won’t run through all of the plectrums individually, but I will tell you more about the four I preferred the most. I’ll end with my favourite plectrum.
Original Series Regular (2.6mm)
Of the plectrum types, the Original Series are the closest to standard or traditional plectrums. The 2.6mm plectrum is close to a standard plectrum size and shape. It’s just a lot thicker. Having said that, this plectrum—as is the case for all other Chicken Picks plectrums—has a smooth and thin picking edge. It’s a picking edge that even after hours of playing time seems to somehow stay smooth and ridge-free. That’s been the case for me at least.
The plectrum gets dirty—that’s my issue more than the plectrum’s issue—but it retains its shape incredibly well. This again is true for all of the Chicken Picks range.
For regular guitar playing, this is a mighty fine guitar plectrum.
Original Series Shredder (3.5mm)
Similar in shape to the Original Series Regular, the Shredder is smaller in size and thicker. If you’re an accurate shred-style guitarist, this is the plectrum to get from the Original Series range. It fits perfectly in-between your thumb and finger with just enough plectrum to attack the strings. I really like this plectrum. It does have a more specific audience in mind though in my opinion. I’m OK with that because I’m that audience—minus the accuracy part because I don’t have that.
Tritone III Series Badazz III (2.0mm)
The Badazz III is similar in size to the Shredder, but this plectrum is one of the thinnest in the Chicken Picks range. The Badazz III plectrums however are a three-point design allowing you to hold the plectrum traditionally, or unconventionally should you choose. If you ever manage to wear out a picking edge on this plectrum—or any of the Tritone III Series plectrums which feature this awesome advantage—then you can spin the plectrum around and wear out the other two picking edges. It’s like three plectrums in one.
Still it’s not my favourite plectrum from Chicken Picks. Nope. My favourite would be …
Tritone III Series Bermuda III (2.7mm)
Because it’s from the Tritone III Series, the Bermuda III also features three picking edges to choose from. It’s similar in shape to the Badazz, but it’s regular plectrum sized. I just find it to be the most comfortable plectrum to hold and play with. I feel like I don’t have to exert as much energy to pick using this plectrum and the feel is just right.
One thing I will say for all of the plectrums I tried from the Chicken Picks range was that they do make a very different sound when striking the string when compared to standard plectrums. The sound is a lot more audible than normal, but as I mostly play amplified and distorted guitar, it made no difference to me.
When I did use the plectrums on an acoustic guitar, I actually liked the different tone I was getting from the plectrum. It seems to suit an acoustic sound in my opinion. It’s almost another tone that you are now able to get out of your acoustic guitar playing (for plectrum style playing of course).
The plectrums are lighter than they look and in my honest—unpaid—opinion, well worth the investment. I know I’ll be using the Badazz and Bermuda for a long time to come.
