The plastic picks are made out of... - updated

[dstroud]

I used Fender picks for years, then they just started wearing out really fast - looking at some old picks I had it was apparent they switched plastics. So I started using the Dunlop Tortex picks. I decided to try some other manuracturer's of the Fender type picks - I just opened a pack of Dunlop Genuine Celluloid Classics and I noticed something - they smell really wierd, but it's the way my old Fender picks would smell when I opened them! Anyone notice this, or have any idea the different types of plastics and which plastic smells - cause that's the one the lasts longest and I'd like to find out what it is- tia!

 

[ratter]

Fender also still sells celluloid. I like them much better.

 

[dstroud]

Fender also still sells celluloid. I like them much better.

Those are the ones that wear out really fast - and they don't smell, but they used to and when they did they lasted longer. So I'm trying to figure out why the smelly picks last longer.

 

[Copperhead]

The last gross of Fender celluloids I got are smelly, I was unaware that they had changed.

 

[duesentrieb]

You can "test" the material when you burn it: celluloid burns (really) fast and smells like shit, thats due to the NO2 and Camphora inside while most modern picks are made of polyamids, which also burn, but not as fast and since they don't have natural compounds they just smell (when burnt) like plastic. If not enough oxygen is around (when lets say a truck full of picks would burn) you'd get cyanide too. Not too healthy that stuff
Some of the polyamide picks also have a polypropylene surface to give them more strenghts (sp?).
Just hold pH paper into the fumes: celluloid turns red (HNO3) while polyamides don't change it.

 

[ratter]

Fender also still sells celluloid. I like them much better.

Those are the ones that wear out really fast - and they don't smell, but they used to and when they did they lasted longer. So I'm trying to figure out why the smelly picks last longer.

You know, I lied. The ones I got recently aren't advertised as celluloid, and they don't smell. Maybe it's my imagination but they seem to be lasting much longer than fenders usually do for me? These ones:

http://www.music123.com/Fender-351-Stan ... 23?source=

 

[guitarslinger]

put a finder pick in some needle nose pliers. Hold a lighter on that pick, and watch out. It's pretty cool!

 

[Copperhead]

..... and Camphora ....

That's what it is! Mothballs.....

 

[Digital Jams]

You can "test" the material when you burn it: celluloid burns (really) fast and smells like shit, thats due to the NO2 and Camphora inside while most modern picks are made of polyamids, which also burn, but not as fast and since they don't have natural compounds they just smell (when burnt) like plastic. If not enough oxygen is around (when lets say a truck full of picks would burn) you'd get cyanide too. Not too healthy that stuff
Some of the polyamide picks also have a polypropylene surface to give them more strenghts (sp?).
Just hold pH paper into the fumes: celluloid turns red (HNO3) while polyamides don't change it.

Freaking Chemist

 

[blackba]

I notice the latest batch of fender picks I have is wearing out fast too. I usually go through about 1 per practice. I used to get 2-4 practices from them.

I use either fender medium or heavy. Anyone have a preference that I should check into next time I order?

 

[MisterBulbous]

put a finder pick in some needle nose pliers. Hold a lighter on that pick, and watch out. It's pretty cool!

+1
We used to do that in college (20 years ago). burn several of them at a time and it's enough light to hurt your eyes!

 

[dstroud]

well, just had a rehearsal with my smelly pick - it lasted the whole rehearsal and didn't wear at all - my regular Fender pic would have been done 1/2 way through - guess smelly picks are now an integral part of my rig!

 

[Subclavian]

we used to get "influenced" back in high school and then see who could light one and see how long we could hold onto it before we threw it down.


Now that i'm an old fart, I play Dunlop Ultex picks. They seem to last forever and I love the way they feel. Hadn't tried burning one yet, but I might.


sub

 

[sandman]

i love dunlop ultex...and i haven't tried to burn one of those or the fender ones

 

[Gainfreak]

I switched to cool picks and I haven't had to buy picks in the last 7 years. The material that they use on the cool picks lasts forever. Even when they get dull you can so the old carpet scraping trick to sharpen them up again.


I know what you are talking about with the plastic smell. I haven't used Fender picks since 1991 but when I used to buy them by the gross they had a particular smell to them that was unique.

 

[blackba]

I switched to cool picks and I haven't had to buy picks in the last 7 years. The material that they use on the cool picks lasts forever. Even when they get dull you can so the old carpet scraping trick to sharpen them up again.


I know what you are talking about with the plastic smell. I haven't used Fender picks since 1991 but when I used to buy them by the gross they had a particular smell to them that was unique.

Who makes the cool picks?

 

[Gainfreak]

I switched to cool picks and I haven't had to buy picks in the last 7 years. The material that they use on the cool picks lasts forever. Even when they get dull you can so the old carpet scraping trick to sharpen them up again.


I know what you are talking about with the plastic smell. I haven't used Fender picks since 1991 but when I used to buy them by the gross they had a particular smell to them that was unique.

Who makes the cool picks?

Cool picks!!

http://elderly.com/accessories/items/PKAGJ-H.htm