Kyser picks

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 30 Jan 2012 6:29 am

I'm wondering what gauges they do. I'm beoming accustomed to my newly-acquired pair of Nationals - I don't know their gauge but it says 'NP2' on them - and I'd like to know what options are available (Kyser, Nationals, JF?) in this style of pick.

These Nationals I have feel quite chunky (they could be .025 or even .027) and that's my preference.

I have a whole bunch of unused Dunlops here so I'll happily swap them for some National-style picks.

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 30 Jan 2012 6:44 am

Don't know the actual gauge but the Kyser "Old Style" picks I have seem just about identical to the NP2s (which I have also), with the added advantage of some slight knurling on the inside surface, which seems to help keep them from falling off. As far as I know the Old Styles aren't offered in different gauges.

The JFs also are pretty much the same gauge. Their most noticeable feature, to me, is that the diamond-shaped holes in the wraparound bands cause them to bend with angles instead of a smoothly rounded curve. I don't know why, but that seems to help them stay on too.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 30 Jan 2012 6:50 am

Thanks, Brint -

Where can I get the Kysers, do you know? I emailed Jeffran a while ago asking about getting the Newman ones but haven't had a reply yet.

I like the sound of that 'knurling' you mention - the only issue with these Nationals is that I've been picking them up off the floor a bit too often!

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 30 Jan 2012 7:02 am

I got them from Billy Cooper's a few years ago.
http://www.billycooperssteelguitar.com/

Apparently Kyser has done them with and without the knurling, I don't know in what order. I'm not sure if the current offering from Kyser is with or without.

Incidentally, this guy, on his exhaustive webpage about National-style picks, says the NP2s are .025.
www.deanhoffmeyer.com

Erich Meisberger · Post by **Erich Meisberger** » 30 Jan 2012 8:44 am

I just bought a pair directly from Kyser's website and they are knurled.
Love em!

Bob Tuttle · Post by **Bob Tuttle** » 30 Jan 2012 8:55 am

Roger, Janet Davis Music in Bentonville, AR has a good selection of finger picks (and thumb picks).

www.janetdavismusic.com

George Macdonald · Post by **George Macdonald** » 30 Jan 2012 9:20 am

Roger, You can also get the Kysers from "Frenchy's in New Mexico. He is one of the vendors listed here on the Forum.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 30 Jan 2012 11:44 am

Thanks, everyone.....

Those Kysers are expensive! Bobbe's price seemed as good as any so I ordered one set from him, plus a handful of Nationals. That means I can abandon the Dunlops for ever.

(Anyone need any Dunlops?

)

Johnny Cox · Post by **Johnny Cox** » 30 Jan 2012 2:16 pm

The Kysers were made about 25 miles from where I live. The last time I talked with them (about a year ago) they were not making finger picks. I'm hoping by seeing this thread that they are making them again. They are my favorites and I don't like Dunlops or the new Nationals. And if you think Kysers are expensive go to a bluegrass festival and shop for a set of old Nationals. They start @ $100 a pair.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 30 Jan 2012 2:51 pm

There's a big 'King's Magic Clothes' ethic at work here!

I can see for myself they're expensive - but why???

Brett Lanier · Post by **Brett Lanier** » 30 Jan 2012 2:56 pm

I bought some kyser's from Bobbe just a little while ago. They're my favorite too, not the same as the nationals though. I believe the blade is a little less flat. Less clanky for me.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 30 Jan 2012 3:04 pm

As I said I've ordered one pair of Kysers plus a few Nationals; if I find I really like the Kysers then, of course, I'll spring for a couple more pairs.

No takers for my Dunlops, I suppose???

Mike Taylor · Post by **Mike Taylor** » 30 Jan 2012 4:37 pm

I received a set from Bill Stroud when I got a Hughey Bar -- what a great bar. I immediately fell in love with the Kyser picks and have played them for the last 6 years. One day, I dropped one and almost stepped on it and thought to myself.. You gotta get another set as these are the best things since sliced bread. I found their website and ordered a backup pair and like Johnny; was pleased to find they came out of Canton Texas - about 20 miles from my daughters house.. I've tried a LOT of picks and these are the most comfortable wearing IMO.

Mike

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 30 Jan 2012 8:00 pm

Roger, I wouldn't trade your dunlaps for my Kyser's but tell you what you can do and make some good picks out of them. I hate the dunlaps because of the little edge that catches other strings and the curve in the part that goes over finger. Providing they are the correct gauge you like, just take a dremel tool and make them look like a Kyser and you can buy them in about any music store for 2 bucks, more or less. I took a pair and did that and now they feel like the Kyser. The holes in the Dunlaps are a little bigger so you can't get them down perfect but they work good. No way am I giving anybody $40 or more for two picks.

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 31 Jan 2012 2:25 pm

Here's a picture of some made over Dunlops. The pick at the far left is a Kyser, the other three are Dunlops.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 31 Jan 2012 2:28 pm

Thanks for the tip, Henry! I'm not sure if I could pull this off as well as you did but I'll give it a go!

Carl Mesrobian · Post by **Carl Mesrobian** » 31 Jan 2012 6:53 pm

Roger Rettig wrote:There's a big 'King's Magic Clothes' ethic at work here!

I can see for myself they're expensive - but why???

I think it's the crazy price of recapturing the past! Try to buy a Gibson PAF humbucker for short money, or a vintage case for that matter

Carl Mesrobian · Post by **Carl Mesrobian** » 31 Jan 2012 7:00 pm

Henry Matthews wrote:Roger, I wouldn't trade your dunlaps for my Kyser's but tell you what you can do and make some good picks out of them. I hate the dunlaps because of the little edge that catches other strings and the curve in the part that goes over finger. Providing they are the correct gauge you like, just take a dremel tool and make them look like a Kyser and you can buy them in about any music store for 2 bucks, more or less. I took a pair and did that and now they feel like the Kyser. The holes in the Dunlaps are a little bigger so you can't get them down perfect but they work good. No way am I giving anybody $40 or more for two picks.

It's great to have the time to grind picks - my wife would have my head on a platter if she saw me doing that instead of working on the bathroom remodel or repairing instruments.. My shop rate of $40/hr would get eaten up pretty fast - cheaper to buy the kysers! Sorry if I sound harsh, but I just finished up mudding the shower curb and am taking the edge off with a nice cold Newcastle Brown!

David Beckner · Post by **David Beckner** » 31 Jan 2012 7:13 pm

No takers for my Dunlops, I suppose???

[/quote]

Roger..If you have any 018 in those picks I'll gladly take them off your hands..

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 31 Jan 2012 7:15 pm

If anyone has the older style Dunlops .025 with only 4 holes instead of 6 .. I'll buy them all .

Carl Mesrobian · Post by **Carl Mesrobian** » 31 Jan 2012 7:20 pm

Brint Hannay wrote:Don't know the actual gauge but the Kyser "Old Style" picks I have seem just about identical to the NP2s (which I have also), with the added advantage of some slight knurling on the inside surface, which seems to help keep them from falling off. As far as I know the Old Styles aren't offered in different gauges.

The JFs also are pretty much the same gauge. Their most noticeable feature, to me, is that the diamond-shaped holes in the wraparound bands cause them to bend with angles instead of a smoothly rounded curve. I don't know why, but that seems to help them stay on too.

I was watching a video of Jeff Newman and Lloyd Green where Lloyd kept pushing his picks back on (I think) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hVVrcw16ek - guess it's just an occupational hazard..

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 1 Feb 2012 10:39 am

Carl Mesrobian wrote:
Henry Matthews wrote:Roger, I wouldn't trade your dunlaps for my Kyser's but tell you what you can do and make some good picks out of them. I hate the dunlaps because of the little edge that catches other strings and the curve in the part that goes over finger. Providing they are the correct gauge you like, just take a dremel tool and make them look like a Kyser and you can buy them in about any music store for 2 bucks, more or less. I took a pair and did that and now they feel like the Kyser. The holes in the Dunlaps are a little bigger so you can't get them down perfect but they work good. No way am I giving anybody $40 or more for two picks.
It's great to have the time to grind picks - my wife would have my head on a platter if she saw me doing that instead of working on the bathroom remodel or repairing instruments.. My shop rate of $40/hr would get eaten up pretty fast - cheaper to buy the kysers! Sorry if I sound harsh, but I just finished up mudding the shower curb and am taking the edge off with a nice cold Newcastle Brown!

You're funny Carl but know what you mean. Just one of the advantages of me being single. By the way, it only takes about ten minutes per pick. I just flatten them out, grind most down with a bench grinder and take off the rough edges with the dremel. Re shaping takes the longest. Good luck on your remodeling.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 1 Feb 2012 10:55 am

These Kysers are hard to find! I have a pair on order from Bobbe but, at this moment, he's out-of-stock.

I found another place that has them and have ordered two pairs from them (I'm told my order has shipped) - hopefully Bobbe will get that in and I'll end up with three sets. But I was astonished at the number of places that were out of them. Two places (from b0b's links) told me they'd stopped getting them as the price was unreasonably high.

Newsflash! I'm digging around in my boxes of junk and, among the countless .025", .0225", and .o20" (there are also two .018"s) Dunlop f/picks, I found ONE very tarnished Kyser!!!!! Didn't know I had it, and (so far) there's just the one....

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 1 Feb 2012 11:05 am

Loads of Dunlop .025"s and also a pair of new unplayed National NP2s! Bunches of Zookies but that cranked blade was a passing fancy for me. I like the big and clumpy Golden Gates!

It's fun poking around in places that haven't seen the light of day in forever! I also found a Hip-Shot unit...

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 1 Feb 2012 11:34 am

They can be found here:
http://www.banjo.com/Roys_Own_Nickel_Si ... _p/906.htm

I have a set of Roy's Own. I like them.